US08409263B2
Minimally invasive delivery with intercellular and/or intracellular localization of nano- and micro-particle solar cells within and among excitable biological cells to controllably regulate membrane polarization of such cells. The cells include retinal and other sensory cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells.
US08409260B2
A bone screw having a screw member possessing a threaded section and a head and a receiving part at the head end for receiving a rod to be connected to the bone screw is provided. The receiving part has on open first bore and a substantially U-shaped cross-section having two free legs provided with a thread. Furthermore, the receiving part has a second bore on the end opposite to the first bore whose diameter is greater than that of the threaded section and smaller than that of the head. On the bottom of the first bore a seat for the head is provided. In order that the screw member can be pivoted to at least one side by an enlarged angle, the edge bounding the free end of the second bore viewed relative to the axis of the first bore is of asymmetric construction.
US08409256B2
A spine stabilization system having a dynamic screw comprises at least one bone anchor assembly comprising a receiver member and a bone engaging member pivotably connected to the receiver member. A bearing is provided in the receiver member that engages a portion of the bone engaging member. An elongated connecting member is connected to the receiver member. A retention member insert is provided within the receiver member between the elongated connecting member and the bearing. The retention member is configured to secure the bearing within the retention member.
US08409248B2
An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable, threaded plug carried by a delivery device. A guide wire is receivable through lumens in the plug and delivery device that includes wings on a bioabsorbable distal portion. With the wings collapsed, the guide wire is advanced through the passage into a blood vessel, the wings expanding once located within the vessel, and the guide wire is withdrawn until the wings contact the vessel wall. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire until the plug is disposed adjacent the wings. The distal portion of the guide wire is secured to the plug, e.g., by compressing a collet within the plug lumen that seals the lumen, and is severed from a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the plug and distal portion are deployed with the plug sealing the passage.
US08409246B2
An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, to a clamping position. One of the first and second jaw members includes one or more cam slots defined therein and configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the movable jaw member from the open position to the clamping position. A resilient member is operably coupled to the jaw member that includes the one or more cam slots. The resilient member is configured to provide a camming force to the cam slot and to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.
US08409240B2
The disclosure relates to an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for maintaining said filter in a compact state prior to deploying the filter.
US08409238B2
Embolic protection filtering devices and methods for making and using the same. An example filtering device includes a filter wire, a filter including a filter loop coupled to the filter wire, and a filter membrane coupled to the filter loop. A plurality of cam members may be coupled to the filter loop. Alternatively, the filter loop may include a plurality of strut members coupled thereto. The cam members and/or the strut members may help to stabilize the longitudinal position of the filtering device within a body lumen.
US08409234B2
Robotic instrument systems, apparatus, and methods for controllably rotating a tool or adapter coupled to a distal portion of a medical instrument such as a catheter. An interface, which may be integral with the medical instrument or a component of a separate rotatable apparatus or adapter, is operably coupled, e.g. fixedly coupled, to the distal end of the instrument. A tool, such as a rotatable portion of a collar or tool base, or a working instrument operably coupled thereto, is rotatable relative to the interface. The interface and collar have guide channels. A control element extends through the medical instrument and respective guide channels such that the tool or collar is controllably rotatable about the instrument axis by axial movement of the control element relative to the instrument.
US08409231B2
The present invention relates to a contoured scalpel handle. The contoured shape of the handle provides for increased contact area with the user's hand using a larger diameter central portion and a smaller diameter trough. The generally circular cross-section allows rotation of the angle of the blade relative to the tissue without the need to change the grip on the handle. The contoured handle can be used as an adapter sleeve in which a scalpel handle can be inserted or can include a blade mounting element on which a blade is directly mounted.
US08409222B2
An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion and a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also has a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body, and a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus also has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position. The apparatus still further has an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position.
US08409221B2
A system for attaching an access port to bodily tissue includes an access port assembly and including an access port having a generally central axis. The access port assembly further includes an attachment mechanism structured to enable the access port to be attached, for example, to an abdominal muscle of a patient. The system includes a safety cap which lies substantially flush against the anchor base to provide no space for movement of the anchors. The safety cap prevents the anchors from deploying prematurely.
US08409217B2
A tissue retrieval device includes an introducer tube and a tissue retrieval bag. The introducer tube is sized to be inserted into a patient through a trocar. The tissue retrieval bag may be selectively exposed at the distal end of the introducer tube within the patient. The tissue retrieval bag may receive a tissue specimen and be withdrawn from the patient. The tissue retrieval bag may include an inflatable portion. When inflated, the inflatable portion may extend the tissue retrieval bag from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. The inflatable portion may substantially seal a tissue specimen within the tissue retrieval bag. The tissue retrieval bag may me formed of an environmentally sensitive material such that the size of the tissue retrieval bag expands when the tissue retrieval bag is exposed within the patient.
US08409215B2
Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.
US08409212B2
The present invention discloses a technique for forming a hardened orthopaedic paste in a bone cavity, which involves a forced-feeding balloon rupture mechanism. This mechanism includes continuously or intermittently injecting a liquid or gas into a perforated balloon containing a hardened orthopaedic paste therein in a bone cavity until the perforated balloon is dilated to exceed a critical size, and thus ruptures.
US08409206B2
Described herein are devices, systems and methods for cutting tissue in a patient. In some embodiments, a tissue modification region of a device includes a pair of flexible elongate cutting members extending along the length of the tissue modification region. Each elongate cutting member may be configured to cut a discrete trough into tissue to a depth that is greater than the thickness of the cutting member. In some embodiments, the device includes a spacer. The spacer may be sized and configured to operate in one of two modes. A first mode, in which the spacer is coupled to the cutting members such that it holds a portion of each of the two cutting members a distance from one another, and a second mode, in which at least a portion of the spacer is moved away from a cutting member to allow the cutting members to cut further into tissue.
US08409205B2
A fixation device for an intramedullary nail for proximal femoral fractures, including a main intramedullary nail, a combined locking nail, and cortical bone screws. The main intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end with a tip. The proximal end includes a through hole for assembling the combined locking nail. The distal end includes an oblong through hole and a circular through hole, both for receiving the cortical bone screws. The combined locking nail includes a head, a distal end of the locking nail, a sleeve, a connecting block, and a cover cap. The connecting block includes a left-handed external thread. The cover cap includes a left-handed internal thread matching with the external thread of the connecting block, a symmetrical sliding plane, and a protrusion block disposed at the end of the symmetrical sliding plane.
US08409199B2
A portable, thermal cauterizing forceps device for use in surgery. The device incorporates a pair of ceramic heater elements mounted within the tips of the tines of a forceps. The forceps is used to grasp tissue or blood vessels and apply heat to effect cauterization. The forceps instrument can incorporate a battery and control electronics. The thermal-forceps is of a self-contained wireless, handheld disposable design. The forceps handpiece can be connected to an external power source. The forceps can incorporate a set of rapidly heating ceramic heater elements that may be composed of silicon nitride. An LED provides the operator feedback as to the operating level of the heaters and/or battery reserve. The forceps can include a rechargeable power supply, variable control of the heater temperature, as well as a, digital display of the tip temperature.
US08409198B2
Surgical systems, devices and methods including one or more tissue stimulation elements that, in some instances, may also be used for sensing purposes. Some of the surgical devices also include a tissue coagulation element.
US08409190B2
An electrosurgical device to generate a plasma stream and method to perform endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery within a patient's body. The electrosurgical device includes an electrode operatively coupled to an electrosurgical generator to receive electrical energy therefrom, the electrode being concentrically disposed within an inner noble gas conduit to form a plasma channel. An outer electronegative gas conduit is disposed in surrounding coaxial relation relative to the inner noble gas conduit to cooperatively form an electronegative gas channel therebetween such that the electrode heats the noble gas to at least partially ionize the noble gas to generate the plasma stream to be directed to the surgical site to perform the surgical procedure while the electronegative gas sustains the plasma stream at the surgical site and dilutes the noble gas adjacent the surgical site. An outer aspiration conduit may be provided to remove fluid and solid debris from the surgical site.
US08409188B2
An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section.
US08409185B2
The present invention generally provides improved medical devices, systems, and methods. Embodiments may be particularly well suited for the treatment of dermatological and/or cosmetic defects, and alternative embodiments may be configured for treatment of a wide range of target tissues. Some embodiments of the present invention apply cooling with at least one small, tissue-penetrating probe, the probe often comprising a needle having a size suitable for inserting through an exposed surface of the skin of a patient without leaving a visible scar. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissue so as to effect a desired change in a composition of the target tissue and/or a change in its behavior. Exemplary embodiments make use of replaceable needle probes supported by a probe body handle, with small needle probes often being replaced during treatment of a single patient. Unlike the large format cryogenic cooling systems of the past, small cryogenic cooling needle probes may dull or be damaged by insertion. Careful control over the control of cryogenic cooling fluid into a needle probe can allow the length of the active cooling to be controlled through depletion of liquid from an evaporating cryogenic cooling flow. Hence, even needles having similar external structures may provide differing lengths of an iceball along the needle axis. Surprisingly, small cryogenic cooling needles and/or other cryogenic cooling probes having a lubricious coating will allow safe removal of the probe from the treatment region while at a least a portion of the tissue remains frozen, significantly decreasing the overall time for a procedure involving many insertion/freeze/removal cycles.
US08409182B2
A laser-assisted method for fully or partially separating tissue such as collagen-containing tissue is provided. In one embodiment, the method pertains to a capsolurorhexis whereby the laser-assisted method is applied to the lens capsule. A light-absorbing agent is added into or onto the tissue. A light beam with a wavelength capable of being absorbed by the light absorbing agent is then directed at the tissue to cause a thermal effect at the tissue following a predetermined closed curve with the goal to avoid irregularity or potential tears in the resulting rim of the tissue.
US08409176B2
A system/method for destruction/ablation of stones, calculi or other hard substances using laser is disclosed. Lithotripsy is particularly benefitted. The system comprises a diode laser source, one or more optical fibers and a liquid delivery system creating a liquid environment around stones (calculi). At least one emitted wavelength is highly absorbed in surrounding/covering medium, causing evaporation and cavitation effects that lead to stone/calculi destruction. Different radiation configurations may be used. in one embodiment continuous radiation is used to create sparkler-less plasma bubbles to destroy hard substances. In another embodiment high peak power pulsed radiation is used. Wavelengths of 1470 nm, 1940 nm, or 1550 nm are preferred. Additionally device/method is used with another wavelength having absorption in water e.g. 980 nm. Safer/improved methods/system provide enhanced lithotripsy treatments with shorter treatment times to destroy a wider range of stones with less tissue damage risk.
US08409175B2
An instrument guide device comprises an elongated guide shaft having proximal and distal ends and including an instrument lumen for receiving therethrough a manually operated instrument having an instrument shaft. A distal bendable member is disposed at the distal end of the guide shaft and a proximal bendable member is disposed at the proximal end of the guide shaft. Actuation means extends between the distal and proximal bendable members and provides a bending of the distal bendable member controlled from the proximal bendable member. The proximal bendable member is controlled from the manually operated instrument to cause a corresponding bending of said distal bendable member. A locking mechanism has locked and unlocked positions and includes a ball and socket arrangement disposed about the proximal bendable member and a cinch member for locking the ball and socket arrangement.
US08409174B2
A medical manipulator system includes a medical manipulator, an operating unit for inputting operation commands, motors for driving a working unit, a controller for driving the motors based on operation commands supplied from the operating unit, and an LED that displays an operational state. The controller carries out controls for distinguishing between an operational mode in which the operation command is validated and the motors are driven, and a stopped mode in which the motors are halted regardless of whether the operation command is present or not. An illumination state of the LED is switched dependent on whether the system is in the operational mode or the stopped mode. The LED is disposed in the center of an upper surface of a bridge, which interconnects a grip handle and an actuator block.
US08409172B2
A robotic surgical system includes an instrument driver and an instrument assembly operatively coupled to the instrument driver such that mechanisms of the instrument driver operate or control movement, operation, or both, of components of the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly components include an elongate flexible guide instrument, an optical light source, a camera and a working tool, wherein the light source, camera, and working tool are carried in one or more lumens of the guide instrument. An operator control station is operatively coupled to the instrument driver via a remote communication link. The instrument assembly further includes an inflatable visualization balloon carried on a distal end portion of the guide instrument, the light source and camera having distal ends located within an interior of the balloon, the balloon comprising a lumen extending from the guide instrument to a distal facing wall of the balloon, such that the working instrument may extend from a respective lumen of the guide instrument through the balloon lumen to contact body tissue when the distal end of the guide instrument is positioned in an interior body region.
US08409165B2
A vial enshrouded or contained in a protective covering which prevents emission of radiation form the vial contents, shielding the environment and personnel from irradiation. The vial optionally has a V-shaped bottom to allow withdrawal of a maximal amount of the fluid without inverting the vial. The vial is equipped with a vial access adapter having a fluid withdrawal spike which extends in to the V-shaped bottom. The vial access adapter may be vented or non-vented.
US08409162B2
A disposable absorbent article including a pair of first fasteners, at least a portion of each first fastener being situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge in the first waist region, each first fastener being adapted to engage at least a portion of the inner surface of the second waist region, each first fastener comprising a resilient material. The disposable absorbent article also includes a disposal fastener, at least a portion of the disposal fastener being situated inboard from the longitudinal side edge in the second waist region, the disposal fastener adapted to engage at least a portion of the outer surface, the disposal fastener comprising a resilient material.
US08409155B2
An apparatus for controlling vacuum pressure is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple axis controller, such as a dual axis footpedal, and a processing apparatus, such as an instrument host running software, configured to receive multiple axis data from the multiple axis controller. The apparatus also includes a first pump configured to provide nonzero fluid pressure at a first nonzero fluid pressure level based on a first axis state of the multiple axis controller and a second pump configured to provide nonzero fluid pressure at a second nonzero fluid pressure level based on a second axis state of the multiple axis controller. The processing apparatus causes switching between the first pump and the second pump based on the first axis state and the second axis state of the multiple axis controller.
US08409150B2
Ampoules for dispensing flowable substances and metering systems incorporating the same are described herein. An ampoule for a flowable substance includes an ampoule body comprising an interior space for receiving the flowable substance and an inner circumferential surface having a guide region and a sealing region. A piston may be disposed in the interior space of the ampoule body such that the piston is slidably displaceable along a direction of displacement. The piston includes at least one sealing element for forming a seal with the inner circumferential surface in a contact zone on the outer circumference of the sealing element. The sealing element has a first compression state when the contact zone is in the guide region and a second compression state when the contact zone is in the sealing region. A second blocking device prevents movement of the contact zone from the sealing region to the guide region.
US08409141B2
The present application relates to a disposable auto injector (10) that can be safely operated for automatic injection of a dose of medication and having a housing (12) for accommodation of a syringe (18) with a needle (20), the syringe being movably positioned in the housing between a first position in which position the needle is accommodated inside the housing and a second position in which position the needle protrudes outside the housing (22), a driver configured for applying a force to the syringe thereby moving the syringe from the first position to the second position, and wherein the driver is also configured for applying a force to the syringe thereby moving the syringe from the second position to a retracted position in which position the needle is accommodated inside the housing upon user operation of a release member (42).
US08409140B2
An injection apparatus for making an injection at a predetermined depth in skin comprises: a first skin positioning member, a second skin positioning member, wherein the first and second skin positioning members lie or are moveable to lie in an injection arrangement; an injection needle; and an injection needle movement guide to guide the injection needle for movement from a parking position above the skin, through the lower surface of the second skin positioning member to slide beneath the first skin positioning member to an injection position. A further injection apparatus comprises: an injection needle; a plunger within the injection needle; and a retractor to retract the injection needle such that material to be injected is expelled from the injection needle by the plunger.
US08409139B2
A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08409136B2
A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.
US08409131B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08409129B2
Apparatus and methods for protecting a patient from surgical site infection from airborne microbes during surgery. A sterile gas flow conditioning emitter for affixation onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision is anatomically shape conforming for attaching a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of sterile gas substantially anatomically levelly on that anatomical surface and flowing the flow field in the direction of that site while essentially preventing ambient airborne particles from entering the interior of the flow field under the emitter to maintain the gas essentially sterile during passage over the site.
US08409118B2
An exoskeleton having a first cuff adapted to be coupled to a user's lower limb is disclosed. The exoskeleton also includes a second cuff adapted to be coupled to the user's upper limb and a third cuff adapted to be coupled to the user's body. A first motor is mounted on the third cuff and has a first motor output coupled to the first cuff. A second motor is mounted on the third cuff and has a second motor output coupled to the second cuff. A processor is operatively coupled to the first and second motors to manipulate the first cuff and the second cuff relative to the third cuff such that the first cuff and the second cuff are able to move the user's lower limb and upper limb. A method of operating the exoskeleton is also disclosed.
US08409103B2
The invention relates to the guidance, positioning and placement confirmation of intravascular devices, such as catheters, stylets, guidewires and other flexible elongate bodies that are typically inserted percutaneously into the venous or arterial vasculature. An aspect of the invention includes, for example, an endovenous access and guidance system. The system comprises: an elongate flexible member adapted and configured to access the venous vasculature of a patient; a sensor disposed at a distal end of the elongate flexible member and configured to provide in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the venous vasculature of the patient; a processor configured to receive and process in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the venous vasculature of the patient provided by the sensor and to provide position information regarding the position of the distal end of the elongate flexible member within the venous vasculature of the patient; and an output device adapted to output the position information from the processor.
US08409101B2
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a probe unit and cooling unit. The probe unit is obtained by arranging, in a housing, a transducer unit which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with an object to be examined, an electronic circuit unit which is connected to the transducer unit and performs electrical signal processing, and a heat transfer member which is made of a material having a heat transfer coefficient higher than that of the electronic circuit unit, and transfers heat of the electronic circuit unit to a housing surface. The cooling unit is detachably mounted on the housing of the probe unit, and cools the heat transfer member by passing a coolant in a channel formed inside the cooling unit.
US08409093B2
Methods, devices and systems for receiving an instruction to determine a glycemic variation level, retrieving a stored metric for determining the glycemic variation level, retrieving one or more parameters associated with the retrieved metric analysis, determining the glycemic variation level based on the retrieved one or more parameters for the retrieved metric analysis, and outputting the determined glycemic variation level when it is determined that the retrieved one or more parameters associated with the retrieved metric analysis meets a predetermined condition are disclosed.
US08409086B2
A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, a portal sleeve, and a seal. The portal housing defines a central housing axis and a central housing channel. The portal sleeve extends from the portal housing and is dimensioned to pass through tissue to provide access to underlying tissue via a longitudinal opening. The central housing channel of the portal housing and the longitudinal opening of the portal sleeve define a passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object. The seal has inner surfaces defining a seal passage for establishing a general sealed relation about the surgical object. The seal passage is radially offset with respect to the central housing axis. The seal is adapted to rotate about the central housing axis to vary positioning of the seal passage to substantially maintain the substantial sealed relation upon manipulation of the surgical object within the portal housing.
US08409085B2
A surgical retention port particularly useful as an arthroscopic port for shoulder surgery is provided. The surgical retention port has an inner cannula defining a throughbore, a plurality of rotatable fingers coupled to the inner cannula, and an outer cannula extending around the inner cannula. Rotation of the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula causes the rotation of the fingers from a first position where the fingers assume a collapsed configuration to a second position where the fingers assume an extended or open configuration.
US08409082B2
A video endoscope has an endoscope part having a central image signal conductor, at least one optical waveguide, and a light supplying part which can be coupled to a proximal end of said endoscope part. The light supplying part has a central image signal conductor connection at a distal end thereof, and a light supply arranged coaxially around said central image signal conductor connection. The light supply has a plurality of light-emitting elements, each of said light-emitting elements can be supplied by means of a switchable semiconductor light source. Position sensors are arranged in an area of said light-emitting elements, and position indicators are arranged in an area of said optical waveguide. A position of said position indicators can be detected by said position sensors when said endoscope part and said light supplying part are coupled. Based on a detection of said position indicator, at least those light-emitting elements lying opposite to said optical waveguide are activated.
US08409079B2
An electric bending operation device can be mounted to an insertion portion of a medical instrument for observation including an electric bending portion. The electric bending operation device may include: an insertion portion mounting mechanism; a rotation mechanism; an insertion portion operation section; and a support column.
US08409075B2
The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to systems, devices and methods relating to a surgically implantable supportive sling having an adjustable shape.
US08409054B2
An overspeed system for a vehicle is disclosed. The overspeed system may have a power source, a transmission unit, and a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit. The overspeed system may also have a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed, and a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal.
US08409051B2
A planetary gear set for a transmission may include a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear, wherein an inner circumference of the ring gear is formed in an ellipse shape.
US08409049B2
A gearbox for a wind energy plant, with a satellite carrier, which is connected to a rotor shaft or a rotor hub at its input side and which is mounted via a bearing arranged in a gearbox housing, wherein the bearing is arranged in the gearbox housing at the output side of the satellite carrier, and a torque bearing is provided as the bearing for the satellite carrier.
US08409047B2
A transmission of the present invention has 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 may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08409045B1
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least eleven forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08409044B2
A method for lubricating an axle assembly can include: coupling a pair of tapered roller bearing to opposite ends of a differential housing; placing the differential housing into a carrier housing assembly such that the tapered roller bearings support the differential housing on the carrier housing assembly for rotation about a first axis; collecting a lubricant proximate a side of one of the tapered roller bearings opposite the differential housing; and rotating the differential housing about the first axis to cause the one of the tapered roller bearings to move a portion of the collected lubricant through the differential housing. A related axle assembly is also provided.
US08409039B2
Continuously variable speed drive (CVT) have improved performance due to use of two groups of flyweight cams, each group being mounted on separate rotational members of a centrifugal clutch. One set of flyweight cams provides force to close the sheaves through the entire movement of the shift, whereas the other set of flyweight cams provides force only through an initial portion of the shift and then signs off. This provides a two stage shift behavior for the CVT that enhances power transfer to the driven pulley.
US08409038B2
A novel baseball or softball bat is disclosed. The bat has a handle of a heavy, strong wood such as hickory, to resist breakage, and a barrel of a lighter wood such as sapele, to facilitate a controlled and comfortable swing. Methods for making the bat are also disclosed. It may be formed of a plurality of wedge-shaped pieces of wood, and the two species of wood may be joined by interleaving these wedges over part of the bat's length. The interleaving may optionally include a tongue and groove joint or a lap joint for increased strength, and some battens may optionally extend the entire length of the bat.
US08409036B1
A muscular memory training apparatus and method of the present invention is used for training basketball players to shoot a ball to a ring from fixed distances. The apparatus provides numerous advantages including improved training aid and method that teaches the players in a correct manner of making a shot with a basketball, develops muscular memory of the body joints and muscles for proper execution of a basketball shot and makes higher percentage of hitting the goal.
US08409029B2
Groove depths D1 of clubs are defined as D1(1), D1(2), . . . , D1(n) in an order from the club having the smallest real loft angle L1, and groove widths W1 of face lines of the clubs measured by the 30 degree method of measurement are defined as W1(1), W1(2), . . . , W1(n) in an order from the club having the smallest real loft angle L1. At this time, a golf club set satisfies D1(1)≦D1(2)≦ . . . ≦D1(n). A ratio [D1(m)/D1(m−1)] of the groove depths D1 between two golf clubs with adjacent club numbers is 1.0 or greater and 3.0 or less. The golf club set satisfies W1(1)≦W1(2)≦ . . . ≦W1(n). A ratio [W1(m)/W1(m−1)] of the groove widths W1 between two golf clubs with adjacent club numbers is 1.0 or greater and 3.0 or less.
US08409025B2
An instrumented golf club system and methods are disclosed. A variety of golf swing parameters are measured by the instrumented golf club and wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer device. The portable computer device generates a user interface that displays the golf swing parameters against preferred golf swing parameters. The instrumented golf club system allows a golfer to receive feedback in real time while playing golf.
US08409021B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a fitting that has a configuration where a fitting plate and a blind nut are integrally formed and also provides a tap tool for use in this method. According to the present invention, performing tap processing to an internal diameter portion to integrally form a portion corresponding to the blind nut, when a tap tool having a protrusion at an end thereof is utilized to be inserted into the bag-like blind hole at a planned part of the blind nut and the tap processing is carried out, the protrusion provided at the end of the tap tool comes into contact with an inner wall at the end of the bag-like blind hole, and a pressed material thereby forms a convex shape on an outer side of the bag-like blind hole.
US08409009B2
There is provided a peripheral update device. The peripheral update device includes at least one interface adapted to communicatively connect to at least one peripheral device of a wagering game machine and to an update device, the at least one interface adapted to receive a firmware update from the update device for a peripheral device of the at least one peripheral device. The peripheral update device further includes a processor being communicatively connected to the at least one interface and adapted to receive the transmitted firmware update via the at least one interface and further adapted to apply the received firmware update to the peripheral device via the at least one interface.
US08409008B2
A game management unit (20) manages a match-up game which progresses based on a move transmitted from a terminal of a player. At this time, moves are successively added as game record information in a history storing unit (206). When an expected move is transmitted from a terminal of a spectator before a move by the player is received, an expected move management unit (207) stores the expected move in an expected move storing unit (208). The expected move is stored in association with an actual move stored in the history storing unit (206). A spectator evaluation unit (209) compares each expected move stored in the expected move storing unit (208) with a corresponding move stored in the history storing unit (206) at a predetermined timing (e.g., at the time of resignation), and comprehensively evaluates the expected move of each spectator.
US08409007B2
In a game system, a server apparatus (3) that communicates with a plurality of game devices (1) stores play data elements for a plurality of players and public IDs for identifying a plurality of players in a latest play data table (T1) and a public ID table (T2). The server apparatus (3) transmits to a mobile terminal (4), which is being used by a player, information depending on latest play data elements stored in the latest play data table (T1), the latest play data elements belonging to other players who have been registered with the personal relationship table (T3) as a friend of the player possessing the mobile terminal (4). Upon receiving a public-ID-change request from a mobile terminal (4), which is being used by a player, the server apparatus (3) changes the public ID of the player stored in the public ID table (T2).
US08409001B2
A computer system and a controlling method are provided. The computer system includes a container and a display unit. The container has an opening through which a real article enters the container. The display unit displays a frame. The controlling method of the computer system includes the following steps. A first fictitious role corresponding to the real article is obtained. A space characteristic of the real article corresponding to the container is obtained. A first displaying characteristic of the real article corresponding to the frame is obtained according to the first fictitious role and the space characteristic. A first fictitious object is displayed on the frame according to the first displaying characteristic.
US08408995B2
Where a drawing machine for jackpot game is utilized in a game system in which a plurality of game apparatuses are divided into a plurality of groups for management, a payout ratio is easily managed for each group.The drawing machine for jackpot game performs a group drawing for selecting one winning group among a plurality of groups and performs a winner determining process for determining a winner among players who play game apparatuses belonging to the winning group, thereby performing a jackpot drawing. Then, the drawing machine for jackpot game performs the group drawing in a manner that, among the plurality of groups, a particular group in which a total amount of an own group-specific jackpot balance amount obtained by deducting from a group-specific accumulated pool amount obtained by summing up for each group pool amounts of game apparatuses belonging to each group from a predetermined point in time a total amount from the predetermined point in time covering amounts of payout object paid out when a player who played a game apparatus belonging to the group concerned wins a jackpot award and an own group-specific maximum loss amount set for each group is equal to or more than a jackpot retention amount is not determined as a winning group.
US08408994B2
The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
US08408990B2
On embodiment of the gaming system: receives a base wager from a player for a play of a wagering game; enables the player to select to cause a modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game or the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game; displays an outcome of the play of the wagering game; if the outcome is a losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game, reset the modifier; if the outcome is the losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, increase the modifier; if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, provide a first award to player based on the winning outcome and the base wager, and reset the modifier; and if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game provide a second different award to the player based on the winning outcome, the base wager, and the modifier, and reset the modifier.
US08408989B2
A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.
US08408987B2
A gaming device having a transformable wild symbol or card on a set of reels or a transformable wild card in a set of cards, wherein the transformable wild symbol or card provides a signal to a player through a wild indicator or a non-wild indicator. The wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a wild state. The non-wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a non-wild state. In a wild state, the transformable wild symbol or card acts as a wild symbol or card on a set of reels, or a wild card.
US08408981B2
An exhaust device applied to an electronic device is described. Memory deformable elements of the exhaust device are heated to shrink, and meanwhile, guide vanes located on an air outlet are driven to rotate and swing back and forth between a left outlet position and a right outlet position, such that the exhaust device reciprocatively changes an outlet position without requiring any external power.
US08408979B2
The compact coin hopper for holding and dispensing coins in bulk includes a rotable disk for releasing individual coins to a sliding base beneath the rotable disk for ejection from the coin hopper. The upper surface of the rotable disk includes an upper step part and a lower step part connected by a riser part. The upper step part has a crescent arc shape with a radii smaller than the radius of the rotating disk in a planar view. One end of the crescent arc shape terminates adjacent an edge of the through hole while the other end of the crescent arc shape diverges away from the through hole and terminates adjacent a peripheral side edge of the lower step part. The configuration of the upper and lower step parts and the riser part assist in dispensing a coin.
US08408978B2
A process for trussing up meat attached to at least one bone of a poultry part around an end of the poultry part, which includes the steps of loading each of a series of poultry parts into a trussing up unit at a loading position and positioning the bones of the poultry part into a bone positioning device, displacing each trussing up unit from a loading position towards and along a trussing up pathway and fixing the bones into the bone positioning device, displacing at least one bone partly through the meat through at least one bone positioning device by a pusher, retracting at least one of the bones from the meat and removing the trussed up poultry part.
US08408974B2
An abrasive disc assembly for a tool having an externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly includes an abrasive disc having a central bore formed therethrough and a male portion having an internally-threaded hub portion and a flange portion. The outer dimension of the hub portion is sized to be received within the central bore and the internally-threaded hub portion is enmeshingly engagable with the externally threaded, motor-driven spindle. The assembly further comprises an articulating locking finger extending from the male portion and having a retaining surface. The articulating locking finger is deflectable between a locked position and a deflected position. Finally, the assembly includes a female portion having a central cavity and an engagement surface. The central cavity receives the hub portion of the male portion such that the retaining surface of the articulating locking finger engages the engagement surface thereby releasably coupling the male portion to the female portion and retaining the abrasive disc therebetween.
US08408972B2
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods for intricate cuts. In particular, in one embodiment, a cutting apparatus is provided. The cutting apparatus includes a base member and an elongate member extending from the base member. The elongate member includes a tapered region having an abrasive surface. The tapered region defines at least one vertex defining an angle of a desired cutout shape. Additionally, the tapered region is toothless.
US08408970B2
A method of manufacturing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk having polishing accuracy on an inner circumferential end face of the substrate, and reduced thermal asperities. An inner circumferential end face of a cylindrical polishing object 12, comprising a plurality of stacked glass substrates 20, is polished. A plurality of polishing cloths disposed around a rotation axis of an inner circumference polishing section having the rotation axis are contacted to the inner circumferential end face 116 of the polishing object at even pressure. Then a polishing liquid is supplied between the inner circumferential end face of the polishing object and the inner circumference polishing section. Finally, the inner circumference polishing section and the polishing object are relatively rotated/moved with the rotation axis as a center, or relatively moved in a direction of the rotation axis, whereby the inner circumferential end face of the polishing object is polished.
US08408965B2
In-situ monitoring during processing of a substrate includes processing a conductive film on a substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus and generating a signal from an eddy current sensor during processing. The signal includes a first portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent the substrate, a second portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent a metal body and not adjacent the substrate, and a third portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent neither the metal body nor the substrate. The second portion of the signal is compared to the third portion of the signal and a gain is determined based at least on a result of the comparing, and the first portion of the signal is multiplied by the gain to generate an adjusted signal.
US08408952B2
A wiring terminal structure of the present invention includes a box and a plugging element. The box is an integrally formed unitary unit and includes an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, a hole, and a leaf spring. The upper wall, the side walls, and the lower wall define a space. The hole is formed on the upper wall and enables communication between the space and the outside of the box. The leaf spring extends upward from the lower wall to reach the space and forms an end protruding from the hole. The plugging element includes a plugging portion and a clamping portion having upper and lower clamping leaf springs. The plugging portion is inserted into the space and plugged into the box. The end of the leaf spring abuts against the plugging portion and is pressed downward by the plugging portion to lie in the space.
US08408945B2
An electronic device (1) has a can housing (3) and a method for producing the same. The can housing (3) has an open end face (4). A plug-in unit (5) can be inserted into the can housing (3) through the end face (4). The plug-in unit (5) has a populated circuit board (6) and a multicontact connector (7). The can housing (3) has an integrated connector collar (8), which integrally extends the can housing (3) and surrounds the multicontact connector (7) and contact elements (9). The connector collar (8) forms a fit for a mating connector. The insert has the circuit board (6) and a contact carrier (10) having the multicontact connector (7) without the connector collar (8). The outer contour (11) of the contact carrier (10) is at least partially matched to the inner contour (12) of the connector collar (8).
US08408942B1
A shielding shell includes a front shell curved from a metal plate and having a base board and two side boards, and a rear shell having a base plate of which a front edge is connected with a rear edge of the base board. Two side plates extend downward from two opposite side edges of the base plate and each is connected with a rear edge of the side board of the front shell by virtue of a strengthening structure. The strengthening structure includes a first strengthening arm extending towards the corresponding side plate from a rear edge of the side board, and a second strengthening arm extending towards the corresponding side board from a front edge of the side plate to be buckled with the first strengthening arm so as to secure the side plate and the corresponding side board together.
US08408939B2
An electrical connector system for mounting to a substrate is disclosed. The electrical connector system may include a plurality of wafer assemblies defining a mating end and a mating end. Each wafer assembly may include a first overmolded array of electrical contacts, each electrical contact defining an electrical mating connector extending past an edge of the overmold of the first overmolded array of electrical contacts at the mating end of the wafer assembly; a first ground shield configured to be assembled with the first overmolded array of electrical contacts; and a second overmolded array of electrical contacts configured to be assembled with the first overmolded array of electrical contacts, each electrical contact defining an electrical mating connector extending past an edge of the overmold of the second overmolded array of electrical contacts at the mating end of the wafer assembly.
US08408931B2
Provided is a technique of reducing a force required to couple a receptacle connector and a plug connector. A receptacle assistant fitting of the receptacle connector includes a cantilevered lock beam having a deflection part extending in a direction substantially parallel to a connector mounting surface of a receptacle side substrate and in the outside of a receptacle housing. A plug assistant fitting of the plug connector includes an engagement part that pushes aside the free end of the lock beam and rides over the free end of the lock beam so as to be engaged with the free end of the lock beam when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are coupled to each other.
US08408930B1
A slot mechanism for an electronic device is adapted to receive a card therein. The slot mechanism includes a slot disposed within the electronic device. A pivotally moveable tab is spring biased to protrude within an interior of the slot. A spring biased card release mechanism includes a first arm disposed within the interior of the slot and a second arm disposed exterior to the slot. The second arm is configured to prevent movement of the pivotally moveable tab by the card when the card is inserted in an incorrect orientation, thereby preventing complete insertion of the card. The first arm is configured to allow movement of the pivotally moveable tab by the card when the card is inserted in a correct orientation, thereby allowing complete insertion of the card.
US08408917B2
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for training the art of forcible door entry for emergency personnel such as firefighters and, in particular, a reusable forcible entry door training prop adapted to simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conduct training in forcible entry techniques for different door types and mounting configurations (e.g., opening inward or outward, left hand opening or right hand opening, steel jam or wood jams).
US08408912B2
A computerized testing system for evaluating skills of formatted product producers, the system comprising a buggy formatted product generator operative to introduce at least one formatting mistake into a formatted product thereby to generate a buggy formatted product and to generate and display on a computer screen to an applicant user, a representation of the buggy formatted product a debugging interface operative to provide a platform enabling the applicant user to attempt to correct the at least one formatting mistake, and an applicant user monitor operative to monitor the debugging interface and to provide to an applicant evaluating user, at least one output characterizing the applicants attempt to correct at least one formatting mistake.
US08408903B2
A multi-cortical implant anchor for use with a dental implant having a generally elongate shank and a grippable region formed at a predetermined portion thereof, the implant anchor comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member connected therebetween via a bridge member to generally form a member having a longitudinal axis, the first elongate member and the second elongate member being adapted to lockably engage the grippable region of the dental implant against pivoting in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
US08408901B2
A tapered endodontic rotary file for shaping or cleaning a root canal in a tooth has one or more flutes spiraling along the length of the file. The diameters of the one or more flutes tapers in a non-uniform manner from a first diameter in a shank portion of the file to a smaller diameter in a tip portion of the file such that at least one flute region intermediate the shank portion and the tip portion has a diameter less than a straight line taper from the shank portion to the tip portion. The flutes can also be landed and the width of the lands can be varied along the length of the file. In particular, the width of the lands in the intermediate region are wider than the width in the tip or shank portion.
US08408899B1
Described herein are various embodiments of a dental delivery system. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a rear dental delivery system through which at least one of water, air and vacuum are delivered for use by a care giver in treating a patient occupying a nearby dental chair can include at least one movable arm that is pivotably mounted to a pivot connection and an upright mounted to the at least one movable arm. The pivot connection can be mounted at approximately a floor level and the at least one movable arm can be configured to pivot slightly above the floor level so as to reduce obstruction in a space separating the dental chair from the dental delivery system.
US08408897B2
The present invention provides a gas burner (10) including: a distributor means (50) having at least one distribution chamber to distribute an air gas mixture around said distributor (50), said burner (10) including a plurality of flame ports (70) through which said gas mixture can pass and be ignited; at least one injector (39) associated with said distributor (50), said at least one injector (39) being positioned to inject gas into said at least distribution chamber via a venture formed of a vertically directed passage and transition port (64) and at least one venturi extension extending away from said transition port (64). The present invention also provides manifold for a gas burner (10), said manifold having an upper wall (12) and a lower wall (16) held in spaced apart relationship by a peripheral wall to define a cavity there between, said manifold including means (38) to mount at least one injector (39) so as to deliver an air gas supply to a distribution means (50) and an inlet port (18) to allow connection to a supply of gas, which can pressurize said cavity, said upper (12) and said lower (16) wall being formed from relatively thin sections.
US08408893B2
An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow molding station having a cavity. Within the cavity, the plastic preforms may be expanded into plastic containers. The blowing station has a bottom portion which delimits the cavity. The bottom portion is detachably disposed on a carrier by a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism has at least one pin-like body disposed on a first fastening element. The pin-like body engages in a condition in which the bottom portion is fastened to the carrier in a groove which is provided in a second fastening element. The pin-like body is displaceable relative to the carrier in the groove for fastening the bottom portion, and the groove is designed in such a way that an end section of the pin-like body may pass through the groove in a first section of the groove and cannot pass through the groove in a second section of the groove.
US08408889B2
A device for meltblowing of synthetic fibers utilizes an elongated spinneret packet that is held at the bottom side of the spinneret carrier. In order to supply process air the two elongated air tubes extend at the opposite longitudinal sides of the spinneret carrier, which are connected to an air distribution device having an air channel system in the spinneret carrier. In order to avoid thermal stress in the expansion joints between the air distribution device and the spinneret carrier as much as possible, the air distribution devices are embodied by means of multiple distribution segments having an expansion joint between adjacent distribution segments.
US08408879B2
A fluid processing device for processing a multiphase fluid stream including a mixture of at least a gas and a liquid is disclosed. The fluid processing device may include at least one separator configured to separate the fluid stream into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion and deposit the liquid portion into a liquid reservoir. The gaseous portion may be directed to a compressor configured to pressurize and discharge a pressurized gas into a fluid discharge line. A portion of the pressurized gas may be further pressurized and directed to at least one ejector pump fluidly coupled to the liquid reservoir and configured to draw in liquid and discharge pressurized liquid into the fluid discharge line.
US08408878B2
A method of correcting fluid flow offset for an uncharacterized fluid handling system including a motor. The method includes running the motor at a reference fluid flow demand using generic coefficients, and changing fluid flow demand from the reference fluid flow demand until the motor signals a power limit condition. When the motor signals the power limit condition, the fluid flow demand is noted. The operational fluid flow demands are scaled by a ratio of the noted fluid flow demand to the reference fluid flow demand.
US08408872B2
A heat transfer apparatus, includes a member defining a wall exposed to fluid flow in a predetermined direction of flow; and a plurality of turbulators disposed on the wall. Each turbulator includes an upright front face which generally faces the direction of flow, and a back face which defines a ramp-like shape tapering from the front face to the wall.
US08408864B2
A device for regulating the flow rate of air feeding a turbine ventilation cavity of a turbomachine turbine section is disclosed. The device includes at least one tubular duct opening into a take-off cavity and leading into a turbine ventilation cavity, the pressure inside the take-off cavity being higher than the pressure inside the turbine ventilation cavity; an air flow rate regulation valve disposed in the tubular duct, the valve being suitable for moving under the effect of the pressure difference between the take-off cavity and the turbine ventilation cavity; and a mechanical return device for holding the valve in a maximum closure position for the duct so long as the pressure difference between the take-off cavity and the turbine ventilation cavity remains below a predetermined threshold pressure.
US08408860B2
An apparatus for orientating a solid growth culture medium plate from an original orientation to a worked orientation, the plate having a lid and a bottom, the apparatus including an orientation mechanism that includes opposed jaws able to receive and hold a plate therebetween in a held position that defines a notional tube above and below the plate, the orientation mechanism being mounted on a jaw support member such that the jaw support member is rotatable such that at least the plate bottom rotates about a generally horizontal axis that intersects the notional tube to orientate at least the plate bottom from the original orientation to the worked orientation.
US08408855B2
A screw, in particular a self-tapping screw, has a screw thread which covers up to the front end of the screw formed as a drilling tip or cutting tip. In the front area, starting with a distance from the front end of the screw, there is an opposite thread showing the same pitch as the screw thread, however, its thread height is lower than the thread height of the screw thread. This second, opposite single-thread, double-thread or triple-thread/multi-thread forms a cutting edge with its thread edge which is used to cut fibers in order to reduce wedge effect during screwing in the screw. The screw is particularly suitable for wood or wood-like materials in the edge areas of structural elements.
US08408851B2
A method for duplicating a key including receiving a key identification code indicative of key cuts in an original key, and duplicating the original key by forming key cuts in a duplicate key in response to the key identification code, wherein authorization to form the key cuts is restricted by means of a verification code that must be passed before forming the key cuts is permissible. The authorization to form the key cuts may be restricted in various ways, such as to a group of users, a geographic location of a user, or a group of key blanks. The authorization to form the key cuts may be restricted as a function of a physical characteristic of the original key. As another alternative, authorization to form the key cuts may be restricted as a function of whether the original key is a master key or a slave key.
US08408847B2
The present invention relates to cutting tools and, more particularly, to cutting tools using clampable cutting inserts. The cutting tool includes a toolholder including at least one insert-receiving pocket, the insert-receiving pocket including at least one side abutment surface. The cutting tool further includes a cutting insert comprising an insert body having at least one insert supporting surface and a clamping hole including a clamping surface defining at least part of a non-circular, substantially elliptical cone. The cutting tool further includes a clamp having a clamp surface adapted to contact the clamping surface at two contact points such that the at least one side abutment surface and the at least one insert supporting surface are secured in a contacting relationship.
US08408844B2
A steel material for an underground continuous wall equipped with a hat type steel sheet pile having a hat-shaped cross-section, and an H-beam having an H-shaped cross-section, wherein: the hat type steel sheet pile includes a web, a pair of flanges, and a pair of arm sections; the H-beam includes a pair of flange sections and a web section; an outer surface of the H-beam is secured to an outer surface of the web; the length of the H-beam is shorter than that of the hat type steel sheet pile, and an overall length of the H-beam is arranged within the length of the hat type steel sheet pile; and a rear end of the H-beam is located closer to a forward end side than a rear end of the hat type steel sheet pile.
US08408839B2
A machine for laying concrete paths of the type in which a concrete mix in the plastic state is spread over a certain width and is then levelled to a certain height, in which a levelling element comprises at least two largely horizontal plates which are positioned at least partially laterally next to one another, viewed in the direction of movement of the machine, and which can be displaced in the lateral direction relative to one another for adjusting the working width of the machine, and in which the first plate bears with its lower face against the upper face of the second plate.
US08408827B2
A method includes pulling out and conveying a sheet having splice portions, acquiring information relating to a position of an indentation on the sheet formed in addition to a splice portion, and performing processing on the sheet but a position corresponding to the acquired position of the indentation and its vicinity.
US08408822B2
A camera capable of closing a barrier in accordance with need, even an interchangeable lens is mounted. The camera is provided with a connection portion, a barrier member and a barrier control section. The connection portion is detachably connected with the interchangeable lens and is provided with an aperture portion, which allows object light to pass therethrough. The barrier member is movably provided, in the state the interchangeable lens is connected with the connection portion, between a closed position, the barrier member closes off the aperture portion of the connection portion, and an open position, the barrier member is withdrawn from the light path. The barrier control section judges a state of mounting of the interchangeable lens to the connection portion, controls the barrier member to the closed position if the interchangeable lens is not mounted, and to the open position if mounted and a predetermined first condition is satisfied.
US08408816B2
An optical connector, assembled to a front end of an optical fiber and attached to an optical component that is provided with an optical element having an optical axis different from that of the optical fiber, includes a main body having a connection end surface, and a reflective portion changing an angle of an optical path. At least one of a fitting protruding portion and a fitting recessed portion are provided so as to be capable of positioning the optical connector to the optical component by respectively fitting a fitted protruding portion and a fitted recessed portion provided on the optical component in each of a first region on the front end side and a second region on the opposite side thereto with the optical path interposed therebetween.
US08408810B2
In order to realize an exact contacting of optical waveguides in connectors, the invention proposes a connector for optical waveguides, particularly for being mated and contacted with a mating connector that is equipped with an optoelectric receiver, wherein two optical waveguides are respectively arranged within a ferrule housing in a spring-loaded fashion in individual ferrules and can be axially displaced independently of one another. The ferrule housings are also arranged in a sliding housing that is arranged within a surrounding connector housing such that it can be axially displaced by a certain supplementary travel, namely also in a spring-loaded fashion. This makes it possible to reliably compensate manufacturing-related dimensional tolerances between the ferrule housings and the optoelectric receivers in a mating connector or another adapter.
US08408789B2
An X-ray analysis apparatus including: a radiation source configured to irradiate an irradiation point on a sample with radiation; an X-ray detector configured to detect a characteristic X-ray emitted from the sample, and output a signal including energy information about the characteristic X-ray; an analyzer configured to analyze the signal; a sample stage configured to allow placement of the sample thereon; a shifting mechanism being capable of relatively shifting the sample on the sample stage and the radiation source and the X-ray detector with respect to each other; a height measuring mechanism being capable of measuring the height of the irradiation point on the sample; and a controller configured to control the shifting mechanism on the basis of the measured height of the irradiation point on the sample and adjust the distance of the sample with respect to the radiation source and the X-ray detector is used.
US08408785B2
To provide a portable timepiece whose vent valve construction is simple, in which the vent valve is not easily erroneously opened, and in which water is not easily allowed to enter the timepiece exterior assembly with the completion of venting.A wristwatch is equipped with a vent valve mounted to a timepiece exterior assembly. The vent valve is equipped with a pipe, a valve body, a retaining member, and packing formed of a seal material capable of elastic deformation. The timepiece exterior assembly is equipped with the pipe establishing communication between the interior and exterior thereof. The pipe has a valve seat surface, a stopper portion, and a male screw portion. The valve body is equipped with a valve body shaft portion inserted into the pipe, and a valve body head integral with this shaft portion. The valve body head is provided with a female screw portion threadedly engaged with the male screw portion and a plurality of vent holes, with the valve body being axially movable through a change in the mesh engagement of both screw portions. There is mounted to the valve body shaft portion the retaining member moving toward and away from the stopper portion from the interior side of the timepiece exterior assembly. The waterproof packing moving toward and away from the valve seat surface as the valve body moves is mounted to the valve body shaft portion.
US08408782B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uniformly mixing fluid phases entrained in a porous material. A mixer may have a vessel and at least one porous material held by the vessel. At least one actuator may be acoustically coupled with at least one wall of the vessel for generating a wave. The wave effects mixing of at least two fluids in the porous material. The actuator may be a linear motor actuated with a control signal of predetermined frequency. The actuator may have a number of actuator pairs each including respective first and second actuators at respective first and second sides of the vessel. The actuators may be hinged for reciprocal movement. The actuators may be actuated to form a compression-expansion wave to effect fluid motion in the porous material.
US08408777B2
A planar illumination device includes: a light guide plate formed by arranging a plurality of unit light guide plates each having a light emission surface as a front surface and a reflection surface as a back surface so that facing end surfaces of adjacent unit light guide plates of the plurality of unit light guide plates are closely arranged; and one or two or more light sources arranged on a side surface, in a direction where the plurality of unit light guide plates are arranged, of each of the plurality of unit light guide plates, in which a projection section is arranged on one of facing surfaces of two adjacent unit light guide plates in the arrangement direction and a recession section in which the projection section is engaged is arranged on the other of the facing surfaces of the two adjacent unit light guide plates.
US08408775B1
In one embodiment of this invention, an optical element comprises a light recycling directional control element and provides increased spatial color or luminance uniformity, desired angular color uniformity, and customizable light re-direction properties. In one embodiment, the optical element comprises at least one light blocking region and a lenticular lens element. Further embodiments incorporate an anisotropic light backscattering region within a light transmitting layer. The optical element may further comprise a light collimating element or an additional light lenticular lens element and light transmitting region that may be oriented parallel or perpendicular to the first lenticular lens element. Light emitting devices and displays incorporating the light recycling direction control element are further embodiments of this invention.
US08408769B2
An optical module equipping a motor vehicle lighting and/or indicating device, provided with a assembly structure movably assembled on a bracket and means of electrical connection to at least one remote device, wherein the optical module is equipped with an electrical connection device comprising a flexible element integrating electrical conductors, the flexible element is connected between the assembly structure and the bracket such that the points of mechanical connection together produce a freedom of movement limited in space.
US08408763B2
The invention relates to a projection headlight arrangement for vehicles with a left projection headlight and a right projection headlight, each comprising: a reflector exhibiting two focal points, a light source arranged in a first focal point of the reflector, a lens upstream of the reflector in the direction of light emission whose focus is arranged in the proximity of the second focal point and a diaphragm shaft arranged between the lens and the reflector, which is displaceable in several rotary positions by means of a control unit around a horizontal rotary axis running transversely to the optical axis, wherein the rotary positions each have a diaphragm edge of the diaphragm shaft assigned for the creation of a light-dark boundary for a specified light distribution, wherein a sensor unit is provided for the detection of a traffic participant located in the far-field of the vehicle, the control unit distorts the diaphragm shaft in such a way in dependence on a sensor signal of the sensor unit that such a diaphragm edge of the diaphragm shaft is active, that a complete illumination of the far-field takes place, without blinding the traffic participant detected in the far-field of the vehicle and the diaphragm edges are assigned to light function sectors of the diaphragm shaft, said light function sectors sweeping a variable angular region in the direction of rotation of the diaphragm shaft.
US08408761B2
The lamp has a superior, sleek, aesthetic profile, while also providing robust functionality and articulation. The lamp includes at least one joint that combines the functionality of allowing an arm of the lamp to articulate and rotate, as well as allowing the joint to be pulled apart and plugged back together. Each articulating hinged or pivoting joint transmits electrical power between the adjoining members without the use of exposed wiring. There are a variety of structural options regarding the lamps base or attachment mechanism, including a weighted base, a clamp, a through-table mount, or a wall mount. Available versions of this sleek lamp include a variety of arm and joint configurations so that the lamp can serve a wide range of installations and applications, while using a standardized group of components.
US08408757B2
Provided is a cover for a recessed lighting apparatus, including: a plurality of profiles, each including a first insertion groove having a coupling member inserted thereinto, a second insertion groove connected to the first insertion groove and formed to have a screw inserted thereinto, and a holding plate formed to have a diffuser plate stably mounted thereon; and an L-shaped coupling member including a body part and a wing part configured to be connected to the body part, inserted into the first insertion groove to be combined with a profile adjacent thereto using a screw, and a lever configured to be separable from a recessed metal housing formed to receive a lighting device therein, the plurality of profiles and the L-shaped coupling member being configured to receive the diffuser plate therein and configured to be separable from the metal housing.
US08408754B2
A variable illumination apparatus includes: a first substrate; a second substrate opposed to the first substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; a surrounding wall that is disposed between the first and second substrates, has a first opening and a second opening opposed to each other, and has an inner side surface that is tapered toward the second opening from the first opening; a partition wall to partition a liquid chamber formed by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the surrounding wall into regions, the partition wall being vertical to the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid lens having a lens surface that is formed at an interface between two liquids and is electrically deformable, the two liquids being accommodated in each of the regions and each having a different refractive index; and a light source to irradiate light to the liquid lens from the first opening side.
US08408753B2
An LED lamp has a base, an LED device and a convex lens. The base has a recess. The LED device is mounted in the recess and has an LED. The convex lens is mounted in the recess, separates from the LED and has a cavity formed in the convex lens. The cavity has a bottom, an opening, an inner side surface and an imaging surface. Peripheries of the bottom and the opening of the cavity are wavy. The imaging surface is formed around the inner side surface, inclines from the bottom to the opening of the cavity and is wavy. The imaging surface is capable of refracting light emitted from the single one LED located in the cavity to form a characteristic visual effect like a chrysanthemum.
US08408751B2
A light emitting device includes a light reflector and a first light source. The light reflector includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface immediately adjacent to the first concave surface. The convex ridge is located between the first and second concave surface and has an apex line extending along a direction. The first light source is located at a side of the first concave surface and opposite to the convex ridge. The first light source has a first emitting surface facing the convex ridge. The convex ridge has an apex located higher than a bottom of the first emitting surface, but lower than a top of the first emitting surface.
US08408746B1
An artificial candle has a flexible glowing canopy that can flutter like a candle flame, and the canopy may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the canopy to glow. Such a diaphanous canopy can be actuated by a solenoid, piezoelectric actuator or other mechanism, which can be provided adjacent to the canopy. Light can emanate from at least one light emitting diode (LED), and the canopy can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the LED(s). The wick and the canopy can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace an incandescent light bulb.
US08408742B2
The invention discloses an LED daylight lamp tube, comprising a tube body and caps fixedly connected to two ends of the tube body, wherein the tube body comprises: an axial bar-shaped radiator, a radiating face of which is fan-shaped and a heat conducting face of which is provided with at least two axial bar-shaped slots forming included angle; an illuminant, which comprises PCB aluminum substrates corresponding in amount to the bar-shaped slots of the radiator, wherein the front face of each of the PCB aluminum substrates is equipped with a plurality of LED illuminants and the PCB aluminum substrates are clamped in the bar-shaped slots of the radiator; a bar-shaped heat conducting gasket, which is adhered to the back face of the PCB aluminum substrate in a fitting manner and clamped between the PCB aluminum substrate and a heat conducting face of the bar-shaped slot; and a circular arc lampshade, which is in clamped connection with two sides of the radiator and forms the cylindrical tube body with the radiator together. According to the LED daylight lamp tube of the invention, the PCB aluminum substrates of the LED illuminants are installed on the fan-shaped radiator at an included angle of 210 degrees, and wide-angle illumination of the LED daylight lamp tube is realized through the two movable caps arranged at two ends of the tube, in addition, the LED daylight lamp tube has better radiating effect and longer service life.
US08408741B2
LED-based lighting apparatus and assembly methods in which mechanical and/or thermal coupling between respective components is accomplished via a transfer of force from one component to another. In one example, a multiple-LED assembly is disposed in thermal communication with a heat sink that forms part of a housing. A primary optical element situated within a pressure-transfer member is disposed above and optically aligned with each LED. A shared secondary optical facility forming another part of the housing is disposed above and compressively coupled to the pressure-transfer members. A force exerted by the second optical facility is transferred via the pressure-transfer members so as to press the LED assembly toward the heat sink, thereby facilitating heat transfer. In one aspect, the LED assembly is secured in the housing without the need for adhesives. In another aspect, the secondary optical facility does not directly exert pressure onto any primary optical element, thereby reducing optical misalignment.
US08408740B2
The present invention provides luminaire light source assemblies incorporating LEDs as light sources for use in various lighting applications.
US08408727B2
Wireless network used to control multiple lights, includes multiple different networks for different purposes, and interference prevention mechanisms.
US08408700B2
A method for calculating a customized progressive addition surface S′″ of a progressive addition lens (PAL) made of a material having an optical index of n, the method, comprising at least the successive steps of: a) providing N initial progressive addition surfaces where N≧1, b) calculating N intermediate surfaces S′k by flattening each initial progressive addition surfaces Sk, c) calculating a transformed intermediate surface S″, d) calculating the customized progressive addition surface S′″ by cambering the transformed intermediate surface S″.
US08408699B2
An adapter for a spectacle frame is disclosed which is configured for enabling the spectacle frame to operate and control electro-active lenses housed therein. In particular, the spectacle frame may allow electro-active lenses housed therein to focus and be controlled both automatically and manually with heretofore unrealized results.
US08408696B2
Viewing glasses include a frame and a bridge. The frame has a spacer, and the spacer has at least two location grooves formed in different positions. The bridge is arranged on the spacer and includes a base and two side pads. The base has an elastic location piece corresponding to the location grooves of the spacer that can adjust the position of the bridge located on the spacer.
US08408695B2
Various embodiments of an eyeglass and eyeglass system are provided that can maintain the geometric and optical quality of a lens supported by the eyeglass. The eyeglass can comprise a frame, a support member carried by the frame, and a lens mounting area or groove extending at least partially along at least one of the frame and the support member. The support member can be pivoted, moved, or deflected relative to the frame between a retaining position and an open position. In the open position, the lens can be seated within the lens mounting area. In the retaining position, the support member and the frame retain the lens without exerting deformative forces on the lens. Accordingly, the as-molded geometric and optical qualities of the lens can be preserved.
US08408692B2
The ink set for inkjet recording includes: a water-based ink containing pigment particles and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30; and a treatment liquid containing a fluidity reducing agent which reduces fluidity of the pigment particles by making contact with the water-based ink, and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30.
US08408686B2
An attachment is mounted on a cartridge holder of a printer as a replacement of an ink cartridge. An ink outlet member having a link passage is separably secured to an attachment body. Ink is supplied from the exterior to the ink outlet member through an ink supply tube. When the attachment is mounted on the cartridge holder, a downstream end of the ink outlet member is positioned with respect to and connected to an ink supply needle of the printer. Accordingly, the attachment is easily and quickly installed in a liquid ejection apparatus. This reduces costs and makes it easy to use the attachment.
US08408672B2
The present invention generally relates to a printing apparatus including one or more print heads for depositing printing fluid onto a substrate, wherein the apparatus comprises a maintenance unit for the one or more print heads. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning one or more print heads from adhering printing fluid. The present invention also relates to the use of said apparatus in the automated manufacture of a contact lens, in particular a silicone hydrogel contact lens.
US08408670B2
A discharge inspection apparatus includes: a first electrode for detection which faces a nozzle, that discharges liquid of a first potential, at a predetermined interval and has a second potential different from the first potential; a second electrode for detection which faces a nozzle, that discharges the liquid of the first potential, at a predetermined interval and has the second potential; an inspection section which inspects whether or not liquid is discharged from the nozzle on the basis of electrical changes which occur at the first electrode for detection and the second electrode for detection due to the discharging of the liquid of the first potential from the nozzle; a first insulating receiving section which holds the first electrode for detection; and a second insulating receiving section which holds the second electrode for detection and is disposed with a space interposed between the second receiving section and the first receiving section.
US08408667B2
A liquid ejection head includes: an ejection port; a supply section and a discharge section; a main flow channel; a supply flow channel; a filter; and a sub flow channel, one end of which is connected to a first connection position near the supply section, and the other end of which is connected to a second connection position near the discharge section, wherein the main flow channel and the sub flow channel are formed such that, in supplying the liquid from the supply section to the main flow channel at a predetermined flow rate, the higher the predetermined flow rate is, the more the ratio of a flow rate in the main flow channel from the first connection position to the second connection position to a flow rate in the sub flow channel increases.
US08408662B2
An electronic device enclosure comprises a securing plate and a bracket adapted to receive an I/O connector therein. The bracket comprises a first resilient piece, a second resilient piece, a first retaining piece and a second retaining piece. The bracket is capable of securing to the front wall in a first position, where the first resilient piece and the first retaining piece abut two opposite surfaces of the securing plate, and a second position, where the second resilient piece and the second retaining piece abut the two opposite surfaces of the securing plate.
US08408659B2
A construction machine, in particular road milling machine, recycler or stabilizer, with a machine frame (4) that is carried by a chassis (2) with a working drum (6) and a drive train (8) comprising at the least a drive engine (10), a traction mechanism (12) for the mechanical drive of the working drum (6) with a drive element, an output element and a traction element (30), a device (14) for switching the torque between the drive engine (10) and working drum (6), and device (16) for driving at least one hydraulic pump; it is provided that elements of the drive train (8) are divided into at least two groups, the first group (3) shows at least the drive engine (10), the second group (5) shows at least the drive element (11) of the traction mechanism, and where the first and the second groups (3, 5) are connected to one another via an articulated coupling device (20).
US08408637B1
A system for supporting a tiltable structure for a work vehicle including an upper link pivotably connected to a lower link. A connecting link is pivotably connected to the upper link, the connecting link having an engagement member. The upper link, lower link and engagement member securing the tiltable structure in a maintenance position.
US08408620B2
A device for transporting containers includes a band (2) of limp material which is closed in a loop and which is joined at a transversal strip (3) defined by respective opposite end edges (2A, 2B). A slot is provided in a median position in the strip (3) for defining a handgrip (M), the band (2) being adapted to wrap around and support at least one container, such that the strip (3) is arranged at an upper and practically central position with respect to the container. The device can be provided with blocking structures (4) for preventing exit of the container from open sides thereof.
US08408614B2
A sifting scoop for removing pet waste from litter in a litter box having a handle carrying a sifting cup having a mouth wider than a downstream pet waste retaining pocket formed by the cup. The handle overlies the sifting cup providing a waste shield. The handle includes a grip attached by a bridge to the cup that provides a hand guard and scoop hanger with the grip serving as a leg when the scoop is stood uprightly on a pedestal formed by a cup endwall. The cup has a first sifting portion formed in a litter-engaging surface on the side opposite the handle with the sifting portion formed by a plurality of elongate slots that are wavy or S-shaped extending longitudinally in the direction of scooping. The cup has a second sifting portion having slots in the end wall inline with litter being scooped.
US08408608B2
A hood hold down device for securing a vehicle hood to a cab includes a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly securable to a portion of the hood. The hood hold down device further includes a linkage assembly extending from the cab mount assembly and a handle moveably coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein the handle is releasably securable to the hood mount assembly to secure the hood to the cab.
US08408589B2
A knee airbag device for a vehicle, configured in such a manner that, when a knee airbag is inflated and expanded with the knees of a vehicle occupant located close to an airbag door, a load to the lower legs is reduced. A first tear section (100) for expanding a first airbag door (108) in the vehicle's top-bottom direction and a second tear section (102) for expanding a second airbag door (112) in the vehicle's lateral direction are formed on the rear surface side of a glove-box-door outer member (24). The first tear section (100) is composed of a left and right pair of vertical tear sections (104) and a first horizontal tear section (106). The second tear section (102) is composed of second lateral tear sections (110).
US08408585B2
A depth to which an inflatable airbag can deploy may varied by internal tethers. If the tethers are coupled to a release assembly, then in an unreleased state, the tethers can limit the depth of airbag deployment; however, if the tethers are released, the airbag can deploy of a full depth.
US08408584B2
A depth to which an inflatable airbag can deploy may varied by internal tethers. If the tethers are coupled to a release assembly, then in an unreleased state, the tethers can limit the depth of airbag deployment; however, if the tethers are released, the airbag can deploy of a full depth.
US08408582B2
Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can be a piece of thin metal that is coupled to the airbag cushion or the inflator. The heat shield can be held in place by being attached or coupled to the airbag and/or the inflator.
US08408570B2
A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.
US08408567B2
A swather tractor has a frame defined by a main tractor frame carrying the cab, engine and drive system, rear axle with castor wheels and a transverse front frame assembly mounted at a front of the main frame. The front rigid frame assembly carries the header and comprises a cross member and a pair of upstanding legs each carrying a front ground wheel hydraulically driven so that steering is controlled by the rate of forward movement of the front wheels. In order to provide improved suspension, the main frame is connected to the front frame assembly by a coupling which allows up and down suspension movement of the main frame relative to the front frame assembly.
US08408560B2
A saddle riding vehicle that allows the amount of roll to be reduced includes a vehicle body, a handle, and a suspension mechanism. The suspension mechanism is provided at a front portion of the vehicle body and supports a pair of left and right front wheels or a pair of left and right skis. The suspension mechanism includes a pair of left and right arm members and a pair of left and right air shock absorbers. The pair of left and right arm members supports the pair of front wheels or the pair of skis in a vertically movable manner. The pair of left and right air shock absorbers is coupled to the pair of arm members. The pair of left and right air shock absorbers each includes a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, a first gas chamber, and a second gas chamber.
US08408554B2
The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. Each additional groove may contain a pocket. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.
US08408536B2
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a tray, a driving mechanism disposed above the tray, a separating mechanism rotatably connected to the tray, and at least one resilient element to provide a constant pressure against the separating mechanism. The driving mechanism includes at least one roller to move one of the sheets. The separating mechanism includes at least one retard pad to separate the sheets and create frictional resistance between the separating mechanism and the stack of the sheets. When the tray has only a few sheets left, the separating mechanism is rotated and the frictional resistance is reduced.
US08408531B2
A recording medium post-processing apparatus includes: a recording medium stacking unit on which recording media are stacked; a binding section that binds the recording media by deforming the recording media in a thickness direction, and retracts to the outside of the stacking area of the recording media after binding the recording media; a reference member that functions as a position reference used for aligning the recording media; and an alignment unit that aligns end portions of the recording media facing the reference member by moving the recording media to a position where the recording media come into contact with the reference member from a position where the recording media are separated from the reference member.
US08408530B2
A printing system which is capable of performing square back processing and preventing occurrence of a new trouble of inadvertently creating a saddle-stitched brochure defective in the appearance of a trimmed edge and/or print appearance, which is unexpected by an operator. A receiving unit receives a job of a first type for creating a saddle-stitched brochure subjected to square back processing and trimming processing or a second type creating a saddle-stitched brochure not subjected to the square back processing but subjected to the trimming processing. A controller controls a trimming position at an end of the sheet bundle for the job and/or an image printing position on a sheet included in the sheet bundle based on whether a job to be processed is of the first type or of the second type.
US08408525B2
A carburetor assembly (1) has an intake channel section (30) and an air channel section (31). In the intake channel section (30), a throttle element and a choke element are arranged. An air control element is arranged in the air channel section (31). A first coupling unit (25) is provided which defines the position of the throttle element in at least one start position of the carburetor assembly (1). A second coupling unit (26) couples the position of the air control element in at least one operating state to the position of the throttle element. To ensure a reliable start, the choke element is held in at least one start position by the first coupling unit (25) and the second coupling unit (26).
US08408521B2
A tensioning apparatus includes a first shaft and a strap wound on the first shaft such that the strap has first and second portions extending in opposite directions, and the first portion of the strap is collected on the first shaft by operably moving the rotating shaft. The tensioning apparatus further includes a reeling device for collecting the second portion of the strap. Furthermore, the reeling device includes a ratcheting mechanism that facilitates collection of the strap.
US08408519B2
A gate valve includes a pair of opposing housing members, a gate, primary sealing sleeves and a secondary sealing member. The primary sealing sleeves are disposed in each of the housing members. The gate is configured to slidably pass through a transverse gate chamber defined when the housing members are joined together. The secondary sealing member is secured between the housing members and includes at least one passage or aperture configured to allow lubricating fluid to be applied through at least one of the housing members through the secondary sealing member and onto the gate.
US08408518B2
Electric actuators having internal load apparatus are described herein. An example electric actuator having an internal load apparatus described herein includes a housing defining a cavity to receive a drive system and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the drive system. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first rectilinear direction. A biasing element is operatively coupled to the drive system such that least a portion of the drive system moves axially toward the biasing element to deflect the biasing element when the drive shaft reaches an end of stroke position to provide a load to the drive shaft when electric power to the electric actuator is removed.
US08408514B2
A blowout preventer for sealing a well includes a body having first and second chambers. The first chamber extends substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the second chamber, and the body includes a recess portion on a face of the body. The blowout preventer also includes a ram block configured to move within the first chamber to seal a first region of the second chamber from a second region of the second chamber; a rod connected to the ram block and configured to extend along the first chamber; a operator configured to be attached to the body to border the first chamber, wherein the rod is configured to slide in and out of the operator; and a lock ring rotatably attached to the operator and configured to enter the recess portion such that the operator is removably attached to the body.
US08408510B2
An apparatus for preventing rotation of a seat frame for a vehicle having the seat frame that includes an inner link portion and an outer link portion that may be provided with a height adjustment device to adjust a height of a seat and a rack gear link may include a height link, wherein one end portion of the height link may be pivotally connected to a set bracket and the other end portion thereof may be pivotally connected to a cushion side member, and a rotation prevention link provided on the inner link portion wherein one end portion of the rotation prevention link may be pivotally hinged to the height link and the other end portion thereof may be movably installed on the set bracket.
US08408509B2
The telescopic support with an internal brake provides a telescoping tube with a selectively actuable and adjustable internal braking mechanism. At least one lower opening is formed through a lower end of a sidewall of an inner hollow tube. A mounting plate is secured within the inner tube adjacent the lower end, and an element is secured to the mounting plate so that the resilient element projects through the lower opening. At least one brake pad is secured to the resilient element, so that the brake pad contacts an inner surface of an outer hollow tube when the internal brake is engaged. At least one cable is provided, with a lower end secured to the brake pad. An actuating mechanism linearly translates the upper end of the cable to selectively disengage the brake pad from the inner surface of the outer hollow tube.
US08408507B2
A locking device includes: a pivot rod extending through a connecting block of a U-shaped seat and through a connecting block of a rotary cover such that the rotary cover is rotatable relative to the seat between unlocking and locking positions; a resilient member for biasing the rotary cover to move toward the locking position; and a position-limiting unit including a guiding groove formed in one of the connecting block and the pivot block, and a guiding rod provided on the other one of the connecting block and the pivot block, and extending into and engaging movably the guiding groove. When the guiding rod is limited and engaged in one end of the guiding groove, the rotary cover is positioned at the unlocking position, where the rotary cover is spaced apart from the seat.
US08408495B2
A fitting is provided to fix a vertical tail stabilizer of an aircraft to a composite skin and a composite frame of the aircraft in an area of a rear fuselage thereof. The fitting includes a first composite piece having lugs to attach to the vertical tail stabilizer and having vertical walls to fix the fitting to the composite frame of the rear fuselage. The fitting further includes at least one pair of additional composite pieces, each having a horizontal wall to fix the fitting to the composite skin of the rear fuselage. A second pair of additional composite pieces may be provided to further secure the fitting to the skin of the aircraft.
US08408491B2
A nacelle assembly includes an inlet lip section and an airfoil adjacent to the inlet lip section. The airfoil is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position to adjust the flow of oncoming airflow and to influence an effective boundary layer thickness of the nacelle assembly.
US08408489B2
An airborne vehicle having a wing-body which defines a wing-body axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the wing-body axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends. A propulsion system is provided comprising one or more pairs of propulsion devices, each pair comprising a first propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a first side of a plane including the wing-body axis, and a second propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a second side of the plane including the wing-body axis.
US08408488B2
One embodiment of a Vertical Take-off and Landing (VToL) air-vehicle (FIG. 1.) having a horizontal rotor, a. providing lift and propulsion, and communicating at or near its centre to structural elements, or fuselage, b. Upon or within the fuselage structure is attached a platform, to which a payload, or occupant or pilot, d. is secured in such a manner as to permit a movement, or range-of-motion, of the payload, as a means of weight-shifting, or mass-balancing, of the vehicle for stability and control in flight. At least two planar elements, or descent-vanes, c.i & c.ii are connected to a structural element of the fuselage at a location which provides vertical and horizontal separation between the rotor and the descent-vanes, thus creating a tandem, biplane arrangement of two aerodynamically active elements which are aerodynamically balanced to provide stability and controllability in hovering flight, in forward flight, and in un-powered gliding and vertical descents. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08408487B2
An automatic dispenser for a rolled material has a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the dispenser. When that occurs, a motor is driven by energy stored in a battery or a capacitor and a short length of the material is dispensed from the roll. The user then grasps that short length and pulls more of the material off the roll, thereby causing the roll to rotate. Rotation of the roll drives the motor as a generator producing electrical energy that recharges the battery or capacitor.
US08408480B2
A spray tip assembly capable of self-clearing is provided. The spray tip assembly includes a distal end including an outlet. The outlet defines at least a first configuration during a first condition and at least a second configuration during a second condition. The distal end may be configured to at least one of flex and expand such that the outlet changes from the first configuration to the second configuration.
US08408474B2
The invention relates to A method for speeding up the detection and the activation of the communication protocol used between a terminal (2) and a UICC (4) supporting at least one High Speed protocol (HSP).The method according to the invention is characterized by providing the terminal (2) with information about the High Speed Protocol supported by said UICC (4) through the current interface prior to the communication with said UICC (4) through a HSP interface.
US08408473B2
A method is provided for producing an arrangement, which, for example, may be used for further processing into a non-contact chip card or an identification document and which comprises a multi-layer structure, with a first part of an RFID antenna, at least comprising a coil-shaped antenna structure and a connecting structure, being arranged on a carrier layer and the chip being directly mounted on this part of the antenna structure and contacted, with a compensation layer being arranged thereabove, which in the area of the chip comprises an embedding opening and which comprises at least two contacting openings in the intersection area of the first part of the RFID antenna with a bridge structure, which is located on a cover layer, and subsequently the individual layers being connected to each other via lamination.
US08408470B2
A structure of a subject such as a card, a bank note, or a stock certificate easily faked and needing authenticity validation and a method for judging the authenticity of the subject. An authenticity validation chip having structural color developers irregularly arranged is attached to a card. An optical sensor detects the arrangement of the structural color developers to individually recognize the card or judge its authenticity. To validate the authenticity, when or after the card is taken in, the information in the authenticity validation chip provided on the card is read. Each of the structural color developers is a transparent resin flake or a transparent resin thin layer. The information is read two-dimensionally with a camera, and the authenticity of the authenticity validation chip is judged by observing the distributed state of the structural color developers. Alternatively, the information can be read linearly. A given straight or curved line can be used by altering the read portion while associating the shape of the read line with the movement of the card in taking in the card.
US08408465B2
A device for reading optical data cards. This device includes a shuttle mounted on shuttle tracks within the device housing. The shuttle is configured to move back and forth on the shuttle tracks driven by the shuttle motor. A card loader allows optical data cards to be positioned onto the shuttle. A CD optical read head mounted on optical read head tracks and driven by a optical head motor reads modified to read a single track of optical card data reads the optical card. A controller receives data from the read head and controls the movement of the shuttle and the optical head.
US08408461B2
The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.
US08408456B2
A system includes a media content processing subsystem and user input device having a plurality of control surfaces each configured to cause the input device to transmit at least one command to the media content processing subsystem. The input device is configured to acquire an image of a fingerprint of a finger touching the control surface and cause the processing subsystem to execute the command in accordance with a user profile that corresponds to the acquired fingerprint image.
US08408453B2
A money handling machine including a denomination-specific storing portion, money transport unit that transports money to a dispending portion and transport starting unit that causes the money transport unit to transport money stored in the denomination-specific storing portion. The money handling machine is instructed to dispense an amount of money, performs dispensing processing to bring the amount of money from the denomination-specific storing portion to the dispensing portion and performs dispensing limitation processing to prevent money determined not to be allowed to be dispensed from being dispensed. The dispensing processing includes starting the transport of the amount of money, and transporting money from the denomination-specific storing portion to the dispensing portion to replenish a shortage of money produced by the dispensing limitation processing. Thus, money that is not allowed to be dispensed is not dispensed, an accurate amount of money is dispensed and the dispensing processing occurs more quickly.
US08408446B1
Embodiments of a method for manufacturing a turbine engine component are provided, as are embodiments of a thermal growth constraint tool for the manufacture of turbine engine components. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of arched pieces, arranging the plurality of arched pieces in a ring formation, and bonding the plurality of arched pieces together to produce a monolithic ring by heating the ring formation to a predetermined bonding temperature while constraining the outward radial growth thereof.
US08408445B1
A vibration welding system includes a controller, welding horn, an active material element, and anvil assembly. The assembly may include an anvil body connected to a back plate and support member. The element, e.g., a piezoelectric stack or shape memory alloy, is positioned with respect to the assembly. The horn vibrates in a desirable first direction to form a weld on a work piece. The element controls any vibrations in a second direction by applying calibrated response to the anvil body in the second direction. A method for controlling undesirable vibrations in the system includes positioning the element with respect to the anvil assembly, connecting the anvil body to the support member through the back plate, vibrating the horn in a desirable first direction, and transmitting an input signal to the element to control vibration in an undesirable second direction.
US08408444B2
It is an object to provide a friction stir tool excellent in productivity, high temperature strength, and wear resistance at high temperatures.The friction stir tool is formed of a Co-based alloy comprising crystal grains containing a γ′ precipitate phase dispersed and precipitated therein, and a crystal grain boundary region and a precipitate phase between adjacent crystal grains, in which the precipitate phase is at least one phase selected from a μ phase, a Laves phase and a carbide phase.
US08408436B2
A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality.
US08408419B2
A sheet dispenser is defined by at least six panels having outwardly facing surfaces, wherein at least one of the panels is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the other panels. Sheets may be dispensed from an opening located on the oblique surface. The sheet dispenser may sit on a surface such as a countertop for dispensing, or may be placed between a wall and other structure attached to the wall such as a towel bar. Furthermore, the sheet dispenser may be hung from a structure using a strap attached to the towel dispenser.
US08408415B2
A fuel tank cap includes a housing having a side wall, a bottom wall, and a receptacle, a fuel vapor adsorption material positioned within the receptacle, an inlet at least partially defined by the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with a fuel tank vapor space, an outlet at least partially defined by the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with the atmosphere, an internal wall extending from the bottom wall at least partially into the receptacle, and an aperture at least partially defined by the internal wall and configured to permit fuel vapor to flow in a vapor flow path from one side of the internal wall to the other side of the internal wall.
US08408414B2
A cap may be adapted to engage a container and may preferably be adapted to facilitate engaging the container with another object or may be adapted to otherwise possibly simplify transport, use, or storage of the container.
US08408413B2
A pallet container includes a bottom pallet and a thin-walled inner container, made of thermoplastic material and resting on the bottom plate, for storing and transporting liquid or free-flowing goods. Closely surrounding the plastic container is a lattice tube frame which includes vertical and horizontal tubular rods welded to one another and which is securely fixed to the bottom plate. In order to improve the lattice tube frame durability while maintaining sufficient stacking load-bearing capacity, at least the vertical tubular rods have regions of low tubular profile height and high tubular profile height, wherein the regions of low tubular profile height are uniformly linear and positioned outside the intersections, and the regions of high tubular profile height are positioned in an area of the intersections.
US08408406B2
A coupler body for a railcar coupler, said coupler body comprising at least one central datum feature that does not wear during coupler use.
US08408398B2
A sheet handling system is provided in which sheet handling apparatuses and a central apparatus are network connected and which can set a discrimination level of each of the sheet handling apparatuses from the central apparatus.The sheet handling apparatus has selection means which can select any one of a genuine note, a damaged note, a rejectable note, automatic setting and on-line setting, and setting means which requests the central apparatus to transmit a discrimination level when the on-line setting is selected, receives the transmitted discrimination level and sets a discrimination level. The central apparatus has selection means which can select any one of the genuine note, the damaged note, the rejectable note, and the on-line setting, and setting means to set automatically a discrimination level based on detection data received from the sheet handling apparatus in a case that the on-line setting is selected, and transmits the relevant discrimination level when the transmission request for the discrimination level is made.
US08408394B2
A container for holding elastic loops therein is described. The container includes a substantially planar card having two portions with a folding section therebetween. A foldable, substantially planar sheet is included for holding elastic loops thereon. The sheet is formed such that it can be contained within the card. A separator is pivotally attached with the card. When an elastic loop is placed upon the sheet and the sheet is positioned upon the card, the separator covers a portion of the sheet such that it holds elastic loops against the sheet. Thus, the separator assists in folding both the elastic loops and sheet when the card is being folded along the folding section. For ease of storage and concealment, the card has a shape and size such that when folded, the card is of a substantially similar shape and size as a credit card for placement within a wallet.
US08408393B2
The present disclosure is directed generally to product packaging and, more specifically, to product packaging assemblies with try-me toys that may allow a consumer to visualize, experiment, and design various looks available in the product line at the point of purchase while the product remains in the product packaging and after purchase.
US08408385B2
A bracket assembly comprises a bracket and a stringer of a conveyor belt assembly. The bracket comprises a center mating surface and at least two outer mating surfaces. The center mating surface lies between the outer mating surfaces and is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to each of the outer mating surfaces. The stringer comprises a center mating surface and at least two outer mating surfaces. The outer mating surfaces of the bracket are clamped against the outer mating surfaces of the stringer in manner creating a load path for carrying vertical loads through contact forces.
US08408384B2
A conveyor assembly includes a series of rollers for conveying a product to one or more product operations. A pair of spaced apart side frames support the series of rollers spanning between the frames. A drive system is associated with one or more rollers of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder, an elastomeric sleeve and a moving belt, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation. A brake system is associated with one or more of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder and a fixed elastomeric band, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation.
US08408382B2
An instant powder conveyor device of a drinks preparing machine including a rotatable wire conveyor spindle disposed substantially horizontally in a bottom area of the instant powder container. At the wire conveyor spindle, an outflow opening is provided. In the instant powder container, above the wire conveyor spindle at least one back feed conveyor screw is arranged. Its back feed conveyor track starts near the end of the wire conveyor spindle, or conveyor track, and is shorter than the conveyor track of the wire conveyor spindle.
US08408381B2
A carriage-type conveying apparatus with a workpiece support base and an elevating drive has a passive shaft interlocked with the elevating drive and a lock to prevent descent of the workpiece support base A power source carriage capable of traveling synchronously with the conveying carriage is aside of a traveling path of the conveying carriage at a workpiece support height changing position so as to be reciprocable along the traveling path. The power source carriage has a transmission shaft driven by a power source and a separable interlock to interlock the passive shaft and a transmission shaft with each other.
US08408378B1
A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
US08408376B2
A coupling device including a drive member that is rotatable about an axis, a driven member that is substantially aligned with the drive member and is selectively rotatable about the axis, a speed sensing member that is coupled to the drive member and is movable between a first position and a second position in response to the rotational speed of the drive member, and a clutch member that is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in response to movement of the speed sensing member between the first position and the second position. At least a portion of the clutch member is removable without changing the alignment between the drive member and the driven member.
US08408373B2
The invention relates to a clutch unit, which has two subunits. One subunit is connected to the output shaft of an engine, and the other subunit is pre-mounted on the side of the transmission. Both subunits are coupled to one another via an axial plug-type connection, which includes meshing first profiles and second profiles.
US08408371B2
A fan clutch is provided to which a fan may be removably attached with the aid of a flange ring, the fan clutch having a housing that comprises a first front housing part and a second rear housing part to which the flange ring is attachable with the aid of connecting elements. The housing has circumferential attachment niches which are situated in an offset manner in the circumferential direction on both the front and the back of the housing and into which attachment tabs situated on the flange ring are insertable either from the front of the fan clutch or from the rear thereof.
US08408370B2
An energy absorbing element contains a free-flowing medium. The medium is expressed from the element, upon the occurrence of an impact, through at least one opening. The medium is enclosed in a capsule that bursts on impact.
US08408364B2
The invention relates to a measuring arrangement, an elevator system and also a monitoring arrangement for measuring the movement of an elevator car. The measuring arrangement includes identifiers disposed at set points in the elevator hoistway, each of which identifiers contains at least one property to be measured, which property to be measured is made to be variable in the direction of movement of the elevator car. The measuring arrangement includes at least one measuring apparatus, fitted in connection with the elevator car and arranged to move along with the elevator car in the elevator hoistway. The measuring apparatus is arranged to separately read the property to be measured of each aforementioned identifier after the measuring apparatus has moved in the elevator hoistway to the reading point individual for the identifier to be read.
US08408362B2
A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface. A liquid composition application system is also provided. The liquid composition application system includes a reservoir(s) for holding a liquid composition mounted on a rail car. A pipe is connected to the reservoir(s), and a pump, for moving the liquid composition from the reservoir(s) to a dispensing nozzle(s), is provided. A controller processes topological information, data from the liquid composition application system, or both. The application of the liquid composition may be monitored and controlled from a remote site separate from the rail car.
US08408349B1
An electric bicycle and electric bicycle frame including batteries stored in a pair of substantially parallel top tubes. In some cases, the top tubes extend rearward of the bicycle seat tube, and an electronics housing may be disposed between the rearward extending top tube portions.
US08408347B2
A mobile camera vehicle has a roll cage or similar structure attached to a chassis. Upper and lower horizontal bars are attached to the vehicle structure. Front and rear vertical bars are each attached to the upper and lower horizontal bars. A lift plate is attached to and vertically moveable on the front and rear vertical bars. A lift plate actuator may be attached to the lift plate and used to raise and lower the lift plate on the front and rear vertical bars. Alternatively, the lift plate may be moved manually. A camera platform is supported on the lift plate. A vertical shock isolator may optionally be supported on the lift plate, and with a camera on the camera platform on the vertical shock isolator.
US08408332B2
A coring tool for use in a borehole formed in a subterranean formation includes a tool housing with a coring aperture and a core receptacle. A coring bit is mounted within the tool housing and movable between retracted and extended positions by a series of pivotably connected extension link arms. Another set of link arms rotates the coring bit between coring and eject positions. The coring tool may also include a multi-column core storage magazine with shifters to move cores or core holders between columns. The coring tool may be used to measure core lengths during operation and facilitates retrieval of cores having larger lengths and diameters than conventional sidewall coring tools.
US08408316B2
A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.
US08408310B1
A method and apparatus for stopping oil flowing from the end of a ruptured pipe or other device, by mounting a flange on the end of the ruptured pipe or device, if a flange is not already present; providing a gate valve having a flange on its lower end to mate with the flange on the ruptured pipe or device; providing a permanently affixed gasket member on the mounting flange of the gate valve; lowering the gate valve to the depth of the flowing oil from the ruptured pipe or device; providing at least two flexible bolts through opposite openings in the flange of the gate valve; while the gate valve is situated adjacent the flowing pipe or device, threading each flexible bolt through two opposite openings in the flange of the ruptured pipe or device; placing pulling pressure on the lower ends of the two flexible bolts to pull the gate valve from a position adjacent the ruptured pipe or device to a second position where the gasket of the gate valve mounts against the face of the flange of the ruptured pipe or device.
US08408304B2
A bearing for a wellbore tool includes a flow device. The flow device may be a pump such as a positive displacement pump or a hydrodynamic pump. In arrangements, a pump stator connects to a wellbore wall. A pump rotor rotates with a drilling motor, and/or a drill string. Rotation of the pump rotor may generate a pressure differential to displace the fluid. The pump may be configured to flow fluid across a gap between a rotating section and a non-rotating section of the bearing. The fluid may be drawn from a wellbore annulus and also returned into the wellbore annulus. The bearing may support thrust loadings and/or a radial loadings. In embodiments, inserts in the bearing may be used to filter the fluid.
US08408300B2
A stimulation system configured for use in open-hole wells. The system may alternatively or additionally be configured for multi-zone stimulation applications. The system includes assemblies which employ techniques and configurations for isolating recovery screens downhole even without the presence of well casing. In this manner protection may be provided from dowhnole contaminants such as water which might otherwise leak in from adjacent formation layers.
US08408295B1
A testing method for connectors usable with oil or natural gas wells using a test part connector and a control component connector. The method uses a test fluid in a test reservoir that is pumped to each connector simultaneously, uses a test part pressure transducer and a control component pressure transducer to create a test response and a control response. The responses are then transmitted as compared results to a user.
US08408290B2
A downhole tool for use in a well has a mandrel with an expandable sealing element disposed thereabout. The mandrel has a head portion threadedly connected thereto. A shoulder in the head portion and an upper end of the mandrel define an annular space. A sleeve with a bore therethrough may be positioned in the annular space. The head portion may be removed and a solid plug installed so that it fits within the annular space and so that the downhole tool will act as a bridge plug. The downhole tool has slip rings made up of a plurality of individual slip segments that are adhesively bonded to one another at the sides thereof.
US08408279B2
The invention relates to a casting nozzle for a horizontal strip casting system, in particular for casting steel strip, wherein the nozzle is designed as a narrow rectangular hollow block having a bottom, top and two side walls and made of refractory material, the outflow region being located only slightly above a cooled continuous belt receiving the outflowing melt. Viewed in the flow direction, it is provided that the clear cross-section of the hollow block in the outflow region reduces uniformly in the direction toward the outflow and the end face of the bottom of the hollow block is designed with respect to the surface of the continuous belt such that the melt contacts the continuous belt perpendicularly.
US08408276B2
An organo-modified silicone obtained by an addition reaction of (I) a chain silicone represented by formula (1): wherein the formula (1), R1s represent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and a and b are numbers satisfying conditions represented by the following formulae (i) to (iii): 0≦a≦195 (i) 5≦b (ii) 10≦a+b≦200 (iii), with (II) a hydrocarbon such as monoolefins and aromatic hydrocarbons, and (III) a di(meth)acrylic acid ester, at a molar ratio satisfying conditions represented by the following formula (iv): {the chain silicone}:{the hydrocarbon}:{the di(meth)acrylic acid ester}=A:B:C (iv) wherein the formula (iv), A represents a number of moles of the chain silicone, and B and C are numbers satisfying conditions represented by the following formulae (v) and (vi): 0.05A≦C≦A (v) A×b−2C=B (vi) in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst.
US08408272B2
A system for mounting a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The system includes a robotic arm pivotably-connected to an end effector. The system also includes a tire-supporting portion including a support surface and a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface. The pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes a first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion fixedly-disposed relative the support surface and a second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion movably-disposed relative the support surface.
US08408271B2
A system, apparatus, and method for removing pressure adhesive indicia, such as labels or stamps, from their backing and affixing the same to a target substrate is provided. The automated process affixes stamps, for example, to the target substrate with both speed and precision of placement. Desired stamps can be selectively removed from a backing, for example, can be placed on variable locations upon the target substrate, and can be affixed in the desired orientation with precise spacing between stamps. The precision of affixation afforded by this system is commensurate with philatelic standards and is suitable for all pressure adhesive indicia where rapid and precise placement is desired for aesthetic or other reasons.
US08408260B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire with an operation life elongated by a countermeasure for stone trapping. Projections 28 for preventing stone trapping are disposed on a groove bottom only of a flexion portion 24 of a center main groove 20 disposed on a tread portion 18 where the main groove bends in a zigzag manner, and an angle of a groove wall of a linear portion 26 connecting the adjacent bending portions with respect to a tread normal line direction is larger than an angle of a groove wall of the flexion portion 24 with respect to the tread normal line direction. This can suppress stone trapping at the same level as the conventional tire without providing a projection for preventing stone trapping on the linear portion 26. Therefore, the number of projections 28 for preventing stone trapping can be significantly reduces as compared to the conventional tire to remarkably decrease likelihood of appearing the projections 28 for preventing stone trapping on the tire surface while the tire is still usable.
US08408253B2
A nozzle that can introduce gas into containers placed at a predetermined interval. The nozzle introduces gas into the container without contacting the container, and includes a main opening where the gas at a first flow rate is discharged and a sub-opening where the gas at a second flow rate is discharged in a same direction as the direction of the gas discharged from the main opening.
US08408239B2
A fastening arrangement for water-throughflow sanitary components in a concealed box is proposed. In a direction extending parallel to the bottom of the concealed box, the sanitary component has a distance between the ends of two mutually opposed connection stubs that is greater than the inner distance separating the through openings in the wall of the concealed box that are assigned to the two connection stubs. In order nevertheless to ensure that the sanitary component can be inserted from the open front side of the concealed box into this box, one of the two through openings is designed in such a way that it is possible for the assigned connection stub to be introduced obliquely. The connection stub is inserted into the through opening until the opposite connection stub is situated completely inside the concealed box and can then be pivoted in front of the assigned through opening. A lateral displacement then occurs such that the sanitary component is arranged centrally in the concealed box.
US08408238B1
A yard hydrant of a type utilizes a reciprocating valve for controlling the flow in a hydrant flow pipe vertically movable within a standpipe. The lower end of the flow pipe has a valve body attached thereto for controlling the flow of water from a supply of water under pressure. An upper end of the flow pipe is secured to the hydrant head and in flow communication therewith and such head is vertically movable with the flow pipe and valve body relative to the standpipe. The opening of the valve is accomplished by elevating the hydrant head with respect to the standpipe and the ground, which correspondingly elevates the flow pipe and valve body to the open position of the valve. Closing the valve is accomplished by lowering the hydrant head, flow pipe and valve body, which simultaneously allows water to drain from the hydrant head/flow pipe/valve.
US08408236B2
A drain treatment system capable of achieving balance of pressure between a facility apparatus and a drain treatment apparatus with a simple structure is provided.A bottom part of a heat, exchanger 2 is connected with a top part of a drain tank 3 by a drain discharge pipe 4. The drain discharge pipe 4 has a balance pipe-connecting tube 5. The balance pipe-connecting tube 5 comprises: a balance pipe-connecting part 6; a communicating tube-connecting part 7; and a communicating passage 8 which connects both the parts therein. The top part of the drain tank 3 is connected with the balance pipe-connecting part 6 by a balance pipe 9. Further, the communicating tube-connecting part 7 is connected with a lower part of the heat exchanger 2 by a communicating tube 10 which passes through the drain discharge pipe 4. If a drain level of the heat exchanger 2 is below an open end of the communicating tube 8 on the side of the heat exchanger 2, the balance of pressure is achieved between the heat exchanger 2 and the drain tank 3 by the balance pipe 9, the communicating passage 8, and the communicating tube 10, allowing the drain from the heat exchanger 2 to be smoothly discharged into the drain tank 3 through the drain discharge pipe 4.
US08408235B2
A head for an air pump includes a housing, a nozzle, an urging mechanism, and an end cap. The housing includes a first compartment defined therein and including a first end defining an opening port and a second end enclosed by an end wall. The housing further includes a hole extending therethrough and into the first compartment. The nozzle device is disposed within the first compartment. The urging mechanism includes a cam, an axle and a pivoting member. The cam is disposed in the first compartment and abuts against the nozzle device. The axle is inserted into the housing through the holes and engages with the cam. The pivoting member is connected to the cam by engaging with a terminal end of the axle.
US08408232B2
A sequence valve for a hydraulic circuit provides a control signal through a control signal port to a pressure responsive flow source to maintain pressure in an accumulator between a low pressure setting and a high pressure setting. The valve includes accumulator, flow source and drain ports, in addition to the control signal port. A spool controls communication between the control signal port and the drain port. A piston is moved by pressure in the accumulator port against a control spring to close communication between the control signal port and the flow source port, and to move the valve spool to close communication between control signal port and the drain port. A differential between the net cross sectional area of the spool establishes the differential between the high and low pressure settings of the accumulator.
US08408226B2
Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.
US08408221B2
A micro-bubble generating device is provided with a micro-bubble generating mechanism and a leading conduit provided with a widening section and a tube part, the widening section and the tube part in communication with each other in the leading conduit. The widening section has a hollow shape which has an axis Z as a central axis, and has base surfaces and a peripheral surface, and communicates with a nozzle of the micro-bubble-generating mechanism via one base surface of the widening section, and communicates with the tube part via the other base surface. The cross section orthogonal to a flow axis Z of the micro-bubbles of the widening section is larger than the cross section orthogonal to the flow axis Z of the tube part.
US08408220B2
A cleaning apparatus includes a heating device, a freezing device, and a conveying belt. The heating device includes a hot water source and a hot water container. The hot water container includes an exit shutter and defines a water inlet and a water outlet. The hot water source being communicated to the hot water container via the water inlet. The freezing device includes an aerosol spray system and a freezing container. The spray system includes a spray head. The freezing container includes an entrance shutter. The spray head is received in the freezing container. The conveying belt extends into the hot water container via the exit shutter and into the freezing container via the entrance shutter and thereby bridges the hot water container and the freezing container.
US08408212B2
Apparatus, methods and kits which, when installed or used, occlude or partially occlude a cervical canal, the internal opening of a cervical canal (cervical os), or a uterine side wall rupture location, such as to inhibit or prevent bacterial access and retard leakage of amniotic fluid resulting from PROM. The present apparatus can include an expandable support member of a biocompatible and non-toxic material. In some examples, the support member can include a top portion having a first diameter and a bottom portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter. In some examples, the support member can include an expandable stent of a suitable length and uniform diameter to be inserted in a non-dilated cervical canal or transabdominal access route. In various examples, the apparatus further includes a fluid-resistant fabric, polymer, substance or other material placed over at least the top portion of the support member.
US08408206B2
Described are methods and systems for delivering pharmaceutical gas to a patient. The methods and systems utilize a high flow valve and a low flow valve in parallel flow paths. The pharmaceutical gas may be provided as a pulse during the first half of the patient's inspiratory cycle.
US08408205B2
A method and a device are provided for detecting the respiratory activity of a person and for controlling the time progression of breathing gas pressure, especially in accordance with physical parameters and considering parameters indicating the momentary physiological condition of the breathing person. The device for detecting the respiratory activity of a person has at least one sensor that provides a first signal indicating the breathing gas flow, wherein at least one signal processing device is provided for processing the first signal. The signal processing device is configured in such a way that said device determines a reference-relation on the basis of the first signal detected during a first time interval. On the basis thereof, the device determines a correlation-relation between the reference-relation and the first signal. The device generates an output signal indicating the respiratory activity and/or the physiological condition of the breathing person by considering at least the correlation-relation.
US08408199B1
A linear trough concentrates sunlight through a long target window in a greenhouse's roof or north wall. Heat is stored in a geothermal heat bank below the greenhouse's center, where a thermal skirt around the greenhouse reduces heat loss.
US08408197B2
A burner apparatus includes a first tube having a first longitudinal bore and a second tube having a second longitudinal bore. The second tube is disposed within the first longitudinal bore such that an annular space is defined between the second tube and the first tube. The burner apparatus further includes a nozzle formed at a tip of the second tube. A plurality of side holes are formed in the nozzle. The side holes are slanted relative to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle and are in communication with the second longitudinal bore.
US08408192B2
An apparatus and method for reducing stress in a bow limb of an archery bow connected to a handle/riser of the bow by allowing a butt end of the bow limb connected to a forward end of the handle/riser by a limb bolt to flex forwardly when the bow is drawn and/or allowing the bow to flex rearwardly at the rearward end of the handle/riser when the bow is drawn.
US08408185B1
An engine fuel economizer device connected or connectable to establish an electrical path between an electrical system of an engine, preferably a d.c. battery and a starter motor or a charging alternator of an engine, preferably an internal combustion engine. The device, in one aspect thereof, includes a coil of conductive hollow tubing having a plurality of complete turns or loops formed therealong, is positionable over and around a section of fuel line which extends from a fuel tank to the engine. In another aspect of this disclosure, the coil device is prepositioned over and along a length of nonconductive tubing which is spliceable into the fuel line after a section of fuel line is sectioned and removed. Various additional aspects position the device in close proximity to the flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
US08408168B2
The ECU includes: a stop control portion controlling an electric water pump to stop, when an engine provided with the electric water pump pressure-feeding a coolant is warmed up; a first drive control portion controlling the electric water pump to drive for a predetermined period at least before the stop control portion performs a control, when a coolant temperature thw in starting the engine is equal to or higher than a predetermined value α. The electric water pump corresponds to a variable water pump capable of changing the flow rate of the coolant.
US08408166B1
A system in an engine is provided. The system includes a piston spraying conduit including an inlet in fluidic communication with an oil reservoir, a nozzle in fluidic communication with the piston spraying conduit, the nozzle directing an oil spray toward an exterior surface of a piston positioned within a combustion chamber, and a heat pipe transferring heat from an evaporator section to the condenser section, the evaporator section coupled to the piston spraying conduit. In this way, more effective piston cooling is provided while maintaining lubrication effectiveness.
US08408165B2
A method for controlling a cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. The method includes controlling a bypass valve and a heater valve to both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speed to inhibit coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
US08408163B2
A pet training tool includes a pet collar configured to be placed around a neck of a pet, a balloon assembly used for stimulating the neck of the pet during training of the pet, and a movable neck plate. Two ends of the neck plate are movably connected to a lower part of the collar. The balloon assembly, the collar, and the neck plate are disposed together. The balloon assembly controls relative movement of the collar and the neck plate through inflation or deflation to tighten or loosen the collar.
US08408159B2
A portable apparatus for milking animals, that can be carried by a person to any location, preferably in a bag such as a hand bag, side bag or backpack. The portable apparatus includes a carrying device, a power unit including a vacuum pipeline, a milk pipeline having a milk reservoir, and a milking claw unit, having one or more teat-cups. The vacuum pipeline provides suction force to the teat-cups that operatively draw milk from the animal udder. The milk pipeline operatively connects the teat-cups to the milk reservoir. Vacuum force further creates partial vacuum in the milk reservoir, and along with gravity the drawn milk flows to the milk reservoir. The portable apparatus can be used to milk animals located at sites accessible only by foot. The portable apparatus can be used to milk colostrums after parturition, and to milk animals having infected udder/teat.
US08408152B1
An improved method for cleaning an anchor rode of a vessel utilizing a clamp member and a nozzle member, with the clamp member adapted to secure the nozzle member to the vessel such that water from a hose connected to the nozzle member is directed towards and onto the anchor rode as the anchor rode is taken up.
US08408149B2
A ground working machine having a frame, a ground engaging wheel mounted to the frame and movable between a raised position not engaging the ground and a working position engaging the ground. The ground engaging wheel, when in the working position, rotating about a wheel axis as the machine is moved over the ground. An actuator raises and lowers the ground engaging wheels. A control system includes a sensor to detect rotation of the ground engaging wheel and a controller that receives an input from the sensor. The controller commands the actuator to raise the ground engaging wheel when the sensor detects that the ground engaging wheel is not rotating.
US08408148B2
The invention provides a method of increasing the efficiency of a combustion process by adding bentonite to the flame, fireball or burner region combustion zone of the combustion process. Also provided is a combustion chamber that includes a bentonite feed system and a fuel additive composition of a bentonite such as sodium bentonite having a particle size range that may be employed in the method of the present invention.
US08408141B2
A cable transportation system having a pull cable defined by a number of strands and drawn along a path; at least one transportation unit movable along the path and connected to the pull cable by a coupling device; a metal structure located along the path to support and guide the transportation unit; and at least one guide roller for guiding the pull cable and supported by the metal structure by leaf springs which reduce vibration caused by the strands of the pull cable contacting the guide roller.
US08408135B2
Apparatus and method for an explosive access tool using one piece charge of explosive sheet in the form of a simple geometric shape, a disk shaped booster charge, a blasting cap, and inert materials. The one piece charge of explosive sheet, envelopes an inert tamper block with its apexes meeting on the top side of the block facing away from the target. A smoothing layer, preferably in a mostly square shape, is placed between the target and the explosives covering the bottom side of the tamper block. An initiating means is connected to the apexes of the explosive charge so that upon initiation, a series of detonation waves are generated to meet in a manner that result in a plurality of petals cantilevered that are formed in the target material, substantially between the intersections of the meeting shock waves, to define a near fragment-free opening in the target material.
US08408132B2
Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
US08408130B2
An imaging method provides a flexographic printing member used to transfer ink from an image area to a receiver element. This flexographic printing member has a relief image including an image area that is composed of an elastomeric composition that has an elastomeric topmost surface and a relief image floor. The relief image has a plurality of dots within a sub-area of the elastomeric topmost surface wherein each dot has a minimum receiver element contact area. A fraction less than 1 of the plurality of dots, known as (b) dots, have a topmost surface that is undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface. The (b) dots are undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface in a predetermined number and arrangement so that the (b) dots are still able to transfer ink to the receiver element. Each of the remainder of the plurality of dots in the sub-area, known as (a) dots, has a topmost surface that is essentially coincident with the elastomeric topmost surface.
US08408119B2
Single-dose pod coffee machine comprising a casing, an external maneuvering lever (1), a coffee dispensing spout, a pod-holder body comprising, in turn, an upper portion (11) and a lower portion (13), a heat-exchanger (10), controlling and adjusting means, actuating means, supporting means, fixing means, sealing means and characterized in that the movement of the lever (1) drives into rotation an accelerator (19) which prevents lime build-up in the water circuit and heating of water inside the heat exchanger.
US08408108B2
Systems and methods are provided for cutting slices of food product from a larger portion of the food product, whereby the systems and methods can reduce down-time associated with some of the portions of the equipment during cleaning. Components of the system requiring more frequent cleaning can be readily disconnected from those components requiring less frequent cleaning. Further, substitute components can be connected to those components requiring less frequent cleaning to reduce their down-time while the other components are being cleaned.
US08408096B2
A shaving/cutting device with directly deposited (formed) razor structures without the use of intermediate adhesives. The device is in the form of a substantially flat substrate with miniature razors that have been directly deposited and formed onto the surface of the substrate. The substrate is of a rigid or flexible nature. The substrate is substantially thin and is therefore flexible and its shape is rectangular, circular or oval in nature. The razors are substantially deposited in plurality as an array formation onto the surface of the substrate. In most cases the razor array formation is in the form of parallel, curved and concentric nature. Flat mesa structures that are substantially the same height as the razor structures are incorporated in the razor array formations. The methods of manufacturing one or more directly deposited razor structures and mesa structures is disclosed.
US08408093B2
A protection device is described for the ends of a handlebar (M) of a motorcycle, of the type comprising a protection member which can be attached to the ends of said handlebar (M), which comprises a structural protection member (1) which can be attached with an attachment portion (2°) to the ends of said handlebar (M), and having an aerodynamic guard (3) intended to be positioned in front of an actuation lever (L) of said handlebar (M) of the motorcycle, the aerodynamic guard being configured to reduce the dynamic pressure downstream thereof.
US08408088B2
An apparatus for releasing a parking state of a shift-by-wire shifting device may include a housing fixed to a vehicle body, a driving screw rotatably coupled to the housing and threaded, a slider engaged to the driving screw and slidable along the driving screw, and a cable connected to the slider and transmitting a sliding motion of the slider to a transmission.
US08408074B2
A mudline riser annulus flow meter includes a liner configured to be attached to a riser to cover a hole; a cover configured to be attached to the riser to cover the liner such that a cavity is formed by the liner and the cover; a sensor rod configured to be attached to the liner and to extend inside the cavity, the sensor rod having a bore; a magnet assembly configured to be fixedly attached to the sensor rod; and a waveguide tube attached to the cover. The bore of the sensor rod is configured to receive the waveguide tube.
US08408066B1
A shaker assembly for vibration testing includes first and second shakers, where the first shaker includes a piezo-electric material for generating vibration. A support structure permits a test object to be supported for vibration of the test object by both shakers. An input permits an external vibration controller to control vibration of the shakers.
US08408057B2
A measuring arrangement for measuring the movement of a piston within a housing of a fluid cylinder includes a voltage generating arrangement for generating a reference voltage which is coupled to two locations of the cylinder which are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the piston within the housing, these two locations being separately coupled to a piston movement evaluation arrangement which is also separately coupled to one or more further locations of the cylinder to which the two locations are electrically coupled so as to receive varying measurement voltage(s) as the two locations move relative to the further location(s). The evaluation arrangement uses the measurement voltage(s) to determine the piston movement.
US08408052B2
The invention relates to equipment for concentrating and analyzing components contained in a flowing medium, and an analyzing method applying said equipment. The analyzing equipment comprises a concentrator, including a porous sorbent bed, in which components can be absorbed or adsorbed from the medium flow, said bed being electroconductive, so that components can be desorbed to a washing flow by heating the bed with electric current; and to an analyzer defining the desorbed components, said analyzer being for instance a gas detector. According to the invention, the sorbent bed is in the flowing direction widened towards its outlet end, having for example the shape of a truncated cone. By means of the invention, the temperature in the sorbent bed is equalized by transferring heat in the washing flow towards the bed outlet end, which end receives a weaker heating effect per unit of volume, owing to the widening shape of the bed.
US08408051B2
A method for analyzing moisture content in an analyzer. In one embodiment a sample is introduced into an analyzer and an initial weight is obtained. The sample is then fortified where it is allowed to pick-up moisture. The temperature of the analyzer is increased and an initial fortified point is obtained wherein the sample has returned to its initial weight. Thereafter the analyzer obtains the final moisture content of the sample at a test finish time. In one embodiment satellite analyzers are biased against a standard analyzer so that more uniform results are obtained.
US08408046B2
A system for in line in situ validation of an air filter of an exhaust filter system including a scan head, a means for facilitating movement of said scan head in the XY plane, a means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head from outside the plenum of the exhaust filter system in the XY plane, and a means for coupling the scan head to the means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head, is provided. The system can also include a scanning arm, inside and outside magnetic couples, and rolling means to facilitate movement of the inside and outside magnetic couples. A method for in line in situ validation of an air filter in an exhaust filter system is also described, which involves the use of the system for in line in situ validation of air filters of an exhaust filter system.
US08408041B2
The invention relates to a fall detection system, for detecting human fall incidents. The detection system comprises a sensor module to be worn by a user, for collecting motion data of his body, for instance acceleration data; first evaluation logic for identifying a potential fall incident on the basis of an impact observed in the acceleration data; and second evaluation logic for verifying that the sensor module is actually worn by the user, at least around the time of said impact, to prevent the system from raising an alarm if only the sensor module has fallen. The second evaluation logic may comprise free fall detection means for evaluating the acceleration data on characteristics which are typical for a free falling object, such as one or more full rotation and/or a free falling phase, during which the magnitude of the acceleration data is relatively stable and small. Additionally or alternatively the second evaluation logic may comprise body proximity detection means for detecting whether the sensor module is in close proximity to the human body.
US08408037B2
The present invention is premised upon method of manufacturing rolled pierce nuts having a predetermined profile from a metal rod, more particularly to a method and apparatus delivering greater manufacturing flexibility through the use of multiple stations with flexible inputs and outputs.
US08408035B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for the production of hot-rolled strip silicon-alloy steel for further processing into grain-oriented sheets, such as electrical sheets, wherein a cast product, in this case a thin slab, for example, with a maximum thickness of 120 mm, is subjected to thermal pretreatment and to a subsequent rolling process on a hot-rolling line to set a desired recrystallization state. The invention proposes an intake temperature (Tin) of the cast product (2) into the hot-rolling line (9a or 9b) of at least 1200° C., and preferably in excess of 1250° C., which should be controlled during pretreatment by adding at least one preheating stage (3) and one intensive heating stage (6) to ensure the final rolling temperature (TFR).
US08408031B2
An operation restricting device for an ignition switch includes a body including a turning restriction portion at a first position and a second portion, a rotor rotatably disposed in the body, a locking pin held movably in a turning plane of the rotor by the rotor, for restricting a first turn of the rotor from the second position to the first position, and a second turn of the rotor from the first position to the second position, the first turn and the second turn being opposite to each other, and a plate disposed movably or immovably in a movement plane of the locking pin, for permitting the first turn and the second turn of the rotor by switching an actuator. The turning restriction portion at the second position includes a turning lever to turn in the turning plane of the rotor.
US08408030B2
There is provided a device for manufacturing a molded glass body, including a fall-prevention means for preventing the glass molded body which has stuck on the upper mold from falling down on the lower mold. Thus, the molded glass body does not damage the lower mold, even if the molded glass body which has stuck on the upper mold falls down from the upper mold, during a period from an end of the pressure molding to releasing and withdrawing the molded glass body obtained by the pressure molding from the any one of the upper mold and the lower mold.
US08408029B2
An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37).
US08408027B2
To optimize a known method for producing a composite body from a basic body of opaque quartz glass and a dense sealing layer, in such a way that the basic body can be provided with the dense sealing layer without any significant changes and deformations in the opaque material being noticed, the invention suggests a method comprising the following steps: (a) producing the basic body by using a first slip which contains larger amorphous SiO2 particles; (b) providing a second slip which contains smaller amorphous SiO2 particles and the composition of which differs from that of the first slip at least in that it contains SiO2 nanoparticles in the range between 0.2% by wt. to 15% by wt. and which is distinguished by a relatively low vitrification temperature; (d) producing a slip layer from the second slip on a surface of the basic body, drying the slip layer, and (e) subsequently vitrifying the slip layer with formation of the dense sealing layer.
US08408023B2
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. An ice maker according to the present invention comprises a tray for storing a drinkable water to be used for making ice, an ejector for separating ice formed in the tray, an ice-making pipe provided in the tray, and a heating member provided in the tray. According to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof according to the present invention, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator.
US08408022B2
An exemplary system includes a first heat exchanger immediately after the compressor that provides direct, conduction-based cooling with condensate recovered from the evaporator. A second heat exchanger cools the forced air that passes over the condenser by evaporating recovered condensate, rainwater, and/or city water into the air as it passes through a breathable water-retaining medium. Finally, a third heat exchanger is described that utilizes recovered condensate, rainwater, and/or city water within an insulated enclosure to obtain additional cooling before the condensed refrigerant enters the expansion valve. Various alternative embodiments are described that include variations of each of these heat exchangers. Additionally, several alternative placements of the heat exchangers are disclosed.
US08408015B2
A cooling recover system and method are disclosed. A fluid, such as water, is chilled and provided to a cooling coil to cool and dehumidify air passing over the cooling coil. The fluid is output from the cooling coil through an outlet, and at least a portion of the fluid from the outlet of the cooling coil is provided to an inlet of a heat transfer coil to reheat air passing over the heat transfer coil. The fluid is warmed as it passes through the cooling coil, which warmer temperature serves to reheat the air passing over the heat transfer coil.
US08408008B2
A scoop for a fairing 1 of a core engine 2 of an aircraft gas turbine allows air to be supplied from a bypass flow in a bypass duct 3 to several cooling-air distributors in a core-engine ventilation compartment 4. The scoop includes a first tubular flow duct 5, whose inlet opening 6 is arranged in the bypass duct 3 and which extends through the fairing 1, as well as a second tubular flow duct 7, which at least partly encompasses the first flow duct 5 and whose inlet opening 8 is rearwardly offset relative to the inlet opening 6 of the first flow duct 5 in the direction of flow.
US08408007B2
An integrated gasification combined cycle that can adjust the balance of pressure/temperature in an overall plant and can stabilize the output of a gas turbine at an early stage during load variation, and an operation control method of the integrated gasification combined cycle are provided. When a calorific abnormality of fuel gas is detected during load variation of a gas turbine (5b), a load change command value of the gas turbine (5b) is set to zero or is decreased, and based on this load change command value, a power generation output command of the gas turbine (5b) is generated.
US08408005B2
The present invention relates to the use of low pressure N2 from an air separation unit (ASU) for use as a sweep gas in a hydrogen transport membrane (HTM) to increase syngas H2 recovery and make a near-atmospheric pressure (less than or equal to about 25 psia) fuel for supplemental firing in the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) duct burner.
US08408003B2
A combined cycle power plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one steam turbine and a heat recovery boiler in combination to produce electricity and/or process steam. The heat recovery boiler has a duct for receiving and confining gas turbine exhaust gas from the gas turbine. Heat transfer tubes for heating water and steam for use in the bottoming steam cycle (steam turbine and/or process steam) are disposed within the heat recovery boiler and have exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the gas turbine exhaust gas and interior surfaces in circulatory fluid communication with water and/or steam. A cellular material is attached to the exterior surfaces of the heat transfer tubes and operates to enhance heat transfer from the gas turbine exhaust gas to the water and/or steam.
US08407999B2
A turbocharged engine system is configured to vaporize methanol using heat from exhaust gases and uses the vaporized methanol to drive the engine's turbocharger. The methanol may also be dissociated into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. After passing through the turbocharger, the vapor is injected into the engine by port injection. By selective timing of exhaust valves, the exhaust gases are separated into two streams, a first stream comprising gases ejected during exhaust blowdown, and a second stream of gases ejected during the remainder of the engine's exhaust stroke. The blowdown gases are employed to drive a separate turbine of the turbocharger.
US08407985B2
In a method of determining hydrocarbon slip through a diesel oxidation catalyst for an engine having an electronic control module and an exhaust system having a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter, the electronic control module receives data indicative of a temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst input, a temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst output, and a temperature of a diesel particulate filter output. An energy conversion ratio is calculated with the electronic control module using the data indicative of the temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst input, the temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst output, and the temperature of the diesel particulate filter output. The calculated energy conversion ratio is compared to stored energy conversion ratio in a memory accessed by the electronic control module. An estimate of hydrocarbon slip through the diesel oxidation catalyst is generated with the electronic control module based upon the comparison of the calculated energy conversion ratio to stored energy conversion ratio.
US08407974B2
A forming member for controlling the volume of packages of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of the tube crosswise to an axis of the tube; the forming member having: a main wall which cooperates cyclically with a first portion of the tube extending between two consecutive sections; and at least one flap extending alongside the wall. The flap is movable, with respect to the wall, between a first position, in which it cooperates with a second portion of the tube, extending between the two consecutive sections, to control the volume, between the two consecutive sections, of the package being formed, and a second position, in which it is detached from the second portion.
US08407970B2
A packaging container for a load having a projection such as a nailing fin is made from two rigid U-boards. An inner U-board supports the weight of the window/door frame while preventing the nailing fin from having contact, directly or indirectly, with the ground or sides of the fin crate. The nailing fin provides one supporting wall for the inner U-board while a second, outer U-board provides a second supporting wall. Both walls prevent the inner U-board from spreading out or collapsing under the weight of the window/door. The inner U-board is formed as a continuous element or as discrete elements. The nailing fin is incorporated into the fin crate to form a support member and part of the packaging container.
US08407966B2
An upper chord bearing joist comprising a top chord member and a bottom chord member, each having a flange portion and a web receiving portion including two web receiving tabs, each made from a unitary piece of metal; a generally planar steel web, a portion of the web being attached to the top chord member and to the bottom chord member, wherein a top portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the top chord member and a bottom portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the bottom chord member; and a first and second pair of support members, each support member including a shoe portion, a web attaching portion, and an angled portion, the web attaching portion being attached to the web receiving tabs and the angled portion being in contact with the web. The joist may be cambered, have reinforcement stiffeners, and have a rotatable joint at either end. The joists may be used in composite with concrete or with wood.
US08407962B2
A molded plastic sliding panel used for covering an exterior building wall surface is made up of a body portion, an attachment portion provided above and adjacent to the body portion, a top locking portion extending horizontally across an upper portion of the sliding panel and a bottom locking portion provided at the bottom of the body portion. The top locking portion is adapted to engage with the bottom locking portion on an upper adjacent siding panel. The attachment portion can contain a plurality of apertures provided therein which sequentially become more elongated as they are positioned toward a side edge of the attachment portion in order to deal with thermal expansion and contraction of the panel.
US08407958B2
Disclosed herein is an assembly that relates to a roof assembly comprising, at least one first waterproof membrane for covering a building roof and a stiff member sealed within at least one second waterproof membrane. The stiff member being substantially aligned with a perimeter of the building roof, and the first waterproof membrane being sealedly attached to the second waterproof membrane. The stiff member being attached to a structure of the building by a plurality of fasteners.
US08407955B2
A removable highly secured high impact wall panel mounting system for mounting at least one wall panel having a front face, a rear face and at least one first attachment portion attached to a portion of the rear face, to a wall in an area of high traffic, comprising at least one second attachment portion and at least one joint closure having an elongated strip. In some embodiments, the joint closure further comprises a plurality of pairs of flanges. In another embodiment, the joint closure further comprises an elongated bottom plate. The elongated strip includes a longitudinal axis and a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile including a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. Each pair of flanges is disposed substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the strip. Each flange is substantially an isosceles trapezoid and comprises a top surface, a weakened base and two inwardly pointing sides extending from each end of the weakened base. In one embodiment, a through slot is disposed substantially centrally about the top surface. In another embodiment, at least one screw opening, at least one plate opening and at least one securing plate is provided. At least one second attachment portion is attached to a portion of a flange and the first attachment portion is configured to be removably attachable to the at least one second attachment portion. A vacuum lifter is further provided to make removal of the wall panel easier.
US08407954B2
Devices and methods are disclosed for framing openings for doors, windows, store fronts, air conditioning units and other purposes, in walls formed of cast-in-place concrete. The devices include a jamb member having attached first and second inner flanges with angled guide surfaces for guiding placement of a wall forming system in alignment and engagement therewith and for anchoring the jamb member following hardening of the poured concrete. A method includes use of the disclosed jamb member to frame an opening in a building wall.
US08407953B2
Pieces that are components of a frame for a window having a threat side and a safe side include a base and a pressure plate that together form part of one of a sill section, a head section, and a jamb section of the window. The base and pressure plate are elongated in a longitudinal direction. The base has (1) an L-shaped cross-section at a near portion of the base to receive an end of a glazing unit from the threat side of the window, and (2) a first pocket formed in a far portion of the base and running in said longitudinal direction. The rear portion is closer to the threat side than the far portion. The pressure plate is to be assembled with the base so as to secure the glazing unit in the corner. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08407950B2
A support system for a solar panel includes a triangular truss with connection points for mounting a photovoltaic module, and a cradle structure that supports the triangular truss and is connected to at least two side supports of the triangular truss. The cradle structure may be driven for rotation about an axis for tracking the sun and several cradle structures can be linked together for tracking movement using a buried linkage system. The truss may also be foldable for ease of transportation and storage.
US08407949B2
A foundation driller for anchoring of components in soil is provided that includes an apparatus in which the foundation driller comprises a base body with at least one cylindrical area and at least one cutting blade that provides forward advancement, in which the base body comprises at least two cylindrical areas with different diameters, wherein the area nearer to the soil has a smaller diameter and the at least one cutting blade providing forward advancement is attached at the area nearer to the soil and has an even incline.
US08407945B2
Disclosed is a spring flange termination system including a spring flange member of a resilient material, the member including an anchoring portion and a biasing portion, a first roof component anchored to the anchoring portion, a second roof component proximate the first component, and moveable in relation to the first component, and a roofing membrane including a first membrane portion and second membrane portion, the first membrane portion being anchored to the first component and the second membrane portion being loose laid over the first component or the second component, wherein the first membrane portion is disposed between the member and the first component such that the anchoring portion of the member anchors the first membrane portion to the first component, and wherein the biasing portion is configured to create a bias on second membrane portion towards at least one of the first component and the second component.
US08407939B2
A device lor the transfer of a torque from an output shaft of a drive mounted on the body of a motor vehicle with a rotational axis of the output shaft and a hinge axis arranged flush with one another. The device includes a drive lever rotationaily connected to the output shaft of the drive, a connecting member on the drive lever extending from a connecting region of the drive lever. The connecting member includes a sliding block and an adapter part that is connected to a first half of a hinge and is provided with a journal. The journal rotates directly in, but independently of, the sliding block.
US08407918B2
A first thin insole (2) having an arch insole (2a) configured with a recess (2b) in the metatarsal region (1b) is provided on the sole body (1) of a shoe, which extends from the heel region (1a) across the metatarsal region (1b) to the front ball/toe region (1c). A foam insert (3), which has a cutout (3a) corresponding to the size of the arch insole (2a), is disposed on the first insole (2), the insert extending from the heel region (1a) to the front ball/toe region (1c). A second insole (4) in the form of a support, which has a spherical segment-shaped or ellipsoid segment-shaped hollow body (4c), which protrudes in the metatarsal region (1b) from the bottom of the insole (4) and is adapted to the arch insole recess (2b), is provided on the foam insert (3). Such a shoe configured according to the invention can achieve a physiologically effective and correct rolling motion (flexing motion) by the placement of the sole body in the back heel region, and subsequent rolling off via the physiological guide body in the form of the hollow body (4c), toward the front ball/toe region (1c), particularly in the direction of the big toe.
US08407917B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a shoe cover. The shoe cover is useful for muffling sound of the wearer. The apparatus contains a padded sole, an encasing material, vertical straps, an attachment mechanism on the straps, and a replaceable cover. The replaceable cover can be substituted when the replaceable cover becomes worn or when a different type of cover is desirable.
US08407902B2
A reciprocating power tool that includes a drive system having a first driven gear that includes a spindle counterbalance weight and a second driven gear that includes a spindle counterbalance weight. The first driven gear and the second driven gear rotate in opposite directions about an axis of rotation in response to rotation of a driving gear by a motor. The power tool further includes a spindle having a longitudinal axis and a first end that is configured to support a tool element. The spindle is coupled to one of the first driven gear and the second driven gear by a scotch yoke mechanism to reciprocate the spindle with respect to a housing of the power tool along the longitudinal axis of the spindle in response to operation of the motor.
US08407898B2
An embodiment of the system for forming a movable slab foundation as comprised by the present invention has a slab foundation, at least one substantially vertical support member, at least one support surface, and at least one support sleeve. The at least one supports sleeve surrounds the at least one support member and is encased within the slab foundation and is capable of movement axially along the length of the at least one support member. The at least one vertical support member is capable of rotation relative to the at least one support sleeve to restrict the movement of the at least one support sleeve downward relative to the at least one vertical support member, thereby maintaining the height of the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation relative to the at least one support surface.
US08407897B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vibration isolator (10), wherein in a sealing step in which a liquid mixture is sealed inside the interior of a first mounting component (11) in a vibration isolator main body (21), after the internal pressure inside the first mounting component (11) has been changed to a negative pressure which is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of a first liquid (L1) which has the lower vapor pressure from among the first liquid (L1) and a second liquid (L2), the first liquid (L1) is injected into the interior of the first mounting component (11) so as to raise the internal pressure thereof, and, thereafter, the second liquid (L2) is injected into the interior of the first mounting component (11). According to the present invention, when a liquid mixture which contains a plurality of types of liquid which each have mutually different vapor pressures is sealed inside the first mounting component, it is possible to accurately and with superior reproducibility seal desired quantities of each of the plurality of types of liquid and at the same time prevent air from being retained inside the first mounting component (11).
US08407896B2
A system and method for reducing roller skew, which involve ascertaining first and second thrust load properties applied to a roller while a rotary body rotates in opposing rotational directions, and adjusting an orientation of at least one bearing assembly for the roller until an amplitude difference between the first and second thrust load properties is below a predetermined threshold.
US08407893B2
A method of repairing an annular sheet metal combustor liner of a gas turbine engine includes cutting circumferentially around combustor liner bands bounding an effusion patch extending circumferentially around the liner, the effusion patch having effusion cooling holes and being bounded on either side by at least one effusionless band free from effusion cooling holes, to thereby remove a portion of the combustor liner having the effusion patch. A replacement liner portion including an effusion patch is provided and welded to the liner assembly, the weld extending circumferentially around the cut band to provide a welded effusionless band. The welded effusionless bands is cooled during engine use using one of film cooling of an inner surface of the welded effusionless band and impingement cooling of an outer surface of the welded effusionless band.
US08407892B2
The present application thus describes a method of manufacture for a late lean injection system in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine. The method may include the steps of: a) identifying a desired position within the flow assembly for a late lean injector, wherein the late lean injector comprises a late lean nozzle and a transfer tube; b) corresponding to the desired position for the late lean injector, identifying an injection point on the inner radial wall and a late lean nozzle position on the outer radial wall; c) positioning the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall in an unassembled position; d) while in the unassembled position, forming a hole through the inner radial wall at the injection point and slideably engaging the transfer tube within the hole; e) installing the late lean nozzle in the outer radial wall at the late lean nozzle position; f) positioning the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall in an assembled position; and g) connecting the transfer tube to the late lean nozzle.
US08407891B2
A spark plug orientation method may include forming a spark plug housing by advancing a tool a first distance in a first axial direction into a spark plug bore to create a spark plug seat using a seat forming portion of the tool. The tool may be displaced a second distance in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction to provide a predetermined axial orientation between the thread forming portion of the tool and the spark plug seat. The spark plug bore may be engaged at a first predetermined rotational position and the tool may be displaced in an orbital motion and in the second axial direction at a predetermined rate to form a threading on the spark plug bore providing a starting point of the threading at a second predetermined rotational position proximate the spark plug seat.
US08407882B2
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin film magnetic head includes forming on a substrate magnetic head portions having a magnetoresistive element and resistance detection elements for measuring an amount of polishing; slicing the substrate to form at least one row bar; polishing the ABS of each row bar; forming rails on the polished ABS; and cutting each row bar to separate each magnetic head portion. The step of polishing the ABS includes measuring a resistance of each resistance detection element and a resistance of each magnetoresistive element; calculating an offset value between the resistance detection element and the magnetoresistive element; and calculating a final resistance of the resistance detection element by using the calculated offset value. When the resistance of the resistance detection element reaches the final resistance, polishing of the ABS of the row bar is terminated. Other methods are presented as well.
US08407875B2
A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. A method for attaching the staple to a fence post is also described and claimed. An inventive staple is also disclosed.
US08407872B2
A rail fence retractor allowing removal of a fence rail engaged with a fence post comprising a blade having a first and second end. The first end of the blade is configured for insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein. The rail has self-locking tabs which must be depressed for removal of the rail from the fence post slot. The fence rail retractor also has a handle which is attached to the second end of the blade. The handle allows the application of force against handle to fix the position of the handle against the fence post during removal of the rail from the fence post slot. The handle is also useful in carrying the rail fence retractor when not in use. The handles may be also be configured to allow a pair of rail fence retractors to fit or snap together when not in use.
US08407865B2
A tie-down tension enhancer for in-situ tightening of an installed tie down having a locking mechanism. The tension enhancer generally includes a body having openings for transverse insertion and removal of a line or strap as well as longitudinal movement of the line or strap within the body. A cinch is provided and disposed on the body for engaging the line or strap upon longitudinal movement of the line or strap in one direction and a line or strap mechanism is provided and spaced apart from the cinch for enabling pulling of the line or strap past the cinch for providing further tension to the existing tie down.
US08407852B2
A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly having an input driven by a motor, an output to drive an agitator, a starter clutch and a drive clutch. The starter clutch moves between an engaged position in which it receives a first drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. The drive clutch is moveable between an engaged position in which it receives a second drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. When engaged, the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch to transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position. When engaged, the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output to transmit the second drive torque to the output.
US08407848B2
The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprises a handle; a head portion pivotally attached to the handle comprising an upper surface and a lower surface connected to the upper surface by side edges; and a cleaning pad removably attached to the head portion, the cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer which extends over the lower surface of the head portion and a scrubbing strip which extends along a side edge of the head portion.
US08407845B2
A mop including a spinning member, a spiral rod, an extendable rod, a mop head, and a pressing rod is provided. The spinning member includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a spiral hole axially configured through the spinning member from the first end to the second end of the spinning member. The spiral rod is further provided with a unilateral bearing sleeved over the spiral rod. The spiral rod is sleeved inside the pressing rod. In operation, the mop is put in a basket which is free for rotation and is axially then applied with a downward pressure, and the extendable rod is withdrawn inside the pressing rod. The extendable rod thus synchronously carries the extendable rod, the mop head and the basket to rotate, thus applying a centrifugal force to remove the water content contained in the mop away from the basket.
US08407844B2
A device for travelling along a pipeline having fluid flowing along it comprises a turbine for extracting power from the fluid flow and using that power to move the device along the pipeline against the fluid flow. The device is arranged in a series of coupled modules.
US08407841B2
A thermal barrier system for a dock leveling system includes an insulative blanket is dimensioned to be larger than the ramp plate of a dock leveler system at a loading dock. The insulative blanket is removably attached to at least a portion of the door when positioned over the ramp plate. The insulative blanket can be attached to the door when the door opens, lifting the blanket out of the way during loading and unloading operations.
US08407838B2
An automatic fecal and urinary treatment device includes: a mattress which has an approximately rectangular mounting hole formed in an approximately center portion thereof; a pedestal which has an upper surface of a concave arcuate shape and is configured to be fitted into the mounting hole; a support frame body which is mounted on the pedestal and has an outer bottom surface of a convex arcuate shape which conforms with the upper surface of a concave arcuate shape so as to allow the lateral swinging of the support frame body on the pedestal; a buttock placing pad which is mounted on an upper surface of the support frame body and forms a U-shaped cutout space in a center portion thereof; and a fecal and urinary treatment unit which is loosely fitted into the U-shaped cutout space formed in the buttock placing pad and is configured to perform washing of buttocks and private parts and discharging of urine and stools to the outside.
US08407836B1
A zippered fitted bed sheet has a zippered track at least along an edge of the zippered fitted bed sheet and has one or two pockets for receiving mattress corner(s). In some embodiments, a zippered fitted bed sheet is coupled to one or more coverings, such as a sheet, a blanket, comforter, quilt and the like. A bedding assembly includes a zippered fitted bed sheet and a zippered mattress, a zippered mattress pad/topper or a zippered mattress protector, each including a zippered track that corresponds to the zippered track of the zippered fitted bed sheet. The zippered fitted bed sheet is configured to couple with the zippered mattress, the zippered mattress pad, or the zippered mattress protector.
US08407833B2
The invention relates to a deformable support element for use in a bed system, and to a bed system comprising the support elements. The bed system is suited in particular for use in the prevention of the development of decubitus by recumbent patients. The support element according to the invention consists of a support plate, flexible edge elements connected at each end to the support plate allowing for a directed movement of the end of the support plate out of an unloaded position, and one or more actuators beneath the support plate for deforming the support plate. The invention is advantageously characterized in that the support plate of the support element can take on a straight shape by the actuation of the actuator or actuators or can be deformed into an undulated shape or into a movement that is directed upward or downward.
US08407826B2
An apparatus for bathing a body part, such as the feet, includes a bath chamber for containing a fluid and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, where a motor is mounted on an underside of the bottom surface. At least one therapy center is disposed on the bottom surface and operably connected to the motor for providing therapy to the body part when the body part is placed on the at least one therapy center.
US08407824B2
A birthing stool is disclosed comprising a series of closed walls constructed from a non porous rigid material, molded into compound curves. The stool facilitates a range of physiologically effective positioning for labor and delivery and can be used submerged underwater during waterbirth. The stool ergonomically supports the body while also achieving structural integrity through a simple organic form that can be produced inexpensively using minimal material. All elements of the stool, including a seat portion that accommodates a laboring woman and her birthing partner, as well as handles and grips for carrying are integrated into a single part design, facilitating effective cleansing and disinfection of the apparatus.The invention includes the method of production of the stool, and describes method of using device.
US08407822B2
A bathing product for bathing comprises: a sodium hydrogen carbonate, commonly known as baking soda, being usable for softening the bathing water, removing body odor, revitalizing skin and facilitating enhanced body care or treatment, and a water sanitizing agent, being usable for effectively sanitizing the liquid and cleaning the bath apparatus without causing toxic effect to a bather for bathing in the liquid. The sodium hydrogen carbonate mixture may comprise 50-99% by weight sodium of hydrogen carbonate formed in powder form, and the water sanitizing agent may comprise about 1-10% by weight of trichloroisocyanuric acid. The bathing product may further comprise a bubbling agent to create a bubbling action for pleasure and soothing sensation for the bather.
US08407818B2
A method of manufacturing a hood for use with a personal protection system. The hood includes a shell formed from at least partially out of a filter medium. At least one transparent layer is initially attached to a transparent face shield. The transparent layer-face shield assembly is sterilized with gamma radiation and attached to the shell to form the hood. The hood is then sterilized with ethylene oxide.
US08407814B2
A garment for a part of the body, and in particular a sport pant, includes an elasticity element, or a number of such elements, disposed on a portion of the garment, while another portion of the garment is free of elasticity elements. As a result, the garment can store energy by elastic elongation under a movement of, for example, a leg. This energy can then be released under a second movement of the leg in the opposite direction, resulting in the garment supporting the second movement of the leg.
US08413260B2
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an application associated with a requester; suggest the application based on a requester parameter; select the application by the requester; and automatically initiate the application for the requester.
US08413258B2
This object aims to propose an optical information recording medium configured to make copyright protection possible, an information recording method for an optical information recording medium and a recording device. An optical information recording medium is proposed to have a recording area available for recording data by laser light, wherein the recording area is provided with a user data area and a management area. The management area written in the optical information recording medium includes a recording format management area provided with information for carrying out operations that identify a format recorded in the user data area, convert the format into a predetermined signal system in accordance with an identified result and record the converted format; a recording condition management area provided with information to make the control of recording conditions of the laser light feasible when the data are recorded at the user recording area; and an authentication identification area provided with information for carrying out an operation that identifies whether or not the optical information recording medium is authenticated by a third party.
US08413256B2
An end to end content protection system that includes enhanced digital rights management (DRM). The system provides content delivery to devices over a managed multimedia home network. The system includes a domain manager for receiving content, wherein the domain manager includes a cable card, conditional access component and a MSO security application and a managed client device, coupled to and registered with the domain manager, the managed client device running a security DRM application client, the managed client device communicates with the MSO security application in the domain manager, wherein the MSO security application of the domain manager and the security DRM application client of the managed client instantiate a preferred DRM as an overlay on top of any other content protection scheme.
US08413254B2
When continuously reproducing a plurality of contents, a content reproducing apparatus determines whether or not a remaining time of an expiration date of a session key is shorter than a total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously content. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, a new session key is acquired from a server, and then the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the new session key. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is not shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the current session key without acquiring the new session key from the server. This can prevent the continuous reproduction of the plurality of contents from being stopped due to the acquisition processing of the session key when the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced.
US08413253B2
A high integrity storage manager protects critical system files by maintaining a list of protected disk blocks in hardware, such as in a memory of a microcontroller. The memory is inaccessible to software running on a host system comprising the microcontroller. This list of protected disk blocks is protected as “read only” by the hardware so that no write operation issued by software running on the host platform can overwrite a protected disk block. The high integrity storage manager intercepts write operations issued by applications via the operating system and file system running on the host processor and compares the disk blocks targeted by those write operations to the list of protected disk blocks. A write operation that would overwrite a disk block in the list of protected disk blocks is prevented from completion. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08413249B1
A method comprising: providing in a non-transitory machine readable storage device a first information structure that includes respective elements that each respectively represent one or more components or communication channels or a combination thereof of a system that includes one or more machines configured with computer software; wherein the first information structure associates at least one element with at least one of an attribute indicative of a mitigation of one at least one known vulnerability of the at least one component or communication channel or combination thereof represented by the at least one element; using a computer system to produce and to store within a non-transitory machine readable storage device an analysis of as-built code used to configure one or more machines to implement the system; wherein the produced analysis includes an output log with respective entries that include respective code references and respective indicia of attributes corresponding to respective observation points within the as-built code that correspond respective elements of the first information structure; mapping at least one respective entry to at least the at least one element of the first information structure; and associating an attribute included within the at least one entry with an attribute associated within the first information structure with the at least one element.
US08413248B2
A method for secure single-packet remote authorization using a single packet authorization (SPA) server on a host system that passively monitors the network for connection attempts and anonymously accept or rejects said attempts depending on whether a valid SPA packet is detected, an SPA client on a client system that is responsible for generating the appropriately encrypted SPA packet in order to gain access to services on the host, and a particular packet format sent from the client to the host to gain access. The packet format is encrypted and non-replayable by virtue of 16 bytes of random data in every message, and an MD5 sum that is a hash function of the random data (made via any known hashing function). The SPA server stores the MD5 sum of every valid SPA packet that it monitors and flags any duplicate access attempts using the same MD5 hash as a previously monitored packet, in which case the SPA server treats the packet as being generated by a malicious attempt to replay the original packet.
US08413245B2
A system detects an attack on the computer system. The system identifies the attack as polymorphic, capable of modifying itself for every instance of execution of the attack. The modification of the attack is utilized to defeat detection of the attack. In one embodiment, the system determines generation of an effective signature of the attack has failed. The signature is utilized to prevent execution of the attack. The system then adjusts access to an interface to prevent further damage caused to the computer system by the attack.
US08413233B1
Systems and methods, including computer software adapted to perform certain operations, can be implemented for preventing content received from non-trusted sources from accessing protected data. A sequence of instructions and multiple permission indicators associated with the sequence of instructions are received. One or more of permission indicators are associated with a protected activity. An instruction within the sequence of instructions associated with the protected activity is identified. A determination is made whether execution of the identified instruction is permitted based, at least in part, on the one or more permission indicators, and the protected activity is performed if execution of the identified instruction is permitted.
US08413226B2
A system, method, and apparatus in an access network such as the Generic Access Network (GAN) for providing user-type information to a Security Gateway (SEGW) or for enabling the SEGW to obtain user-type information for different user types so that the SEGW can apply specific security functions based on the user type. The invention may also provide user-type information to a controller node such as a GAN Controller (GANC) or may enable the GANC to obtain user-type information for application of security settings toward GAN-clients. An Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server may create a user-type indication internally, or may obtain an indication from a Home Location Register and forward the indication to the SEGW. The SEGW may forward the indication to the GANC, or the GANC may determine the user-type information internally or retrieve it from a database.
US08413224B2
A sophisticated gateway is connectable with at least one device, further sophisticated gateways, and/or a network. The sophisticated gateway includes an emulator proxy module and/or a presenter proxy module. The emulator proxy module receives higher layer data of a higher network layer, and processes the higher layer data thereby generating second intermediate layer data of an intermediate network layer. The processing includes a security function ensuring that the second intermediate layer data conform with a predetermined security level. The presenter proxy module receives and/or processes first intermediate layer data thereby generating the higher layer data. The processing within the presenter proxy module includes a security function ensuring that the higher layer data conform with a predetermined security level.
US08413223B2
A content display device includes a content setting storage means 106 for storing a content setting which associates a content selection request with a content which an external device has, a content setting server means 107 for accepting a content setting from a content setting client 108 on a network to update and manage content settings stored in the content setting storage means 106, and a display content management means 109 for reading a content setting corresponding to the content selection request from the content setting storage means 106 to present the content which the content setting client 108 has to a display means 102, or, when the content setting corresponding to the content setting request does not exist, displaying a method of accessing the content setting server means 107 and identification information for identifying the content setting client 108 on the display means 102.
US08413217B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein allow a requesting party to control use of another user's mobile station. In some aspects, a server is configured to communicate with a plurality of remote computer systems and target mobile stations. The server includes a memory device and a processor configured to access data and logic instructions embedded on the memory device. The server authenticates a requesting party accessing the computer server from one of the remote communication systems. The requesting party is not a user of a selected one of the target mobile stations. The server receives selective availability attributes for the selected one of the target mobile stations from the requesting party. The selective availability attributes indicate conditions under which the target mobile station is enabled or disabled to operate, and features that are available on the target mobile station under a plurality of conditions when the target mobile station is enabled. The server further determines when the target mobile station is operational and downloads the selective availability attributes to the target mobile station when the target mobile station is operational.
US08413215B2
System and method for extending secure authentication using unique session keys derived from entropy
In some aspects of the present disclosure a device is disclosed that includes a processor; a storage unit; a user interface; a transceiver; a device identifying unit arranged to store device identifying data; a memory unit arranged to store machine-executable instructions that when executed by the processor causes a password to be generated, based on the device identifying data, that is arranged to allow the device to access a public wireless local area network (PWLAN).
US08413214B2
In a terminal system for managing terminals coupled to a network, a terminal management server includes: a terminal information registration module for registering, in advance, information unique to each user of the terminal; an authentication module for executing authentication by comparing an ID and authentication information which are contained in an authentication request received from the terminal to user information set in advance; an authenticity determination module for determining, based on a predetermined investigation result received from the terminal, whether or not the terminal suffers falsification; and a unique information transmission module for transmitting, when the authentication is successful, and when the authenticity determination module has determined that the terminal does not suffer the falsification, the information unique to the each user to the terminal. The terminal outputs the information unique to the each user received from the terminal management server to a display unit.
US08413209B2
A system for enforcing security policies on mobile communications devices is adapted to be used in a mobile communications network in operative association with a subscriber identity module. The system having a client-server architecture includes a server operated by a mobile communications network operator and a client resident on a mobile communications device on which security policies are to be enforced. The server is adapted to determine security policies to be applied on said mobile communications device, and to send thereto a security policy to be applied. The client is adapted to receive the security policy to be applied from the server, and to apply the received security policy. The server includes a server authentication function adapted to authenticate the security policy to be sent to the mobile communications device; the client is further adapted to assess authenticity of the security policy received from the server by exploiting a client authentication function resident on the subscriber identity module.
US08413195B2
In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for transmitting data in a spectrum, and seamlessly switching from one transmission channel to an available channel in the spectrum. One example method comprises identifying, by a device, at least a first channel of a spectrum, transmitting at least one command to a second, different device, wherein the at least one command contains information that allows the second device to determine at least the first identified channel, and transmitting data in at least the first identified channel.
US08413194B2
A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, an extractor for extracting transmission parameter channel signaling information and fast information channel signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, an acquirer for acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and a service of an ensemble by using the extracted fast information channel signaling information, the ensemble being a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, a detector for detecting a descriptor defining a destination telephone number of a message service by using the acquired program table, and a controller for controlling such that the destination telephone number of the message service of the detected descriptor and the mobile service data are displayed.
US08413188B2
A system, method and computer program product are disclose for processing an object in a video data stream. The method runs on a processor programmed to execute the method and includes but is not limited to receiving at a client device, the video data stream from a server; displaying the video data stream at the client device on a client device display; receiving input data at the client device for rendering on the client device display a first functional indicator indicating one of a plurality of functions and surrounding a first region of pixel locations representing a first image object in the video data stream; and performing a function indicated by the first functional indicator on meta data for the first image object in the first region of pixel locations.
US08413187B1
A method to obtain visual content items matched to scheduled programs comprising: providing a program guide display that includes a grid with grid locations that identify scheduled programs, and that correspond to respective a scheduled program air times and a respective program sources; wherein the program guide extends over a time frame prior to the current date; providing an icon associated with a grid location that indicates that a visual content item matched to the program identified by the grid location currently is available; providing an identifier that is encoded in computer readable storage device and that is associated with the grid location and that indicates a location where the visual content item can be obtained; and accessing the location indicated by the identifier in response to a user selection of the grid location associated with the icon.
US08413186B2
A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.
US08413185B2
An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.
US08413176B2
A disk device is provided with a pair of slide cam members that start movement when a disk is conveyed to a replayable position, and a pair of clamper lifters respectively having clamper support portions supporting a clamper. The clamper lifters are moved in opposite directions to each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the disk device in conjunction with the movement of the pair of slide cam members. They are arranged so that the timings of the start of movement in the opposite directions to each other are different from each other. The clamper support portions have inclined surfaces in contact with an outer peripheral part of the clamper so as to move the clamper in the thickness direction of the disk device in accordance with the movement of the pair of clamper lifters in the opposite directions to each other.
US08413170B2
In various embodiments, a method for processing event streams includes receiving a state machine defined in response to a set of processing components, a set of states, and a set of entry points. Event data associated with an event stream is also received. The event data is processed according to the state machine to generate an event.
US08413158B2
An operating system of an information handling system (IHS) determines a process tree of data sharing threads in an application that the IHS executes. A load balancing manager assigns a home processor to each thread of the executing application process tree and dispatches the process tree to the home processor. The load balancing manager determines whether a particular poaching processor of a virtual or real processor group is available to execute threads of the executing application within the home processor of a processor group. If ready or run queues of a prospective poaching processor are empty, the load balancing manager may move or poach a thread or threads from the home processor ready queue to the ready queue of the prospective poaching processor. The poaching processor executes the poached threads to provide load balancing to the information handling system (IHS).
US08413147B2
A method, an apparatus, and a system for making a decision about virtual machine migration includes a source host platform, configured to send a migration request to a Migration Authority (MA), and to migrate the virtual machine to a target host platform according to a received migration decision-making result. The MA is configured to perform security checks on the source host platform and the target host platform, to obtain a first evaluation result of the source host platform and a second evaluation result of the target host platform, acquire a third evaluation result of the virtual machine, and return a corresponding migration decision-making result to the source host platform. The corresponding migration decision-making result indicates whether the virtual machine is permitted to be migrated; and the target host platform of the virtual machine to be migrated, is configured to accept the virtual machine to be migrated.
US08413143B2
A system receives a notification at an operating system image of a change in allocation of queue pair resources to the operating system image. The system queries a physical network adapter through a hypervisor to obtain a new queue pair resource count that will exist in the virtualized system after the change in allocation. The system performs a hashing operation in the operating system image using the new queue pair resource count to distribute transmit traffic among the queue pair resources that will exist in the virtualized system after the change in allocation.
US08413142B2
Storage optimization selection for virtual disks of a virtualization environment, where the storage optimization can be selected based in part on the disk type of a virtual disk included in a virtual machine. The disk type of the virtual disk can be discovered by the virtualization environment which queries a database within the virtualization environment for metadata associated with the virtual disk. The metadata can be created when a virtual desktop infrastructure creates the virtual disk, and a virtual machine template that includes the at least one virtual disk. The virtual disk can be modified to either include or be associated with the metadata that describes a disk type of the virtual disk. Upon executing the virtual machine that includes the modified virtual disk, a storage subsystem of the virtualization environment can obtain the metadata of the virtual disk to discover the disk type of the virtual disk.
US08413134B2
A method for facilitating the management of a software distribution process is proposed. The method provides the possibility of performing an introspection of a software package (which is used for installing a corresponding software product) before its application on each endpoint. The introspection evaluates any run-time parameters that condition the execution of the actions specified in the software package; in this way, it is possible to determine a list of the actions that will be actually executed during the application of the software package. This list is displayed on a monitor of the endpoint, so as to allow its user to decide whether the application of the software package should be accepted or not. Alternatively, the list of those actions can be collected on a distribution server (from multiple endpoints), to determine an impact of the distribution process on the whole system before its execution.
US08413129B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating an alert based on information describing at least one update associated with an application to be repaired. In operation, a request to repair an application is received. Additionally, information describing at least one update associated with the application is identified. Furthermore, an alert is generated based on the information.
US08413113B2
A system and method for dynamically appending prefixes to source code is described. User-selectable options for a prefix naming convention are provided to a user. Prefixes are transiently appended to variables based on a user selection. The variables are displayed with their respective prefixes in a code editor. Modifications to the source code are detected. The prefixes are removed from the modified source code and the modified source code is written to a persistent storage.
US08413105B2
A method for managing a software development process, the method includes: receiving information representative of instances of simple software development process events; detecting, by a complex event processing (CEP) engine and in response to the received information, at least one complex situation; and invoking at least one software management process reaction responsive to a detection of the at least one complex situation.
US08413104B2
In an embodiment, a buffer bay is represented with a moveable object that has a location within a unit in a netlist. The location of the moveable object that represents the buffer bay is changed to a new location in the netlist if changing the location improves placement within the unit. In an embodiment, a net weight of a net that connects the moveable object to an artificial pin is considered in determining whether to change the location to the new location. In an embodiment a bounding area that encompasses the location is considered in determining whether to change the location to the new location.
US08413102B2
In one embodiment, a vectorless IVD methodology may be used to estimate IVD issues for an integrated circuit earlier in the design cycle of the integrated circuit, e.g. when corrective actions may still be taken to correct IVD failures. In the methodology, scan chains for various clusters in the integrated circuit may be identified, even though the scan chains may still be subject to change as the design evolves. A power integrity tool may analyze the scan chains based on a probability of transitions in the devices within the scan chain (e.g. flops) for a theoretical worst-case test vector. If the result of analysis identifies IVD failures in the clusters, corrective action may be taken such as modifying the design. Alternatively, the corrective action may include identifying one or more flops that experience failure as devices to be excluded from the test vector generation process for scan testing.
US08413097B2
A computing device reads a printed circuit board (PCB) layout file from a storage device. The PCB layout file includes arrangement information of signal lines, power lines, and power through-holes arranged on a PCB. Furthermore, the computing device sets a reference distance between a selected power through-hole and a neighboring signal line, and searches for one or more line segments of one or more signal lines where the a distance between each of the one or more line segment and the selected power through-hole is less than the reference distance.
US08413092B2
A circuit design supporting apparatus includes: an observation portion specifying section configured to specify a first portion with a high improvement effect of analysis easiness in failure analysis of an integrated circuit as an observation portion; and an element substitution performing section configured to substitute an element arranged in the observation portion by an analysis target element to which a failure analysis apparatus can appropriately conduct the failure analysis based on a data of the observation portion. The element substitution performing section includes a timing analyzing section configured to perform timing analysis of the integrated circuit shown by a netlist; a delay calculating section configured to calculate a delay in the integrated circuit based on a result of the timing analysis by said timing analyzing section and said netlist; a substitution element determining section configured to specify a fine element, which is arranged in said observation portion, of elements of the integrated circuit as a substitution candidate element; and an element substituting section configured to update said netlist to form a new netlist.
US08413089B2
Methods and apparatuses are described for assigning random values to a set of random variables so that the assigned random values satisfy a set of constraints. An embodiment can receive a set of constraints, wherein each constraint is defined over one or more random variables from a set of random variables. Next, the embodiment can generate a circuit model based on the set of constraints, wherein assignable values for at least one node in the circuit model are represented in multiple value systems. The embodiment can then assign random values to the set of random variables based on the circuit model.
US08413082B2
A method for designing masks adapted to the forming of integrated circuits, including the steps of: (a) forming a first test file including a set of configurations of integrated circuit elements; (b) forming a second test file comprising the elements of the first test file, less the elements corresponding to configurations forbidden by design rule manuals; (c) trans-forming the second test file by means of a set of logical operations implemented by computing means to obtain a mask file; (d) testing the mask file and, if the test is negative, modifying the design rule manuals; and (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) until the test of step (d) is positive.
US08413081B2
One embodiment of a method for process window optimized optical proximity correction includes applying optical proximity corrections to a design layout, simulating a lithography process using the post-OPC layout and models of the lithography process at a plurality of process conditions to produce a plurality of simulated resist images. A weighted average error in the critical dimension or other contour metric for each edge segment of each feature in the design layout is determined, wherein the weighted average error is an offset between the contour metric at each process condition and the contour metric at nominal condition averaged over the plurality of process conditions. A retarget value for the contour metric for each edge segment is determined using the weighted average error and applied to the design layout prior to applying further optical proximity corrections.
US08413073B2
A 3D display device is provided. The 3D display device provides a 3D preview image to be displayed and a control menu for setting various parameters for the 3D preview image to a user and thus enables the user to optimize the 3D parameters before viewing 3D content and view the 3D content.
US08413069B2
The automatic completion of composite characters is supported by the generation of lists of candidate words or characters. Such lists may be generated by specifying letters or word shapes that are required to be included in candidate words or characters, independent of the order in which a specified letter or word shape is traditionally added to the completed word or character. In a subtractive mode, a user may exclude words or characters that include one or more letters or word shapes specified by the user.
US08413068B2
In an electronic interaction space, transitioning between a first and second screen layout includes determining a difference between the first and second screen layouts, wherein the first and second screen layouts include at least one pod each, and rendering the difference as a dynamic and intermediate screen layout that uses a representation of physical motion to present a gradual change.
US08413065B2
Methods and devices provide an efficient user interface for initiating a function by detecting an ellipsoidal continuous touch path on a touch surface of a computing device. In an embodiment the initiated function may end an application. A user may initiate the function operation by tracing an ellipsoidal shape (e.g., a circle) a touchscreen or touchpad. A display image may be contorted to inform the user about the progress towards accomplishing the function. The function operation of contorting the display image may begin at a minimum measure of the traced path and complete at a maximum measure of the traced path. In an embodiment, terminating an application and returning to the home display may be achieved in response to a clockwise path trace and minimizing of an application and returning to home display may be achieved in response to a counterclockwise path trace, or vice versa.
US08413057B2
Provided is a system and method that may perform various operations on a website according to combinations of buttons on a remote controller. A system for supporting a remote controller may include: a profile storage unit to store a plurality of profiles containing functions of the remote controller and information associated with the functions of the remote controller; a receiver to receive an input signal from the remote controller, and to interpret an event of the input signal based on a profile corresponding to the remote controller; and a presentation unit to access a web server, to transform, to a predetermined behavior, at least one event interpreted by the receiver, and to request the web server for an operation corresponding to the behavior.
US08413055B2
An enhanced instant messaging environment is provided where end user can choose from a list of customizable widgets, personalize and embed the widgets within messages in minimal steps. By allowing the embedment of widgets in messages, the environment empowers users with new means for online communication with new level of widget intelligence that takes into account multi-dimensional criteria, including but not limited to the screen-estate of its presentation and role of viewer for information presentation and operation options.
US08413046B1
A system and machine-implemented method for optimizing the displaying of a rich web user interface (UI) to a user, the method including rendering a hidden base node and one or more child nodes within a Dynamic Object Model (DOM) tree structure determining if one or more nodes of the one or more child nodes and the base node represent a useful portion of the rich web UI based on whether the one or more nodes meet a pre-defined set of criteria, and exposing the base node if the one or more nodes represent a useful portion of the rich web UI, causing rendering of the useful portion of the rich web UI by displaying display elements corresponding to each of the base node and the one or more child nodes.
US08413043B2
An apparatus and method for forwarding a web address to another web address is presented. A web forwarder receives a request destined to a first web address including at least a domain name. The web forwarder then determines a forwarding uniform resource locator (URL) that corresponds to the domain name and redirects the request to a second web address that corresponds to the forwarding URL.
US08413042B2
Personalization of content of a web site for a user based on a web site that a user arrives from is disclosed. For example, the content of the web site from which the user arrives (i.e., the originating page), as well as the content of the web page the user has arrived to (i.e., the target page), may be categorized as pertaining to particular subjects or topics. Any time a user comes from an originating page, the subject categories for the originating page and the target page may be compared to determine if like categories exist between the pages. In the event that like categories are found, the target page may be personalized based on those categories.
US08413030B2
The error correction capability for wireless communication carried out involving propagation path fluctuation in time and frequency selectivity can be improved. A soft decision likelihood value inputted to an error correction decoder is multiplied by a weight determined according to the distance between the data symbol and pilot symbol corresponding to the soft decision likelihood value. Namely, the soft decision bit likelihood value corresponding to the data symbol is weighted according to the distances in time or frequency between the pilot symbol and data symbol. The weight is made smaller when the distance in time or frequency is larger.
US08413026B2
A method of performing forward error correction with configurable latency, where a configurable latency algorithm evaluates a target Bit Error Rate (BER) against an actual BER and adjusts the size of a configurable buffer such that the target BER may be achieved when utilizing the smallest buffer size possible. When errors are corrected without the utilization of each of the configurable buffer locations, the algorithm reduces the size of the buffer by y buffer locations; the algorithm may continue to successively reduce the size of said buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER. If the buffer locations have been reduced such that the buffer size is too small and the target BER cannot be achieved, the algorithm may increase the size of the buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER.
US08413024B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving incoming data in a processor and performing a checksum operation on the incoming data in the processor pursuant to a user-level instruction for the checksum operation. For example, a cyclic redundancy checksum may be computed in the processor itself responsive to the user-level instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08413023B2
A system and method for correcting errors in an ECC block using erasure-identification data when generating an error-locator polynomial. In an embodiment, a ECC decoding method, uses “erasure” data indicative of bits of data that are unable to be deciphered by a decoder. Such a method may use an Berlekamp-Massey algorithm that receives two polynomials as inputs; a first polynomial indicative of erasure location in the stream of bits and a syndrome polynomial indicative of all bits as initially determined. The Berlekamp-Massey algorithm may use the erasure identification information to more easily decipher the overall codeword when faced with a error-filled codeword.
US08413019B2
A computer-implemented method for correcting transmission errors. According to the method, a transmitted vector corrupted by error can be recovered solving a linear program. The method has applications in the transmission of Internet media, Internet telephony, and speech transmission. In addition, error correction is embedded as a key building block in numerous algorithms, and data-structures, where corruption is possible; corruption of digital data stored on a hard-drive, CD, DVD or similar media is a good example. In short, progress in error correction has potential to impact several storage and communication systems.
US08413018B2
A programmable device employs an address and data corruption logic for data written to a first memory. A first signature is computed from the data stored in the first memory and stored in a second memory. When data is read from the first memory, the first signature stored in the second memory is read and compared with a second signature computed from the data read from the first memory. If the first and second signatures do not match, an error condition is indicated.
US08413016B2
In a nonvolatile memory device of the present application, when data of each write unit is read from a nonvolatile memory, an all-clear detector detects whether the read data is already cleared, and a control portion judges whether a flag is already written into a written flag area of the data that has been descrambled by a descrambler and then corrected by an error detection and correction portion. Using a scramble pattern that is generated by a scramble pattern generator and corresponds to the written flag area, a predetermined bit pattern is scrambled to a state that differs from the cleared state.
US08412998B1
Methods and systems for performing a restart operation in a storage device include in response to receiving an unsuccessful status from the host indicating a transmission error occurred for the first command, determining in which one of the logical blocks the transmission error occurred and from which data needs to be resent, thereby identifying a restart logical block. The number of blocks in the restart logical block that were sent successfully are calculated, and it is determined that the block immediately following the blocks sent successfully is the block in which the transmission error occurred and from which the data needs to be resent, thereby identifying a restart block. An amount of data successfully sent in the restart block is determined; and an indication is provided to resend at least a portion of the data in the restart block to the host.
US08412992B2
In a first embodiment a TAP 318 of IEEE standard 1149.1 is allowed to commandeer control from a WSP 202 of IEEE standard P1500 such that the P1500 architecture, normally controlled by the WSP, is rendered controllable by the TAP. In a second embodiment (1) the TAP and WSP based architectures are merged together such that the sharing of the previously described architectural elements are possible, and (2) the TAP and WSP test interfaces are merged into a single optimized test interface that is operable to perform all operations of each separate test interface.
US08412984B2
A technology is described for debugging in a cluster processing network. A scheduler can dispatch a process that is part of the cluster job for execution. Further, a compute node can be used to execute the process dispatched by the scheduler to the compute node. A debugger can be activated in response to an unhandled suspension event in the process on the compute node. In addition, the debugger can send notification messages regarding the unhandled suspension event. A job monitor can receive a notification from the debugger that an unhandled suspension event has occurred. The notification can be displayed to a user via the job monitor.
US08412981B2
Methods and apparatus to provide core sparing on multi-core platforms are described. In an embodiment, stored core state information of a target core (e.g., a core that has detected a fault condition (e.g., within its circuitry) or a request to offload operations from the target core (e.g., to enable run-time diagnostics without interfering with system software)) may be read by a spare core which is to operationally replace the target core. Other embodiments are also described.
US08412978B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing data storage. The method includes determining that an error correcting code (ECC) block comprises uncorrectable errors. The ECC block is stored across a plurality of memory devices. The method includes iteratively substituting replacement data, within data of the ECC block, for individual memory devices of the plurality of memory devices to form substitute ECC blocks until one of the substitute ECC blocks is correctable using the error correcting code for the ECC block. The method includes providing corrected data from the correctable one of the substitute ECC blocks.
US08412962B2
A microprocessor including a temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of core logic of the microprocessor during operation thereof, and operating point information from which may be determined N operating points at which the microprocessor core may reliably operate at a first temperature. Each of the N operating points has a different combination of operating frequency and voltage. The N operating points comprise a highest operating point, a lowest operating point, and a plurality of operating points intermediate the highest and lowest operating points. The microprocessor also includes a control circuit that transitions operation of the core logic among the N operating points to attempt to keep the operating temperature of the core logic provided by the temperature sensor within a temperature range whose upper bound is the first temperature.
US08412958B2
A device management system is configured with a target device including at least one unit that includes a tamper-resistant chip, a management apparatus that manages or uses the target device, and an authentication apparatus including a database for authentication, connected via a network in a communicable manner. In the target device, each unit is equipped with the tamper-resistant chip that collects device information specific to a unit, stores collected device information, and stores a confidential-key.
US08412950B2
A method for configuring a biometric template protected authentication system wherein the desired classification threshold is first selected to optimize the trade-off between a false accept (FAR) and a false non match or reject rate (FRR) of the system, and then an error correcting code (ECC) used in the authentication process is chosen such that the number of errors which can be corrected is equal to or greater than the selected classification threshold. During authentication, the number of errors in a first codeword derived from biometric data associated with a physical object is determined and used in the decision process to accept or reject authentication.
US08412945B2
Computer systems and methods are provided in which an agent executive, when initially executed in a virtual machine, obtains an agent API key from a user. This key is communicated to a grid computer system. An agent identity token, generated by a cryptographic token generation protocol when the key is valid, is received from the grid and stored in a secure data store associated with the agent executive. Information that evaluates the integrity of the agent executive is collected using agent self-verification factors. The information, encrypted and signed with a cryptographic signature, is communicated to the grid. Commands are sent from the grid to the agent executive to check the security, compliance, and integrity of the virtual machine processes and data structures. Based on these check results, additional commands are sent by the grid to the agent executive to correct security, compliance or integrity problems and/or to prevent security compromises.
US08412931B2
Techniques for credential strength analysis via failed intruder access attempts are presented. Intruders attempting to access a secure network with failed credentials are monitored. The failed credentials are retained and evaluated in view of previously recorded failed credentials. Credential policy is updated in response to the evaluation and intruder trends and sophistication levels are also predicted in response to the evaluation.
US08412930B2
A deployable computing environment may facilitate interaction and data sharing between users and devices. Users, devices, and relationships between the users and devices may be represented within the deployable computing environment. A relationship between a user and a device may specify that the device is owned by the user and that the device is authorized to perform operations within the deployable computing environment on behalf of the user. Secure authentication of devices and users for interaction within the deployable computing environment is achieved by authenticating tickets corresponding to the user, the device, and the relationship. A device identification ticket and a user identification ticket are used to authenticate the device and user for interaction within the deployable computing environment. A device claim ticket allows the device to perform delegated operations (e.g., data synchronization, peer connectivity, etc.) on behalf of the user without the user's credentials (e.g., user identification ticket).
US08412928B1
A computing system has a local computing domain coupled to a one-time password (OTP) server. The OTP server maintains user-specific secret data used in a one-time-password (OTP) process to generate OTPs for user authentication. An authentication server in the computing domain sends an OTP request identifying a user to the OTP server. The OTP server executes the OTP process to generate a set of candidate OTPs, any one of which is expected to match a user-generated OTP for a valid authentication. The OTP server returns a response to the authentication server which includes second hashed OTP values, each generated by applying a hash function to a respective candidate OTP. The authentication server performs a comparison function between a first hashed OTP value from the user and the second hashed OTP values. Only upon determining that the first hashed OTP value matches one of the second hashed OTP values, the authentication server performs a protected function in the computing domain that is permitted only upon authentication of the user. Applications include authentication in a ticket-based authentication scheme such as a Kerberos system, in which the protected function may be the granting of a ticket-granting ticket enabling the user to engage service servers in the computing domain.
US08412926B1
A system and method may assist in securing data for transmission to a receiving entity. Received data may include metadata associated therewith. The data may be encrypted using an encryption key encoded within selected portions of the metadata, where the selection of the selected portions is based on a scheme shared with the receiving entity. The encrypted data including the metadata may be transferred to the receiving entity. The receiving entity may decrypt the encrypted data using the selected portions of the metadata.
US08412913B2
An information processing system includes: a data processing unit that executes verification processing for a content recorded in a disk and reproduces the disk-recorded content under a condition that the verification succeeds, wherein the data processing unit randomly selects hash units, which are objects of collation, from among a plurality of hash units formed with component data items of the content, reads the selected hash units sequentially from the disk, calculates hash values, and collates the calculated hash values with collation hash values; and the data processing unit executes reading sequence determination processing so as to determine a reading sequence in which the selected hash units are sorted according to recording positions in a disk, and reads the selected hash units according to the determined reading sequence.
US08412912B2
In various embodiments, dedicated mask pins are eliminated by sending a data mask on address lines of the interface. A memory controller receives a request for a memory write operation from a memory client and determines the granularity of the write data from a write data mask sent by the client. Granularity, as used herein, indicates a quantity of write data to which each bit of the received write data mask applies. In an embodiment, the memory controller generates a particular write command and a particular write data mask based on the granularity of the write data. The write command generated is typically the most efficient of several write commands available, but embodiments are not so limited. The write command is transmitted on command lines of the interface, and the write data mask is transmitted on address lines of the interface.
US08412909B2
A storage apparatus includes a memory unit and a controller to set up a memory space of the memory unit as a user data space and a spare space according to a signal representing at least one of the user data space and spare space. An electronic apparatus controls the storage apparatus, and a method controls at least one of the storage apparatus and the electronic apparatus to control a memory space of the storage apparatus.
US08412908B2
A storage system allocates a data storage area in response to an access request from a first computer if the capacity of a first physical storage device configuring a first logical storage area, provided to the first computer, is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold. The storage system associates the first logical storage area with another physical storage device, which is different from the first physical storage device associated with a second logical storage area provided to the first computer and a second computer, and allocates a data storage area from the another physical storage device if the capacity of the first physical storage device associated with the first logical storage area exceeds the predetermined threshold.
US08412903B2
A secure processor in a PC-slave device manages secure loading of execution code and/or data, which is stored, in encrypted form, in a PC hard-drive. The secure processor causes decryption of the execution code and/or data by the PC-slave device, and storage of the decrypted execution code and/or data in a restricted portion of a memory that is dedicated for use by the PC-slave device, with the restricted portion of the dedicated memory being only accessible by the PC-slave device. The secure processor validates decrypted execution code and/or data. The secure processor blocks operations of a main processor in the PC-slave device during secure loading of execution code and/or data, and discontinues that blocking after validating the decrypted execution code and/or data. The secure processor stores encryption keys that are utilized during decryption of the encrypted execution code and/or data.
US08412896B1
A method and system for backing up and restoring data in a file system that includes junctions is provided. In a backup operation, a junction is encoded as a symbolic link (“symlink”) directive, and sent with a sequential image data stream in the backup operation and written to a tape or disk. In a restore operation, when the encoded symlink directive is encountered after data is read from the tape, the symlink is decoded by an administrator to obtain the embedded junction information contained in the symlink directive. The administrator can then recreate the junction using the information. The junction information is thereby transmitted as part of the backup and restore operation while remaining transparent to third party software performing the backup and restore processes.
US08412891B2
Memory access arbitration allowing a shared memory to be used both as a memory for a processor and as a buffer for data flows, including an arbiter unit that makes assignment for access requests to the memory sequentially and transfers blocks of data in one round-robin cycle according to bandwidths required for the data transfers, sets priorities for the transfer blocks so that the bandwidths required for the data transfers are met by alternate transfer of the transfer blocks, and executes an access from the processor with an upper limit set for the number of access times from the processor to the memory in one round-robin cycle so that the access from the processor with the highest priority and with a predetermined transfer length exerts less effect on bandwidths for data flow transfers in predetermined intervals between the transfer blocks.
US08412888B2
A store request in enqueued in a store queue of a cache memory of the data processing system. The store request identifies a target memory block by a target address and specifies store data. While the store request and a barrier request older than the store request are enqueued in the store queue, a read-claim machine of the cache memory is dispatched to acquire coherence ownership of target memory block of the store request. After coherence ownership of the target memory block is acquired and the barrier request has been retired from the store queue, a cache array of the cache memory is updated with the store data.
US08412885B2
In an embodiment of the present invention a method includes: sending request for data to a memory controller; arranging the request for data by order of importance or priority; identifying a source of the request for data; and if the source is an input/output device, masking off P ways in a cache; and allocating ways in filling the cache. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08412876B2
A storage device with multiple storage units, which is applicable to a system end. The storage device is a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state disk (SSD) with a standard size. The storage device includes a first storage unit and at least one memory storage unit. The memory storage unit and the first storage unit serve to back up and update each other. The storage device further includes a multiplex control unit and a power control unit connected to the multiplex control unit. According to the decision of the multiplex control unit, the power control unit controls turning on/off of the first storage unit and the memory storage unit.
US08412873B2
A bridge circuit 10 is provided between first data port A1, A2 and second data port B1, B2. The bridge circuit comprises a first transceiver stage 40 comprising at least one input buffer 11, 14 and at least one tri-state output buffer 12, 13 linked to the first data port, a second transceiver stage 50 comprising at least one input buffer 21, 24 and at least one tri-state output buffer 12, 13 linked to the second data port, a first detection circuit 31 for detecting the arrival of a packet by the first data port, a second detection circuit 37 for detecting the arrival of a packet by the second data port. A selection circuitry 34, 35 enables the output of tri-state output buffer of the first or of the second transceiver stage depending of the detection made by the first and second detection circuits.
US08412872B1
The present invention pertains to a graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit includes a graphics processing core configured for graphics processing. A single-ended I/O interface configured to implement single-ended communication with a frame buffer memory is included in the graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit further includes a differential I/O interface having a first portion and a second portion. In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion implement a PCI-Express interface with a computer system. In a second configuration, the first portion implements a PCI-Express interface with the computer system and the second portion implements differential communication with a coupled device.
US08412869B2
A redundant storage virtualization computer system is provided. The redundant storage virtualization computer system comprises a host entity for issuing an IO request, a redundant storage virtualization controller set coupled to the host entity for performing an IO operation in response to the IO request issued by the host entity, and a plurality of physical storage devices for providing storage space to the computer system. Each of the physical storage devices is coupled to the redundant storage virtualization controller set. The redundant storage virtualization controller set comprises a first and a second storage virtualization controller both coupled to the host entity, the storage virtualization controllers communicate therebetween via a PCI-Express interconnect. In the redundant storage virtualization controller set, a storage virtualization controller will take over the functionality originally performed by the alternate storage virtualization controller when the alternate storage virtualization controller is not on line.
US08412863B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a technique in which, in a storage apparatus using a PCI Express switch in an internal network, an EP can be shared among processors even if the EP is incompatible with the MR-IOV. A storage apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first interface device which controls data input/output to and from a higher-level apparatus, and the first interface device is further provided with multiple virtual function units which provide virtual ports. The first interface device enables any of the virtual function units and does not enable any of the other virtual function units (see FIG. 14).
US08412831B2
An IP gateway device establishes distinct TCP sessions within a single FCIP tunnel, each TCP session being designated for a different priority of service (e.g., high, medium, low), plus a control stream. Each TCP session has its own TCP stack and its own settings for VLAN Tagging (IEEE 802.1Q), quality of service (IEEE 802.1P) and Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). By distributing data streams assigned to different priorities of service into different TCP sessions within the FCIP tunnel, an IP gateway device can preserve the distinctions between the data stream priorities while the data traffic is within the IP network.
US08412830B2
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for improving SIP parse performance. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a text-based SIP message to be sent to a SIP server; according to a SIP message filter table, determining whether the text-based SIP message needs to be transformed to a token-based message; and in the case that the text-based SIP message needs to be transformed to a token-based message, performing the transformation and sending the transformed token-based message to said SIP server, otherwise directly sending the text-based SIP message to said SIP server. According to the present invention, larger SIP message throughput in a SIP server and better utilization of resources of a front end device can be achieved.
US08412823B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing resources maintained in resource cache components are provided. A network storage provider storing one or more resources on behalf of a content provider obtains client computing device requests for content. The network storage provider provides resources that are received and maintained on resource cache components. The network storage provider either processes requests or provides notifications to the resource cache components to facilitate the management of resources that need to be updated or are otherwise treated as invalid.
US08412822B1
An arrangement provides optimal job scheduling in a distributed computing grid having a network of nodes. As jobs enter the system, their requirements are matched against the capabilities at each node to determine (step 202) candidate nodes. From this set of candidate nodes, a subset of valid nodes is selected (step 204) that has sufficient bandwidth for the duration of the job on each link that will need to be used by the job if run at that candidate node. For each valid node, a total cost is computed (step 206) to run the job. The cost may include such factors as bandwidth cost, server cost, storage cost, delay costs, and the like. Finally, a lowest cost node is selected (step 207), and the job is scheduled for execution (step 208) and then run (step 209) on that lowest cost node. An arrangement combining job scheduling with bandwidth on demand (BoD) involves a system for scheduling at least one job for execution on a network of nodes joined by links having respective link capacities, each job associated with a transport capacity requirement. The system has a job scheduler (element 150) configured to schedule the at least one job to be executed on at least one selected node, and a link manager (element 140) configured to reserve at least some of the link capacity of at least one of the links connected to the at least one selected node, to match the job transport capacity requirement.
US08412810B1
A system is provided to provision and manage cloud-based clustered application deployment. In one example embodiment, a cloud-based clustered application deployment uses a three tier topology that includes a load balancing tier, an application tier, and a database tier. Each tier comprises a set of nodes, where each node is implemented using a virtual instance of a machine running within a public virtualization space, such as, e.g., the virtualization space provided by Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service. A controller is provided to enforce sequential start sequence of a cluster using an asynchronous messaging system that provides notifications to cluster nodes as the individual nodes of the cluster become available. This messaging system is also used when the size of the cluster is increased or decreased.
US08412798B1
A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems spanning across one or more network environments. The system and method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining access to the user's selected content while the user transitions from one device in one location to a different device in a difference location, substantially without interruption and without the need for user action to turn on and off these target data processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and software components by activating a Target device while the system is proximate to the Target device and, in one embodiment, automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate to a new Target device without user intervention. The Target devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax machines.
US08412795B2
A system such as a “System-on-Chip” includes an interconnection network, a set of initiator modules for transmitting data towards the interconnection network and at least one communication arbiter for deciding, as a function of a set of configuration values, which transmissions of the initiator modules have access to the interconnection network. At least one configuration value is associated with each initiator module. A control device coupled to at least one of the initiator modules detects a communication status associated with the transmissions of the coupled initiator and generates a communication status signal whose value is representative of such status, determines a filtered value representative of a series of the values of the communication status signal, and selectively varies one of the configuration values as a function of the filtered value.
US08412785B2
Methods and apparatuses for processing an instant message from a source wireless communication device to a destination device are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes receiving the instant message from the source wireless communication device, the instant message having a source wireless communication identifier, a destination instant messenger identifier, and data contents; extracting the source wireless communication identifier, the destination instant messenger identifier and the data contents from the instant message; retrieving a source instant messenger identifier corresponding to the source wireless communication identifier; binding the source instant messenger identifier with the source wireless communication identifier; and transmitting the data contents with the source instant messenger identifier to the destination device over a communication network, based on the destination instant messenger identifier. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08412784B2
Architecture that introduces storage of an extra (skeleton) property of a document as well as default document properties on a server. In a specific messaging implementation, a MIME skeleton property is stamped on an arriving MIME messages. An incoming MIME message is shredded and all content that is currently saved to MAPI properties continues to be saved. The remaining message content that is not saved to the MAPI properties is stored in the skeleton property. The skeleton property includes all body part headers and any body part content that was not saved as a property on the item by the server. On retrieval of this message by a MIME client, the MIME message is regenerated in full fidelity by using the default set of properties in combination with the skeleton (or extra) property and the stored body content.
US08412782B2
A method and email system for improving efficiency of email discussion within an email client comprising: an email tag filter for filtering a special tag in email contents, extracting original email contents, and identifying tag related information which includes at least an author name corresponding to the email contents; and a content style setting component for receiving and keeping the tag related information fed by the email tag filter, then identifying which part of the email contents is written by which author according to the tag information, and assigning correct style to corresponding contents using a user customization style for each author. The invention differentiates different users mainly by automatically labeling the contents input by the users, and the input contents can be distributed in different positions within a single email, which matches the natural convention of the current users to use the email system.
US08412780B2
Methods and systems for providing current email addresses or contact information to members within a social network are described. In one described method, an email program application requests an email address for a member within a social network. Using profile information associated with the member, the email address is provided to the email program application which sent the request. The email address is then entered into the send-to parameter field of an email message. In another described method, contact information associated with a first member of a social can be provided to a second member of the social network. The contact information is provided if the relationship between the first and second members is an authorized relationship. The contact information associated with the first member can be used to update the contact information for the first member in an electronic address book associated with the second member.
US08412779B1
In one embodiment, a subscriber who receives a spam message in his or her wireless mobile device may forward the message to a designated server for potential blocking. The message may be forwarded to the server using a designated phone number, for example. At the server, a learning module may verify if the message is indeed spam based at least on reports from other subscribers. If the message is spam, the server may initiate blocking of same or similar messages. For example, the server may report the spam message to a message service center, which may then block transmission of same or similar messages to all subscribers. The wireless mobile device may be a mobile telephone, for example.
US08412777B2
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for servers processing input data regardless of whether the input data is located in an attachment to a message from a client. The server receives a message from the client instructing the server to process data. Then, the server determines whether the data is located in an attachment to the message, and if the data is located in the attachment, moves the data to another location other than in the attachment.
US08412776B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a communication network. The system comprises a network-connected server having input and access capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator, and memory. The site-builder receives instructions input from a first user and creates a dedicated network site based on the received instructions. The transmitter communicates the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated second user. The communicator provides accesses to the contents of the dedicated network site by the first and second users. The memory stores information input by the first and the second user in the dedicated network site.
US08412769B2
Techniques exist for imaging clients over a network, such as the preboot execution environment (PXE) protocol. However, such techniques may not scale well (e.g., using broadcast messages and having few facilities for distributing the imaging service over several servers) and limited capacity to choose a particular image for a particular client. Instead, a set of servers may be configured such that each server is assigned a set of clients, and when a client sends an imaging query, only the server to which the client is assigned sends a reply. For example, a PXE server also comprising a DHCP server may reply to queries only for clients having a DHCP reservation on the server. The servers may also be configured to refer to a network map (e.g., a manageability data store) in order to identify the role of the client and the appropriate image to direct the client to apply.
US08412762B2
An error-correcting method used in decoding data transmission is disclosed. The error-correcting method is used for analyzing an error receiving data received from a receiving terminal and comprises: providing a first calculating formula for manipulation of the receiving data to generate the first sum; providing a second calculating formula for manipulation of the receiving data to generate the second sum; identifying the error position of the receiving data according to the result of dividing the second sum by the first sum.
US08412759B2
Methods and systems for signal filtering in electronic devices are provided. More particularly, methods and systems for filtering of radio frequency (RF) signals are provided. A filter circuit may comprise a down-converter, a filter, coupled to the down-converter and configured to filter the down-converted signal, and an up-converter, coupled to the filter. A filter circuit may also comprise a combining circuit, coupled to the up-converter and configured to combine the filtered, up-converted signal and the input signal.
US08412755B2
A method comprises receiving, by a processor, a copy of a database containing records, each record having a plurality of attributes. The method also comprises determining, by the processor, whether a first attribute in each record results in a predetermined value in modulo P when hashed with a key and determining, by the processor, whether a second attribute in each record results in the predetermined value in modulo P when hashed with a key. For a first record whose first attribute results in the predetermined value in modulo P when hashed with a key and a second record whose second attribute also results in the predetermined value in modulo P when hashed with a key, the method further comprises swapping by the processor the second attributes between the first and second records.
US08412722B2
A pattern matching accelerator (PMA) for assisting software threads to find the presence and location of strings in an input data stream that match a given pattern. The patterns are defined using regular expressions that are compiled into a data structure comprised of rules subsequently processed by the PMA. The patterns to be searched in the input stream are defined by the user as a set of regular expressions. The patterns to be searched are grouped in pattern context sets. The sets of regular expressions which define the pattern context sets are compiled to generate a rules structure used by the PMA hardware. The rules are compiled before search run time and stored in main memory, in rule cache memory within the PMA or a combination thereof. For each input character, the PMA executes the search and returns the search results.
US08412719B1
A computer-implemented method for generating and sharing dataset segment schemes of a multidimensional dataset at a client device is provided. The client device displays a first filter definition template and an attribute list. Upon detecting a user selection of a first attribute, the client device displays the first attribute and one or more candidate filter conditions in the first filter definition template. Upon detecting a user selection of a first filter condition in the first filter definition template, the client device submits a segment scheme generation request to the server system and receives from the server system a first segment identifier; and displays a first segment link at the client device, the first segment link including the first segment identifier.
US08412709B1
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method including selecting a person as a representative to collect information from businesses. The method further includes generating identifiers to be associated with the information. The method further includes providing the identifiers to the representative. The method further includes receiving business information that has been directly collected from a business among the businesses by the representative and an indication of a particular one of the identifiers to be associated with the directly collected business information. The method further includes storing the received business information with the associated particular identifier in a database. The method further includes, after storing the received business information with the particular identifier in the database, receiving authentication information including the particular identifier. The method further includes allowing modification of the stored business information by the interface of the business.
US08412706B2
This invention is generally directed to one or more systems or methods relating to social network analysis. More specifically, this invention is generally directed to one or more systems or methods relating to personal communication networks and the analysis of personal-communication-network data.
US08412705B2
An image processing apparatus includes a search unit configured to search for an object, a selection unit configured to select a plurality of objects from among objects searched for by the search unit based on an instruction by a user, a creation unit configured to create a new document using the plurality of objects selected by the selection unit, and a storage unit configured to store the plurality of objects used in creating the new document by the creation unit as a group, associated with information about the group. The search unit searches for an object related to an object searched for based on a keyword, using information about the group.
US08412701B2
A system and method is provided for partitioning a global index into multiple index datasets to house indexes and their index values. The index datasets may be stored in initialized physical index areas that are distinct from a standard physical index area.
US08412697B2
A searching apparatus includes a memory unit which stores transposed indexes representing appearing positions of all n-grams in plural pieces of document data subjected to searching and appearing frequencies, an n-gram extracting unit that extracts all n-grams extractable from a searching character string, a smallest-frequency deriving unit which refers to the appearing frequency of the n-gram represented by the transposed index, and derives an n-gram with the smallest appearing frequency among all of the extracted n-grams, a searching n-gram selecting unit that selects, from all extracted n-grams, a plurality of searching n-grams which form the searching character string and include the n-gram with the smallest appearing frequency, and a document specifying unit that specifies, based on the plurality of selected searching n-grams and the appearing position of the searching n-gram represented by the transposed index, document data including the searching character string among the plural pieces of document data.
US08412695B2
A method for processing a message received by a client device over a mobile communication network is provided. The method enables, firstly, applying one or more predetermined rules on the message. The one or more predetermined rules facilitate modifying the message by removing unwanted words therefrom. Secondly, the method enables matching keywords in the modified message with keywords stored in a keyword database to extract context from the message. Finally, the method enables rendering the extracted context on a user interface screen of the client device. The extracted context is customizable by a user.
US08412688B1
A snapshot copy facility maintains information indicating ownership and sharing of child nodes in the hierarchy of a file between successive versions by delegating reference counts to the parent-child relationships between the nodes, as indicated by pointers in the parent nodes. When a child node becomes shared between a parent node of the production file and a parent node of a snapshot copy, the delegated reference count is split among the parent nodes. This method is compatible with a conventional data de-duplication facility, and avoids a need to update reference counts in metadata of child nodes of a shared intermediate node upon splitting the shared intermediate node when writing to a production file.
US08412680B1
Systems and methods are provided for performing a plurality of data operations as a batch process on a client computing device and then reporting on the results of the batch process. According to some embodiments, the batch process is a backup process, a backup server or backup client is provided that is configured to perform the backup process on the backup client; record a backup operation result for the backup operations performed as part of the backup process; and determine a backup process result based on the one or more backup operation results, wherein if no backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success, and wherein if a backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success if the plurality of backup operation results meets a predetermined level of success.
US08412674B2
System, method, computer program product embodiments and combinations and sub-combinations thereof for replication resynchronization are provided. An embodiment includes providing a mode of operation in a replication control system for repopulating a replicated version of a primary database that does not affect an ability to continue activity in the primary database. Further included is managing the repopulating of the replicated version with attention to at least a resynchronization marker.
US08412672B1
A technique is disclosed for providing high availability (HA) capability with a plurality of storage servers, which may be virtual storage servers (VSSs), in a shared-nothing storage environment. The technique uses a proxy mechanism to route requests originating at one storage server to an HA partner storage server, where the proxy is implemented inside a VSS logically below the RAID layer. The technique also involves distributing non-shared storage devices “owned” by a storage server so that existing storage device-based heartbeat and fencing mechanisms can function unmodified for HA VSSs in shared-nothing environments. For example, a third, external host can be used to provide and export its non-shared storage to first and second storage servers, where the first and second storage servers do not own the non-shared storage on their local physical host machine.
US08412671B2
Disclosed embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for automatic generation of a star schema. The system and method may comprise categorizing a data field into one of a plurality of data field types, one of the data field types being an enumeration type data field. The system and method may further comprise developing dimensions for a table that represents an initial star schema design using the categorization of the data, detecting functional dependencies between the data field and other data fields, and refining the initial star schema design by modifying the table based on detected functional dependencies.
US08412670B2
An information integration method performed by a computer that transforms data extracted from an information source and loads the transformed data onto a storage destination, the information integration method includes detecting a schema modification of the information source by comparing first schema information with second schema information; searching a correspondence table storage unit for an attribute value of an item related to the schema modification; generating a post-modified data model by correcting a pre-modified data model using the item information corresponding to the attribute value of the item related to the schema modification when the attribute value of the item related to the schema modification is hit in the correspondence table storage unit, and storing the post-modified data model on a storage device; and generating a post-modified integration logic and storing the post-modified integration logic on the metadata information storage unit.
US08412668B2
A system and method for automatic formal verification of an executable system includes an assertion monitor configured to verify a system against an assertion in the specification. The assertion monitor includes a parser configured to generate a propositional formula representing an assertion in the specification using Boolean propositions, a filter configured to generate a trace of truth assignments for the propositional symbols and a trace verifier configured to verify the assertion using the trace of truth assignments for the propositional symbols and the propositional formula.
US08412666B1
The present invention provides computational means for calculating values of continuous-valued logical functions, which are uniquely defined and deterministic, while compatible with their discrete counterparts. The invention supports logical processing of arbitrary logical functions of arbitrary number of input variables. The proposed algorithm utilizes a series of multiplications, number of which is proportional to a number of input variables and a number of maxterms. It allows of minimizing the computation time while excluding a more elaborative disjunction operation. The present invention can be implemented in software of microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP, or general computers, and it can also be built as a stand-alone or a set of digital, analog, or mixed-signal ICs.
US08412663B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device may be configured to perform temporal correlation operations to determine if a plurality of observables correspond to a selected event of interest. The electronic device comprises a memory and a processor. The memory is adapted to store information representing a process template for a selected event, where the process template including a plurality of observation states. The processor is coupled to the memory. The processor is adapted to receive a plurality of observables and to automatically conduct a recursive comparison of time values associated with each of the plurality of observables to timing ranges associated with each observation state to produce a listing that is subsequently used to determine if the plurality of observables are associated with the selected event.
US08412652B2
After receipt of a training and execution plan, a trainer operator is automatically trained based on specified training documents so as to generate a new trained operator for extracting information from documents. The new trained operator is a new version of the trainee operator. Both trainee operators are automatically retained for later use in extracting information from one or more unknown documents. After receipt of the training and execution plan, the new trained operator is automatically executed on one or more unknown documents so as to extract information from such one or more unknown documents.
US08412647B2
A computer-implemented behavior monitoring method is provided. The method includes receiving from a plurality of contributors a plurality of personal value preference indications. Either or both of location information corresponding to a determined location of a user device and communication information corresponding to a determined communication activity of the user device are received. Either or both of the location information and the communication information of the user device are compared with the plurality of personal value preference indications from the plurality of contributors. A behavior rating is determined based on the comparison of the location information and the communication information of the user device with the plurality of personal value preference indications, and the behavior rating is transmitted to a user.
US08412645B2
An exemplary processor-implemented method of determining whether a user of an online communication resource is an undesirable user includes the steps of building at least one model based on at least one feature of a feature set using at least one machine learning technique; and classifying the user by comparing at least one feature of the feature set that is associated with the user to the at least one model, a determination as to whether the user is an undesirable user being based at least in part on the classification of the user.
US08412641B2
Systems and methods are provided for assigning mail items to carriers, comprising at least one server containing a mail assignment engine. The mail assignment engine is operative to receive delivery data from the mail processors, determine routes for delivery using the delivery data and a set of business rules, assign the mail items to carriers based on the determined routes, and transmit mail item assignment information to the mail processors. The mail assignment engine may determine the routes using a database including files for active, planned, and closed routes. The mail assignment engine may also use business rules, which may comprise cost consideration, delivery options, and route delay information.
US08412632B2
A point-of-sale (POS) module and associated methods are described for performing a transaction involving a check. The POS module interacts with one or more add-in modules. Each add-in module is associated with a particular method for processing a payment using a check. Accordingly, the POS module can accommodate multiple different workflows by plugging in appropriate add-in modules.
US08412630B2
A method for effecting transfer of a payment amount to a merchant during a transaction between a customer and the merchant includes determining, using a processing device, a funds shortfall, accessing a funds sharing network comprising a plurality of users, identifying one or more of the users of the funds sharing network, requesting funds from the identified one or more users, and applying funds received from the one or more users to the funds shortfall. In some embodiments, identifying one or more of the users includes determining whether one or more of the users are indebted to the customer, determining levels of connection between two or more of the users and the customer, and developing a hierarchy of users based on the indebted users and the levels of connection.
US08412628B2
A system for legal document authoring for a legal action and electronic court filing of such legal documents provides an online network for subscribers. The system provides a direct mechanism (and a web portal mechanism) for submitting a claim file containing party and claim information necessary for automatic legal document generation based on an auto-selected destination court (in some embodiments) and further based on at least certain party and claim information. The automatically-generated legal documents are compliant with the requirements of the destination court, providing end-to-end automation for improved efficiency in judicial debt collection. The system also provides an online network for facilitating communications between subscribers (litigants) and the court systems.
US08412621B2
A method and system for forecasting the transaction cost of a portfolio trade execution that may be applied to any given trade strategy or an optimal trade strategy that minimizes transaction costs. In preferred embodiments, a server comprises one or more computers that act as an automated forecaster whereby it accepts user-defined input variables from customers and generates a transaction cost estimation report based on those variables. The server is programmed with specific transaction cost estimation and optimization algorithms that model the transaction costs of a specific trade execution based on the user's trading profile and market variables.
US08412619B2
One exemplary aspect comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (a) electronically receiving, from a first securities market participant, data including information related to a first order and to one or more group rankings for dissemination; (b) electronically determining with one or more processors, based on data regarding a second securities market participant and the order information and group rankings, whether the second securities market participant has a second order, on the contra side of the first order, and whether, in accordance with the group rankings, the second securities market participant is qualified to receive information about the first order; and (c) after, and only if, the second participant is determined to be qualified, transmitting information sufficient to display to the second securities market participant the information about the first order.
US08412615B2
The invention relates to a materials supply contract system and method for use in conducting business on-line over a network of computers such as the Internet. A method is provided for a buyer to award a supply contract, issued as a BOM, to a supplier selected from a panel of predetermined suppliers which each have a base supply contract with the buyer, the method being conducted over a computer network which comprises at least one buyer computer, an administrator computer and at least two supplier computers, the method comprising the steps of sending a buyer message from the buyer computer to the administrator computer identifying the BOM which includes at least one predetermined parameter (e.g. material requirement, business and market rules and/or special instructions), receiving the buyer message and displaying the BOM on a site on the administrator computer which is accessible by at least two supplier computers, sending a BOM message from the administrator computer to the at least two suppliers, receiving and storing an offer message in the administrator computer from one or more of the at least two supplier computers which includes an offer to supply goods or services in accordance with the BOM, sending an acceptance message from the administrator computer to the supplier computer which sent the successful offer, and sending a notification message from the administrator computer to the buyer computer notifying the buyer computer of one or more of the offers.
US08412612B2
A method and system for providing a stock purchase index is provided. The system receives raw customer trading data. The raw customer trading data is segregated into buy and sell data per CUSIP to determine a number of buy CUSIP shares, a number of sell CUSIP shares, a total buy CUSIP market value, a total sell CUSIP market value, a total number of buy accounts, and a total number of sell accounts. The sorted data is processed to produce a stock purchase index report, wherein the stock purchase index report is a sell weighted index. The sell weighted index is then displayed in the stock purchase index report.
US08412606B2
A method is implementable in an electronic system coupled to an electronic device, which is, in turn, coupled to a display device. A web page displayable on the display device is served to the electronic device. The displayed web page includes a user interface, which, in turn, includes a frame and at least one stile defining a plurality of panes within the frame. In a first one of the panes, at least one field into which a tax-data provider can input tax data is displayed. In a second one of the panes, information of a first type of a plurality of information types operable to assist the provider in performing a first operation of a set of operations using the user interface is displayed. Input tax data is received from the electronic device.
US08412603B2
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to Currency Conversion and Date and Time business objects.
US08412599B2
This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for implementing an approval workflow engine and approval framework for timesheets, progress logs, and expenses. The method includes receiving, at an approval engine of an application server, information representing a timesheet, progress log, or expense. The approval engine may apply one or more rules to determine whether the rules are satisfied by corresponding attribute values of attributes for the timesheet, progress log, or expense. Notification may be generated and transmitted to one or more approvers and/or reviewers based on applications of the rules. An indication of approval and/or disapproval may be received from each of the approvers and/or reviewers. Rules may be defined for automatic assignment of multi level approvers, based on specific attributes. An approver may have the option to approve, deny, or push back a transaction. Approvers and submitters can have visibility of the full approval path and current approval status throughout an approval process. In addition, post approval adjustments can be routed for approval based on adjustment approval rules.
US08412597B1
A computer program enabling the determination of an inference related to the purchase of an item by a customer. The program analyzes certain public information relative to an entity's customer database and then calculates an inferred value and assigns it to the relevant customer. The database is then sorted according to certain inferred values and customers are provided specially tailored information.
US08412591B2
Systems and methods match buyers and sellers of goods and/or services online. More specifically, a website facilitates a search by consumers of retailers for goods and/or services. In addition, the website facilitates the advertising of goods and/or services by retailers. Specifically, a user of the system may search for particular products and services, and/or businesses. Interactive maps provide a user with location information of businesses and/or service providers that fit one or more criteria searched by the user. Icons may be generated on the map, whereupon users may obtain information relating to products or services searched for by selecting the icons. Further information may also be obtained relating to the businesses, service providers, products and/or services of the businesses and/or service providers. Users may select to buy particular products and/or services directly from the businesses and/or service providers, or may tag products and/or services for viewing at a later time. Moreover, users may correspond with others for recommending and/or reviewing particular products, services, businesses and/or service providers.
US08412590B2
An example system includes a display, a communication circuit, a memory storing a shopping program, and a processor in communication with the display, the communication circuit and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the shopping program to access a product database including product information, to process inputs supplied to the system to generate a shopping list comprising one or more products from the product database and to provide guidance information on the display relating to product location in a store of the products on the shopping list.
US08412588B1
Systems and methods are provided for fabricating products on demand. In some embodiments, a manufacturable model, which may include information about a three-dimensional representation of a product to be fabricated, is received by a user of an electronic system and may be validated by the electronic system. A prototype of the product can be generated based at least in part on the manufacturable model, and the manufacturable model and/or the product can be made available for selection by other users of the system. The product may be fabricated based at least in part on the manufacturable model using, for example, a three-dimensional printer, and may be delivered to users of the electronic system.
US08412586B1
Systems and methods for crediting a retailer for an online purchase made by a consumer while the consumer is located within or in the proximity of a store location of the retailer are provided. After browsing a retail location for a product, a consumer can purchase the product from an Internet merchant different than that of the retailer using a mobile or networked client device. The client device can include a module for determining the location of the client device at the time of purchase and include the location information with information used to complete the purchase of the product. This location information can include an actual geographic location, a store identifier, or a retailer identifier. The online merchant can match the location information with retailer information to determine whether a credit for the purchase should be given to a retailer.
US08412584B2
Physical objects are placed on an interactive surface. Features of the physical objects are detected, as is position information of the physical objects. Callouts are then presented next to one or more features of the physical objects. Some of the callouts present information related to the features and/or physical objects. Some of the callouts are interactive.
US08412582B1
A system and method are directed to providing a sales channel registration system that allows sales deals to be managed. Aspects of the invention include a sales portal that receives information relating to sales deals, mechanisms for qualifying sales leads, and mechanisms for notifying sales partners, distributors, or a company of new information or changes in status relating to sales deals. One aspect of the invention determines when there may be potential conflicts, and performs actions to prevent such conflicts.
US08412575B2
Offers, such as bids in an advertising network, may be determined and/or managed by accepting an ad budget and at least one ad serving constraint, and then generating offer information using the ad budget and the serving constraint(s). The offer may be generated by obtaining, for each of the ad serving constraint(s), a plurality of points, wherein each point includes a cost per event value and an event quantity value. These points collectively define a landscape. A convex landscape for each of the ad serving constraint(s) is then determined from the landscape(s). One or more points from at least one of the convex landscapes is then used to generate the offer information.
US08412573B2
A method for distributing advertisement data to display terminal devices from a distribution server via a relay server. The relay server receives status notifications of the display terminal devices and transmits a tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the display terminal devices. The distribution server receiving status notifications and transmits the tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the relay server. The distribution server determines whether the reproduction schedule of the advertisement data has been changed and transmits a notification on a change. If the distribution server receives a request for acquisition of the as-changed reproduction schedule, the distribution server sends the as-changed reproduction schedule to the relay server. If the relay server determines that the reproduction schedule acquired from the distribution server has been changed, the relay server transmits the notification on the change of the reproduction schedule.
US08412566B2
A system for distributing limited numbers of promotional offers to individual customers, the promotional offers being targeted to customers based on the customers' individual probabilities of accepting the offers in such a way that each customer can receive a limited number of offers that are estimated to be most likely to be acceptable by the customer. Customer-Based targeting analyzes each customer's past purchasing behavior relative to a master list of promotional offers made available to all customers. From that master list Customer-Based targeting selects a preset limit of promotional offers for each individual customer according to the likelihood that, given the opportunity to select any offers of the master list, each customer would prefer those few offers selected specifically for the customer. Various techniques are disclosed for providing an offer acceptance probability profile tailored for individual customers for use in the Customer-Based targeting technique. Product groupings and market segments are taken into account. Empirical Bayes techniques are applied to the estimation of the offer acceptance profile, and techniques suitable for handling sparse data are applied. Various marketing strategies are incorporated into the system. A graphical technique is provided for adjusting the offer acceptance profile that enables a user to override a system computation and manually set the relative offer acceptance probabilities for an individual user or class of users.
US08412562B1
A capability analysis structure helps a modern business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of its core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste due to unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the capability analysis structure helps the business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.
US08412559B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for calculating a sufficiently accurate coefficient for price sensitivity to use in a target pricing system. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve providing an expanded data set by adding shadow data to a historical bid data set that allows a logistic regression approach to mathematically calculate the coefficient for price sensitivity with greater accuracy.
US08412557B1
The controversiality of an offering in a computer implemented system is computed based on user satisfaction feedback. A controversiality index can be provided to indicate the extent to which the offering is controversial.
US08412556B2
Systems and methods for analyzing projects in a business entity including multiple groups and multiple levels of decision making authority are provided. Project identification data that identifies a particular project is received. A project categorization of the project is performed to categorize the project based on one or more of the size, general risks, and complexity of the project. An anti-corruption risk assessment of the project is performed to categorize an anti-corruption risk associated with the project. A group-specific risk assessment of the project is performed to categorize a risk associated with the project relevant to one of the multiple groups of the business entity. A limit of authority escalation level is automatically determined based at least on the results of (a) the project categorization, (b) the anti-corruption risk assessment, and (c) the group-specific risk assessment, wherein the limit of authority escalation level indicates a particular level of decision making authority of the business entity required to approve the project.
US08412549B2
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing efficient planning through analyzing data. One process includes operations for generating a business object containing parameters and plan data of a business plan, the plan data represented by a plurality of aggregation levels. A change to a particular item in the plan data is identified, the change associated with a particular aggregation level. The change to the particular item is automatically propagated to a lowest level of granularity of the plan data, and the change to the particular item is available to each of the plurality of aggregation levels.
US08412547B1
A commerce router is disclosed. Such a commerce router includes a plurality of commercial transaction databases and an application server module. Each of the databases can contain commercial transaction information related to one of a number of offering types (e.g., categories of products, services and/or the like). Application server module is communicatively coupled to the each one of the databases. The application server module can be configured to receive a request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request to the database for inclusion in the commercial transaction information. The application server module can also be configured to allow review of the request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request from the database by accessing the commercial transaction information. Similarly, the application server module can be configured to receive a response by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the response to the database for inclusion in the commercial transaction information. The application server module can also be configured to allow review of the response by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the response from the database by accessing the commercial transaction information.
US08412545B2
The present invention provides a method for providing an annuity structure and a system for processing an annuity structure. The annuity structure may include a base portion segment, where the base portion segment is a functional annuity having a first annuity schedule; and a secondary portion segment, where the secondary portion segment is a functional annuity having a second annuity schedule. In the invention, the base portion segment and the secondary portion segment each operate as its own annuity. Also, the base portion segment and the secondary portion segment are each included in a single contract, i.e., under the umbrella of one contract.
US08412542B2
Particular embodiments provide a quality adherence guide. In one embodiment, a plurality of medical records from a plurality of medical providers are received. A quality adherence guideline is used to determine if a standard of care is being adhered to by various medical providers. A quality adherence guideline is then generated using the selected standard of care. The quality adherence guideline includes a set of treatment steps that are defined by the selected standard of care. Information from the medical records associated with the patient is also used to populate the guide. During treatment of the patient, input may be received from a plurality of users from health care providers regarding the treatment steps. The patient-direct system automatically analyzes the information inserted in the guideline to determine the level of adherence that various users have achieved when compared with the industry standard for quality care.
US08412541B2
An Intelligent Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (IQQA) system and method is disclosed that allows a user to specify certain identifying information used to search and obtain medically-related information from different sources. The medically-related information may be of different types and may be dynamically fused, when needed, to generate matrices of diagnostic information. Medical decisions such as a diagnostic decision may be made based on such matrices of diagnostic information.
US08412535B2
Systems for negotiation support. First and second negotiation agent modules respectively receive multiple first proposals, calculate preference scores (PSs) for each first proposal using utility models and select a portion of the first proposals as second proposals in descending order according to the calculated PSs therewith. The negotiation management module receives the second proposals from the first and second negotiation modules, and generates third proposals according to the received proposals. The first and second negotiation agent modules respectively receive the third proposals, calculate PSs for received proposals using utility models, and arrange the third proposals in descending order according to PSs therewith to generate voting results. The negotiation management module receives the voting results, and generates a final agreement according to the received voting results.
US08412533B2
Disclosed are a context-based arithmetic encoding apparatus and method and a context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus and method. The context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus may determine a context of a current N-tuple to be decoded, determine a Most Significant Bit (MSB) context corresponding to an MSB symbol of the current N-tuple, and determine a probability model using the context of the N-tuple and the MSB context. Subsequently, the context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus may perform a decoding on an MSB based on the determined probability model, and perform a decoding on a Least Significant Bit (LSB) based on a bit depth of the LSB derived from a process of decoding on an escape code.
US08412520B2
A noise reduction device comprises a SN ratio obtaining unit configured to obtain a SN ratio as a function of an estimated noise spectrum and an arithmetic product of an averaged power spectrum of the input signal and noise likeliness signal, and an output signal obtaining unit configured to obtain a output signal whose noise is reduced based on the input signal and the SN ratio obtained by the SN ratio obtaining unit.
US08412511B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing a translation for a set of one or more terms or phrases related to a software application using decentralized contributions. In particular, various embodiments provide systems and methods by which multiple users of the application contribute translations for individual terms or phrases of the application instead of having one entity supply the translation of the software application. Specifically, the process of various embodiments: (1) provides a repository for storing translations of the individual terms or phrases in a target language (e.g., a language for which a translation is needed); (2) collects the translations provided by users and stores the translations in the repository; (3) identifies the preferred translation for each individual term or phrase; and (4) displays the preferred translation to the user in response to receiving a user's request for a preferred translation in the target language.
US08412509B1
The present invention provides an interactive system and method for effective and convenient language translation. The system and method provides a translation window that is opened in conjunction with a Web page window containing Web pages hosted on the Internet. The translation window and Web page window are automatically adjusted in size and position so that they fit on one user-viewable screen without overlapping. The translation window is linked to a translation dictionary database accessible through the Internet which provides accurate and comprehensive definitions of the words that are identified to be translated.
US08412507B2
A method for compliance testing of a circuit design that includes at least one processor and a memory includes defining a memory model. The memory model includes synchronization mechanisms for synchronizing access to the memory by software instructions in different program threads running on the at least one processor. Synchronization-related parameters, which are applicable to at least one sequence of the software instructions in the different program threads, are specified. A coverage model is defined as a multi-dimensional cross-product of values of the synchronization-related parameters. At least one test program is generated using the coverage model, and a compliance of the design with the memory model is tested by subjecting the design to the at least one test program.
US08412499B2
The portable simulation system is a computer-based driving simulator, which uses an actual vehicle as an input device, and a portable display to present a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE) to the driver. Vehicle's steered wheels are placed atop of the turntables permitting free operation of the steering wheel. The vehicle remains immobile while its engine and power steering can be turned off during the simulation. External non-invasive sensors can be placed under the gas and brake pedals, permitting any vehicle to be used in the simulator, including the driver's own vehicle. A digital interface to the vehicle's systems, like OBD II, can be used to increase the fidelity of the simulation. A portable computer used for driving simulation and VDE presentation provides a low cost simulation option. A simple configuration of the portable simulator does not require an external power source and can be set-up and operated at any parking space. Possible applications of the simulation system include driver training and testing.
US08412498B2
Computer-implemented electronic document design systems and methods allowing a user to integrate user-specific location maps into custom printed products. During the creation of an electronic design of a product intended for subsequent printing, user-provided location information is received by a server computer and used to generate a user map suitable for high quality printing. Lower resolution display and thumbnail versions of the map suitable for displaying to the user of the client system are generated.
US08412497B1
Predicting simultaneous switching output noise of an IC device is described. User input is obtained. The user input includes: an identification of an input/output bank of an integrated circuit die; an identification of a device package substrate to which the integrated circuit die is to be attached; and an identification of input/output interface to be used by the input/output bank. A noise factor and an impedance are selected responsive to the user input. The noise factor is multiplied with the impedance to provide a result. The result, which is output, is a prediction of the simultaneous switching output noise of the integrated circuit device.
US08412486B2
Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to monitoring and/or estimating remaining life for a power converter.
US08412482B2
An electronic acceleration switch, such as for arming and firing a squib, for instance used in arming a warhead, safe missile air, ground and sea launch separation arming, includes multiple redundancies to provide a fail-safe system that does not have a single-point failure. The switch includes different channels, each of which includes a power subsystem, multiple accelerometers, a pair of controllers, and a switching circuit. The power subsystems of the two channels provide power to multiple accelerometers of each channel. The accelerometers of each channel may include a mix of digital and analog accelerometers. The acceleration sensors can be either one-axis or three-axis sensors. The accelerometers are connected to the controllers of both channels. The controllers provide redundancy for each channel. In addition, the controllers include voting logic that receives inputs from the accelerometers, and determines whether to send arm and enable signals to the multiple squib drivers.
US08412481B2
A method for determining an operational condition of a particle detection system including at least one sample inlet for receiving a sample flow from a monitored region. The method includes the step of conducting an upstream measurement of a flow rate through the at least one sample inlet.
US08412471B2
One A/D converter and the other A/D converter have a common power supply voltage and sample an A/D conversion value at short time intervals and at a long time intervals, respectively. Both the A/D converter and the A/D converter are set in a constant active state (continuous conversion mode). This allows the total consumption current combining the consumption current of the A/D converter and the consumption current of the A/D converter to be constant, so that the power supply voltage is stabilized and a stable A/D conversion value can be obtained from each of the A/D converters.
US08412470B2
A method is present for mapping changes in a structure. A plurality of responses is collected from a set of transmitter and sensor pairs for the structure. Change metrics for pixels in a plurality of grids are identified from the plurality of responses, wherein a first grid in the plurality of grids is shifted in relation to a second grid in the plurality of grids. A map is generated for the structure using the change metrics.
US08412468B1
A method and apparatus for wavelet based elemental spectrum analysis is described. The system and method set forth allows for elemental decomposition of sampling spectral data to determine the presence of materials in the interrogated object. The method utilized and set forth implements wavelet decomposition of a spectrum and elemental analysis without requiring an empty background spectrum for subtraction of the background noise from the sampling spectrum. The system and method measures the presence of elements present in the sample being analyzed. The system may also measure the ratio of elements present in the sample being analyzed.
US08412450B1
A method for allowing accurate navigation to a target regardless of GPS jamming levels. A method to update the navigation solution of an object being navigated toward a target based upon seeker measurements in at least one of three electromagnetic frequency domains: infrared, visible, and radio frequency (RF).
US08412448B2
A collision avoidance system and method creates 3D models of objects by collecting character data of the objects, and controls a camera of a vehicle to capture an image in front of the vehicle. The system determines whether an object is detected in front of the vehicle by comparing the image with each of the 3D models, analyzes a distance between the camera and the object according to the image, and determines whether the distance is less than a safety distance. The system controls the warning device to alarm when the distance is less than the safety distance, and automatically controls the brake system to reduce a speed of the vehicle if the vehicle is not decelerating.
US08412447B2
A method is for effecting a computer-aided estimation of the mass of a vehicle, e.g., of a goods-carrying vehicle, based on the equilibrium ratio between the driving force and the sum of the inertial force and drive resistances, in which the mass and a gradient angle of the roadway are contained as quantities. The method may include: a) computer-aided differentiation of the equilibrium ratio according to the time with the assumption that the gradient angle is constant; and b) calculating the mass of the vehicle and/or the reciprocal value of the mass from the equilibrium ratio differentiated according the time.
US08412439B2
A multi-mode engine system comprising a first mode in which the engine is fuelled substantially entirely by a first fuel, and a second mode in which the engine is fuelled substantially entirely by a second fuel, or by a mixture of the first and second fuels, the engine comprising: a first engine control unit (ECU) for controlling the flow of the first fuel into the engine when the engine is operating in the first mode; and a second ECU operatively connected to the first ECU; wherein the first ECU comprises: a signal receiver for receiving the first input signals, and an output for emitting a first output signal; and the second ECU being adapted to modify the first output signal when the engine is running in the second mode to produce a first modified signal and a second calculated signal.
US08412437B2
Actual values of a load variable are detected by a sensor during active model trimming under different valve pressure conditions, and a model of estimated values is created. Trimming values of a model parameter are determined depending on detected and modeled values such that when the model parameter is trimmed, the modeled values approximate the detected values. A function is determined depending on the different pressure conditions and approximated to the trimming values. At different pressure conditions first lambda control values are detected. A first controller value fitted function is determined depending on the pressure conditions and approximated. When the model trimming mode is not active, second lambda control values are detected at different pressure conditions. A second controller value fitted function is determined depending on the pressure conditions and is approximated. An error of the intake system is detected depending on the fitted functions.
US08412435B2
A system, method and computer program product is provided for detecting if a vehicle has spun. A normal force and a lateral force of each of a front and rear axle of a vehicle is estimated. A coefficient of friction representative of a surface is estimated. Lateral momenta of the front and rear axles based on the coefficient of friction and the normal and lateral forces is calculated. Whether a surplus momentum is present, is determined. If the surplus momentum is present, a yaw rate of the vehicle is integrated respect to time to obtain a vehicle rotation estimation.
US08412418B2
An industrial machine comprises an industrial machine main unit, a construction working implement installed on the industrial machine main unit, two cameras each mounted at a known position with respect to a machine center of the industrial machine main unit, at least three targets being installed on the working implement so that the targets are within visual field of each of the two cameras, and an arithmetic processing device. The arithmetic processing device is used for extracting the images of at least three targets in common to the images from stereo-images taken by the two cameras, for obtaining a three-dimensional position of each target image, and for calculating a position and a posture of the working implement with respect to the industrial machine main unit based on the three-dimensional position obtained.
US08412390B2
An information presentation device includes: a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device for safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle; an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and a stimulation element including multiple vibrators for generating a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element. A directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information. The stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.
US08412378B2
A method for calibrating tension sensors on tendons in a tendon-driven manipulator without disassembling the manipulator and without external force references. The method calibrates the tensions against each other to produce results that are kinematically consistent. The results might not be absolutely accurate, however, they are optimized with respect to an initial or nominal calibration. The method includes causing the tendons to be slack and recording the sensor values from sensors that measure the tension on the tendons. The method further includes tensioning the tendons with the manipulator positioned so that it is not in contact with any obstacle or joint limit and again recording the sensor values. The method then performs a regression process to determine the sensor parameters that both satisfy a zero-torque constraint on the manipulator and minimize the error with respect to nominal calibration values.
US08412366B2
A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, into both shape and other user-defined specification(s). Workpieces are portioned both to shape and weight, such as to a weight-specific uniform shape, by adjusting (e.g., scaling up and down or slightly modifying) a desired template shape until the desired weight is achieved depending on the varying thickness of each workpiece. For example, from a thicker workpiece, a smaller-sized piece having a predefined shape and weight is portioned, while from a thinner workpiece, a larger-sized piece having the same predefined shape and weight is portioned. The system permits a user to scan in and edit a desired (reference) shape to be used as a template in the portioning process.
US08412359B2
The invention relates to the automatic rendering of a lighting scene with a lighting system, particularly the control of the rendering. A basic idea of the invention is to improve rendering of a lighting scene by automatically compensating interference, such as an alien light source or a dynamic perturbing event of a rendered lighting scene. An embodiment of the invention provides a light control system (10) for automatically rendering a lighting scene with a lighting system, wherein the light control (10) system is adapted for monitoring the rendered lighting scene for the occurrence of interference (14, 20, 22, 24) and automatically reconfiguring the lighting system such that a monitored occurrence of an interference is compensated (16, 18, 12). As result, the invention allows to prevent dynamic disturbances or unforeseen events, for example caused by faulty or alien light sources, from distorting the rendering of an intended lighting scene.
US08412356B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automated predictive design space estimation. A design space of input factors and output responses is estimated for a physical process. Data is received for one or more input factors for a physical process, one or more output responses for the process, and criteria. For each of the one or more input factors, a calculated range of input values within the corresponding experimented range of input values is calculated. A modified range of input values is calculated for each of the one or more input factors. A design space estimate is predicted based at least on the modified ranges of input values, wherein the modified ranges of input values each comprise a largest region of variability for one or more of the input factors where the criteria are fulfilled.
US08412353B2
Disclosed is a method for controlling a computer-assisted arithmetic process in a technical system, which is designed for interactive network-based use such that data is input by means of an interactive network-based operation. Said data is processed at least in part during the computer-assisted arithmetic process while the interactive operations is prevented from actively influencing the computer-assisted arithmetic process and vice versa by dissociating the interactive network-based operation and the computer-assisted arithmetic process. Also disclosed is a device for controlling a computer-aided arithmetic process in a technical system, which is designed for interactive network-based use. Said device comprises a client, a server, a data memory, as controller, and an application. The client is connected to the server to exchange data, the server is connected to the data memory to exchange data, the data memory is connected to the controller to exchange data, and the controller is connected to the application to exchange data.
US08412343B2
A method is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for a plurality of stimulation electrodes in an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed with a bank of filters to generate a set of band pass signals where each band pass signal corresponds to a band of audio frequencies associated with one of the filters. A lateral suppression network is used to perform channel specific dynamic amplitude mapping of the band pass signals to generate a set of compressed band pass signals. Stimulation information is extracted from the compressed band pass signals to generate a set of stimulation timing signals, and the stimulation timing signals are developed into a set of electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation electrodes.
US08412342B2
An implantable sound pickup system. The system comprises an intracochlear acoustic sensor implantable in a recipient's cochlea comprising: an elongate core conductor, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the surface of the core conductor configured to detect pressure waves in the perilymph of the cochlea when the acoustic sensor is at least partially implanted in the cochlea, and to produce electrical signals corresponding to the detected pressure waves.
US08412341B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a Cochlear implant prosthesis to optimize the effect of stimulation for a given patient. The optimal operation mode is determined in accordance with predetermined parameters measured from the neural response of the patient's auditory system in response to a neural stimulation.
US08412335B2
System and method for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient, the system includes an electrode array having a support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.
US08412327B2
An exemplary method includes selecting a first pair of electrodes to define a first vector and selecting a second pair of electrodes to define a second vector; acquiring position information during one or more cardiac cycles for the first and second pairs of electrodes wherein the acquiring comprises using each of the electrodes for measuring one or more electrical potentials in an electrical localization field established in the patient; and determining a dyssynchrony index by applying a cross-covariance technique to the position information for the first and the second vectors. Another method includes determining a phase shift based on the acquired position information for the first and the second vectors; and determining an interventricular delay based at least in part on the phase shift.
US08412319B2
The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.
US08412315B2
Assessing health condition of an animal under study includes receiving heart rate information of the animal under study and performing heart rate variability (HRV) analysis on the received heart rate information for determining autonomic dynamics of the animal under study with respect to a species of which the animal under study is a member, wherein the HRV analysis relates to time domain HRV data and frequency domain HRV data of the received heart rate information that are evaluated with respect to physiological states and corresponding health condition for the time domain HRV data and frequency domain HRV data for the species of the animal under study.
US08412311B2
A system (10) includes electromagnetic indicator coils (30) included in surgical devices, examples of surgical devices (20) including guidewires; surgical instruments including dilators, stents, catheters, jejunostomy tubes, and endoscopes; and indicator clips (used for marking a location within patient). An innovative device indicator is attachable to any surgical instrument to convert it to an electromagnetically monitorable instrument. A monitoring unit (50) detects electromagnetic fields from the electromagnetic indicator coils and displays the location and configuration of the electromagnetic indicator coils on a display unit (80). The relative positions and overall configuration of multiple devices—such as guidewires, instruments, and location marker indicator clips—can all be simultaneously electromagnetically monitored with the use of radiology.
US08412308B2
A medical laser target marker includes a retro-reflector for receiving and reflecting light, at least one first medical tracking marker, and at least one second medical tracking marker. The at least one first medical tracking marker is arranged on the laser target marker and has a first functional configuration. The at least one second medical tracking marker is arranged on the laser target marker and has a second functional configuration different from the first functional configuration.
US08412303B2
An electrode attached to the straps of and use with a template cap in making neurophysiological measurements. The electrode is configured to allow the user to quickly and accurately slide an electrode needle at a shallow adjustable angle into the scalp of the patient. The base of each electrode attaches to the cap at locations where measurements are to be made. The base supports a ramp that may be snapped into a clip on the base for storage and then springs resiliently from the clip when released. The electrode needle is carried by a slidable holder secured to the ramp at its slot and is slid forward following that slot when driving the needle down and through a small hole in the base of the electrode to insert it into the patient's scalp at the appropriate depth and angle.
US08412301B2
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms.
US08412296B2
In order to provide a non-invasive and continuous concentration measurement with the technology of standard pulse oximeters, an a priori relationship is created, through an in-vivo tissue model including a nominal estimate of a tissue parameter indicative of the concentration of a blood substance. The a priori relationship is indicative of the effect of tissue on in-vivo measurement signals at a plurality of wavelengths, the in-vivo measurement signals being indicative of absorption caused by pulsed arterial blood. In-vivo measurement signals are acquired from in-vivo tissue at the plurality of wavelengths and a specific value of the tissue parameter is determined based on the a priori relationship, the specific value being such that it yields the effect of the in-vivo tissue on the in-vivo measurement signals consistent for the plurality of wavelengths. The specific value then represents the concentration of the substance in the blood.
US08412295B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring pain management using measurements of physiological parameters based on a PPG signal. A reference physiological parameter may be compared against a later measurement to identify a change in condition that may indicate a pain management problem.
US08412292B2
Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is known to be an impediment to progress in superconductor-based filter technology. The present invention's methodology for reducing IMD can open doors to heretofore unseen practical applications involving high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters. Typical inventive practice includes (a) increasing the thickness d, and/or (b) changing the operation temperature T, of the filter's HTS film. The film's thickness d is increased in such a way as to decrease the IMD power PIMD in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD∝1/d1.5-6. The film's operation temperature T is bettered or optimized in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD∝(λO(T))10(K(2)(T))2/(ΔO(T))6, and further in accordance with three individual material-dependent relationships, namely, between operation temperature T and each of linear penetration depth λO, gap maximum ΔO, and kernel K(2). Some inventive embodiments include oxygen overdoping of the film as an additional/alternative IMD-reductive measure.
US08412289B1
A cell phone protective case, with expander of sound outlet located on the right and left sides and the bottom perimeters, of a cell phone is invented. The frame interior is comprised of a circular throat member for sound impedance, matching to create an improved coupling effect between the original speaker, and the air, where the frame interior is comprised of sectional chambers covering both the horizontal and vertical coverage axis' to change the directional characteristics of sound waves to amplify and channel the sound en route towards the outer perimeters of the device.
US08412282B2
A haptic generation method and system for a mobile phone is provided. A vibration event is detected in an operation mode. A vibration code corresponding to the vibration event is retrieved from a mapping table. A control message containing the vibration code is generated, and the control message is transmitted to at least one destination mobile phone.
US08412274B2
A wireless base station device includes a wireless unit for performing wireless communications with a mobile station; a reception memory unit for storing therein reception spectrum spread data as reception data; a baseband reception unit for processing and decoding the reception data stored in the reception memory unit; a common downlink channel reception unit for receiving a downlink signal of other base station devices; a frame protocol processing unit for converting a transmission channel format; a baseband transmission unit for outputting encoded data; a spread processing unit for outputting spread-modulated data to the wireless unit; and a call controller for controlling an allocation of processing resources. Parameters including a spreading code and a transmission power required for installing the wireless base station device are automatically set by operating the common downlink channel reception unit to detect notification information and signal levels of neighboring base station devices.
US08412267B2
A method to control a communication device to communicate with a first external device in a first communication method and with a second external device in a second communication method being different from the first communication method is provided. The method includes steps of determining prior to communicating in the first communication method whether the communication device is set to communicate in the second communication method, switching the communication methods in the communication device from the second communication method to the first communication method when it is determined that the communication device is set to communicate in the second communication method, and communicating with the first external device in the first communication method after switching the communication methods.
US08412255B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate reverse link power control on a traffic channel. Indications of other sector interference or other such interference levels can be broadcasted in a wireless communication. Further, power control related information can be included in assignments to mobile devices. Mobile device can utilize the information in the assignment to set a range for delta-based power control. Further, devices employ broadcasted interference indications to maintain and adjust delta values that enable power settings to be established on traffic channels. Moreover, mobile devices may provide feedback to facilitate future assignments.
US08412244B2
A mobile device that includes an antenna, an interface, and an application. The antenna is capable of receiving a signal. The interface is capable of receiving a second signal in synchronization with the signal and the application is configured to perform receive diversity processing using the signal and the second signal. Further, is included a mobile device that includes the antenna, the interface, and a second application where the second application is configured to perform multiple input multiple output (MIMO) processing using the signal and the second signal. Increased bandwidth and processing gain is achieved for the received signal by the receive diversity processing and the MIMO processing.
US08412242B2
A method and an apparatus for sending and receiving channel state information in network Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless communication systems are provided. Hybrid feedback technology is provided to transfer complete Channel State Information (CSI) to a transmitter by efficiently combining limited amounts of long-term channel information and short-term channel information are in a down link MIMO network system.
US08412241B2
A system, method and computer-readable medium for allowing the use of an alternative numbering plan for delivering short messages to mobile subscribers using the public mobile telephone network is provided. Users of an enterprise or other closed networks as well as users that are not part of a closed network may send short messages destined to members of an enterprise or closed network from their mobile or other devices associated with their subscription using an alternative enterprise directory number, such as the office number, instead of the mobile number, such that the alternative number will be presented at the destination device as the originating number. The recipient may respond to the message by addressing the response to the enterprise or closed network number, and the response may be delivered to the originator's mobile or other device associated with their subscription.
US08412233B2
The present invention provides a method, location service apparatus and system for acquiring a cell position, relating to the field of mobile communications. The method comprises the following steps that: a location service apparatus receives, from a first terminal, a locating request including an identifier of the cell where the first terminal resides, determines whether the cell position information corresponding to the identifier of the cell is stored in a base station database of the location service apparatus and generates a result of determining and, in the case where the result of determining is that the cell position information corresponding to the identifier of the cell is stored in the base station database of the location service apparatus, sends a first locating request to the first terminal, receives first position information from the first terminal, wherein the first position information is the position information returned after the first terminal carries out a location according to the first locating request, and stores the first position information as the cell position information corresponding to the identifier of the cell. The present invention can be applied to locate a cell where a roaming terminal resides.
US08412223B2
A method and device for allocating resource regions in a broadband wireless access system. The method includes receiving a message from a base station by a mobile terminal. The message includes allocation information used to collectively and consecutively allocate identical resource regions of consecutive frames. The identical resource regions include identical Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) symbols and identical subchannels within each of the identical resource regions. The identical OFDMA symbols are a subset of a total number of OFDMA symbols within each of the identical resource regions. The identical subchannels are a subset of a total number of subchannels within each of the identical resource regions. The method also includes transmitting or receiving data by the mobile terminal through the allocated identical resource regions.
US08412216B2
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message.
US08412215B2
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message.
US08412209B2
In a 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, communication system a base station comprises a scheduler allocating communication resource of at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel, PUSCH, and a Physical Downlink Shared CHannel, PDSCH to a User Equipment (UE). The scheduling may either be a dynamic scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a single frame is provided to the UE or a persistent scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a plurality of frames is provided to the UE. A resource allocator assigns resource of a Physical Uplink Control CHannel, PUCCH, to the UE dependent on whether dynamic scheduling or persistent scheduling is performed by the scheduler for the UE. The UE transmits uplink control data on a physical uplink channel which is selected as the PUCCH or the PUSCH in response to whether persistent scheduling is used for the UE. The invention allows e.g. reduced PUCCH loading.
