US08814824B2
The present invention relates to steerable access sheath assembly (12). Moreover, the present invention relates to a steerable short sheath access device (10) for use in epicardial procedures. Embodiments of the present invention including shorter steerable access sheaths or introducers (10, 12) may provide epicardial access for various ablation tools and devices for the performance of various ablation procedures or procedures involving alternate energy sources. The steerable access device (10) provides an elongated member (20) having a proximal section (26) and a distal section (28), wherein the deflection of the distal section (28) provides a primary curve including an inner radius (r1) that result in a secondary curve of proximal section (26) having an inner radius (r2, r3), wherein the inner radius of curvature (r1) of the primary curve is less than the inside radius of curvature (r2, r3) of the secondary curve.
US08814823B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for lyophilizing, reconstituting and administering a reconstituted substance. The device has an elongate housing having a dispensing-side front housing end and a housing end lying opposite it. A first chamber, containing a lyophilizate, is disposed in the housing in the region of the front housing end and is tightly sealed at an end facing the front housing end by a removable closure and is tightly sealed in the direction of the rear housing end by a plunger. A second chamber is provided or formed in the housing in the region of the rear housing end which is connected by at least one opening to the ambient atmosphere. This opening is closed by a membrane which is permeable to gas but not to bacteria.
US08814822B2
A volume of an analyte-enriched fluid can be withdrawn out of a user's subcutaneous compartment using a patch unit that includes a reversible pumping mechanism. The volume can be withdrawn out of the body and into the patch unit through a cannula inserted into the subcutaneous compartment so that an analyte concentration in the volume can be measured using a sensing element within the patch unit. After analyte concentration analysis, at least the volume can be delivered back into the subcutaneous compartment by operating the pumping mechanism in a forward direction. biologically compatible fluid can optionally be pumped into the subcutaneous compartment from a reservoir in the patch unit and then allowed to partially or completely equilibrate with the analyte concentration in the interstitial fluid of the subcutaneous compartment via a permeable or semi-permeable cannula surface before being drawn back into the patch unit for analysis. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
US08814812B2
An apparatus for passive contraction of at least one finger of a patient with an upper arm unit, a lower arm unit, and at least one connective line. The apparatus is configured such that elbow extension of the patient promotes finger flexion. This is accomplished by taking advantage of the geometry of the arm, where the distance from a point on the patient's humeral area to the patient's fingers is greater when the patient's arm is in extension than when it is in flexion. In one aspect, the upper arm unit is configured to connect to a portion of the patient's arm between the patient's elbow and shoulder and the lower arm unit is configured to connect to a portion of the patient's arm intermediate the patient's hand and elbow.
US08814801B2
A vessel wall monitoring apparatus includes: a first detecting unit which detects vessel diameter information based on first biological information obtained from a subject; a first producing unit which differentiates the vessel diameter information detected by the first detecting unit, to produce a vessel diameter function; a second detecting unit which detects blood pressure based on second biological information obtained from the subject; a second producing unit which performs a logarithmic operation on the blood pressure detected by the second detecting unit, to produce a logarithmic blood pressure function; and an outputting unit which produces an impedance model expression by using the vessel diameter function, the logarithmic blood pressure function, and mechanical characteristic values including a stiffness, viscosity, and inertia, and which calculates and outputs at least one of the stiffness, the viscosity, and the inertia based on the impedance model expression.
US08814796B2
A tissue ablation system and method of forming same includes an ablation device having a substrate with an outer surface and energy transport elements coupled to the outer surface. The substrate is configured to have a shape that approximates an interior shape of a uterus. The system and method further including an energy source electrically coupled to the energy transport elements and at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned in a lateral region of the uterus.
US08814793B2
A respiration monitor comprises a transducer array 5 having a plurality of individual transducer elements 7 that span at least part of the region of diaphragm movement of a patient. A patient 1 having a lung 2 and an abdomen 3 being separated therefrom by a diaphragm 4 is fitted with an ultrasound transducer array 5 over the lung sinus 6 prior to being given a CT or MRI scan. Each individual transducer element 6 emits an ultrasound pulse and then detects its echo in the known manner. Because air has a much higher acoustic impedance than tissue, the reflection of the ultrasound beam is much more pronounced when the lung is insonated.By measuring the strength of the receiving signal, it is possible to determine to a high degree of accuracy the position of the patient's diaphragm.
US08814789B2
A vaginal manipulator includes a shaft and a head. The head includes a central plate having a distal end connected to the shaft, an expansion plate coupled to and configured to move radially away from the central plate, and a door having a constrained end and a free end. The constrained end of the door is hinged to the central plate and the free end of the door is configured to move away from the central plate. When the vaginal manipulator is inserted into a vagina, the expansion plate is movable relative to the central plate to displace an anterior wall of the vagina and the door is movable relative to the central plate to displace a posterior wall of the vagina into a trans-abdominal line of sight.
US08814779B2
Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.
US08814778B2
Disclosed are devices for pericardial access to the heart, including direct access to the left atrium. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise a device and/or an atrial appendage (AA) portal having a configuration such that the distal end of the device and/or the portal can access an atrial appendage while the proximal end of the device and/or portal can extend to outside of the subject. The devices and methods may also include a pericardial portal for emplacement of the device and/or the AA portal. Also, methods for using such devices and/or AA portals and pericardial portals to perform surgery on the heart, and systems (e.g., kits) comprising these devices and/or portals in combination with other therapeutic devices are disclosed.
US08814775B2
Brachytherapy treatment apparatus are provided that include an elongate body including a core member and an outer member surrounding and movable relative to the core member. One or more helical catheters are provided on a distal portion of the elongate body, e.g., including distal ends coupled to the core member and proximal ends coupled to the outer member. The outer member is movable relative to the core member, e.g., axially and/or rotationally, to direct the helical catheters between a collapsed configuration for introduction through a tissue tract to a target location, e.g., a lumpectomy cavity, and an expanded configuration. Each helical catheter includes a lumen, and, after expansion to the expanded configuration, a source of radiation may be introduced along the helical catheters and/or a lumen of the core member for delivering radiation to the target location. Optionally, the apparatus may include a balloon surrounding or within the helical members.
US08814771B2
There is provided a tool holding and conveying chain adapted to securely lock and position a tool pot, i.e., a connecting pin, to a pin hole of either an outer or inner link plate so that the tool pot does not to turn and to achieve steady and smooth attachment and removal of a tool in and out of the tool pot with a simple attachment structure. The tool pot has a pair of positioning flat portions formed by cutting a link plate attaching outer circumferential region of the tool pot and the outer link plate has a pair of positioning cooperative flat portions formed so as to bulge out of an inner circumference to a center of a pin hole. The positioning flat portions of the tool pot is fitted into and locked by the positioning cooperative flat portions when the tool pot is attached in the link plate.
US08814766B2
An apparatus and method for exercising using an apparatus that includes an upper assembly, equipped with pedal platforms or a snowboard attachment, which is pivotally attached to a lower frame assembly. The lower frame assembly includes ski pole attachments that enable a user to maintain balance while using the apparatus. When the user stands on the pedals, elastic members coupled to the lower frame assembly and the upper frame assembly maintain level of the upper assembly while also providing some resistance to lateral movement. As the user shifts weight to simulate downhill skiing, the resistance by the elastic members, and an adjustable brake component, provide strength and core exercises similar to skiing.
US08814762B2
An inelastic exercise apparatus includes an elongated member having a pair of ends. The elongated member is an inelastic strap. The apparatus also includes an anchor having a first portion for mounting to a structure and a second coupling portion. The exercise apparatus further includes a rigid yoke including a yoke housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the yoke housing is coupled to the second coupling portion of the anchor and the second end of the yoke housing defines a translation channel configured to receive the elongated member.
US08814761B2
A bodyweight resistance exercise apparatus has a base portion, a platform secured to the base portion, main vertical supports coupled to an end of the base portion, upper vertical supports coupled to an upper end of the main vertical supports and angled relative thereto, and lifting straps coupled through the upper vertical supports and to the main vertical supports. Adjustability may be provided in a number of ways, including with respect to the location of the platform along the base portion, the angle of the main vertical supports relative to the base portion, the rotational position of the upper vertical supports relative to the main vertical supports, and the attachment of the lifting straps along the main vertical supports. When a desired configuration is achieved, a user may perform bodyweight resistance exercise in a core-stabilized position.
US08814752B2
It is provided a shift control device for a vehicle having a parking lock device driven by an actuator to selectively switch switching positions between a lock position and an unlock position, wherein when a run-enable operation is made by a driver and a non-running state is switched to a running state, shift position recognizing control is executed for recognizing an initial switching position appearing at the beginning when the running state is established, by driving the actuator in response to switching position information indicative of the switching position on a stage before the running state is established, wherein: the non-running state is configured to be switched to the running state prior to the execution of the run-enable operation; and updating of the switching position information, stored in the switching position information storage device, is permitted to be executed subjected to the switching position recognizing control being executed.
US08814750B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a creep mode of a vehicle comprising a hybrid drive (1), a drive train (2) which essentially comprises an internal combustion engine (3), an electric machine (5), a gear-shift element (4) arranged between the internal combustion engine (3) and the electric machine (5), a transmission (7) and a power take-off (26). The aim of the invention is to allow an efficient creep mode which is substantially temporally unlimited and reliable and wherein an electrical energy storage device (14) is used as little as possible. The method according to the invention is characterized in that primarily the gear-shift element (4) is used when the internal combustion engine (3) is running and secondarily, depending on a monitoring of defined operation parameters of the gear-shift element (4) and/or of variables relevant for the creep mode, the electric machine (5) is used to implement the creep mode. A device for carrying out the method comprises control and monitoring means (21, 22, 25, 27) which are used for producing a creep torque, taking into consideration an admissible load of the gear-shift element (4), primarily by operating the gear-shift element (4) in a slip mode and secondarily by operating the electric machine (5) in a creep mode.
US08814749B2
A vehicle includes an accelerator pedal, a drive device and an electronic control unit (ECU). The drive device generates driving force for driving a wheel on the basis of an operation amount of the accelerator pedal. The ECU, while the vehicle is travelling in a ready-off state, prohibits a shift into a ready-on state until the operation amount of the accelerator pedal once becomes lower than a predetermined value.
US08814739B1
A continuously variable transmission includes an input assembly. The input assembly coupled to receive input rotational motion. An output assembly is used to provide a rotational output and is coupled to a load. Moreover, an input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio between the input assembly and the output assembly. An input speed feedback control assembly is used to provide an axial speed force in response to a rotation from the input assembly on a shift rod. A torque feedback control assembly is used to provide an axial load force on the shift rod in an opposite direction from the axial speed force in response to a torque of a load coupled to the output assembly. In addition, a shifting member is coupled to the shift rod. The shifting member controls the input/output planetary ratio assembly based on a position of the shift rod.
US08814715B2
Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.
US08814713B2
A finger position training sports device can include a surface for receiving at least a portion of a hand, a plurality of capacitance sensor areas formed on the surface, and a capacitance sense circuit attached to the sports device. The capacitance sense circuit can have an input coupled to each capacitance sensor area and a processor circuit that activates an indication value when predetermined sensor areas indicate contact with different portions of at least one hand.
US08814712B2
Provided is a sliding ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a sliding ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, which can absorb idle vibration generated from the vehicle during idling by creating a clearance between an outer spherical surface of an inner race and an inner spherical surface of a cage. The sliding ball type constant velocity joint includes a shaft which receives rotational power from an engine and rotates, an outer race which is installed at an end of the shaft and having grooves formed therein, an inner race installed in the outer race, a plurality of balls for transmitting the rotational power of the outer race to the inner race, and a cage for supporting the balls, wherein a center of a radius of an outer spherical surface of the inner race is formed at a different location from a center of a radius of an inner spherical surface of the cage.
US08814706B2
An electronic gaming machine including a candle mount for securing a candle device to the gaming machine and providing wireless communication capabilities to the gaming machine is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated alone or in combination with other stages convey information about the status of the gaming machine. A gaming machine with an existing candle device can be retrofitted with a candle mount that includes a wireless radio device that is operably coupled to the gaming machine.
US08814705B2
An event starting unit starts an event which associates characters of first and second players. An event managing unit repeatedly executes alternately a first interaction including transmission of first question information to a communication terminal and reception of first answer information from the communication terminal, and a second interaction including transmission of second question information to the communication terminal and reception of second answer information from the communication terminal. A character creating unit creates a new character based on parameters of the characters of the first and second players when the number of times of the first and second interactions reaches a predetermined value. The new character created by the character creating unit is arranged in the first and second virtual spaces.
US08814702B2
A method for introducing an object with a unique identifier in a video game. A request to a server to introduce the object is made. An identity of a user of the video game is sent to the server. The server generates a token paired with the identity, embeds the token in a multimedia file, and sends the multimedia file to the video console. The video console reproduces the multimedia file and shows a message to the user so that the user executes an application in a smartphone. The application activates a reader to obtain the unique identifier of the object and activates a sensor element to be able to extract said token associated with the multimedia file. The smartphone sends the unique identifier of the object and the token to the server. The server pairs the unique identifier of the object with the identity of the user by means of the token and sends the unique identifier of the object to the video console to introduce it in the video game.
US08814699B1
A social networking roulette game system that comprises of at least one processor; and computer executable instruction code readable by the at least one processor and configured for displaying at least one game on a display device, wherein the game comprises of: randomly selecting a predefined sampling of friends from at least one online social networking contacts; displaying the predefined sampling of friends in a dynamic arrangement; animating the dynamic arrangement for selecting at least one friend of the predefined sampling of friends; reviewing a profile of the selected at least one friend; generating a random question based on the at least one friend's profile; requiring that a response be submitted for the random question; and awarding virtual currency to the gamer based on the gamer's response to the random question.
US08814698B1
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide graphical user interfaces in computer-implemented multiplayer games. The graphical user interface includes a friends panel that is operable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The friends panel provides friends information display functionality, social network management functionality, and/or messaging functionality both in the collapsed condition and in the expanded condition. In the collapsed condition, the friends panel may comprise a friends bar that shows a row of friend cards or chiclets associated with respective friends of a host player associated with a displayed game instance, the friends bar being clear of a view of a virtual in-game environment shown in the game display, while the expanded friends panel may comprise a grid of friend cards or chiclets that functionally obscures the in-game environment.
US08814696B2
A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.
US08814695B2
Some embodiments include a fantasy sports game. In some embodiments, an expected performance value may be determined. In some embodiments, a same player may appear multiple times in a team. Various other embodiments are described.
US08814691B2
This disclosure concerns an interactive, head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content. A wireless communications facility assesses a database of second user profiles, and the user contacts an online gaming site using the eyepiece to initiate or join a game of the online gaming site with a second user, each user viewing game content with through their head-mounted eyepiece.
US08814687B1
A video game allows dynamic transitions in the number of players. A player may join other players already playing the game without interrupting the play of the existing players, and a player may cease playing the game without interrupting the play of players who continue playing. The video game uses a method including providing game play for at least one game player including displaying video information based on game program instructions and inputs from a controller. The method also includes determining whether a further player is joining the video game, and if the further player is joining the video game, displaying player specific information associated with the further player to the video information. The method also includes determining whether a player is quitting the video game, and if the player is quitting the video game, removing display of the player specific information associated with the player.
US08814686B2
An example game system includes a home-console type game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The portable display device includes an infrared emitter capable of emitting infrared light. The controller device wirelessly transmits to the game device operation image data from an image-capturing section, inertia sensor data, and operation button data. The game device receives the operation data from the controller device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device compresses first game images, which are generated based on the game processes, to generate compressed image data. The compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the portable display device. The portable display device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the compressed image data to obtain the game images, and displays the game images.
US08814685B2
The program according to the present invention is a program executed by an information processing device including a display unit that displays a game screen, to display on the display unit, a game screen including an operation area that allows a player to input a consumption amount of a consumption parameter that is to be consumed in a game, to allow the player to input the consumption amount through the operation area when the operation area is displayed on the game screen, and highlight a mark indicating the consumption amount input, in the operation area, and to display a consumption state of the consumption parameter on the game screen by changing a display status of the operation area according to the consumption amount consumed when the consumption parameter has been consumed by the consumption amount input.
US08814682B2
An example game system has a terminal device and a plurality of controller devices. The game system moves a first object, which is arranged in a predetermined game space, in accordance with an operation performed on the terminal device; and moves a plurality of second objects in accordance with operations performed on the controller devices. A first virtual camera is set based on a position of the first object in the game space. A second virtual camera is set so that a plurality of the second objects are included in a visual field range. A first game image representing the game space as seen from the first virtual camera is displayed on a display unit of the terminal device. A second game image representing the game space as seen from the second virtual camera is displayed on a predetermined display device separate from the terminal device.
US08814672B2
A method for generating career progression information for a user participating in one or more activities in a processing device is disclosed. User progress in the activities is tracked. The activities include game activities and non-game activities. Achievement scores for the user based on the game activities and the non-game activities are determined. The achievement scores are aggregated across the game activities and the non-game activities to generate an aggregated career score for the user. Career progression information is generated for the user, based on the aggregated career score.
US08814671B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling the use of electronic systems based upon monitored physical activity. The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The program instructions are operable to: provision rules associated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physical activity of the user; monitor the at least one health metrics and physical activity of the user over a predetermined time; and manage access to any of a plurality of electronic systems based on the monitored at least one health metrics and physical activity being in compliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules.
US08814670B2
A system and method for playing a multiplayer game are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes, queuing a player for a multiplayer game, determining that at least one criterion for beginning the multiplayer game has not been met, beginning a queuing game for the queued player, and determining that the criterion has been met. In response to determining that the criterion has been met, the method continues by ending the queuing game for the player, determining a queuing game outcome for the player, and beginning the multiplayer game, wherein the multiplayer game is based, at least in part, on the queuing game outcome.
US08814663B2
A game system identifies players in a game. A player model may be provided that predicts whether or not an identified player is going to make a payment. Additional player models may be provided that predict whether or not a player is going to make a payment for specific virtual items in the game. The game system may engage the identified player based on the virtual items the player is predicted to make payments on.
US08814661B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic gaming machine having a default mode in which the electronic gaming machine provides a default average expected payback percentage for each play of a wagering game, and a different second hot mode in which the electronic gaming machine provides an increased average expected payback percentage for each play that wagering game. In The electronic gaming machine is in the default mode for certain periods of play, and is in the hot mode for certain periods of play when, in certain embodiments, a random determination is made that the hot mode will be employed. In various embodiments, players are not informed that the electronic gaming machine is in the hot mode.
US08814657B2
A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player.
US08814656B2
The present disclosure provides a gaming system, device, and method providing wild reel wager options for a spinning reel type wagering game. The wagering game includes: a plurality of reels; a plurality of symbols; and one or more wild reel wager options, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of wild reel wager amounts. If a player wagers one of the wild reel wager amounts on a play of the wagering game, the gaming system determines, based on the wild reel wager option associated with that wild reel wager amount, a set of one or more of the reels to be wild reels, and causes each of the determined set of the reels to be wild reels for that play. The gaming system causes each of the reels to spin and display one or more of the symbols, and provides any awards based on the displayed symbols.
US08814655B2
A gaming machine 10 has: a display device 12 configured to display a plurality of symbols to be continuously arranged; and a controller 30. The controller 30 executes the processing operations of: (a1) executing game processing and then according to a result of the game processing, determining whether or not to scroll at least one array of the symbols; (a2) scrolling the symbol array according to a result of the determination; and (a3) carrying out processing according to a result of the scroll.
US08814642B2
Ball games apparatus for use by two or more players, comprises a playing wall with a plurality of targets arranged across at least one face of said playing wall, each target having a particular value associated therewith. In use, a player aims by kicking or throwing a ball or the like at the playing wall and scores points to the value of the target that is struck. The targets may correspond to balls of a conventional pool or snooker game, providing a similar scoring system to the table-based game but at the same time encouraging participation in physical activity. Added complexity is provided by means of ground markers randomly selected to denote which of a series of positions relative to the playing wall from which a player takes aim.
US08814638B2
A variable duct apparatus that controls outside air flowing in to a radiator includes a variable louver that is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between a grille opening and a radiator of a vehicle, and regulates the amount of outside air admitted to the radiator, a lower louver that is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between an air inlet and the radiator, and regulates the amount of outside air admitted to the radiator, and a link mechanism that coordinates and synchronizes the variable louver and the lower louver with each other, and interrupts the coordination between the variable louver and the lower louver upon application of an external force to the lower louver to thereby permit swinging of the lower louver.
US08814627B2
A toy set that enables communication between a game device and a toy without changing a hardware configuration of the game device includes a program stored in a storage medium that when executed causes the game device to detect a sequence of single frequency sounds, output a voice corresponding to a combination of the detected sounds, generate a plurality of single frequency sound and generate a control signal by a combination of the sounds. The toy incorporates a sound generation means, a voice input means, a control means and a sensing means. The control means includes a generation means for generating a control signal as a sequence of plurality of single frequency sounds sent out from the sound generation means of the toy. When the control signal is inputted from the game device, the toy performs a predetermined action which corresponds to the control signal.
US08814626B2
The expanding and contracting yo-yo is a spool formed by a pair of disks connected by a narrow diameter pin having a string wound around the pin. At least one, and preferably both, of the disks has a plurality of overlapping wings (also referred to as air foils or leaves) pivotally attached to the periphery of the outer face of the disk. A biasing member causes the wings to remain in a closed dome configuration until the disks begin to spin. When the yo-yo is dropped and pulled back in, centrifugal force, centripetal force, alternate lift and drag of air flow, and resilient bias cause the wings to alternately pivot and unfold outward, followed by pivoting inward to a dome shape. In an alternative embodiment, the wings may be formed with a resilient living hinge that permits the wings to expand and contract against the body of the yo-yo.
US08814621B2
Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of making a Ca1-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor composition that include selecting a relative color point; determining Eu and Sr concentrations based on predetermined values to obtain the selected relative color point; and making the Ca1-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor having the determined Eu and Sr concentrations. Also provided are methods for determining concentrations of Sr and Eu in a Ca1-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor that will achieve a relative color point. Related computer products are also disclosed.
US08814618B2
An outboard engine unit, where a drive shaft is connected to an engine and rotatably supported in a drive shaft chamber via a bearing and where a gear mechanism for transmitting rotation of the drive shaft to a propeller shaft is accommodated in a gear chamber, includes: a lubricant circulation section for returning lubricant oil, having lubricated the bearing, back to the gear chamber; an oil storage chamber for receiving the lubricant oil having lubricated the bearing; and a return passage communicating the oil storage chamber with the gear chamber. The lubricant oil guided to the oil storage chamber is returned back to the gear chamber via the return passage.
US08814616B2
An autonomous aquatic vehicle with one or more fuel cells, a controller, a plurality of sensors, a battery, and at least one electric motor and propeller. The one or more fuel cells provide power to the battery, and the battery provides power for the vehicle. Seawater is provided to anodes of the fuel cell and air or oxygen is provided to the cathode to produce power for supply to the battery. The seawater-anode reaction creates waste or byproduct that tends to decrease output of the fuel cell. The waste or byproduct is automatically flushed from the fuel cell using seawater.
US08814615B2
In an outboard motor having a prime mover, a gear mechanism transmitting a driving force of the prime mover to a propeller, and a gear case housing the gear mechanism, it is configured to have a drain bolt fastened to a drain hole bored at the gear case and constituted as a magnetic member; a stacked portion provided at an exposed part of the drain bolt in an inside of the gear case and having a conductor, an insulator and a resistive element partially making contact with the conductor that are stacked in a gravitational direction; a current detector detecting a current value conducted from the conductor to the drain bolt under a condition where voltage is applied to the conductor; and a wear debris amount detector adapted to detect an amount of wear debris of the gear mechanism deposited at the drain bolt based on the conducted current value.
US08814613B2
An aeration control system and method for a marine vessel. The system includes a valve configured to be coupled to an aeration conduit of a marine vessel. The valve is configured to be responsive to a valve control signal having a first value so as to be open and to provide air to the aeration conduit, and the valve configured to be responsive to the valve control signal having a second value so as to be closed and not provide air to the aeration conduit. The aeration control system also includes a control device, electrically coupled to the valve, that provides the valve control signal to the valve.
US08814609B2
An adapter for a clamping device for the electrical connection of a cable or line is disclosed. The clamping device includes an electrical contact point and a height-adjustable clamping plate, and the clamping plate is designed to press the cable or line mechanically against the electrical contact point of the clamping device. In at least one embodiment, the adapter is designed to be able to be fastened to the clamping plate of the clamping device, so that using the adapter it is possible to carry out an adaptation to the cross-section of the cable or line to be clamped, to carry out an adaptation to the elevation of the height-adjustable clamping plate of the clamping device or to adjust the width of the clamping plate.
US08814598B2
The invention relates to a contact means (100) for attaching an end of a cable (110). The contact means (100) has a casing (300) with an inner chamber (320) for receiving a section of the cable (110) in the region of the cable end, and a pull relief element (200, 201, 202, 203) which can be fastened to the casing (300) in the inner chamber (320), with a pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) and at least one contacting section (240, 241). The pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) is formed to fix a cable sheath (120) of the cable (110). The contacting section (240, 241) is formed to contact a shield (130) of the cable (110).
US08814583B2
A USB connector comprises a special USB plug and a USB receptacle mateable with the special USB plug. The special USB plug has a plug ground contact and a plug contact portion as a part of the plug ground contact. The USB receptacle has a plurality of contacts including a ground contact, a detector and a holding member. Each of the contacts has a contact point. Especially the ground contacts has the contact point configured to be brought into contact with the plug ground contact while the detector has a detecting portion configured to be brought into contact with the plug contact portion. The holding member has a plate portion formed with a principal surface. The holding member holds the contacts so that the contact points project from the principal surface of the plate portion while holding the detector so that the detecting portion projects from the principal surface of the plate portion. A distance between the detecting portion and the contact point of the ground contact is smaller than a distance between the detecting portion and the contact point of the contact other than the ground contact.
US08814580B2
A card edge connector 100 includes an elongated insulative housing 1, a plurality of contacts 2 retained in the housing 1 and a pair of latches 3 pivoted on the housing 1. The housing 1 has an elongated central slot 12 for receiving a daughter card 200. The latch 3 has a locking head 36 to lock the daughter card 200 for preventing the daughter card 200 from escaping out of the central slot 12 in a mating direction. An end of the locking head 36 has a bump 360 passing through the daughter card 200 to abut against an outside surface of the daughter card 200.
US08814579B2
An electrical connector is provided, including a substrate, an electronic element, a plurality of metal members, and an insulating sheet. The electronic element includes a plurality of terminals. The substrate forms a recess with the electronic element disposed therein. The metal members are disposed on the electronic element and insulated from each other. Additionally, the metal members connect the terminals with the substrate. The insulating sheet connects to the metal members and is adjacent to the electronic element.
US08814576B2
A structure for connecting a circuit board and an external connector includes a lead and a stress dampening unit. The lead electrically connects the circuit board and the external connector. The external connector is fitted to and removed from the lead. The stress dampening unit dampens stress applied to the circuit board by the lead when the external connector is fitted to and removed from the lead.
US08814574B2
The present invention relates to an electronic device which has a male connection portion for connection with a female snap. The male connection portion comprises a conductive stud which is or can be screwed in to a portion of the electronic device via threading on the stud. Furthermore, an adhesive can be added to the stud or an opening of the electronic device in order to provide a secure and water tight seal between the stud and the electronic device. The stud generally makes an electrical connection between a conductive portion of the female snap and an electronic component within the electronic device. The male portion of the stud may also comprise a cavity or opening for receiving a tool for screwing the stud in to the electronic device and/or for receiving a guiding pin of the female snap portion.
US08814571B2
The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T′) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth. The applicator (10) comprises a series of substrates (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 36, 40, 42) for generally successively removing debris and deposits from the interproximal dental surface (S), etching (20) the dental surface (S), washing (22) the dental surface (S), drying (24, 26) the dental surface (S), carrying (28) the sealing agent and applying the sealing agent to the dental surface (S), exerting pressure (30) on the dental surface (S) during the hardening of the sealing agent, and polishing (36, 38) the dental surface (S) and its cured sealing agent.
US08814558B2
A mold part is provided. The mold part includes a surface with a mold opening, a first arm with a connecting means for connecting a first pulley, the first arm being pivotably attached to a first attachment point of the mold part, a second arm with a connecting means for connecting a second pulley, the second arm being pivotably attached to a second attachment point of the mold part, wherein the second arm is arranged to be locked in at least two different turning positions.
US08814554B2
An ice cream scoop includes a head configured to scoop frozen food product, a handle extending from the head to an end, the handle including an internal cavity with the end open to the internal cavity, a heat transfer fluid contained in the internal cavity and in thermal communication with the head, an end cap that closes the end of the handle, a gasket disposed between the end cap and the handle to seal the internal cavity, and a pin that secures the end cap to the handle.
US08814551B2
A positioning control ejection mechanism includes an ejection motor, an ejection rod, a position confirm switch, and an upper limit switch. The ejection rod is slidably driven with the ejection motor. The position confirm switch is assembled to the ejection motor and is positioned along an ejection direction of the ejection rod. The position confirm switch is configured for sensing when the ejection rod is aligned with a pre-ejection product. The upper limit switch is assembled to the ejection motor and is positioned along an ejection direction of the ejection rod away from the ejection motor end, preventing the ejection rod from being over ejected.
US08814547B2
A shaft assembly includes a shaft with a first radial shoulder and a second radial shoulder along a shaft axis. A seal retaining sleeve is defined around the shaft axis to position a shaft seal. A retainer plate at least partially between the first radial shoulder and the second radial shoulder is adjacent to the seal retaining sleeve to position and provide access to the seal retaining sleeve and shaft seal.
US08814545B2
A scroll-rotation prevention assembly of a scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll and an Oldham ring. The fixed scroll is positioned in the compressor and has a body. Two blocks extend from the periphery of the body. The orbiting scroll is disposed to correspond to the fixed scroll and has a main body. Two protrusions extend from the periphery of the main body. The Oldham ring is sandwiched between the body of the fixed scroll and the main body of the orbiting scroll. The Oldham ring has a first surface provided with a pair of first troughs and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface is provided with a pair of second troughs. Each protrusion is slidably connected in the first troughs. Each block is slidably connected in the second troughs. Thus, the wear of the Oldham ring can be reduced.
US08814539B2
A hermetic compressor includes a closed vessel for storing lubricating oil, an electric-driving element, and a compressing element driven by the electric-driving element. The compressing element includes a cylinder block forming a compression chamber, a piton that reciprocates inside the compression chamber, and an oiling device for supplying the lubricating oil to an outer circumference of the piston. A first oil groove is concavely formed on the outer circumference of the piston, and a second oil groove is concavely formed on a side opposite to the compression chamber relative to the first oil groove. The second oil groove has a spatial volume same or greater than that of the first oil groove. An expanded clearance portion is provided such that a clearance between the piston and the cylindrical hole portion broadens from a top dead point to a bottom dead point.
US08814532B2
A nozzle of an ejector depressurizes and injects fluid, which is supplied to the nozzle. The nozzle is received in a receiving space of a body. The nozzle and the body are formed by press working. The nozzle includes nozzle-side ribs, which extend in an axial direction and project radially outward. The body includes body-side ribs, which extend in the axial direction and project radially outward. In a predetermined cross section of each of the nozzle and the body, which is perpendicular to the axial direction and includes the corresponding ribs, the nozzle or the body is formed seamlessly as a continuous single piece member.
US08814529B2
A blade construction for a turbo device, preferably a blade array of a low-pressure turbine, is disclosed. On the inlet-side profile surface of the blade a vortex generator is arranged downstream from the speed maximum. The vortex generator is formed by a surface undulation with at least one wave, the wave tail of which runs in the form of a wave trough and/or a wave peak in the blade vertical direction.
US08814524B2
A wheel is constructed from a disk disposed for rotation about an axis and a ring with a plurality of blades being connectable to the disk. The wheel is operable for pumping, compressing, or expanding fluid in a turbomachine. The disk is configured to receive at least a portion of the ring within the disk and be coupled using a protrusion or protrusions. The protrusion can be configured to prevent relative movement between the disk and the ring. In some forms a bracket can be extended between the ring and disk to prevent relative movement.
US08814522B2
A cross-flow fan impeller for circulating gas in a transversely excited, pulsed, gas discharge laser is disclosed and may comprise a plurality of hubs, the hubs spaced apart along the impeller's rotation axis and establishing at least two impeller segments wherein a first segment has an output flow within 80-120% of a second segment and the first and second segment having differing blade pass frequencies. In some embodiments of this aspect, the first segment may have n number of blades the second segment m number of blades, and m≠n. In one embodiment, the impeller may be configured with n=29 and m=23 and in another embodiment, the impeller may be configured with n=23 and m=19. The impeller may be configured wherein n and m are prime numbers.
US08814518B2
A platform cooling arrangement in a turbine rotor blade having a platform at an interface between an airfoil and a root, wherein the rotor blade includes an interior cooling passage that extends from a connection at the root to the approximate radial height of the platform, wherein, the interior cooling passage comprises a high-pressure coolant region and a low-pressure coolant region, and wherein a pressure side of the platform comprises a topside extending circumferentially from the airfoil to a pressure side slashface. The platform cooling arrangement may include: a platform cavity formed within the pressure side of the platform, a high-pressure connector that connects the platform cavity to the high-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; a low-pressure connector that connects the platform cavity to the low-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; and a pin bank formed within the platform cavity that includes radial pins.
US08814517B2
In a turbine rotor blade having a platform at an interface between an airfoil and a root, wherein the airfoil and the root include an interior cooling passage formed therein, wherein, in operation, the interior cooling passage comprises at least a high-pressure coolant region and a low-pressure coolant region, platform cooling arrangement that includes: a platform slot extending circumferentially from a mouth formed through the pressure side slashface; a high-pressure connector that connects the platform slot to the high-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; a low-pressure connector that connects the platform slot to the low-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; and a platform cooling cartridge removably engaged within the platform slot, the platform cooling cartridge comprising one or more cartridge cooling channels.
US08814515B2
A floating turbine, including a vertical substantially fixed structure such as a pile or cable, a hydroelectric turbine, a connecting piece between the turbine and the structure that is operative to enable vertical motion of the turbine on the surface of the water.
US08814512B2
An apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprises a spool lock for locking a compressor spool and a lift for removing a rotor from the compressor spool. The spool lock comprises an outer ring configured for attachment to a compressor case of the gas turbine engine, an inner ring configured to support a compressor spool within the compressor case, and a web extending between the outer ring and the inner ring. The lift comprises a beam configured for attachment to a flange of the gas turbine engine, a support strut configured to support the beam above the compressor spool, and a hoist configured to support the rotor for removal from the compressor spool.
US08814503B2
A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft and a support which supports the fan shaft. The support defines a support lateral stiffness. A gear system drives the fan shaft. A flexible support at least partially supports the gear system, and defines a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness. An input to the gear system defines an input lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness. A method of designing a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US08814488B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises a storage container for storing multiple substrates and whose substrate loading and unloading opening is sealed by a lid, a load port for placing the storage container, an attaching and detaching device for attaching and detaching the lid on the substrate loading and unloading opening in the load port, a first placement unit for mounting the storage container in the load port and moving away from and near the attaching and detaching device, and a second placement unit provided separately from the first placement unit, for mounting the storage container in the load port and moving up and down relative to the attaching and detaching device.
US08814484B2
An improved vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle. The improved vehicle wheel chock includes an improved face-plate.
US08814483B2
A twist drill includes a cutting portion and a drill body. The cutting portion has a chisel edge, a segment relief surface, a chamfer relief surface and at least two flutes extending longitudinally to the drill body. Each flute has a rake surface and a gash extending away from the chisel edge. The cutting portion further has at least two cutting segments, each cutting segment having a first curved cutting edge, a second curved cutting edge and a chamfer cutting edge.
US08814477B2
Conveyor tray apparatus with air bearing and air curtain and methods of use are disclosed herein for use in manufacturing technical ceramics. The apparatus includes a tray body comprising a cradle having an outer surface disposed between opposing first and second sides, the cradle configured to receive a cylindrical object and having a plurality of air bearing holes. The tray body includes first and second support portions disposed at the respective first and second sides of the cradle. First and second air curtain housings are disposed on the respective first and second support portions. The air curtain housings each define an air plenum and an air exit opening that faces generally toward the outer surface of the cradle.
US08814472B2
Disclosed is a tunnel excavating apparatus for excavating tunnels in earth. This tunnel excavating apparatus comprises shell bodies, an excavating mechanism disposed on front of the excavating portion shell body, and a propelling mechanism disposed within the shell body. The shell bodies include an excavating portion shell body, a front shell body, and a rear shell body disposed in order from the leading end side in the advancing direction of excavation. The propelling mechanism comprises a projection mechanism and an extension mechanism. The projection mechanism includes front circumferential jacks in the front shell body and rear circumferential jacks in the rear shell body, both of which are capable of extension and contraction in the outer circumferential direction. The extension mechanism includes front axial jacks interposed between the excavating portion shell body and the front shell body, and rear axial jacks interposed between the front shell body and the rear shell body, both of which are capable of extension and contraction in the direction of advancing excavation.
US08814471B2
Compositions and methods of using such compositions for treating subsurface soil in an aquifer to remove contaminants that may be present in water of the aquifer. The composition includes a first solution and a second solution. The first solution includes at least one chemical capable of being effectively bound to soil to form a sorbent matrix by reacting in the subsurface. The second solution includes at least one chemical capable of reacting with at least one of the chemicals in the first solution in order to create the matrix. The first and second solutions are chosen so as to react on a time scale allowing at least one chemical in the first solution to bind to the soil.
US08814469B2
A constrained buoy experiencing vortex-induced, in-line and transverse angular motions and designed to absorb and attenuate the energies of streams, rivers and localized ocean currents is described. Referred to as a Finned-Spar-Buoy (FSB), the buoy design can be considered an exoskeleton, in that vertical fins are externally mounted on a vertical cylindrical float. The fins increase the drag coefficient by enhancing the wake losses. The FSB operates as a single unit or as a component of an array, depending on the application. The FSB can adjust to high-water events caused by tides, storm surges or spring-melting runoffs because the FSB can move axially along a center-staff which is attached to an anchor pole at a pivot point. The buoy-staff system is allowed to rotate in any angular direction from the vertical, still-water orientation of the center-staff. The FSB has a relatively small diameter-to-draft ratio, analytically qualifying the buoy as a slender-body.
US08814457B1
A soap holding and scrubbing device for holding soap and allowing a user to scrub his or her body. An example soap holding and scrubbing device comprises a porous tubular housing having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. A seam is formed in the housing with the seam extending above the outer surface of the housing. A closing mechanism closes the second end of the housing. A securing mechanism secures the soap between the seam and the second end of the housing and maintains the soap within the housing. The first end of the housing is open with the soap insertable into the housing through the first end and positionable against the closed second end. The securing mechanism is initially positioned against the seam and, as the soap dissolves, is movable in general direction toward the second end of the housing thereby maintaining the soap against the second end of the housing.
US08814456B2
A device employed by a user for applying a self-adhesive product to a surface may include an outer housing configured for gripping by a single hand of the user, the outer housing having a distal end, and a volume of self-adhesive product disposed within the outer housing. An automatic dispensing mechanism is disposed within the outer housing and operatively coupled to the outer housing and the volume of self-adhesive product, the automatic dispensing mechanism configured to advance at least a portion of the volume of self-adhesive product through the outer housing distal end in response to a manual actuation force applied to the outer housing.
US08814450B2
An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.
US08814447B1
In one general aspect, the computing device can include a base portion, and a display portion moveably coupled to the base portion, the display portion including a display bezel and an image sensor disposed within the display bezel. The computing device can also include an extension member coupled to the display portion and associated with a lens. The extension member can be configured to move at least a portion of the lens in a direction away from the image sensor to a position disposed outside of the display bezel and to move the portion of the lens in a direction towards the image sensor to a position disposed within the display bezel.
US08814444B2
An optical connector includes a connector housing; an optical ferrule that is housed in the connector housing; a coil spring that is housed in the connector housing and impresses the optical ferrule in a forward direction; and a spring pressing portion that is attached to an rear end of the connector housing, has an optical fiber inserting through-hole and a spring reception portion, and receives a reaction force of the coil spring. The spring pressing portion is divided into two half bodies. Since the spring pressing portion is divided into two parts, at the time of assembly of the optical connector, the optical ferrule is attached to the optical fibers and is terminated, and then the optical fibers can be covered with the spring pressing portion. At the time of the terminating operation, since there is no spring pressing portion that causes interference in the operation, it is easy to perform the terminating operation of the optical ferrule.
US08814441B2
An optical connector (10), in particular for outside use, for detachably connecting at least two optical cables along a connector axis (43) comprises a socket portion (11) and a plug portion (27), which portions are substantially of cylindrical design with respect to the connector axis (43), can be detachably plugged into one another along the connector axis (43) and can be locked in the plugged-in state. A locking mechanism (19, 20, 32, 33, 36, 46), which is equipped with a latch function and which latches automatically during insertion is provided for the purposes of rapid locking.
US08814437B2
A method for producing a roller bearing cage (1) is provided, including the following steps: a base body (2) which is close to a net shape is produced by a stereolithography method or by a 3D-printing method, and the provided base body (2) is coated with a thin, nanocrystalline coating (3). A roller bearing cage, including a base body (2) and a nanocrystalline coating (3) fixed to the base body (2) produced by this method is also provided. This method is suitable for producing roller bearing cages in only small quantities in a small series.
US08814430B2
A package for a food product is provided and includes a fin seal, where the package is configured for controlled opening using an opening feature. The opening feature may include an integral flap separable from the remainder of the package to form an access opening to an interior of the package. The flap may be defined by one or more score or scribed lines that extend only partially through the package. The flap may have a portion extending into the fin seal area. Opening of the flap may expose adhesive of the fin seal area which can be utilized for attaching the flap to reclose the package.
US08814428B2
A temperature sensor is described that comprises a temperature sensing element, a substantially thermally insulating substrate having a first side and a second side and at least one layer of substantially thermally conductive material coated on the first side of the substrate. A first hole is provided on the second side of the substrate and the temperature sensing element is arranged to sense temperature within the first hole. A plurality of additional holes may also be provided on the second side of the substrate, these holes may be coated to aid thermal transfer. The temperature sensing element may be a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be included in a temperature measurement probe for use in measuring the temperature of workpieces produced using a machine tool.
US08814423B2
A muddler comprises an elongated member that ends in a head with spikes for crushing fruit pieces or other flavor ingredients. In a reverse mode, the muddler can be used as an ice crusher. Optional side located stirring ribs or formations may be provided to facilitate stirring. A handle comprises an elongated member that ends in a head with a tool interface or working face for performing kitchen or culinary work or work on wood, metal or the like. The head can be removed from the elongated member, and different heads in a set applied with the handle. There can be a finger grip portion at the top to facilitate handling and turning and manipulation.
US08814422B2
The present disclosure relates to an motor that may be used to stir or agitate a material without the drive components of the motor making direct contact with said material. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an motor and a method of using such to stir or agitate a food material while insulating the drive components of the motor, and preventing them from coming into direct contact with the food material. The present disclosure has particular application to agitation of materials which should not come into direct contact with the drive components for safety or cleanliness purposes, such as ice cream or slushies, as well as materials with which contact is generally discouraged, such as biomedically pure substances or harsh chemicals.
US08814409B2
A mobile terminal includes a signal input module for inputting a signal as an opening formed at a case of a terminal body is pressed, and the signal input module includes an input key, a light guiding unit, a key mold, a light emitting unit, a circuit board, a dome switch and an actuator, which are all integrally fixed together and moved by being pressed. The light emitting unit is accommodated in a key mold having an opening for allowing light to be transferred to the light guiding unit. The input key, the light guiding unit, the key mold and the light emitting unit are mounted onto one surface of the circuit board, the circuit board is moved by being pressed, and the dome switch mounted onto another surface of the circuit board is transformed so as to generate a signal.
US08814408B2
Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
US08814405B2
A headlamp of one embodiment of this invention includes a laser element for emitting a laser beam, a light emitting section for generating fluorescence upon receiving the laser beam, and a reflecting mirror for projecting the fluorescence. Distribution of the fluorescence emitted by the light emitting section corresponds to Lambertian distribution, and an incident angle of the laser beam with respect to an excitation light irradiated surface, which is a surface of the light emitting section irradiated with the laser beam, is set so that use efficiency of the fluorescence emitted by the light emitting section is increased.
US08814401B2
A vehicular vision system includes an imaging device and a control operable to process image data captured by the imaging device. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect at least one of (i) a sign ahead of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an animal ahead of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a pedestrian ahead of the equipped vehicle. The control is operable to process the captured image data to detect an oncoming headlight or a leading taillight of another vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle. An illumination source is operable to illuminate generally forwardly and/or generally sidewardly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein illumination emanating from the illumination source is adjustable.
US08814398B2
An optical semiconductor based illuminating apparatus including a housing having an opening portion, a lighting unit disposed adjacent to the housing that includes at least one optical semiconductor, a power supply mounted within the housing that supplies power to the lighting unit, and a gate unit connected to the opening part that opens and shuts the inner housing.
US08814397B2
A cooling element for a lighting device having a plurality of cooling fins, wherein adjacent cooling fins delimit a cooling fin intermediate space with at least one air duct for connecting at least two cooling fin intermediate spaces.
US08814391B2
A light guiding structure includes a light transmissive body and microstructures; the light transmissive body includes an upper conical groove and a lower accommodating groove, and the upper conical groove has a curved surface with a continually varied slope; the microstructures are disposed on the light transmissive body. A lighting device includes a circuit board, a light source and the aforesaid light guiding structure; the light source and the light guiding structure are disposed on the circuit board, and the light source is accommodated within the lower accommodating groove.
US08814388B2
An assembly light bar structure includes: a substrate, having at least one recess; a first conductive elastic element and a second conductive elastic element, disposed on the substrate and respectively located at two parallel sides of the recess; and at least one light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is compressed by the first and second conductive elastic elements to be removably fixed in the recess of the substrate. The light-emitting element is electrically connected to the first and second conductive elastic elements.
US08814384B2
A luminaire, in particular an outdoor luminaire, comprising a luminous means mount surface (10) on which a plurality of LED modules (20) are arranged, wherein the LED modules (20) respectively have a matrix of a plurality of LEDs (22), which are arranged in a plane (24), and a reflector strip (26), which adjoins on one edge of the plane (24) and is angled with respect to the plane (24), wherein the LEDs (22) each have an integrated optical unit which, in a cross section through the LED (22) perpendicular to the plane (24), creates two maxima of the luminous intensity distribution of the respectively individual LED (22), which maxima are deflected laterally with respect to the surface normal (28) of the plane (24) through the LED (22), wherein the light radiation from the LED (22) is reflected by the reflector strip (26) in one of the two maxima.
US08814381B2
An omnidirectional semiconductor light emitting device lamp has a light distribution characteristic having a large range similar to that of a general incandescent lamp. The semiconductor light emitting device lamp includes a light emitting device for emitting light in all directions and reflection plates arranged at a front surface and a lateral surface of the light emitting device. The light emitted from the light emitting device is reflected from the reflection plate located at the front side and the reflection plate located at the lateral side and emitted to a rear side of the light emitting device. A reflection film is formed on all exposed portions of a surface of the substrate on which the light emitting device is mounted.
US08814375B2
A display device including a first light source that emits light, a background panel including a translucent portion to which light emitted from the first light source is entered and from which transmitted light is exited, the translucent portion provided in at least a portion of the background panel; and a dial including a transparent portion to which at least a portion of the transmitted light exited from the translucent portion is entered, the transparent portion provided in at least a portion of the dial.
US08814371B2
A wide angle center mounted motorcycle blind spot mirror that is mounted forward and above the motorcycle instrument panel clocks directly in the riders line of view that will give full visual coverage of the riders blind spot areas including the rider also, the mirror, can have several mounting points including the fly screen, fairing, headlamp, handle bars or the like.
US08814367B2
A 3D image cinema system having at least one projection room for viewing 3D images or 2D images is divided into forward and rearward viewing directions for the projection of an image on a front screen and a rear screen which are provided in a front end and a rear end of the projection room, respectively. Further, a front direction chair and a rear direction chair having a different viewing direction are provided on a front step and a rear step between the projection room and the front and rear screens where the theater can be easily installed in a general building and the 3D and 2D image has as much as 1.5-2 times wider viewing as a prior image.
US08814364B2
Scanning beam display systems that scan one servo beam and an excitation beam onto a screen that emits visible light under excitation of the light of the excitation beam and control optical alignment of the excitation beam based on positioning of the servo beam on the screen via a feedback control.
US08814361B2
Method for determining the acceptance of progressive addition lenses of a wearer, the method comprising: a fusional vergence parameter providing step during which at least one fusional vergence parameter representing the fusional vergence of the wearer is provided, an acceptance determining step during which the value of the at least one fusional vergence parameter is compared to a predetermined threshold value so as to determine the probability of acceptance of progressive addition lens of the wearer.
US08814357B2
A reading meter system and method is provided for identifying the existence and position of text in visual media content (e.g., a document to be displayed (or being displayed) on a computer monitor or other display device) and determining if a subject has interacted with the text and/or the level of the subject's interaction with the text (e.g., whether the subject looked at the text, whether the subject read the text, whether the subject comprehended the text, whether the subject perceived and made sense of the text, and/or other levels of the subject's interaction with the text). The determination may, for example, be based on data generated from an eye tracking device. The reading meter system may be used alone and/or in connection with an emotional response tool (e.g., a software-based tool for determining the subject's emotional response to the text and/or other elements of the visual media content on which the text appears). If used together, the reading meter system and emotional response tool advantageously may both receive, and perform processing on, eye date generated from a common eye tracking device.
US08814349B2
A one-piece lens is made from optical material and includes an outside part and an inside part, in which the inside parts comprise a surplus amount of the same optical material as the lens, for the purpose of cutting ophthalmic lenses, said surplus material being positioned close to the central part of the lens.
US08814340B2
An image forming method including: applying a pre-treatment liquid onto a coating layer provided on at least one surface of a support of a recording medium, jetting an inkjet ink onto the coating layer, onto which the pre-treatment liquid has been applied, so as to form an image, and applying or jetting a post-treatment liquid onto the coating layer, onto which the inkjet ink has been jetted, so as to form a transparent protective layer on the coating layer, wherein the inkjet ink contains the water-dispersible colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, a penetrant and water, and wherein an amount of pure water transferred into the recording medium, provided with the coating layer, measured at a contact time of 100 ms with a dynamic scanning liquid absorptometer is 1 ml/m2 to 10 ml/m2, and the pre-treatment liquid contains a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid.
US08814336B2
A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance.
US08814333B1
A liquid ink delivery system for use in an inkjet printer includes a plurality of conduits. Each conduit is configured to deliver liquid ink from reservoirs to printheads. The conduits are essentially comprised of a first material which is non-reactive with the liquid ink and which does not facilitate cooling or congealing of the liquid ink as the ink passes through the conduits. The conduits also include coatings applied to the first material that have further properties suited to delivery of ink and additives within the liquid ink. In one embodiment, an oxygen impermeable coating is applied to the conduit to reduce the risk of the ink or an additive within the ink oxidizes during transport through the conduit.
US08814329B2
A liquid ejecting head for discharging liquid from nozzle openings is provided. The liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric film and piezoelectric element with electrodes on the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film includes barium titanate-based composition having a perovskite structure containing barium, titanium, and copper less than or equal to 3 mol % of titanium amount.
US08814317B2
Provided is a liquid ejection head formed by performing bonding and fixing operations speedily and highly accurately when a recording element board is bonded to a supporting member, the liquid ejection head having a high liquid-landing accuracy and achieving a high printing quality. A method of manufacturing the liquid ejection head is also provided.Heat is conducted from a holding member, which supports the recording element board, to a thermosetting adhesive via the supporting member, which supports the recording element board, in order to accelerate the curing of the adhesive.
US08814313B2
A method for adjusting the tension of a continuous web of recording media in a printing system. The method includes identifying a tension in the continuous web and adjusting the tension in response to the amount of ink being deposited on the recording media. An offset tension value is determined, stored in memory, and used by a controller to adjust the velocity or tension of the continuous web moving through the printing system to improve the printing of images.
US08814311B2
A inkjet printer includes an ejection head, a curing-light-emitting part, a head retaining part, a relative scanning part, a drive output detecting part, and a curing-light-emission-control part. The ejection head ejects a photocuring liquid onto a printing medium retained by a medium retaining part. The curing-light-emitting part emits curing light onto the printing medium. The head retaining part retains the ejection head and the curing light emitting part. The relative scanning part performs relative movement of the head retaining part and the medium retaining part. The drive output detecting part detects an output of a drive source of the relative scanning part. The curing-light-emission-control part controls the curing-light-emitting part based on a detection result from the drive output detecting part.
US08814307B2
An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to adjust ink ejection amounts from nozzles in a downstream nozzle array on a basis of a bypassing air flow degree. The bypassing air flow degree is calculated based on an ejection density of ink ejected from nozzles in an upstream nozzle array on a recording medium and indicates a generation degree of a bypassing air flow generated when a transfer air flow generated by transfer of the recording medium bypasses a self-generated air flow generated by ink ejected from the nozzles in the upstream nozzle array. The downstream nozzle array is a nozzle array located downstream in a transfer direction among a plurality of nozzle arrays. The upstream nozzle array is a nozzle array located upstream in the transfer direction among the plurality of nozzle arrays.
US08814295B2
A printing apparatus includes first to n-th (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) ink tanks in which ink accommodated in an ink pack is filled, slots that respectively correspond to the ink tank, memory units that are packaged together with the ink pack and are respectively installed in the slots, and a processing unit that controls read-out of data from or writing of data to the memory unit. The processing unit updates total ink consumption information on the main body side for each ink color on the basis of the counted ink consumption, and writes the total ink consumption based on the total ink consumption information on the main body side, to the storage device of the memory unit corresponding to the ink color.
US08814294B2
A pressure buffering unit is reduced in size, and thereby the effect of a flexible membrane is suppressed while the performance of the pressure buffering unit is maintained. A liquid supply device includes: a liquid supply passage which communicates with a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged; a liquid pressure applying part provided in the liquid supply passage that applies a predetermined pressure to liquid; and a pressure buffering unit provided en route in the liquid supply passage and being configured to include a liquid chamber having a supply port and a discharge port through which the liquid flowing through the liquid supply passage flows in and out, a gas chamber provided to oppose the liquid chamber, and a flexible membrane interposed therebetween, wherein the flexible membrane is provided with initial bending in advance.
US08814286B2
A cold storage unit includes a side access storage rack for holding storage boxes. The storage rack includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear side wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a storage space. The storage rack also includes a plurality of vertical dividers extending from the rear side wall and a horizontal shelf configured to be engaged with the plurality of vertical dividers to split the storage space into a grid of box receptacles for the storage boxes. The horizontal shelf includes an angled front portion that is bent and is configured to frictionally engage divider slots in the vertical dividers to thereby hold the horizontal shelf in position with respect to the housing. This frictional engagement simplifies manufacturing and improves the functionality of the storage rack.
US08814285B2
A refrigerator capable of preventing the drooping of a bin when the bin is pulled out of the storage space is provided. The refrigerator does not need to fit a guide device when users push the bin into the storage space, since the bin is completely separated from the guide device.
US08814278B2
When an inner ring of a driving-wheel supporting hub unit is fixed to a hub, a pressing die is displaced downward and an annular working surface at a lower end surface of the pressing die is pressed against a front end of a cylindrical portion over its whole periphery. Further, in this state, the pressing die is pressed downward toward the hub without rocking the pressing die relative to the hub. Thus, the cylindrical portion is plastically deformed radially outward along the working surface simultaneously over its whole periphery. By adopting this method, the operation of plastically deforming the cylindrical portion at the inner end of the hub to form a caulking portion, can be easily and performed accurately. Accordingly, the structure of the caulking portion forming apparatus can be simplified.
US08814276B2
Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for use in a lock ring assembly. In this regard, a lock ring assembly is provided comprising a wheel base having a side rim disposed about a circumference of the wheel base, an ID lock ring and an OD lock ring disposed within a gap between the wheel base and the side rim. The ID lock ring has two surface contacts with the wheel base and one surface contact with the side rim. The OD lock ring has two surface contacts with the side rim and one surface contact with the wheel base. In various embodiments, the ID lock ring and the OD lock ring are in contact.
US08814273B2
A seat structure may be installed in a seat assembly. The seat structure may comprise plurality of tube members forming a substantially closed structure. Some of the tube members have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial portion of its respective longitudinal length. At least a first set of the tube members has at least one of a different dimensional property and a different material property from a second set of the tube members such that mechanical properties of each tube member is configured for stress requirements for a respective region that the respective tube member occupies. The plurality of tube members are joined such that the plurality of tube members are in fixed positions relative to each other.
US08814272B2
A headrest assembly securable to a motor-vehicle seat back part has a movable headrest and a rod fixed in the seat back and having a plurality of vertically spaced catch formations. A spring carried on the headrest has a pair of legs flanking the rod, elastically deflectable toward and away from the rod, and biased elastically toward the rod, and a crosspiece connecting the legs and fittable with one of the catch formations. An actuator shiftable in the slide relative to the spring has respective actuating formations engageable with the spring legs. The actuator is movable between a latching position in which the actuating formations are generally disengaged from the respective legs and the crosspiece engages the rod and an unlatching position in which the actuating formations engage the respective legs and press them into the released position.
US08814270B2
Folding assemblies for vehicles are described. In one aspect, a folding headrest assembly for a vehicle seat comprises a headrest having a frame. A pivot joint is coupled to the frame for rotatably supporting the headrest with respect to the vehicle seat between an upright position and a folded position. A support rod extends from the pivot joint and is configured for coupling to the vehicle seat. The headrest receives the pivot joint and a portion of the support rod, and the headrest defines an opening configured to provide clearance for the support rod as the headrest is rotated about the pivot joint relative to the support rod. A closeout member coupled to the support rod circumscribes at least an exposed portion of the pivot joint that is aligned with the opening of the headrest.
US08814264B2
A saddle support includes a pipe and a fixing clamp with a tightening lower plate and a tightening upper plate mounted at one upper end of the pipe and able to solidly tighten one or more support elements for supporting the saddle.
US08814262B2
A vehicle seat heater, which is to be fitted to a vehicle seat, includes a base sheet and a heater wire laid in the base sheet. The heater wire is laid in the base sheet so as not to orthogonally intersect its predicted wrinkle lines R. As a result, disconnections of the heater wire caused by repeated deformations of the vehicle seat heater can be suppressed.
US08814256B2
Provided is a mounting structure for mounting a film-shaped electric device to a glass panel, comprising: a resin panel attached to a surface of the film-shaped electric device to form a panel-shaped electric device having first and second edges; and first and second retaining members attached to one surface of the glass panel in correspondence with the first and second edges of the panel-shaped electric device, respectively, each first and second retaining member defining a groove such that the groove opens toward a region of the glass panel to be covered by the panel-shaped electric device, wherein the panel-shaped electric device is retained by the first and second retaining members with the first and second edges of the panel-shaped electric device being received in the corresponding grooves such that the surface of the film-shaped electric device having the resin panel attached thereto faces away from the glass panel.
US08814255B2
A vehicle floor structure, in which a main structure of the vehicle floor structure is a double deck structure including two sheets of panels formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material; in a region including the double deck structure, each of the panels includes at least two continuous reinforcing structures having a convex open cross-sectional shape; recesses are provided in at least two places of the reinforcing structures; and the panels are joined in such a manner that the reinforcing structures of the respective panels intersect with each other, and that the recesses provided in the reinforcing structures of the respective panels are fitted to each other.
US08814252B2
A side skirt mounting apparatus may include a side skirt that may be installed to be supported by a one-touch locker in an upper portion thereof and a hinge in a lower portion thereof, wherein the locker includes an upper bracket, a lower bracket, a skirt frame to which the upper bracket and the lower bracket may be engaged, a shaft installed to slidably penetrate the upper and lower brackets and to be selectively inserted into a hole formed to a side skirt bracket, and an elastic member mounted on an outer circumference of the shaft between the upper and lower brackets to elastically support the shaft.
US08814249B2
A tri folding tonneau cover having multiplicity of cross beams, a soft cover extending over the frame, a set of adjustable front locking system attached onto the two ends of a cross-beam located close to the front side of the frame, and a set of rear latching mechanism. The rear latching mechanism comprising of a set of latches, cables, guiding spools and a cable handle. Each cable can release one latch and all cables are connected to the cable handle through the guiding spools. Therefore, all latched can be released at the same time with pulling onto the cable handle.
US08814237B2
A utensil for manipulating a container that includes an open end that is substantially in the shape of a cylinder or conical frustrum. In some examples, the utensil includes a substantially flat body further including a curved end complimenting the shape of the container and defining an aperture, an elongated support member affixed to the body opposite the curved end, and a retaining member that is affixed to the curved end the body, is configured to selectively retain the container in cooperation with the body in a position where the open end of the container overlies the aperture defined in the body when the container is selectively retained by the retaining member, and compliments the shape of the container. In further examples, the utensil's retaining member includes a plurality of de tents configured to selectively restrict the container in a position retained by the retaining member.
US08814236B2
An example gusset for attaching a rear bumper assembly to a vehicle has a first attachment portion configured to attach to the bumper reinforcement bracket and the lower back panel of the vehicle, a second attachment portion configured to attach to the rear side member of the vehicle, and an angled portion presenting an oblique surface to a rear impactor to the vehicle. A pair of side portions are interconnected and spaced apart by the second attachment portion, and each side portion has an angled edge adjacent the angled portion.
US08814235B2
A shock absorber includes a cylindrical small diameter portion, a cylindrical large diameter portion, and an annular step portion that connects the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion to each other. The shock absorber absorbs load applied thereto through plastic deformation that starts at the annular step portion thereby absorbing impact energy. In the deformation, the small diameter portion is folded back into the large diameter portion. The large diameter portion has protrusions, which extend in the axial direction and protrude radially outward. Therefore, the shock absorber stabilizes turning deformation and is capable of efficiently absorbing impact energy. A bumper device for a vehicle is also provided.
US08814228B2
A locking part structure for a vehicle, which includes a door, locking means for locking the door to a vehicle body when the door is closed, and an auxiliary plate that connects the door to the locking means. The locking means comprises a door side locking part that is set in a lock opening formed in the door, and a vehicle body side locking part that is disposed on a vehicle body side and engages with the door side locking part when the door is closed. The auxiliary plate comprises a door fixing part to be fixed to the door, a lock fixing part to be fixed to the door side locking part, and a bending part that is disposed between the door fixing part and the lock fixing part, and formed in a bending form so as to be stretchable.
US08814226B2
A door lock device for a vehicle, provided with an opening lever driven as a door handle is operated, an opening link interposed between the opening lever and a lift lever of a latch mechanism, a lock operation unit for switching the opening link to an unlock position or a lock position, and a locking lever for driving the lock operation unit. A retaining portion is provided to the opening lever. The retaining portion holds the opening link at a retaining position between the lock position and the unlock position when the opening link becomes switched by the locking lever through the lock operation unit from the lock position to the unlock position with the opening link driven by the opening lever.
US08814225B2
A locking structure includes a hook disposed on a first object and engagable with a locking member disposed on a second object. The locking member includes a main body rotatable about an axis thereof and a number of locking portions radially protruding from the main body. When the main body rotates about the axis, the locking portions rotate together with the main body to engage with and disengage from the hook to lock the first object to and unlock the first object from the second object.
US08814221B2
Apparatus for use in a pivoting pole assembly including a first component comprising an outside face adapted for connection with a support element, and a first inside face, and defining a first central wiring passage; and a second component defining a second central wiring passage, and comprising an outside face adapted for connection with the base end of the elongate object and an inside face rotationally coupled to the first inside face. The first central passage and the second central passage are fluidly connected and share a common axis of rotation, and the first component rotates with respect to the second component about a common axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes an annular locking mechanism including arcuate channels a radial distance from the axis; and protrusions extending into the channels such that upon respective rotation of components the protrusions travel along the channels.
US08814214B2
A book protection apparatus and method are provided, that include a pair of substantially right angled sheets configured in a parallel fashion, the sheets being joined by a joining mechanism having a tension setting mechanism configured between the pair of sheets, to enable forcibly coupling the binding device to a coupled corner of a book.
US08814204B2
In an automobile seat, a portion of a side airbag is disposed further toward a vehicle front side than an inflator. Therefore, the side airbag can be expanded toward a vehicle front side of an outer-side side support portion, i.e., toward a side of a waist portion of a passenger. Moreover, because the inflator is disposed at a vehicle front side of an outer-side side frame, the inflator can be set close to a center of a waist of a passenger for which restraining by the side airbag is desired. Further, because the side airbag and the inflator are not structures that are disposed so as to interpose the outer-side side frame 20B therebetween, ease of assembly into a seatback is good.
US08814199B2
Described is a collapsible cart that provides substantial stability when operated. A pair of enlarged wheels allow an operator to lift one end of the cart to traverse rough surfaces as needed. Enlarged wheels are mounted outside an overhead profile of the collapsible cart thereby providing lateral and other stability not previously possible. A first shelf, tray, bucket or working surface may be collapsed to contact or mate with a second such shelf to create an easily transportable or storable collapsed structure. A telescoping handle allows a collapsed cart to serve as a hand dolly.
US08814171B2
A system for an engine is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a cylinder head, an engine block, and a gasket assembly sealing the cylinder head to the engine block. Further, the gasket assembly may include a plurality of apertures positioned between an inner beading region and an outer beading region to concentrate a clamping load.
US08814162B2
A sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided.An upper guide opposed to a lower guide is structured as another member, and a positional relation is set such that a nip line of a pair of obliquely feeding is offset toward the lower guide with respect to a center line of a gap portion between the upper and lower guides. Accordingly, a sheet being conveyed is once guided by an inclined face of the lower guide to the upper guide, and is then caused to abut the abutting reference surface while being in sliding contact with the upper guide member. Therefore, a disadvantage that a side edge of the sheet is caught in a joint can be prevented.
US08814160B2
A de-skewing mechanism for de-skewing a printing medium is disclosed. The printing medium is conveyed by a conveying mechanism in a first linear velocity. The de-skewing mechanism includes a first calibrating roller, a second calibrating roller and a first torque limiting member. The first calibration roller is utilized for conveying a first side of the printing medium in a second linear velocity greater than the first linear velocity, and the second calibrating roller is utilized for conveying a second side of the printing medium in the second linear velocity. The first torque limiting member is coupled to the first calibrating roller and is utilized for stopping driving the first calibrating roller when the first side of the printing medium reaches a predetermined tension, such that the second side of the printing medium is capable of proceeding relative to the first side, so as to be aligned with the first side.
US08814158B2
An image recording apparatus, includes: an accommodation portion configured to accommodate a sheet; a supply mechanism configured to supply the sheet from the accommodation portion; a recording portion configured to record an image on the sheet supplied by the supply mechanism; and a first discharged tray arranged above the accommodation portion, and configured to support the sheet on which the image had been recorded by the recording portion. The accommodation portion includes: a body portion configured to accommodate the sheet; and a second discharged tray provided for the body portion and configured to move to a first position and to a second position in which the second discharged tray is positioned higher than the second discharged tray in the first position. The second discharged tray supports the sheet on which the image had been recorded, together with the first discharged tray in the second position.
US08814141B2
An apparatus with a wheel engagement mechanism for operation with a jack assembly for engaging and elevating two wheels of a multi-wheeled vehicle relative to the ground is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a support member connected to the base, and a wheel support assembly. The wheel support assembly includes wheel supports connected at the ends of the wheel support assembly that extend outward from the wheel support assembly for supporting two wheels of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes an actuation mechanism for selectively raising and selectively lowering the wheel support assembly to raise and lower the vehicle.
US08814139B2
A seal arrangement for providing a fluid seal of an annulus between two conforming surfaces such as a stem and a bore. The seal arrangement may include a pair of packing support rings. Preferably, two pairs of the packing support rings are used in order to provide double ended or two sided axial support for the packing. The first and second support rings support a load on the packing during normal or rated temperature use, with preferably an interference fit with the stem to resist extrusion of the packing along the stem. The support rings may be nested together and comprises different materials. For example, one support ring may comprise metal and the other support ring comprise a softer material such as a polymer or elastomer. An example of a packing material is a fire resistant material. The metal support ring may be used to maintain load on the fire resistant packing in the event that the other support ring has been destroyed by fire or other cataclysmic event.
US08814132B2
A method for regulating an actual variable (X) to a setpoint variable (W), a manipulated variable (Y) being ascertained from the setpoint variable (W) and the actual variable (X), and the manipulated variable being supplied to an input of a controlled system, and a change in the actual variable (X) occurring only upon the manipulated variable being changed by a minimum amount, an intermediary manipulated variable (Y′), to which a correcting quantity (K) is applied in the steady-state condition of the regulation for forming the manipulated variable (Y), being first ascertained from the setpoint variable (W) and the actual variable (X), only values which change the manipulated variable (Y) by less than a minimum amount being allowed for the correcting quantity (K).
US08814130B2
A self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.
US08814129B2
A trolling motor mount comprising a base for attaching the mount to a watercraft, an arm assembly pivotally attached to the base, a motor mount assembly pivotally attached to the arm assembly for rotatably securing the trolling motor, and an actuator adapted to move the arm assembly between a fully deployed position and a fully stowed position. The actuator may comprise a linear actuator. The arm assembly may comprise a single elongated arm or a four bar linkage system. The mount may further comprise a user control such a switch, a wireless remote control, or wired remote control.
US08814124B1
A system for securing a maintaining an article, such as a picture frame, in a desired position on a vertical surface, such as a wall, is disclosed. The system comprises a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket has a first part of a pivot and includes at least one projecting nub. The second bracket has a second part of the pivot and at least one divot that are each cooperative with one of the at least one projecting nubs. In use, the first and second brackets are each fixed to either a rear surface of the article proximate a top edge thereof, or to the vertical surface. Each nub of the first bracket engages the cooperative divot of the second bracket when the article is in the desired position on the vertical surface. When jarred, the article pivots back and forth about the pivot until each nub becomes re-engaged with its cooperative divot, by gravity, to bring the article back into the desired position.
US08814121B2
A stabilizer pad and handle apparatus is provided having a substantially C-shaped handle, or U-shaped handle with ends of the handle inserted into seating holes extending inwardly from the side walls of the pad. An anchor hole and anchor means may be provided extending downward through and perpendicular to the seating holes and through the handle. The pad may be rectangular or square shape or substantially circular in shape. A substantially trapezoidal recess is provided in the circular pad into which the seating holes are provided, and may be angled inwardly away from the side walls, with the handle provided in the recess. At least a portion of the top surface of the handle may be aligned with the outer circumference formed by the circular shape of the pad. The circular pad may be rolled on its side wall edge. Multiple handle means may be provided.
US08814119B2
An arbor apparatus for use in a counterweight rigging system includes a support structure for supporting counterweight bricks in stacked arrangement. The arbor apparatus can be front-loading with left side, back and right side supports. The arbor apparatus can include a plurality of shelf members spaced apart in a longitudinal direction between the top and bottom ends. The arbor apparatus can also include a gate mechanism. The arbor apparatus can be implemented as a retrofit to existing manual counterweight rigging systems.
US08814118B2
A microphone holder is provided that allows a microphone to be attached and detached by a one-touch operation and to be securely held. A first and a second magnet 77a and 72b are provided at positions where a holding frame 5 and a clamp arm 6 overlap with each other such that different poles are opposed to each other. The magnets are magnetically attached to each other to lock the movement.
US08814117B2
A storage device including a body defining at least one receiver and at least one clamping member. The clamping member includes a first position for receiving an accessory for storage and a second position to apply force to secure an accessory to the receiver for storage. A handle actuator may actuate movement of the clamping member. The clamping member may translate from the first position to the second position to apply force to secure an accessory for storage. The clamping member may be held in the secure position by a releasable braking lever.
US08814116B2
A portable navigation assembly is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the portable navigation assembly includes a portable navigation device including a housing, the housing including a speaker port defined by a speaker port periphery; and a mount including a connector arm. In at least one embodiment, the connector arm is adapted to be connected to the portable navigation device around at least a portion of the speaker port periphery without covering at least a portion of the speaker port.
US08814112B2
Herein is disclosed an article support device capable of being attached to a mounting surface using a stretch-releasable adhesive tape, the device comprising a base and a support body that is rotatably and non-detachably connected to the base, wherein the support body is rotatable relative to the base, between a first position in which the base and the stretch-releasable adhesive tape are hidden, and at least one second position in which at least a portion of a pull tab of the stretch-releasable adhesive tape is visible.
US08814110B2
A modular tank stand is lightweight and easily transportable, but also capable of supporting the weight of a large bulk storage container filled with flowable material. The modular tank stand includes a plurality of individual tank stand sections which are interconnectable with one another to form a larger support surface sized to receive the bulk storage container. The individual sections include integral, vertically disposed support walls that provide both vertical support for the weight of the bulk storage container and resistance to collapse under shear forces arising from movement of the container. The interconnecting individual sections may be disconnected from one another and reconfigured to fit in a smaller space, such as onto a pallet or within a shipping container, thereby facilitating storage of the disassembled modular tank stand.
US08814107B2
A fastening device (3) for detachably fastening a medical instrument (2A-2E) to a holding structure (1) includes two crossbeams (4A, 4B), two longitudinal beams (5A, 5B) with a claw (6) for extending behind a holding surface (1A) of the holding structure. A guide (7-9) is provided, by which the crossbeams (4A, 4B) are moved in the direction of the claws (6) of the longitudinal beams during a motion of the longitudinal beams (5A, 5B) in relation to one another. A clamping structure (12) is provided for moving the longitudinal beams (5A, 5B) in relation to one another.
US08814096B2
A method of controlling the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of fuel tanks, the method comprising transferring fuel from one or more of the fuel tanks according to a predetermined sequence, the timing of the sequence being dependent on the decrease in gross weight of the aircraft.
US08814082B2
The present disclosure relates to an aircraft high lift system with at least one load station for actuating a flap of a wing, preferably a landing flap and/or a leading-edge flap, at least one transmission with transmission portions located between branch transmissions, wherein by means of the branch transmissions actuating energy can be branched off from the transmission to the load station, and to a method for determining an operating condition of an aircraft high lift system.
US08814081B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique external pod for an aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and external pods for aircraft. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US08814078B2
A tail boom adapted for counteracting a fuselage torque created by an engine carried by a fuselage of a rotary aircraft. The tail boom is positioned within the rotorwash from the rotary and includes a first side surface contoured to create a low-pressure region of an airfoil and a second opposing side surface contoured to create a high-pressure region of an airfoil. The pressure difference between the high-pressure region and the low-pressure region causes the tail boom to move towards the low-pressure region, resulting in a lateral force opposing the torque on the fuselage.
US08814062B2
A fluid spraying device comprises a fluid tube rotatably disposed therein and a conveying tube disposed in the fluid tube. The fluid tube has a conveying section, a bent section, and a decreasing section connected therebetween. The decreasing section has a cross section area smaller than that of the bent section. One end of the conveying tube extends through the fluid tube to the decreasing section, so as to cause Venturi effect to cause a contained fluid being sprayed out from the conveying tube when a fluid flows through the fluid tube.
US08814054B2
A method for forming a sheathed wire includes the steps of: axially advancing a core through a sheathing zone; wrapping a sheathing fiber around the core in the sheathing zone; and providing, in the sheathing zone, a series of microelectronic chip elements each provided with a wire section, in such a way that the sheathing fiber that wraps around the core also wraps around a chip element and the wire section thereof to form a sheathed wire incorporating spaced-apart chip elements.
US08814053B2
A memory card compatible RFID card includes a smartcard controller that receives power from a host device. The RFID card also includes a small inductive device capable of inductive coupling with an RFID reader. The small inductive device is small enough to fit in the form factor of a memory card. Commands may be sent to the RFID card to keep the RFID card powered.
US08814051B2
The invention relates to a personal token for a mobile telecommunication network, hosting application software. The personal token is operable to receive an over-the-air SMS message encapsulating commands directed to the application, open the SMS and extract the commands from the SMS. The steps of opening the SMS and extracting the commands from the SMS are performed by a software entity in the personal token which is distinct from the application, so that the software entity initiates transmission of the extracted commands to the application.
US08814045B1
A voting system including a universal voting station and a tabulation device. The voting station is operable to receive an activation card on which it prints a voter's voting selection. The voter may choose to have the voting station transmit the voting selection to the tabulation device and deposit the activation card into a ballot box, or return the activation card to the voter. The tabulation device is operable to scan and tabulate the voting selections on both marked paper ballots and printed activation cards. The ballot box is preferably a common ballot box that is positioned to receive activation cards from the voting station and paper ballots and activation cards from the tabulation device.
US08814033B2
A package for holding a food product. The package comprises a tray comprising a plurality of tray panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the tray. The plurality of tray panels comprise a tray central panel and at least one tray side panel foldably connected to the tray central panel. The package also comprises a lid comprising a plurality of lid panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the lid. The plurality of lid panels comprise a lid central panel and at least one lid side panel foldably connected to the lid central panel. The lid cooperates with the tray to at least partially close the package when the package is configured in a closed position and a venting position. Venting features are operable to vent the package when the package is configured in the venting position.
US08814031B2
A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The container includes a plurality of side walls formed from a first blank. The first blank includes a plurality of side panels extending in series along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines and at least one slot defined within at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels. The container further includes a bottom wall coupled to the plurality of side walls, wherein the bottom wall is formed from a second blank. The second blank includes a plurality of side edges and at least one tab extending form at least one side edge. The at least one tab is configured to be inserted into the at least one slot to construct the container. The second blank is coupled to the first blank at at least the at least one slot and the at least one tab for forming the bottom wall of the container.
US08814021B2
An apparatus for removing a portion of a protective covering from a drinking straw, including a support mounted on a container for receiving the portion of the protective covering removed from the drinking straw, and an orifice in the support having a shape and size adapted for receiving a drinking straw packaged in a protective covering through the orifice to the extent corresponding to the length of the portion of the covering to be removed from the drinking straw, the orifice positioned in the support to allow the protective covering to be received through the orifice but not withdrawn from the orifice. A related method is also disclosed.
US08814016B2
The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning system when the free end of the door is released. The receiver is tapered to easily fit into the lower compartment and remain in that compartment due to friction with the walls defining the compartment.
US08814007B2
A dispenser (300) includes an arched flange (303) that works as a baffle to prevent dispensed media from exiting a nozzle erratically. The dispenser (300) can be configured with a connector (402), connector extension (403), and nozzle (401) for use with vessels (802). Alternatively, a dispenser cap (1100) can include a coupling mechanism (1200) configured to attach to prior art dispensers. Dispensed media is directed along the dispensing surface (301) in a ventral direction (302) relative to the dispenser (300), thereby eliminating the possibility of the media being dispensed into the user's face or eyes, regardless of clogs present or user hand position.
US08813997B2
An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles includes a housing, a drive mechanism and a sensor system. The housing defines a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet. The drive mechanism serves to force the articles along a path through the dispensing passage between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet. The sensor system includes first and second sensors operative to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage and a controller to receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus. The first and second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor.
US08813996B2
A heat set container having a shoulder portion and a sidewall portion extending from the shoulder portion to a base. The base closes off an end of the container. The shoulder portion, the sidewall portion, and the base cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled. The sidewall portion defines a major container diameter of the container. The sidewall portion includes an upper vacuum absorbing region joined to a lower vacuum absorbing region at a reduced waist section. The reduced waist section forms a minor container diameter which is less than the major container diameter. In some embodiments, such configuration forms an hourglass, heat-set container, wherein the upper vacuum absorbing region and the lower vacuum absorbing region are collectively shaped to provide flexible absorption of an internal vacuum within the receptacle chamber.
US08813994B2
A kit containing portion control tableware, the kit containing a portion control plate and a portion control drinking cup, whereby when used, the portion control cup limits the amount of beverage consumed to a healthy portion size, and the portion control plate provides a visual indication of the size of a healthy portion.
US08813993B1
A hot/cold container and lid is described. The container comprising: a bottom plate; a plurality of inner walls extending substantially perpendicular to said bottom plate, forming a hollow, therebetween; a plurality of outer walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and substantially parallel to, and spaced from, a corresponding one of the inner walls, the spacing forming a compartment between the inner and outer walls, wherein corresponding ones of the inner and outer walls are attached at selected points between the inner and outer walls to provide at least one substantially uninterrupted compartment, therebetween. The Lid may be of a transparent, semi-transparent or opaque material and may be of a material that operates as a cutting board.
US08813988B2
A cap (23) for a container closure or closure plug comprises a cap top (24), attachment means (24) under the cap top and securingly engageable with a given container closure or closure plug; a frangible connection (30) between the cap top and the attachment means designed, in use, to be broken upon removal or attempted removal of the cap from said container closure or closure plug and a permanent connection (31) between the cap top and the attachment means which, upon breaking of the frangible connection, retains the cap top and the attachment means connected together.
US08813986B2
A closure for a waste receptacle is provided. The closure comprises a moveable component mounted to the closure for movement between a closed position, wherein the moveable component prohibits waste from entering the waste receptacle and an open position wherein the moveable component facilitates the entry of waste into the waste receptacle. A motor is coupled to the moveable component and configured to move the moveable component between the open position and the closed position. A sensor is adapted to transmit a signal when waste is proximal or contacting the closure, wherein the sensor communicates with the motor to move the moveable component between the open position and the closed position to deposit the waste into the waste receptacle.
US08813959B2
A reclosable composite package for packaging an article is provided with a tray, a panel and a sliding cover. The tray and cover define a cavity for displaying or packing an article for sale. The tray and panel are configured to define a channel to slidably receive the cover. The tray may have a peripheral flange that includes a raised rail. The panel may be secured with respect to the tray flange and may engage at least a portion of the rail. Interaction between the rail and the panel during manufacture or assembly of the package may create a space between the tray and the panel to form the channel. The cover may be inserted within the channel formed by the tray flange, rail and panel. In use, the cover may slide within the channel to selectively open and close the package. The package may include one or more catches, stops or snap lock features to further secure and stabilize the package.
US08813958B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal glass package box, which includes a box body, a plurality of mounting sections mounted inside the box body, and cushioning devices respectively mounted to the mounting sections. The cushioning devices each include a cushioning section and a receiving section connected to the cushioning section. The cushioning section includes an air pocket. The receiving section forms a receiving channel corresponding to the respective mounting section in order to mount the cushioning device in the box body. The liquid crystal glass package box provided by the present invention uses an air pocket to serve as a cushioning section mounted inside the box body to provide effective cushioning to liquid crystal glass for protecting the liquid crystal glass from damage during shipping. The raw material used is economic so as to effectively lower down the material cost. The structure is simple and is easy to manufacture.
US08813957B1
A positioning frame for socket bits has a track frame and a supporting device. The track frame has at least one baseboard, at least two positioning racks and at least two holding racks. The racks are formed on the at least one baseboard. Each one of the at least two holding racks has a holding recess and an opening. The supporting device is detachably connected to the track frame and has multiple fixing boards and at least two supporting mounts. The fixing boards are movably mounted in the holding recesses of the at least two holding racks. The at least two supporting mount are securely connected to the fixing boards to abut against the at least one baseboard, and each one of the at least two supporting mounts has at least two through holes and at least two screw bolts.
US08813944B2
A separating and conveying unit in which a device for sorting out incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies, such as for hollow bodies, is arranged. The device has a roller sorter with rollers and air nozzles arranged laterally adjacent the rollers. Incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies are blown out of the roller sorter by the air nozzles. The air nozzles can be pivoted and at least one of the air flows escaping from the air nozzles is directed at the cylindrical body at an angle of attack.
US08813942B2
A slide glass storage device including: a supply tray which has a supply holding space determined by a longer edge upper limit allowed for a longer edge of a slide glass and a shorter edge upper limit allowed for a shorter edge of the slide glass and on which a slide glass to be supplied to a treatment unit operable to perform a predetermined treatment is mounted; a discharge tray which has a discharge holding space determined by a longer edge longer than the longer edge upper limit and a shorter edge longer than the shorter edge upper limit and on which a slide glass having been subjected to the treatment in the treatment unit and being to be discharged is mounted; and a support unit supporting the supply tray and the discharge tray.
US08813933B2
A composite, i.e., two element, two material clutch hub includes an inner sleeve of a heavy, high strength material to and about which is cast an outer element of a lighter, lower strength material. The sleeve typically includes a splined opening that is received on one or two complementarily splined shafts and a plurality of radially oriented pins or lugs or a discontinuous flange about which the outer element is cast. The outer element is splined to the friction plate of a clutch or other component. The high strength material is preferably, though not necessarily, steel and the lighter material is preferably, though not necessarily, an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the sleeve may be a high strength aluminum alloy such as a metal matrix composite (MMC) and the outer element may be a lower strength, different aluminum alloy.
US08813923B2
Disclosed is a hydraulic damper including a valve housing (78) having a valve housing bore (88) disposed in abutting relationship with a bypass insert (68) of a base valve assembly (56) for isolating a bypass passage (70) from a reservoir (36). The valve housing (78) defines a valve housing orifice (128) extending therethrough to define an orifice plane (P). A valve (106) is rotatably disposed within the valve housing bore (88) and defines at least one valve orifice (130) extending therethrough along the plane (P). The valve (106) is rotatable between a closed position and an open position to align the valve orifice (130) and the valve housing orifice (128). A working fluid flows serially through the bypass passage (70), the valve orifice (130), and the open valve housing orifice (128). A modulating valve (134) overlays the valve housing orifice (128) for variably and incrementally increasing the fluid flow through the aligned orifices (128, 130) in response to an increase in pressure in the valve housing orifice (128) above a predetermined pressure.
US08813922B2
A front fork includes a body side tube, an axle side tube, a damper, a reservoir, a damping force adjusting flow passage, and a solenoid valve including a spool housing portion provided at an intermediate position of the damping force adjusting flow passage, a spool valve inserted into the spool housing portion movably in an axial direction, and a solenoid that drives the spool valve in an axial direction, and configured to adjust a flow passage area of the damping force adjusting flow passage. Pressure receiving areas on opposite axial sides of the spool valve on which a pressure in an upstream side of the damping force adjusting flow passage acts are made equal. An upper arrangement passage which is arranged at least higher than the upper end of the spool housing portion is provided in a downstream side of the damping force adjusting flow passage.
US08813921B2
A bicycle disc brake rotor basically has an outer portion, an inner portion and an intermediate portion. The outer portion is made of a first material. The inner portion is made of the first material. The intermediate portion is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion. The intermediate portion is made of the first material. The intermediate portion is partially laminated by a layer made of a second material. The second material is different from the first material. The layer has a contour tracing a contour of the intermediate portion.
US08813920B2
A bicycle brake arm basically has a first branch and a second branch. The first branch includes a cable attachment structure. The second branch extends from the first branch. The second branch includes a brake shoe attachment structure. At least one of the first and second branches includes an interior cavity. The at least one of the first and second branches has a transverse cross-section in which the interior cavity is completely and continuously surrounded by an exterior surface of the bicycle brake arm.
US08813915B2
An energy storing device is disclosed. In the energy storing device of the present invention, energy from an energy generating unit is stored in the form of spring torsion and then is output steadily. The energy storing device of the present invention includes a plurality of cog-wheels, a plurality of torsion magnitude limiting units, a plurality of single-directional input bearings, a plurality of energy storing units and a plurality of speed enhancing cog-wheels. Each of the energy storing units includes at least two end rotational disc portions, which are connected with each other co-axially. A leaf spring unit is provided between each pair of rotational disc portions and one end of the leaf spring unit is bent in an opposite direction. In addition, the energy storing units may be connected in series or in parallel to increase the efficiencies in energy storage and energy output.
US08813912B2
A pivot block connection and assembly is disclosed. The pivot block assembly may include a pivot block connection and a gangway device having a stationary base and a pivotable access that is capable of being raised and lowered. The pivot block connection may include a first support body attached to a first side of the pivotable access, a first pivot bracket attached to the stationary base, and a first pivot rod spacer positioned between the first support body and the first pivot bracket. The pivot block connection may also include a second support body attached to a second side of the pivotable access, a second pivot bracket also attached to the stationary base, and a second pivot rod spacer positioned between the second support body and the second pivot bracket. A pivot rod may extend through the first pivot bracket, the first pivot rod spacer, the first support body.
US08813909B2
A control system for a machine having an elevating operator cage, includes a control device (102), an input for activation signals (106), an input for control signals (108), an input for load signals (112) and an output for drive control signals (114), wherein the control device (102) is constructed and arranged to issue a stop drive control signal upon receiving a load signal, and to issue an override signal that overrides the stop drive control signal upon receiving an override input signal.
US08813904B2
There is provided an urging mechanism that elastically urges a second end portion of a worm shaft that is supported so as to be pivotable about a first end portion. The urging mechanism is configured to adjust a backlash between the worm shaft and a worm wheel by elastically urging the second end portion in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which an inter-axis distance between the worm shaft and the worm wheel increases and decreases, in a state where increases and decreases in the inter-axis distance is prevented.
US08813901B2
A vehicle steering system in which a steering member and a steered wheel are not mechanical coupled to each other includes a rotation angle restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation angle of the steering member within a restricted angular range. In a normal mode, drive control on a steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor. In a failure mode for a situation in which there is a malfunction in the steering angle sensor, drive control on the steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering direction detected by a steering direction detection sensor. The steering direction detection sensors detect the steering direction on the basis of at which one of a pair of terminal ends of the restricted angular range, the rotation angle restriction mechanism is restricting the rotation angle of the steering member.
US08813895B2
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor.
US08813892B2
A personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter, includes at least one battery and motor for powering at least one driven wheel. The vehicle also includes a braking assembly configured to isolate the motor from the at least one driven wheel such that power is terminated from the motor to the at least one wheel in response to a user engaging a braking assembly of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a switch or position sensor that interacts with the braking assembly to initiate the isolation of the motor from the at least one driven wheel and the switch or position sensor preferably is inaccessible to the foot of the user.
US08813889B1
An all terrain endless track vehicle of the present invention comprises a front suspension assembly and a rear endless track assembly supported by a chassis. The front suspension assembly is engageable with the ground by a steerable set of skis or wheels. The endless track assembly supports an engine, transmission and first and second shock absorbers. The first shock absorber connects to the endless track assembly forward of the engine, while the second shock absorber connects to the endless track assembly rearward of the engine. A rear swing arm supports a rearwardly positioned main driver mechanically linked to the transmission by way of a chain or belt. A plurality of idler wheels disposed on the endless track assembly, along with the main driver, define an endless track contour. An endless track or belt disposes on the plurality of idler wheels and the main driver. The engine, transmission, and shock absorbers are each contained within the contour of the endless track.
US08813885B2
A method for operating a powertrain system to transfer torque among an engine, torque machines, and a driveline includes identifying a speed/torque search window responsive to a parameter affecting engine power output and the output torque request. A search is executed to determine a preferred engine operating point for operating the powertrain system in response to an output torque request. The search includes determining a candidate power cost associated with operating the powertrain system at the candidate engine torque and candidate engine speed for each of a plurality of candidate engine speeds and candidate engine torques within the speed/torque search window. A preferred engine operating point is determined as the candidate engine speed and the candidate engine torque associated with a minimum of the candidate power costs. Engine operation is controlled responsive to the preferred engine speed.
US08813879B2
The invention relates to an electric steering and drive system for a vehicle having a wheel-based steering system, having drive elements for traction tracks or for wheels and having two drive shafts, the first end of which is connected to the drive element of the respective one vehicle side and the second end of which is connected to a differential gear mechanism arrangement, and at least one traction motor is connected to at least one of the two drive shafts, and having an electric steering drive which is drive-connected to the differential gear mechanism arrangement, it being possible for the traction motors and steering drives to be supplied with electric current from at least two energy sources which are independent of one another.
US08813875B1
A drilling rig with continuous microwavable particulate treatment system for treating fluid from a wellbore on an offshore platform. The system uses a materials handling controller, a vibrating sieve device or filtering device to separate particulate from drilling fluid, a cuttings discharge collection device for continuously moving the slurry to a cuttings processing station, a treatment system controller controlling the continuous cuttings processing station that uses a microwave generator creating microwaves that heat the slurry and a plurality of non-deforming microwave heatable polishing and grinding media in a vibrating trough. The system continuously creates water vapor with oil droplets and cleaned cuttings, and a vapor recovery system is used for removing the oil droplets from the water vapor having a vapor recovery system controller in communication with the material handling controller and treatment system controller.
US08813872B2
A drilling fluid delivery system for drilling boreholes with a drill bit, includes a primary flow circuit having a relatively high flow rate for transferring drilling fluid to and from the drill bit. The system also includes a secondary flow circuit having a relatively low flow rate for transferring drilling fluid to and from the primary flow circuit. Furthermore, the system includes a cuttings transfer system, such as a hydrocyclone or a rotating filter, between the primary and secondary flow circuits. When the cutting transfer system is in use, it receives fluid containing cuttings from the primary circuit and separates the fluid into a first stream that contains substantially no cuttings and a second stream containing cuttings. The first stream is returned to the primary flow circuit and the second stream is directed to the secondary flow circuit.
US08813871B2
An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.
US08813869B2
Methods and related systems are described for measuring and analyzing refracted acoustic energy. A plurality of receivers mounted are on a downhole tool, and are arranged and adapted to receive refracted acoustic energy from a downhole formation. Measurements of refracted acoustic energy is analyzed such that information relating to an azimuthal direction relative to the downhole tool of an interface within the downhole formation can be estimated. The receivers can be mounted on a drill collar as part of a LWD tool and steering of the drilling trajectory can be based in part on the estimated formation information.
US08813868B2
An auxiliary handle for use with a power tool includes a first clamp for engaging a housing of the power tool at a first location, and a second clamp for engaging the housing at a second location. The second clamp is movable independent from the first clamp in a first direction toward the first clamp to couple the auxiliary handle to the housing and the second clamp movable independent from the first clamp in a second direction away from the first clamp to uncouple the auxiliary handle from the housing. The auxiliary handle further includes a grip operable to move the second clamp in at least one of the first and the second directions, and together the first clamp and the second clamp surround only a portion of a chuck of the power tool.
US08813864B2
A support system for a box blade attached to a tractor. The support system includes a rear mounted frame supporting a box blade assembly and, optionally a scarifier. The box blade assembly may be pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis extending through the center of the tractor. The support system further includes trailing wheels that are pivotally attached to the frame and selectively laterally displaceable with respect to the horizontal axis.
US08813860B2
A fire fighting system for extinguishing a fire, which has a fuel cell for producing a nitrogen-enriched cathode exhaust air. The fuel cell is supplied with air and a fuel. Within the fuel cell, the air is then reduced to a determined oxygen content. The exhaust air is supplied to the fire source.
US08813855B2
A multi-barrier system includes a first valve in fluid communication with a lower completion, and a second valve in fluid communication with the lower completion. The first valve and the second valve are positioned proximate an uphole extent of the lower completion, and a packer located proximate the first valve and the second valve is closable in response to retrieving an upper completion.
US08813850B2
A method can include closing a valve interconnected between sections of a washpipe of a service tool string by displacing the service tool string relative to a completion string, thereby preventing flow through the washpipe. A well system can include a service tool string reciprocably received in a completion string, the service tool string including a washpipe received in a well screen, and a valve which selectively permits and prevents flow through the washpipe. The completion string can include a structure which operates the valve in response to displacement of the service tool string relative to the completion string. Another method can include closing a valve by partially withdrawing a service tool string from a completion string, thereby preventing flow through a washpipe of the service tool string.
US08813849B1
An oil well control device automatically shuts in a well responsive to the removal of a work string (or other removable structure—ball retarding structure) from the device. The device is placed in the well as a section of the well casing. The device provides a pair of bores, one that aligns with the well bore or well casing, the other being a branch flow line containing a ball structure that will close the well if the drill pipe or drill string is removed. While conducting normal well activity (e.g. drilling, work over or the like) the ball retarder (e.g. work string) prevents entry of the ball structure into the main flow channel.
US08813844B2
A drilling system for drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole comprises a tubular conduit through which a fluid can be pumped, and a drilling assembly connected to the tubular conduit so as to receive fluid pumped therethrough. The drilling assembly comprises a power conversion unit, through which the fluid flows and which operates to provide a downhole power output; a drilling unit including a drilling apparatus powered by the output of the power conversion unit and operable to drill a lateral borehole into the formation surrounding the main borehole, and a liner unit for storing one or more liners for installation into the lateral borehole; and an anchor unit operable to anchor the drilling assembly in the main borehole when the drilling unit operates to drill the lateral borehole. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole using such a drilling system comprises positioning the drilling assembly in the main borehole at a location of interest using the tubular conveyance; anchoring the drilling assembly in the main borehole using the anchor unit; operating the drilling unit to drill a lateral borehole from the main borehole; retrieving the drilling unit from the lateral borehole; releasing the anchor unit; and moving the drilling assembly to another location.
US08813829B2
In production of a mold with the reclaimed spherical molding sand having a sphericity of 0.95 or more and mainly composed of Al2O3 together with the binder containing the acid-hardening resin and the hardening agent (I), at least one of the hardening agents (I) and (II) that is used in production of a mold from which the reclaimed molding sand is obtained contains the organic sulfonic acid, and in the hardening agent, a content of sulfuric acid is not more than 5% by weight and a content of phosphoric acid is not more than 5% by weight.
US08813819B2
Provided are a die change apparatus for use in a flaskless molding machine capable of mounting dies for producing a casting mold on die bases even when the dies have a great thickness, and a die carrying-in device used therein. The die carrying-in device comprises a first movable plate provided so as to be slidable along a die carrying-in direction toward a first die base, and a second movable plate placed so as to face the first movable plate in a standby position. A die drive source causes dies which have been positioned in a height direction to be detached from the movable plates, move toward the die bases, and be supported by clamping elements. An intersection drive source causes at least one of the first movable plate and the second movable plate to move in a direction to intersect the die carrying-in direction independently of the other.
US08813818B2
Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for injection molding. In one embodiment, a constraining plunger may be configured in-line with an injection plunger to transfer a molten material from a melt zone and into a mold. The constraining and injection plungers are configured to constrain the molten material there-between while moving. The constrained molten material can be controlled to have an optimum surface area to volume ratio to provide minimized heat loss during the injection molding process. The system can be configured in a longitudinal direction (e.g., horizontally) for movement between the melt zone and mold along a longitudinal axis. A molded bulk amorphous object can be ejected from the mold.
US08813813B2
Described herein is a method of melting a bulk metallic glass (BMG) feedstock, comprising: feeding the BMG feedstock into a crucible; melting a first portion of the BMG feedstock to form molten BMG, while maintaining a second portion of the BMG feedstock solid; wherein the second portion and the crucible hold the molten BMG.
US08813810B1
A method of forming a mold for use in the casting of a steel railway freight car truck component is provided. A cope mold is formed by providing a near net shape oversize impression of a cope pattern of a product to be cast in a flask. A cope pattern of the product to be cast is then placed on the flask forming a spacing between the cope pattern and the oversize impression. A resin coated sand is then blown to form a sand layer between the oversized impression in the flask and the cope pattern. The resin sand is set to form a mold of a thickness between the oversized impression in the flask and the cope pattern of the product to be cast. The drag mold is formed in a similar manner.
US08813808B2
A track for an adjustable blind assembly comprises a base and a slot. The base comprises a flange portion and a brace portion, the flange portion extends from the base and is securable to a spaced window pane by a window frame. The slot extends from the base and comprises a channel for a sliding adjuster. The slot comprises a side wall and a back wall extending from the base, a top wall connected to the side wall and the back wall, and a protrusion extending from the top wall, wherein the side wall, the back wall, and at least a portion of the top wall collectively define a hollow tubular cavity. The protrusion, the side wall and a portion of the base define the channel. The channel is open in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08813807B1
A window shade lifting apparatus that includes a tube disposed vertically on the window shade; a lifting cord disposed in the compression tube; a ladder structure including a vertical leg and a plurality of rungs, the ladder structure being connected to the tube; and connection rings, each connection ring connecting the ladder structure to the window shade.
US08813806B2
A tape dispenser adapted to dispense lengths of adhesive tape from a roll of adhesive tape wound upon a cylindrical tape core having a first sidewall, a second sidewall generally parallel to the first sidewall, a hub structure and a tape retaining tab extending inwardly from at least one of the first and second sidewalls. A rearwardly extending tongue is supported between the sidewall front portions, the tongue includes a rear edge approaching the tape retaining tab and defining therewith a gap. An unwound portion of the tape passes through the gap between the retaining tab and the tongue, and the tongue is movable between a first position for holding the unwound portion of the tape against the tape retaining tab and a second position allowing the unwound portion of the tape to separate from the retaining tab.
US08813803B2
To provide a pneumatic tire by which rolling resistance is reduced while cracking resistance in side wall portions is maintained. A foam rubber layer 6 extending in a tire radial direction is disposed in at least a portion of the side wall portion 3. Heat conductivity at 23° C. of the foam rubber layer 6 is from 0.05 to 0.20 W/mK, a tan δ at 60° C. is not more than 0.17, and an expansion ratio Q is from 50 to 160%.
US08813798B2
A rubber composition for a tire, and a pneumatic tire are provided in which the fuel economy, abrasion resistance, and deterioration resistance can be improved in a good balance. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, containing a rubber component that contains: a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of not more than 200 ppm; and butadiene rubber, wherein 60 to 95% by mass of the modified natural rubber and 5 to 40% by mass of the butadiene rubber are contained based on 100% by mass of the rubber component.
US08813797B2
This invention relates generally to shear band of a tire that has means for inducing buckling when the tire is subjected to high deformations, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a shear band with at least one membrane that has a reinforcement having predetermined configurations for controlling the buckling behavior of the reinforcement when the membrane is subjected to compressive stress.
US08813796B2
A reusable gift wrap and a method of wrapping a gift comprising a sheet of material and a fastener. The sheet has a plurality of corners. The fastener comprises a body fabricated from a resilient material and is attached near one of the corners. A plurality of coterminous radially extending slits are formed in a face of the body and define the edges of a plurality of pivotable flaps and an opening for receiving the other corners of the sheet. The flaps comprises a living hinge which permit each of the flaps to pivot. The flaps increase in thickness from the living hinge to the edge of the flap. The three flaps simulate the appearance of a cuboidal gift box.
US08813787B2
A valve rod is accommodated in a valve chest which is in communication with a plurality of ports, the valve rod has a round poppet valve disposed between a supply valve seat and a discharge valve seat, an annular protruding wall is formed on a side surface of the poppet valve, the protruding wall has a circumference surface including a cylindrical surface extending in parallel with an axial line of the valve chest and an inclined surface which enables the base end of the cylindrical surface to be smoothly continuous with the side surface of the poppet valve, and the cylindrical surface has a diameter smaller than that of the poppet valve and larger than that of a narrow portion of the valve rod.
US08813786B2
A hydraulic valve comprises a plurality of ports, which communicate with a passageway, and a valve member movable in the passageway to control the communication between the ports. The valve member carries a lateral shear seal which is integral with the valve member and engages the passageway. In one position, the valve member isolates a first port from a second port. In another position of the valve member, the shear seal communicates with the first port and provides communication between the first port and the second port by way of a passage within the valve member. The valve member has first and second portions of different effective cross-section areas and on each portion an integral sealing member makes a radial seal between the valve member and the passageway. A supply port supplies pressure to the outside of the valve member so as to produce by virtue of the different cross-sectional areas a force tending to move the valve member towards a closed position.
US08813776B2
A valve apparatus includes substantially co-aligned first and second valve seats and substantially co-aligned first and second valve members. The first valve member is moveable relative to the first valve seat between at least an open position in which the first valve member is spaced from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve member is seated against the first valve seat. The second valve member is moveable relative to the second valve seat between at least an open position in which the second valve member is spaced from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve member is seated against the second valve seat. An armature is operable for moving the first and second valve members, in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil.
US08813765B2
There is provided systems and methods for effective cleaning and drying of vehicles of different shapes and sizes. In an example, a conveyor system may move a vehicle along a path, and a bridge assembly supported above a vehicle is moveable along the length thereof. At least one trolley assembly is moveable in a direction transverse to the movement of the bridge assembly. At least one cleaning arm assembly delivers cleaning fluid to or for brushing the surface of a vehicle. The cleaning arm assembly is moveable in association with movement of the vehicle to position the cleaning arm assembly adjacent at least a portion of the front, sides and rear of the vehicle as it moves along the path. A variable impact or patterning spray arm or drying system is also provided.
US08813753B2
Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.
US08813746B2
A nasal continuous positive airway pressure device for lowering patient work-of-breathing is described. The device may include an inspiratory tubing in fluid communication with at least two nasal prongs; expiratory tubing; and a generator body coupled there between. The generator body may include at least two jets configured for receiving gas from the inspiratory tubing; and a flow enhancer configured for directing received gas. The flow enhancer may include a gas manager configured for channeling received gas towards a jet impingement point via at least two jet paths; a fluidic flip trigger configured for triggering a fluidic flip of channeled gas back towards the expiratory tubing by directing a first portion of exhaled patient breath towards the jet impingement point along a first pathway; and an isolated pathway manager configured for directing a second portion of the exhaled patient breath along a second pathway towards the expiratory tubing.
US08813743B2
An atomizer for the delivery, and in particular, the atomization of a formulation, particularly, a powder. A simple construction and simple intuitive operation are made possible, in particular, by the fact that the atomizer has a mouthpiece with an associated cover, so that opening and/or closing of the cover causes a delivery medium, in particular air, to be taken in and/or put under pressure by a delivery device, a spring store is put under tension and/or a preferably annular reservoir containing a plurality of doses of the formulation is further rotated.
US08813734B2
Disclosed is a heat-insulating structure which can be used, for example, to reduce the cooling loss of an engine. The heat-insulating structure includes a hollow particle layer made of a lot of hollow particles densely packed on a surface of a metallic base material. The hollow particle layer is covered with a coating.
US08813733B2
When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.
US08813714B2
There is disclosed a method for cylinder lubrication of large diesel engines, such as marine engines. Injection of lubricating oil is performed via a number of injection units that correspond to a multiple of the cylinder number in the engine. There is desired an efficient distribution of the lubricating oil, not only across the periphery of the cylinder, but also across the travel of the piston in the cylinder in order thereby to reduce the consumption of lubricating oil. This is achieved in that lubricating oil is supplied by a combination of injection of a first part of the lubricating oil directly on a ring area of the cylinder wall before the passage of the piston and an injection of a second part of the lubricating oil directly onto the piston during its passage.
US08813712B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston head, a piston skirt, and a circumferential recess configured between the piston head and the piston skirt. The piston has a piston base body and a piston ring element. The piston base body has a crown region of a combustion bowl and the piston skirt. The piston ring element has a piston crown, a wall region of the combustion bowl, a circumferential top land, and a circumferential ring belt with ring grooves. The piston ring element has a circumferential cooling channel between the wall region of the combustion bowl and the ring belt, closed with a closure element. The piston base body and the piston ring element have a circumferential joining seam in the region of the combustion bowl, by way of which seam they are non-releasably connected with one another.
US08813692B2
A system includes a temperature determination module and a flow determination module. The temperature determination module determines an engine coolant temperature based on input received from an engine coolant temperature sensor and determines an engine material temperature based on input received from an engine material temperature sensor. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant in an engine, and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head. The flow determination module selectively determines coolant flow through the engine based on the engine coolant temperature and the engine material temperature.
US08813688B2
A heat exchanger comprising an outer jacket (9) with an inner set of vertical pipe elements (1) fastened at their opposing ends in upper and lower sieve walls (2, 3), and having a gas combustion chamber (4) located above the upper sieve wall, as well as partitions (5, 6, 7) mounted crosswise of the pipe elements. The partitions have openings for the pipe elements. The heat exchanger is also provided with liquid, gas and exhaust fumes inlet and outlet stub pipes. The outer jacket is conically shape with its diameter increasing upwards. An upper sieve wall (2), is essentially flat as viewed from the side, while an upper partition (5) situated below the wall, is shaped as a cone with its vertex pointing down. The upper partition (5) has a central opening (8) in its central region and an outer diameter corresponding to a diameter of the outer jacket (9).
US08813683B2
A pet fountain having a basin and a cover overlying at least part of the basin and is supported by a sidewall of the basin and a pump disposed therebetween. The basin and cover have sidewall sections that converge to form a V-shaped locator arrangement that positions a coupling tube in communication with drinking bowl inlet of the cover so it is substantially coaxial with an outlet of the pump or pump module to telescopically engage the outlet. The basin can have an upraised shelf that holds a cord conduit providing a cord routing recess underneath. The shelf is disposed adjacent the V-shaped locator arrangement between an apex of the V-shaped locator arrangement and the pump or pump module minimizing the length of the cord run to the pump. In one embodiment, the V-shaped locator arrangement is formed by at least the basin having a raindrop or teardrop shape.
US08813679B2
A paint mist collecting device for collecting a mist of paint particles produced when a paint is sprayed onto a workpiece within a paint booth includes a tubular duct having one end adapted to be connected to an outlet of the paint booth from which air containing the paint mist and a cleaning air are allowed to flow out, and a swirl-generating guide fin unit disposed inside the tubular duct and configured to force axial flows of the paint-mist-containing air and the cleaning liquid into a rotational movement to thereby generate a helical vortex as the paint-mist-containing air and the cleaning liquid flow downward along the tubular duct.
US08813678B2
A substrate processing apparatus including a holder for rotatably holding a substrate; a coating solution supply nozzle for supplying a coating solution onto a front surface of the substrate to be processed held by the holder; a treatment chamber housing the holder and the coating solution supply nozzle; a cooling device which cools the substrate before the coating solution is supplied to the substrate, to a predetermined temperature; a heating devices which heats the substrate coated with the coating solution to a predetermined temperature; and a transferer that transfers the substrate between the treatment chamber, the cooling device and the heating device, wherein the treatment chamber, the cooling device and the heating device are partitioned from ambient air, and wherein at least the treatment chamber is connected to a gas supply mechanism having a supply source of a gas having a kinematic viscosity coefficient higher than that of air.
US08813673B2
A method and apparatus for retaining accessories to a vehicle.
US08813672B2
A swimming platform assembly that is adapted to be mounted to a drive assembly housing of a watercraft includes a support platform adapted to provide a stable support for a swimmer and a mounting assembly coupled to the support platform to mount the support platform onto the watercraft. The support platform has planar top and bottom surfaces, while the mounting assembly is secured to an intermediate portion of a drive assembly housing of the watercraft such that the top surface of the support platform is disposed below the surface of the water when the watercraft is stationary or is traveling in a forward direction at or below a critical rate of speed, and such that the bottom surface of the support platform is disposed above the surface of the water when the watercraft is traveling in a forward direction above the critical rate of speed.
US08813670B2
A floating structure 1, for instance a semi submersible platform, comprises a deck structure 2, vertical columns 3 and a pontoon structure 4. The floating structure 1 is moored to the seabed with anchor lines 7. The floating structure is moored with taut line anchoring system, and the vertical stiffness in the anchoring system is approximately 20% of the water plane stiffness for the floating structure. The pontoon structure 4 comprises at least two levels of pontoons and the columns 3 are formed to give variable water plane stiffness.
US08813655B2
A railroad car constant contact side bearing assembly including a housing, a top cap arranged for vertical reciprocatory movements relative to the housing, and a spring accommodated in a spring cavity defined by the housing and cap for resiliently urging the top cap into frictional sliding engagement with an underside of a railcar body. At least one of the side bearing housing and cap is formed from a high performance plastic material whereby enhancing the vertical reciprocity of the cap relative to the housing.
US08813647B2
A method and a device for determining color register and lateral register deviations on printing material during production in multi-color printing presses, include a computing unit which takes into consideration the influence of ghosting effects when measuring the deviations on the printing material. The ghosting effects of at least one preceding and/or one succeeding printed image are recursively taken into consideration in the computing unit, when measuring on the printing material.
US08813642B2
An agricultural ram press has a bale chamber, a baling ram moveable in an oscillating manner in the bale chamber, a feed channel, a feed rake arranged in the feed channel and switchable between a gathering stroke motion which compresses crop in the feed channel and a filling stroke motion which moves the crop from the feed channel into the bale channel, and a drive for driving the feed rake and having a control rod interacting with an adjustable stop to control at least one of the motions of the feed rake.
US08813635B2
Steam-heat-only, food-preparation bowl structure and related methodology. The bowl structure includes (a) an outer bowl unit having a water well disposed adjacent its base, (b) an inner bowl unit nestable in the outer unit in a condition having its base spaced above the water well whereby water in the well does not contact the inner bowl's base, and with a generally closed, bowl-shaped void space then existing between the two units, the inner unit being constructed to receive a mixable mass of food, and (c) a controllable heater disposed within the well, operable to heat water contained therein to produce steam within the void space. The related methodology includes the steps of (a) applying mixing action to such a mass within the inner bowl unit, and while so applying, vapor-heating the mass indirectly and solely by an adjacent body of steam disposed in the void space between the units.
US08813632B2
An adjustable firearm gas block has a gas channel intersected by a threaded bore. A set screw with longitudinal slots is driven through the bore until it enters and constricts the gas channel. A second bore, parallel to the first bore, is connected to the first bore by a passage. A spring and a detent plunger having a slanted notch are inserted in the second bore with a bearing located in the slanted notch and passage. When the detent plunger is in a resting position, it presses the bearing into a longitudinal slot, preventing the set screw from turning. When the detent plunger is urged away from the resting position, the bearing disengages the longitudinal slot, traveling into the slanted notch and allowing the set screw to rotate, thereby adjusting the gas pressure emitted by the gas block.
US08813631B1
A shield includes a film with members intersecting at spaced nodes, a hard point fixed at least at select nodes, and a frame at least partially about the film for spacing the film from a vehicle or structure to be protected.
US08813629B1
A breech assembly for a weapon may include a breech ring and a carrier fixed to a shaft. The shaft may be rotatably mounted to the breech ring. A breech block may be fixed to the carrier and insertable into and out of an opening in the breech ring by rotating the shaft. A notch may be formed in an end of the shaft. A lock may be translatably disposed in the breech ring and translatable into and out of the notch in the end of the shaft. Translation of the lock into the notch may rotatably lock the shaft with respect to the breech ring.
US08813619B2
A cutting assembly for a printer that includes a cutting frame that has opposing side walls is provided. The cutting assembly further includes a blade housing slidably mounted in the cutting frame for slidable movement along the side walls and a blade fixed in the blade housing that includes a cutting edge. The cutting assembly further includes a plurality of ejector posts that extends from the blade housing in a direction of blade housing slidable movement and past the cutting edge to engage media being cut by the cuffing edge.
US08813618B2
The motor (50) transmits its rotation to the main shaft (1) through the first transmission gear train (9) while transmitting rotation at a rotating speed ¾ as high as the rotating speed of the main shaft (1) to the eccentric shaft (2) through the second transmission gear train (10) and the offset shaft coupling (7). As the motor (50) is driven, an eccentric axis (30) moves on a circle decentered by a predetermined length L while the inner blade (3) moves in the same direction on a circle further decentered by the predetermined length L from the eccentric axis (30). The inner blade (3) rotates and moves while exposing part of its outer peripheral surface exteriorly of a tube (W) at plural positions on the outer periphery of the tube (W).
US08813613B2
An exemplary screwdriver includes a handle unit, head units for operating different kinds of fasteners, a head reception unit fixed on the handle unit and receiving the head units therein, and a pole unit fixed on the handle unit. Each of the head units is removably attachable on the pole unit so that the screwdriver can operate the different kinds of fasteners as required.
US08813612B2
A locking mechanism for use with a tool has a tool having a first working end, an opposite second end, a central axis therebetween, and a least one axial recess formed on an outer surface of the tool. A cap is rotatably received on the tool opposite second end, the cap comprising at least one recess formed on an outer surface thereon. The cap is rotatable between a first position in which the cap at least one recess aligns with the tool at least one recess, and a second position in which the cap at least one recess is out of alignment with the tool at least one recess. The locking mechanism further comprises a detent operatively positioned between the tool and the cap. The detent may be a pin and a spring, where the spring biases the cap into the second position.
US08813605B2
An apparatus for damping vibrations in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a pendulum-type torsional absorber that uses a hydraulic snubber mechanism to limit travel of the pendulum without causing noise or damage to the absorber, crankshaft or other engine components.
US08813587B2
A device has an output which is formed by a gearwheel that can be coupled to a gearwheel on a crankshaft of a combustion engine. The device comprises a first auxiliary drive source arranged as an electromotor, which is coupled to the output via a node. A first branch of a drive line is present between the electromotor and the node and a second branch of the drive line is present between the node and the output. The device further includes a second auxiliary drive source arranged as a flywheel which is coupled to the output via the node. A third branch is then present between the flywheel and the node.
US08813580B2
System and methods for silicon on insulator MEMS pressure sensors are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises: applying a doping source to a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) silicon wafer having a sensor layer and an insulating layer comprising SiO2 material; doping the silicon wafer with Boron atoms from the doping source while controlling an injection energy of the doping to achieve a top-heavy ion penetration profile; and applying a heat source to diffuse the Boron atoms throughout the sensor layer of the SOI silicon wafer.
US08813579B2
Pressure sensitive transducer assembly that includes a force sensing resistor. The force sensing resistor includes: first and second substrates; at least a first and a second electrically conductive traces on the inner surface of the first substrate including interdigitated fingers defining a sensitive area; and a resistive layer facing the sensitive area. The force sensing resistor includes an auxiliary trace on the inner surface of the first substrate connecting the first trace to the second trace through a constant resistance that is not dependent on the force applied to the substrates. The constant resistance being of a value largely greater than the value of the variable resistance which can be measured indirectly between the fingers when an external force is applied to the substrates. A system and a control method are also proposed.
US08813576B2
A new type of coriolis mass flow meter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the coriolis mass flow meter comprises two or more flow splitters, each flow splitter being connected to two or more flow tubes; and one or more supporting pipes connecting the flow splitters. The one or more of the flow splitters have a smooth round corner with a 65° turning angle. The distance between the centers of the two or more splitter tubes is about 1.1 to 1.2 times dT, where dT is the inner diameter of each splitter tube. The splitting turning radius RT is about 1 to 2.5 times DN; where DN is inner diameter of the flange portion of the flow splitter. The inner diameter of each splitter tube is about 0.8 to 0.85 times DN/√2.
US08813574B2
A method and device for testing the tensile stress in tension elements of a tension element cord utilizes a measuring gage which is clamped between two tension elements of the tension element cord. The gage establishes a reference point relative to a fixed point stationary with respect to the tension element cord. The gage extends horizontally between two vertically extending length portions of the two tension elements. Then it is determined whether the reference point of the measuring gage is shifted with respect to the fixed point in the horizontal direction, wherein such a shift is dependent on a difference in the tension stresses in the two tension elements.
US08813571B2
There is provided an optical microphone for detecting an acoustic wave propagating in an ambient fluid, the optical microphone including: a propagation medium section; a light source for emitting a light wave to be transmitted through a diffraction region in the propagation medium section; and a photoelectric conversion section for detecting the light wave having been transmitted through the propagation medium section. A first acoustic wave which is a portion of the acoustic wave and a second acoustic wave which is another portion thereof are allowed to propagate in the propagation medium section so as to simultaneously arrive at the diffraction region, and an interference component between a +1st order diffracted light wave and a −1st order diffracted light wave of the light wave generated based on a refractive index distribution of the propagation medium occurring in the diffraction region.
US08813566B2
A new analytical technique, instrument and method of testing a material utilizing same is provided. The method of analyzing a test material comprises the steps of (vii) inducing an acoustic emission from a vessel containing a solvent and measuring said emissions; (viii) dissolving a known amount of the test material in the solvent; measuring changes in resonance and absorbance frequencies before and after dissolution to produce a broadband acoustic resonant dissolution emission profile.
US08813565B2
A multi-axis gyroscope includes a microelectromechanical structure configured to rotate with respective angular velocities about respective reference axes, and including detection elements, which are sensitive in respective detection directions and generate respective detection quantities as a function of projections of the angular velocities in the detection directions. The gyroscope including a reading circuit that generates electrical output signals, each correlated to a respective one of the angular velocities, as a function of the detection quantities. The reading circuit includes a combination stage that combines electrically with respect to one another electrical quantities correlated to detection quantities generated by detection elements sensitive to detection directions different from one another, so as to take into account a non-zero angle of inclination of the detection directions with respect to the reference axes.
US08813560B2
A motor vehicle hydraulic brake system fluid reservoir for use with an electronic control unit. The hydraulic brake system fluid reservoir has a housing including a reservoir interior space having at least one fluid chamber, and a device for monitoring a reservoir filling level including a switch unit, which with a contact carrier projects into a guide sleeve, which extends into a separate chamber of the reservoir interior space. A sensor element or switch element is arranged on the contact carrier and is operable by a pickup carried on the guide sleeve at a switching point, at which the switch unit generates a signal for the electronic control unit. The separate chamber is connected to the fluid chamber by way of a fluid connection. Valve means are also provided, which serves to control the fluid flow between the separate chamber and the fluid chamber.
US08813557B2
A particulate filter is provided. The particulate filter includes: a plurality of sensors located in the filter; and a controller operatively connected to the sensors to determine a relative flow velocity over the sensors. A method for detecting obstructions in a filter may also be provided. The method may include: locating a sensor in a zone within a filter; connecting the sensor to a controller; monitoring the sensor with the controller; and determining whether the zone is obstructed based on data received from the sensor.
US08813555B2
An apparatus for testing an angle between first and second legs of a torsion spring includes a board, a limiting block and a pin sandwiching the first leg, a positioning member positioning a main body of the torsion spring with the limiting block, and a test block including a bottom wall slidably contacting the limiting block, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall. Angles between the bottom wall and the first and second sidewalls are respectively minimal and maximal values that equal 180 degrees subtracted by an angle within a qualified range between the first and second legs. The first and second sidewalls is moved toward the second leg in turn. If a bottom end of the first sidewall and a top end of the second sidewall both can contact the second leg, the angle between the first and second legs is qualified. Otherwise, the angle is unqualified.
US08813553B2
A device for a peel test. The device includes: a gripping member to grip an end of a test film to be peeled off a test object; a movable member linearly moving in a direction to or away from the gripping member; a holding member for the movable member capable of linearly moving in a direction along a peel surface of the test object while holding the test object; a moving mechanism configured to move the movable member linearly; a load measuring unit configured to measure a load applied to the gripping member; a first conversion mechanism to convert the linear motion of the movable member to rotational power, and output the rotational power; and a second conversion mechanism to convert the rotational power output from the first conversion mechanism to the linear motion of the holding member relative to the movable member.
US08813548B2
A sensor mounting arrangement of a wheel assembly having a spindle defining an elongated cavity is provided. The spindle rotatably supports a wheel. The sensor mounting arrangement comprises a tube, a wire harness, and a sensor assembly. The tube is configured to be partially received in the elongated cavity of the spindle. The wire harness is routed through the tube. The sensor assembly is connected to a leading end of the wire harness wherein the leading end is configured to be disposed proximal to the wheel.
US08813542B1
Viscometer (150) with a rotor (108) connecting a magnet holder (62) which penetrates a sealed movable piston (96) and rotatable by a coupling magnet (58) and a driving magnet (64) to shear a tested fluid thus imparting torque to a bob (42) mounted on a bob shaft (30) supported via a pair of bob shaft bearings. A spiral spring (140) restricts the rotation of bob shaft (30). Magnetometer (10) measures the angular position of a top magnet (142) connected to the top of bob shaft (30). This angular position information is further converted to the viscosity of the tested fluid.
US08813538B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that include adjusting a pressure level of a sample gas in a testing chamber, for example, using a pressurized inert reference gas, and determining a composition of the adjusted sample gas. By adjusting the pressure level of the sample gas, the composition of the sample gas may be determined more accurately than otherwise possible. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
US08813531B2
An assembly for moving wire from one point to a second point distant from the first point. The assembly comprises a first unit comprising a wire straightener and a second unit that moves the wire through the assembly.
US08813516B2
A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a main body which has a cooling chamber and a freezing chamber, a storage chamber which is provided in the cooling chamber to store foodstuffs, an irradiation device which irradiates light within a visible light region correspondingly to color of the foodstuffs stored in the storage chamber, an optical deodorization module which includes an ultraviolet light irradiation device which is mounted to the storage chamber to irradiate ultraviolet light and a photocatalyst filter which receives the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation device and is coated with a photocatalyst agent, and a control unit which controls the irradiation device and the ultraviolet light irradiation device.
US08813505B2
Method for conditioning a power supply for starting a jet engine having an electrical starting system with an auxiliary power unit in parallel with a DC power supply.
US08813504B2
A protocol for assembling a fuel shut off pin valve assembly for a gas turbine engine. The protocol outlines a specific sequence of events in order to ensure failsafe incorporation of a fuel shut off valve assembly within the low pressure turbine area and specifically within the engine casing of the gas turbine.
US08813502B2
It is required for a gas turbine combustor to exhaust low NOx. The gas turbine combustor is provided with a combustion tube which has a cooling passage through which cooling air flows in a double wall structure. The cooling passage has a main cooling air supply opening opened to a side of a combustion zone. The cooling air supplied from the main cooling air supply opening is guided to a direction along an inner wall surface of the combustion tube by a guide. The cooling air flows through the cooling passage inside the combustion tube, and then is reused for film cooling along the inner wall surface. Thus, it is possible to save cooling air. Therefore, a more part of the air supplied from a compressor can be used as air for combustion and it becomes possible to exhaust low NOx.
US08813499B2
An apparatus (1) and a method of converting a portion of the specific energy of a fluid in gas phase into mechanical work are described, the apparatus (1) comprising: at least one housing (3, 3′) which is provided with at least one gas-supply portion (7, T) and at least one exhaust portion (9, 9′)/each of the at least one housing (3, 3′) comprising: a blade wheel (5) which is rotatably arranged in the housing (3, 3′) and which includes: a shaft (51) enclosed by a drum (53); at least two blades (55) which are movably arranged to the drum (53) so that a portion (57) of the blades (55) is arranged to be moved towards the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3, 3′) in such a way that the drum (53), the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3) and the blades (55) define chambers (59) arranged to contain gas, an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the exhaust portion (9, 9′) being larger than an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the gas-supply portion (7, 7′); that the blade wheel (5) constitutes a barrier between the gas-supply portion (7, 7′) and the exhaust portion (9, 9′); and that the exhaust portion (9, 9′) of one of the at least one housing (3, 3′) is provided with a condenser (11) to condense the gas which has been carried into the exhaust portion (9, 9′).
US08813497B2
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a heat engine system, a mass management system (MMS), and a method for regulating pressure in the heat engine system while generating electricity. In one embodiment, the MMS contains a tank fluidly coupled to a pump, a turbine, a heat exchanger, an offload terminal, and a working fluid contained in the tank at a storage pressure. The working fluid may be at a system pressure proximal an outlet of the heat exchanger, at a low-side pressure proximal a pump inlet, and at a high-side pressure proximal a pump outlet. The MMS contains a controller communicably coupled to a valve between the tank and the heat exchanger outlet, a valve between the tank and the pump inlet, a valve between the tank and the pump outlet, and a valve between the tank and the offload terminal.
US08813490B2
An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine is provided that can suppress the adherence of HC to an EGR path and the like accompanying enrichment of the exhaust air/fuel ratio. The exhaust emission control device includes: a high-pressure EGR path 6 that recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas upstream of a turbine 81 into an intake manifold 3; a high-pressure EGR control portion 43; a low-pressure EGR path 10 that recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas downstream of the turbine 81 into intake plumbing 2; a low-pressure EGR control portion 44; a NOx purification catalyst 31 that is provided inside exhaust plumbing 4 downstream of an exhaust inlet of the low-pressure EGR path 10, traps NOx under an oxidizing atmosphere, and purifies the trapped NOx under a reducing atmosphere; a NOx purification catalyst reduction control unit 41 that performs reduction control of the exhaust air/fuel ratio; and an EGR switching portion 45 that selects recirculation control of exhaust gas by the low-pressure EGR control portion 44 in a case of the exhaust air/fuel ratio being at least a predetermined threshold value, and selects recirculation control of exhaust gas by the high-pressure EGR control portion 43 in a case of being lower than the threshold value.
US08813487B1
A hydraulic circuit for a vehicle includes a first loop that includes, in serial order, a first hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic line, a hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic line. A second hydraulic pump and a third valve control low pressure fluid from the second pump to the hydraulic motor casing. The low pressure fluid through the third valve maintains the motor pistons retracted when the motor is not being used. For actuating the motor, the third valve is actuated for disconnecting the second pump and relieving pressure from the motor casing. Low pressure is then provided to the first and second lines for extending the motor pistons. The first and second valves are then actuated for isolating the first and second lines from one another, and the first pump is used to power the motor. The first, second and third valves are advantageously solenoid cartridge valves.
US08813481B2
An exhaust emission control device comprises a selective reduction catalyst for reacting NOx in an exhaust gas with ammonia, means for adding a urea water into the exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst and a cylindrical mixing pipe as a connection between the adding means and the catalyst, an entry end of the mixing pipe being formed with circumferential opening sections and provided with guide fins for guiding the exhaust gas to the opening sections tangentially of the entry end to provide a mixer structure, the adding means being arranged centrally on the entry end of the mixing pipe and directed toward an exit end of the mixing pipe for addition of the urea water into a swirling flow of the exhaust gas caused by the mixer structure. The opening sections are formed along the swirling flow.
US08813478B2
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, a flow-through container of absorbent particles, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas contains oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) and water. The flow-through container of absorbent particles is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and configured to receive the exhaust gas. The flow-through container substantially adsorbs the water from the exhaust gas below a threshold temperature. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the flow through container, and is selectively activated to produce heat.
US08813475B2
A method for preventing choking of a urea injection nozzle in after run operation on a SCR system which supplies urea stored in a urea tank through a supply module, a urea injection nozzle and a urea line connecting the supply module and the urea injection nozzle, the method for preventing choking of a urea injection nozzle includes comparing pressure within the supply module with a first predetermined pressure (Pa), open controlling the urea injection nozzle when the pressure in the supply module is higher than the first predetermined pressure (Pa) or repeating open/close controlling the urea injection nozzle when the pressure in the supply module is lower than the first predetermined pressure (Pa), pressure equilibrium which recovers pressure in the supply module and stopping the after run operation when the balancing pressure is completed.
US08813468B2
A chain has alternating vertical and horizontal chain links and with each link having an oval profile. The vertical links having an end web supporting surface formed on its inside that engages with a complementary bearing surface on the end web of adjacent horizontal link. The supporting surfaces and the bearing surfaces of all end webs are widened beyond two lateral surfaces of the respective end web, and supporting surfaces and bearing surfaces associated with one another are formed in each case as complementary cylindrical surfaces extending between longitudinal limbs. A method for producing such, closed profile chain links are hooked into open profile chain links and then the latter are closed by welding. And wherein, all supporting surfaces and bearing surfaces associated with one another are formed in each case as cylindrical surfaces that complement one another.
US08813466B2
A cutting unit for agricultural machines, including a rotor carrying on a base body spaced apart tine arrangements with circumferential phase shifts between adjacent tine arrangements. Each tine arrangement includes at least one tine with a base secured to the rotor base body and an outwardly protruding triangular tine tip forming a conveying flank leading in the rotor rotation direction and extending from the tine end to a transition into the base. A cutting unit bottom forms a lower boundary of a conveying channel. Cutting blades protrude from the cutting unit bottom through the conveying channel besides moving paths of the tine tips. Scrapers are placed in a conveying direction through the conveying channel behind the rotor. A compression surface provided at the base of the tine ahead of the conveying flank in the rotor rotation direction gradually ascends at least substantially up to the transition into the conveying flank.
US08813459B2
The present relates to a sidelite assembly having first and second panels and a window. Each of the panels has an inner edge extending outwardly from a major planar portion and surrounding an opening. The inner edge includes a first portion having a ridge extending outwardly from a distal end thereof and a second portion having a channel extending inwardly from the distal end. An outer edge extends outwardly from the major planar portion and adjacent a periphery thereof, and includes a first portion having a ridge extending outwardly from a distal end thereof and a second portion having a channel extending inwardly from the distal end. The ridges of the first panel are aligned with and received in the channels of the second panel. The window is disposed within the opening.
US08813446B2
An insert for embedment in a concrete component during casting, having a tubular cavity for receiving a threaded anchorage member, the tubular cavity having an opening arranged to face outward of the concrete component when cast for insertion of the threaded anchorage member, wherein the insert is externally tapered such that, when the insert is embedded in the concrete component and the anchorage member is threadedly engaged within the tubular cavity, axial loading applied to the anchorage member in a sense to withdraw the anchorage member from the insert causes reactional force from the surrounding concrete to be applied to the insert in a direction radially inwardly of the insert, and wherein the insert is formed of deformable plastic material such that said reactional force in turn causes the insert to exert force radially inwardly upon the anchorage member.
US08813435B2
A method of inhibiting the migration of termites into a structure is provided including the steps of forming a band across exposed faces of external masonry walls of the structure wherein the band is disposed above ground level and includes, at least in part, a settable composition wherein in a set condition the settable composition is sealably engaged with a physical termite barrier, said physical termite barrier forming at least part of a termite barrier extending between a concrete slab of the structure and a mortar course in the external masonry walls.
US08813431B2
A liquid-resistant control systems enclosure may include a shell, a shaft and at least one shell anchoring member. The shell may include a top, a shell wall connected to and extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top, and a sleeve. The shaft may extend upwardly through a surface pad and may be adapted to pass through the sleeve. The sleeve may include a sleeve wall extending downwardly from an inner perimeter of an opening in the top. The sleeve may matingly engage the shaft to move the shell between a raised position and a lowered position. The shell may be moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The shell may be adapted to be positioned in the latched position when the shell is in the lowered position.
US08813426B2
An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over the profile and secure a portion of the duct adjacent to the opening against the interior of the access panel.
US08813423B2
The invention relates to a plant growing system having (a) plant life; (b) a super amount of a controlled-release fertilizer to provide season-long performance; and (c) growing media. The planting growing system may also include a moisture control agent or a plant protection agent. Despite the high EC values of the growing system, the combination of materials that make up the growing system nevertheless produces superior performing plants with darker green, healthier-looking leaves; superior growth, fill and spread; more abundant production of flowers and fruits; and a more developed, sustaining root system. Moreover, these plants are far less susceptible to the effects of pests such as fungi (e.g., Fusarium and Rhizoctonia), pythium, caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, and other pests.
US08813415B2
A fishing line guide to be attached to a fishing rod includes a frame that includes a fixing part to be fixed to an exterior surface of the fishing rod, a holding part which holds a ring-shaped guide ring through which a fishing line is to pass, and a connecting part connecting the fixing portion to the holding part. The frame includes a fiber reinforced synthetic resin including a fiber bundle including a plurality of reinforced fibers extending in an extending direction of a part forming the holding part and the connecting part.
US08813408B1
A gun stock retainer, a gun rest operable to mount on a human knee, and an inclined seat pad may be used separately or included in a single garment (e.g., a hunting vest). The gun stock retainer includes an opening in a base material and a retaining strap including a nonslip material operable to engage the stock and pull the stock into the base material and the opening. The gun rest includes a knee cup shaped to conform to a front of a wearer's knee, a knee strap to hold the knee cup to the wearer's knee, and a cradle attached to the knee cup and sized to receive a fore-end of a gun. The inclined seat pad is generally wedge-shaped and is attached or releasably attached to a back portion of fabric of the garment via a hinge.
US08813406B1
A high capacity box magazine is provided. A plurality of nested followers may be adapted to nest one within another and a plurality of springs may be configured to nest one within another to facilitate the advancement of cartridges within the box magazine to a firearm. A spring cup or cups may be used to nest additional springs that work in series and are nested within each other to further reduce the required height of the springs. The reliability of a conventional lower capacity box magazine may be maintained or exceeded without requiring significantly greater length in order to accommodate the increased capacity. The high capacity box magazine typically requires less frequent magazine changes than conventional lower capacity box magazines.
US08813405B2
The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block or slider for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages.
US08813396B2
An apparatus for removing snow from the surface of a pitched roof that is a substantially rectangular, flat, flexible sheet with a snow grasping surface and a snow sliding surface, and that is conformable to the shape of the snow.
US08813391B1
A shoe including a footwear upper, an outer sole and an insole system, the insole system including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured in the shoe or be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from the article of footwear by a user.
US08813390B2
A full length composite plate to be used as part of an outsole assembly in an article of footwear is disclosed. The full length composite plate comprises a composite material that has a certain percent elongation. The full length composite plate can include a heel cup for heel stability and improved traction. The full length composite plate also can include two angled portions along an arch region that provide arch support, as well as two flattened edges along the arch region to minimize or eliminate buckling. The forefoot region can be relatively flatter than the arch and heel regions, and notches are preferably included along a portion of the forefoot to increase flexibility.
US08813380B2
Described is a trammel set tool designed to measure the center-to-center location of the bearings mounted on a pitch change link. Because pitch change links have two replaceable “lollypop” rod ends, it may be necessary at some point to replace an entire rod end, not just the bearing. The trammel set tool provides the operator the capability to remove an unserviceable rod end, and reinstall a new rod end to the same settings while taking into consideration.
US08813374B2
A chain guard for a motor-driven chain saw has a narrow casing with a front end and a back end. The casing has two parallel side walls and an upper wall and a lower wall connecting the side walls to each other. The casing is closed at the front end thereof and defines an opening at the back end. A device is provided on the casing for attaching the chain guard to the clothing of the operator, a rope, a carabiner or the like.
US08813373B2
A cutting tool clamp mechanism for a power tool includes a housing supported by a spindle, the spindle being configured to receive and drive a cutting tool along a longitudinal axis of the spindle. A clamping system is supported by the housing and includes an engaging portion movable relative to the spindle, the clamping system having an engaged condition, in which the engaging portion is engageable with the cutting tool to secure the cutting tool in the spindle, and a released condition, in which the engaging portion is disengageable with the cutting tool. A biasing member is positioned between the housing and the clamping system, and operable to bias the clamping system to the engaged condition. When the cutting tool is removed from the spindle, the clamping system is held in the released condition, and upon insertion of the cutting tool into the housing, the clamping system moves from the released condition to the engaged condition.
US08813371B2
A cutting tool comprising a body, an aperture defined through the body, a blade coupled to the body, and at least one protrusion extending from the body into the aperture. The blade has a cutting edge extending into the aperture. The protrusion(s) has(have) an end portion proximate the cutting edge and configured to impede access to the cutting edge. The protrusion(s) may be flexible, such that limited access to the cutting edge is permitted in a flexed state.
US08813370B2
A trigger-operated portable electric tool for performing a main function, characterized in that it has a double trigger with, on the one hand, a main trigger for operating it, which operates at least one moving active part of the tool and, on the other hand, an auxiliary trigger or secondary trigger connected to the main trigger by means of an articulation and configured to make an angle with the said main trigger, the pivoting of the auxiliary trigger about the articulation enabling actuation of a means of operating a system for performing at least one additional function of the tool.
US08813368B2
The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a folding knife having a locking mechanism for locking a blade in open and/or closed positions. The locking mechanism a first locking element on the blade and a corresponding second locking element on the handle that is adapted to engage the first locking element when the blade is in open and/or closed positions. The blade can be mounted on a leaf spring in the handle for pivotal movement relative to the handle between the open and closed positions. The leaf spring functions to support the blade and provide a biasing force that resiliently biases in a direction laterally toward the second locking element on the handle.
US08813358B2
In a crankshaft 200, one hole 213L formed in a crankpin 213 has a bottom surface having a larger area and a depth from a surface of the crankpin less than those of another hole 213M. In forming the hole 213L and the hole 213M, a preformed product 200 of the crankshaft having a shape smaller than that of a cavity is disposed in a die set and punches are simultaneously inserted into the crankpin 213. By this operation, the hole 213L and the hole 213M are simultaneously formed in each crankpin 213 of the preformed product 200.
US08813355B2
A method for producing a current metering device with current conductor optionally made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, which has a middle section in the form of a bar and two end sections with flattened areas, and is bent between one end section at a time and the middle section, a magnetic module which has a bushing which holds the current conductor, and two copper or copper alloy sleeves which are applied at least to parts of the end sections of the current conductor.
US08813351B2
Apparatus for separately conveying a plurality of discrete parts from a web and applying each of the discrete parts to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer pucks and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each of the transfer pucks such that a plurality of pairs of discrete parts is applied to the web. Each applied pair of discrete parts includes a first discrete part and a second discrete part spaced a first distance from the first discrete part, wherein adjacent pairs of discrete pairs are spaced a second distance that is different from the first distance.
US08813348B2
Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked.
US08813344B2
A profile connector is disclosed for connecting two profile bars. Each profile bar may have an undercut longitudinal groove running parallel to an axis of the profile bar. The profile connector includes a screw having a first drive element, a shank having a male thread, and a screw head for engaging a longitudinal groove undercut of one of the two profile bars. The screw also includes a second drive element on an end of the screw opposite the first drive element. The male thread comprises a self-forming thread. In some embodiments, the profile connector is a two-piece design comprising the screw and a sleeve for receiving the screw. The sleeve includes a male thread for screwing the profile connector into one of the longitudinal grooves of one of the profile bars. The sleeve also includes a female thread corresponding to the male thread of the screw for receiving the screw.
US08813333B2
A method for servicing a stator frame of a power generator includes removing a first stator core from a main housing of the frame. A support assembly including a plurality of rails and a trolley is used to insert second laminations of a second stator core into the main housing. The rails extend axially within a bottom portion of the main housing and provide support for the trolley and for the second laminations as they are being inserted into the main housing. The trolley is provided for axial movement on the rails for inserting the second laminations into the main housing.
US08813332B2
A method of fitting a compressed component, for example a pipe, in a receiver, for example a bore, comprises compressing a selected component which is made out of a polymeric material having a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C., for example polyetheretherketone; arranging the compressed component in position within a receiver; and subjecting the compressed component to conditions, for example of temperature and/or pressure, whereby the compressed component expands.
US08813330B2
A method for tuning resonant spring assembly systems used in appliances such as power toothbrushes, particularly leaf spring systems, includes the step of measuring the frequency-dependent amplitude of the appliance workpiece, and then removing a portion of the spring member so as to decrease its spring rate sufficiently that the resonant frequency of the spring member closely approximates the drive frequency of the appliance.
US08813314B2
Pin apparatuses and methods are disclosed having particular suitability for use with machine handles such as those associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers. A pin apparatus may include a housing defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a pin. The pin may include an elongated pin body having a proximal end section and a distal end section. The pin apparatus may further include a pin handle external from the housing for moving the pin within the housing. At least a portion of the pin body can be positioned at least partially through a machine handle and at least a portion of the housing can be positioned outside of the machine handle. Rotation of the pin handle can move the pin between the extended position and the retracted position.
US08813313B2
A constructive arrangement in elastomeric spring for closing doors which comprises a hollow tube having one end provided with a base and the inner area the provision of an elastomeric spring disposed juxtaposed to said base having a tracking member positioned on the elastomeric spring which receives the tracking member on the opposite face whose free end presents edge provided with female fitting which allows the positioning of a cam with male fitting pressed by a pin fixed to the tube through a bushing and having inner cap with fixing holes and protective cap.
US08813303B1
System and method for cleaning solar panel rows, with electronic descent control and potential energy recovery system, operating by modulated switching signals to an electronic switching device that converts DC output of a DC motor/generator to alternating current that is transferred through a transformer and rectifier to charge the system's battery. An impedance load on the DC motor/generator is generated during downward movement of the system's cleaning apparatus in order to control the descent rate of the cleaning apparatus.
US08813290B1
An operable ramp is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The operable ramp includes a support element and an inner ramp rotatable at a first end about a first axis. The operable ramp further includes an outer ramp rotatably coupled to a second end of the inner ramp about a second axis. The outer ramp has a first cam follower that engages a slot formed in the support element. A drive assembly selectively rotates the inner ramp relative to the outer ramp, such that rotation of the inner ramp in a first direction moves the second axis from a raised position to a lowered position. The operable ramp forms a step in the stowed position, and the outer ramp and the inner ramp form an inclined transition between a first surface and a second surface when the operable ramp is in the deployed position.
US08813287B2
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated laundry system. The system includes a number of perforated clothes drums, each of which holds a single load of laundry, and a washer/dryer unit. The washer/dryer unit includes a loading rack for queuing the drums for subsequent washing, a clothes washing component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the loading rack and wash the respective loads of laundry therein, a clothes drying component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the clothes washing component and dry the loads of laundry therein, and a holding rack for sequentially receiving the drums from the clothes drying component and holding the drums for a period of time.
US08813285B2
An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.
US08813273B2
A waste outlet unit cover for a waste water outlet unit for a shower tray, the cover comprising a non-screw threaded attachment arrangement by which the cover can be securely and releasably attached to the waste water outlet unit. A waste water outlet unit having such a cover is also provided.
US08813271B2
A shoulder pad for use in a contact sport, such as football, hockey or lacrosse is provided. The shoulder pad includes a pair of curvilinear, continuous arch members joined together to define a central opening that receives the player's head. A side pad assembly, including an epaulet and a shoulder cap, is operably connected to each arch member by a flexible band that provides a common connection point on the arch member. The band provides a single pivot point for the epaulet and the shoulder cap about the common connection point. A curvilinear internal padding assembly is removably connected to each arch member.
US08813262B2
Wrist protectors for a sport glove include a bending element configured to bend during bending of the wrist. The bending element may be further configured so that the length of the bending element changes during bending of the wrist, wherein a change of the length of the bending element leads to an elastic restoring force.
US08819853B2
A content management system for creating a digital catalogue raisonné includes at least one computer, a public user interface, a private catalogue raisonné manager, and a private user interface. The private catalogue raisonné manager is configured to instruct at least one object-oriented database to store first digital data for at least one artist, the first digital data including at least one of an image of an artwork of the at least one artist and a description of the artwork. The private user interface is configured to receive the first digital data, transmit information permitting a user to provide a command to the content management system to make available, at the public user interface, a public catalogue raisonné including the first digital data, and receive the command to make available the public catalogue raisonné.
US08819852B2
An image forming apparatus provided with an interface for a portable information recording medium, has an access control part carrying out access control, for respective ones of a plurality of resources which the image forming apparatus has, based on access control information defining whether or not usage thereof by a user is allowed, wherein the access control part carries out access control based on the access control information stored in the portable information recording medium.
US08819851B1
The disclosure includes a system and method for performing access control. The system includes a controller, an authentication module and a permission module. The controller receives an access request from a first user. The access request indicates a request to access a cloud-based service managed by a second user. The authentication module authenticates the first user. The permission module determines a first social network association that exists between the first user and the second user based at least in part on a social graph and determines whether access to the cloud-based service is permitted for the first social network association based at least in part on an access setting of the cloud-based service. Responsive to determining that the access is permitted for the first social network association, the permission module generates access permission data to permit the first user to access the cloud-based service.
US08819850B2
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for management of application access. A security management application can be configured to set access controls and/or other security settings relating to application programs. Additionally, or alternatively, particular functions and/or functionality associated with application programs may be individually configured. Settings reflecting the access controls and/or other security settings can be stored and can be applied at the user device. The security management application also can be configured to determine if security settings and/or access controls are to be overridden. Data can be collected from various sensors and/or other sources to use in determining if particular application programs and/or application program functionality is to be allowed. Thus, normally disallowed activities can be allowed in emergency conditions, when in a business location associated with a particular device, and/or at other times and/or under other circumstances.
US08819845B2
Systems and methods that prevent unauthorized access in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a system that prevents unauthorized access to a network device may include, for example, a network device and a headend. The headend may be coupled to a communications network. The network device may be deployed in a home environment and may be communicatively coupled to the communications network via the headend. The headend may be adapted, for example, to determine whether a request to access the network device is authorized.
US08819837B2
A system for confidentially retrieving data from a person, such as by authorized personnel. One embodiment provides a data carrier item such as jewelry, having encrypted data imparted upon the item in manner that is only intelligible after being unencrypted. Such data can be encrypted and/or invisibly disposed such that the data is not identifiable by the public, but can be quickly and accurately retrieved by authorized personnel.
US08819831B2
A system and method for testing a computer program using a computer system includes a plurality of computer systems communicating using a network. An interface parser module defines at least one program interface in a program file of a specified program. A fuzzer module reads the program file and identifies the program interfaces. An attack data generator module attacks the program interfaces and communicates with the fuzzer, and the fuzzer determines vulnerabilities in the specified program. A recorder records the attacking procedure. A verifier verifies remedies for vulnerabilities by replaying the attacking procedure of the program interface and determining vulnerabilities. A service status detective module restarts the specified program when the specified program ceases to operate or crashes.
US08819819B1
JavaScript on webpages linked to by URLs in messages is identified and the JavaScript is extracted. The JavaScript is then subjected to a JavaScript execution and analysis process whereby the JavaScript is executed in the context of a simulated web browser. The behavior of the JavaScript is then analyzed to identify one or more of: any URLs to be redirected to; any further executable JavaScript; and any content dynamically written to the webpage. The results are then either recursed into or are recorded and used to aid in the identification of spam messages.
US08819818B2
Method for communicating data in a computer network involves dynamically modifying at a first location in the computer network a plurality of true values. The true values correctly represent the plurality of identify parameters. These true values are transformed to false values, which incorrectly represent the identity parameters. Subsequently, the identity parameters are modified at a second location to transform the false values back to the true values. The position of the first and/or second locations varies dynamically as part of this process. A bridge transforms identity parameter values when communicating outside the network. Dynamic modification of the identity parameters occurs in accordance with a mission plan that can be modified without interrupting communication of data in the network.
US08819816B2
A system differentiates good content from bad content in a user-provided content system. Messages are analyzed for features that characterize messages. A feature may occur in one or more messages. A feature that has more than a threshold number of occurrences in messages in a time interval is identified for further analysis. Enhanced authentication is requested from senders of the messages with occurrences of the identified feature. Based on the rate at which senders of the messages pass authentication, the content associated with the message is determined to be good content or bad content. Subsequent messages are blocked or successfully delivered based on whether features occurring in the messages are indicative of good content or bad content.
US08819813B2
A system and method for signing and authenticating electronic documents using public key cryptography applied by one or more server computer clusters operated in a trustworthy manner, which may act in cooperation with trusted components controlled and operated by the signer. The system employs a presentation authority for presenting an unsigned copy of an affixing an electronic signature to the unsigned document to create signed electronic document. The system provides an applet for a signing party's computer that communicates with the signature authority.
US08819808B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method to report a bad host. A receiver host receives a packet from a sender host. The receiver host detects that the packet contains suspect hostile content. The receiver host transmits a negative trust report.
US08819806B2
An application portal selectively provides a user selective access to data. A data access layer is included in the portal and includes a map associating the user with a permission and further associating a combination of the user and the permission with a data entity, whereby it may be determined whether the user is permitted to access data identified with the data entity. A data stage included in the portal selectively undergoes a synchronization with a remote data store, the synchronization providing data access information that is used to update the map.
US08819801B2
In a multi-tenant environment, machines across the Internet, belonging to a particular subscription are securely enrolled with the tenant's subscription. Authentication of the machines is delegated to each of the tenant's own on-premise authentication mechanism The trust relationship with the tenant's authentication service is used to validate the security token presented by the machine being authenticated. Once authenticated, the machine has authorization (e.g. SSL machine cert for identity, security token, etc.,) to access the subscription. Each tenant within the multi-tenant environment can provide its own level of authentication. The machine presents the security token to the multi-tenant environment for requests for resources (e.g. services/content) from a user. When a request is received from a machine to access a resource, the multi-tenant environment determines from the issued token whether or not the machine is authorized to access the requested resources.
US08819800B2
A method and apparatus for protecting user information. The method includes receiving a request for accessing the user information from an application. When the request does not include an authorized token, the user is requested to temporally confirm the request for access. In response to the confirmation, a token is generated and the user on a mobile service platform is associated with the request for access by the token. The application is then allowed to access the user information based on the token associating the user with the request for accessing the user information from the application.
US08819798B2
In various example embodiments, a system and method for transferring the state of a first device to a second device are disclosed. An instruction to transfer a state of a first device to a second device is received. In response, information related to the state of the first device is packaged into a file. A type of connection to be used to transfer the state of the device is determined based on the connections available to the first device and the second device. The file containing the information of the state of the first device is transferred to the second device using the connection type. The file, when processed by the second device, causes the second device to reproduce the state of the first device.
US08819783B2
Efficient data structures are generated to enforce permissions on a multi-dimensional representation in a performance management application. A model site is generated having at least one model with at least one dimension. User permissions and group permissions are set for the model. The user permission and the group permissions are deployed to a relational database. A collective user permission table is generated based on the user permissions and the group permissions. Thus, an end user may receive permissions associated with a model and permissions associated with particular dimensions of a model without an inefficient consumption of resources.
US08819779B2
According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a system includes a chassis configured to receive a plurality of modular information handling systems. The system also includes one or more chassis management controllers housed in the chassis. The chassis management controllers are configured to establish an authenticated session with available modular information handling systems present in the chassis, direct input/output communications between an information handling system designated as a selected information handling system and a remote management console coupled to the one or more chassis management controllers via a network, and maintain the authenticated sessions with one or more available modular information handling systems not designated as the selected information handling system.
US08819770B2
Embodiments are directed to mapping encryption policies to user data stored in a database using a policy column uniform resource identifier (URI). In one scenario, a computer system receives the following: a database schema name that identifies the name of a specified schema within a relational database in which user data is stored, a table name that identifies a specified table within the relational database, a column name that identifies a specified column in the specified table and a namespace identifier that identifies a set of relational databases. The computer system also receives an indication that identifies which type of encryption is to be applied when encrypting the column of data specified by the column name. The computer system then generates a policy column URI that includes a hierarchical string comprising the namespace identifier, the database schema name, the table name and the column name.
US08819769B1
An improved technique for managing access of a user of a computing machine to a remote network collects device posture information about the user's mobile device. The mobile device runs a soft token, and the collected posture information pertains to various aspects of the mobile device, such as the mobile device's hardware, software, environment, and/or users, for example. The server applies the collected device posture information along with token codes from the soft token in authenticating the user to the remote network.
US08819766B2
A technique for performing domain-based access control for granular isolation on a data processing system includes assigning, using the data processing system, one or more first domain tags to a dynamic object that is created by a first process that is executing on the data processing system. The technique also includes assigning, using the data processing system, one or more second domain tags to a second process that is executing on the data processing system. The first and second domain tags are evaluated, using the data processing system, according to one or more enforced rules to determine whether to grant or deny the second process access to data associated with the dynamic object.
US08819761B2
In various embodiments, a selection of a television program to record may be received by a television receiver. The television program may be broadcast on a first television channel and as part of a first transponder stream. A plurality of television channels that are transmitted as part of the first transponder stream may be determined. A user interface may be presented that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream. A selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels may be received. In response to the selection of the first television program to record and the selection of the second television channel from the plurality of television channels, record the first television channel and the second television channel via a single tuner.
US08819760B2
Systems and methods are provided for improving the visual quality of low-resolution video displayed on large-screen displays. A video format converter may be used to process a low-resolution video signal from a media providing device before the video is displayed. The video format converter may detect the true resolution of the video and deinterlace the video signal accordingly. For low-resolution videos that are also low in quality, the video format converter may reduce compression artifacts and apply techniques to enhance the appearance of the video.
US08819752B2
A mobile terminal includes an input unit receiving an input; a data storage unit storing data; a communication unit communicating signals; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a selection input of a video data, the selection input being processed to select the video data among a plurality of video data stored in the data storage unit; temporarily store a selected portion of the video data for transmission based on a start position and a stop position specifying the selected portion in the video data; automatically attach the selected portion of the video data for transmission to a message without receiving any further user input when the selected portion of the video data is specified; transmit the message with the selected portion of the video data; and delete the selected portion of the video data from the data storage unit when the transmission of the message is completed.
US08819748B2
A method and a streaming server for timely delivering of frames/packets to a client. The method includes fetching of stream data from an operating cog in a calendar wheel and by use of the fetched stream data the frame/packet indicated in the operating cog is transmitted from its location in a video storage to the client. The stream data includes information on stream, movie and frame. Optionally also information on packet is provided.
US08819730B2
An apparatus and a method for commonly applying channel scanning to non-network scanning schemes in a digital video broadcasting system are provided. The method includes deleting all services stored in a database, temporarily storing services scanned through each frequency in a temporary storage unit, and performing channel scanning for all frequencies. Accordingly, the same service including different Logical Channel Numbers (LCNs) that is repeatedly stored or another service including the same LCN that is not stored in a Multi Frequency Network (MFN) boundary area using the non-networking scanning scheme is prevented.
US08819708B2
An information handling system includes a firmware management infrastructure. The firmware management infrastructure includes a database that identifies a correspondence between members of a set of device paths and members of a set of correlatable identifier strings. A device path represents a platform-specific reference to an object at the information handling system and a correlatable identifier string represents a platform independent reference to the object. Programs can access the database using an application programming interface.
US08819706B2
A method for providing audio feedback for command line interface (CLI) commands in a computing environment. Auditory notifications are generated for indicating a completion of CLI commands. The auditory notifications are configurable by user preferences.
US08819700B2
A method and apparatus configured to allow independent threads to communicate synchronously through a block of memory accessible to at least two independent threads for bi-directional communication. The method and apparatus simplify the conversion of computer code to a multi-threaded architecture by allowing threads to effectively interact through function calls and data returns.
US08819698B2
A method for cross-platform web-based native device feature access may include receiving a call from a web application to access a native device feature, with the call being redirected to a platform agnostic custom URL. The method may further include translating the custom URL into a native object call, and accessing the native device feature based on the native object call.
US08819697B2
A computer-implemented method for managing events that have no end events includes: determining that a first event has been generated that corresponds to a continuous action having no defined end event, the first event having an event type and being initiated by a user; determining whether at least a second event of the event type is initiated by the user within a specified time from initiation of the first event; and performing a functionality of the continuous action only if the second event is not initiated within the specified time, wherein the functionality is not performed until the specified time passes after a last initiated event of the event type.
US08819689B2
A control method including acquiring and storing, when generating a task in which an object and a network device to which to transmit the object are set, information about the object to be processed in the task; detecting, when executing the task, whether information about the object to be processed in the task is changed from the information about the object stored when the task is generated, according to a setting of the task or the object to be processed in the task; cancelling, when it is detected that there is a change in the information about the object, execution of the task; and transmitting, when it is detected that there is no change in the information about the object, the object processed in the task by executing the task.
US08819677B2
A system includes a processor providing hardware virtualization, and a memory to store a first virtual machine data structure corresponding to a first nested virtualization level and a second virtual machine data structure corresponding to a second nested virtualization level. The virtual machine data structures assist management of the hardware virtualization provided by the processor. The system includes a first nested virtual machine located within the first nested virtualization level and a second nested virtual machine located within the second nested virtualization level. The system includes hypervisors to manage the nested virtual machines using the virtual machine data structures. A root hypervisor is to manage the first nested virtual machine using the first virtual machine data structure. A first nested virtualization level hypervisor is to run within the first nested virtual machine and is to manage the second nested virtual machine using the second virtual machine data structure.
US08819673B1
A virtual machine (VM) management utility tool may deploy an object model that may persist one or more virtual machine dependencies and relationships. Through a web front-end interface, for example, the VMs may be started in a specific order or re-booted, and the tool automatically determines the additional VMs that need to be re-booted in order to maintain the integrity of the environment. Through the web interface, for example, the object model may be managed, and start-up orders or VM dependencies may be updated. For VMs that may not start under load, the object model may block access to the VM until the VM is fully initialized.
US08819672B2
A system and method for application migration include matching an infrastructure of a source application with a plurality of multi-image work sets from a catalog by selecting a mapping of components of the infrastructure with components in the multi-image work sets to provide one or more selected multi-images. The source application is migrated to a target environment using the one or more selected multi-images.
US08819671B2
In certain embodiments, facilitating software acquisition includes accessing a memory storing software programs. A selected software program is identified. One or more product requirements of the selected software program and one or more target parameters of a target environment for the selected software program are determined. One or more commands to install the selected software program at the target environment according to the product requirements and the target parameters are determined.
US08819669B2
An information processing apparatus receives index information about an expansion function realized by being linked to a predetermined service provided by an external apparatus from a server apparatus connected via a network, displays a menu of information representing the expansion functions on a display screen, based on the index information, downloads software for executing the expansion function based on location information of the software when the expansion function being executed in accordance with a user selection on the menu on the display screen; the location information contained in the index information, and uses the downloaded software to executes the expansion function selected by an user.
US08819664B2
A method may include receiving a respective tape cartridge of a plurality of tape cartridges by a respective cartridge receiving compartment of a plurality of cartridge receiving compartments and configuring a memory of a tape drive manager to include a plurality of information modules associated with the plurality of tape cartridges, respectively. Each information module may include an internal tape identifier to identify a corresponding tape cartridge and a firmware to cause the tape drive manager to write data to and read data from the corresponding tape cartridge. The method may also include upgrading the respective firmware of a respective information module associated with the respective tape cartridge by the tape drive manager using upgrade information obtained from the respective tape cartridge in the wireless manner based on an affirmative identifier determination.
US08819663B2
A method of modifying software associated with network devices includes transmitting a modification message by a first network device in response to software associated with the first network device being modified; transmitting second software identification information by a second network device in response to receiving the modification message from the first network device; providing a database comprising the first product identifier, the second product identifier, first software identification information, and the second software identification information; and modifying software associated with the second network device using the database. The first network device is associated with a first product identifier, and the second network device is associated with a second product identifier. The second software identification information identifies software associated with the second network device, and the first software identification information identifies software associated with the first network device. A corresponding computer-readable medium and system are also disclosed.
US08819651B2
A mechanism for efficient software cache accessing with handle reuse is provided. The mechanism groups references in source code into a reference stream with the reference stream having a size equal to or less than a size of a software cache line. The source code is transformed into optimized code by modifying the source code to include code for performing at most two cache lookup operations for the reference stream to obtain two cache line handles. Moreover, the transformation involves inserting code to resolve references in the reference stream based on the two cache line handles. The optimized code may be output for generation of executable code.
US08819649B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for profiling source code to enable improved source code execution. A runtime engine includes a parser, a bytecode generator, an execution controller, an interpreter, a just-in-time (JIT) compiler, and a profile generator. The parser receives source code coded in a dynamic language and parses the source code to generate parsed source code. The bytecode generator converts the parsed source code to bytecode. The interpreter is configured to interpret the bytecode when enabled by the execution controller. The JIT compiler is configured to compile the bytecode when enabled by the execution controller. The profile generator generates profile information from the bytecode and stores the profile information. The execution controller enables the interpreter or the JIT compiler to perform their respective functions based on the profile information.
US08819648B2
Execution of non-native operating system images within a virtualized computer system is improved by providing a mechanism for retrieving translated code physical addresses corresponding to un-translated code branch target addresses using a host code map. Hardware acceleration mechanisms, such as content-accessible look-up tables, directory hardware, or processor instructions that operate on tables in memory can be provided to accelerate the performance of the translation mechanism. The virtual address of the branch instruction target is used as a key to look up a corresponding record that contains a physical address of the translated code page containing the translated branch instruction target, and execution is directed to the physical address obtained from the record, once the physical page containing the translated code corresponding the target address is loaded in memory.
US08819645B2
The invention concerns a method for performing a run-time simulation of a computer program comprising: extracting said computer program from a first application environment to a second application environment; parsing said computer program to generate a hierarchical representation of said computer program; based on said hierarchical representation, inserting at least one log value generation instruction into said extracted computer program to generate an enhanced computer program; re-injecting said enhanced computer program into said first application environment; executing, in said first application environment, said enhanced computer program; and receiving from said first application environment generated log values and analyzing said values with respect to a hierarchical representation of said computer program.
US08819633B2
Methods for testing a software application by providing one or more test units. Each test unit is adapted to verify a feature of the software application. A weight is assigned to each test unit. A theoretical sequence of execution of the test units is determined for the assigned weights and the test units are executed for the theoretical sequence.
US08819630B2
Architecture that provides a convenient and effective test tool for testing and ensuring that webpages using micro-browsers are sufficiently designed and operational. A task library is developed for manipulating browsers on a handheld device, and includes one or more seamless methods that operate the different browsers in the same way. Seamless virtual functions that manipulate different micro-browsers include, but are not limited to browser launch, exiting a browser, navigating to a home page, clearing a cache, navigating to a webpage, reloading a webpage, getting the current info for a webpage, navigating back to a webpage, checking a page title, and capturing a screen, for example. Device features can also be manipulated to ensure consistency across the testing process.
US08819628B2
A system and method for localization facilitates checking resource files in a first format out of a source code management system. Prior stored translated strings are leveraged to produce a partially translated translation memory corresponding to the resource files. Translations of strings are obtained to complete translation of the partially translated translation memory. Translated strings are stored in a database, and the translated resource files in the first format are checked back into the source code management system.
US08819615B2
A first assembly of critical cells is to be monitored. An equivalent capacitance of output cells coupled to the critical path is determined. Logic level inputs of the critical cells for signal propagation are also determined. A second assembly of control logic cells is provided which copies the first assembly in terms of number of cells, type of cells and cell connection such that each of the control cells is a homolog of a corresponding critical cell. Charge cells are provided at the outputs of the control cells having an equivalent capacitance in accordance with the determined capacitance of the output cells. For each control cell, logic levels are asserted in accordance with the determined configuration of the critical path. A signal generator applies a signal the input of the second assembly and a signal receiver is coupled to the output of the second assembly.
US08819609B2
The disclosure relates to a countermeasure method in an electronic microcircuit, comprising successive process phases executed by a circuit of the microcircuit, and adjusting a power supply voltage between power supply and ground terminals of the circuit, as a function of a random value generated for the process phase, at each process phase executed by the circuit.
US08819608B2
The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses to design an integrated circuit. According to one aspect, the present invention circuit design discloses an iterative process of synthesis and placement where each iteration provides incremental changes on the design of the integrated circuit. The synthesis transform is then made with accurate timing information from the placement, and the process is incrementally iterative toward the final timing enclosure of the design. The incrementally iterative approach of the present invention provides a continuous advancement from synthesis to placement and vice versa, with the incremental improvements on synthesis made with knowledge of current instance placement, and the incremental improvements on placement made with knowledge of current circuit logic.
US08819606B1
Devices, systems and methods of this disclosure can provide integrated circuit devices operating above their specified operating temperate. The integrated circuit device can include functional blocks with power down circuitry and functional test blocks with built in self-test capabilities (BIST). The functional blocks can be implemented with timing constraint values to provide a timing margin for the device above a specified operation temperature. The functional test blocks can be implemented with timing constraint values that result in BIST failure when the device is operated above the specified operation temperature. As the temperature of the device rises above the operating temperature the functional test blocks can fail BIST prior to loss of functionality of the functional blocks. Upon BIST failure of the functional test blocks, circuitry in the functional blocks can be powered down to facilitate continued operation of the device with reduced functionality.
US08819602B2
Structures of a circuit are identified. Voltages are propagated to the identified structures. Additionally, internal node voltages for the identified structures are obtained. Asymmetrical operating conditions are identified.
US08819600B2
Embodiments relate to polygon recovery from a +1/−1 description of a plurality of polygons of a very large scale integrated (VLSI) mask for production of a VLSI semiconductor device. An aspect includes receiving a set of data comprising the +1/−1 description of the plurality of polygons of the VLSI mask, the +1/−1 description comprising a plurality of corners. Another aspect includes determining a 4-directional data structure, a Mm value comprising a first limit value, and a Mp value comprising a second limit value for each of the plurality of corners. Another aspect includes recovering the plurality of polygons from the set of data by assigning each of the plurality of corners to a single polygon based on the 4-directional data structure, the Mm value, and the Mp value of each of the plurality of corners, and determining an order of the respective corners of each polygon.
US08819591B2
A method and apparatus for treatment planning are described. A treatment planning system provides a computer-simulated virtual environment including a virtual artifact that is a three-dimensional simulation of a patient anatomy, wherein the three-dimensional simulation is generated from one or more diagnostic images taken of the patient anatomy. The treatment planning system performs a treatment planning operation associated with the virtual artifact in response to a user interaction with the virtual environment.
US08819590B2
In an image display apparatus, an image classification unit generates one or more of image groups by classifying image data to which attribution information is added based on the attribute information. A display control unit displays, on a display device, a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of the image data included in each of the image groups generated by the image classification unit, in a manner in which the plurality of thumbnail images are piled up for every image group. Herein, the display control unit acquires the predetermined number of sheets of image data from the selected image group to display, on the display device, the image data as a background image in which the image data are arranged.
US08819583B2
In order to produce a set of medical findings based on image data which has been obtained by way of different imaging methods, a plurality of image viewer programs has hitherto been required. In at least one embodiment, a viewer device is to be provided, with which different image data can be viewed and with which it is simultaneously possible to produce a set of medical findings. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided wherein a base page and at least one content page with display elements are selected and are loaded and activated by a program.
US08819581B2
An information processing device capable of processing navigation information is provided. A touch panel can display images and can receive a user's touch operation. An image generation section generates a navigation image including a map image and a plurality of operation button images for receiving the touch operation, the images being displayed on the touch panel. A plurality of operation button images include a first operation button image related to a navigation function and a second operation button image related to a plurality of functions other than the navigation function. The image generation section generates a first image which is obtained by combining the navigation image and the first operation button image and a second image which includes the second operation button. The first image and the second image are respectively displayed in a first display region and a second display region. The first display region and the second display region are separated by a movable boundary.
US08819575B2
An item display method and apparatus that provides an easier and faster way to locate a desired item on a display. The method and apparatus receive a user gesture on display screen, and display one or both of items of a first category and items of a second category according to the user gesture. Items of the first category and items of the second category are displayed in various ways according to associated user gestures.
US08819574B2
An example method includes displaying, at a presence-sensitive device, a virtual keyboard, receiving an indication of input entered at a presence-sensitive device indicating a plurality of characters, determining a sequence of at least three character strings in the plurality such that the sequence does not include any space characters, modifying the characters by inserting at least two space characters to demarcate the at least three character strings, and determining at least two suggested character strings based on first, second, and third character strings of the sequence. The method further includes outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at a text-suggestion area of the GUI, the at least two suggested character strings, receiving a selection that indicates a selected character string of the at least two suggested character strings, and outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at the text-entry area of the GUI, the selected character string.
US08819572B2
A mobile terminal supporting detachable memory cards and a method for managing the detachable memory cards attached to the mobile terminal is provided. The detachable memory card management method of the present invention includes displaying, if at least two memory cards are detected, icons representing the memory cards on an idle mode screen, detecting selection of at least one of the icons, and creating files, stored in a source memory card represented by one of the selected icons, in a destination memory card represented by another icon. The detachable memory card management method of the present invention is capable of displaying the card icons representing the memory cards attached to the mobile terminal on the idle mode screen such that the user can identify the attached memory cards.
US08819569B2
The subject invention provides a unique interactive system and method that facilitate single-handed navigation and interaction with applications within a display space on any type of mobile computing device. The system and method include or employ scalable application tiles corresponding to applications, whereby the application tiles can provide or indicate the current state of the corresponding application. The state information provided in each tile can vary as well depending on the current size of the tile. The tiles can be arranged into a plurality of zones such that a user can view one particular zone at a time and obtain more context and information from the application tiles in that zone rather than working with all tiles and all zones at the same time. The view of the display space can be of the world or all application tiles, zone, or application. Panning and zooming among the zones, application tiles and/or views can be performed single-handedly using designated on or off screen controls.
US08819553B2
Systems and methods are provided for on-the-fly playlist shuffling. There can be multiple ways to perform the shuffling. In one instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by sorting the media files based on a parameter. In another instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by shuffling the media files. In yet another instance, the electronic device can first sort the media files into groups of media files based on a parameter. The electronic device can then shuffle the media files within each group. In this manner, the media files can be randomized but only within each group. In all instances, the current media file can continue to play without any interruption. Finally, the electronic device can sort the media files based on the context of the media file that is currently playing.
US08819552B2
A method of executing a function on a standby screen of a mobile terminal capable of executing various functions on a standby screen by selecting a function icon displayed on the standby screen is provided. The method of executing a function on a standby screen of a mobile terminal includes displaying at least one function icon on the standby screen; selecting a displayed function icon; displaying a preview of a function connected to the selected function icon on the standby screen; and executing the function connected to the preview by selecting the preview. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly execute a function connected to a function icon on the standby screen by selecting the function icon, so that provision of a dedicated key can be minimized.
US08819551B2
A display device includes: a storage portion storing content addition information associated with one or two or more pieces of content data; a display screen generation portion generating a display screen, which includes image information related with one content addition information stored in the storage portion; and a display switch portion outputting a switch instruction of the image information included on the display screen, and the display screen generation portion switches the image information included on the display screen to other image information related with the one content addition information according to output of the switch instruction by the display switch portion.
US08819541B2
A system and method that converts the digital typesetting documents used in publishing to a device-specific format for electronic publishing. A “smart file and device-specific application” approach maintains the “look and feel” (design) of the source document used for print publication while typesetting for a specific device. Although this approach requires considerably more resources to create a smart file for each device-specific format, the smart file retains the unique typesetting characteristics of the printed book, is more aesthetically pleasing, and is easier to read. Furthermore, the device-specific application can render the smart file more quickly thereby eliminating any latency.
US08819535B2
Creation of a program with interactive content and time-based media would be improved by having several people working simultaneously on both the interactive content and the time-based media. The range of types of data that can be associated with the time-based media also can include a variety of types of content that enhance the time-based media, including data that is opaque to the editing system. To support editing of such programs, enhanced content may be edited into a program as either a clip or a locator, according to a user's selection. The components that represent enhanced content also may be edited in the same way as components that represent time-based media. Enhanced content may be represented by enhancement files that include data defining enhancements. An enhancement includes an identifier of the enhancement within the enhancement file, and a reference to a file defining enhanced content associated with the enhancement. Such enhancement files may be imported into a bin of an editing system to create components that describe the enhanced content referenced by the enhancements. The enhanced content may be modified using native applications for the enhanced content during editing of the program. The components describing the enhanced content in the editing system can be updated using identifiers of the enhanced content that are stored by the components. Enhanced content also may be automatically synchronized with time-based media.
US08819534B2
An information processing system includes a memory portion that stores each scene of image information of a given space captured by an image capturing portion in association with positional information on an object existent in the given space, a receiving portion that receives information that specifies the object as a search request, and a search portion that searches the image information stored in the memory portion for a scene where the object is existent in a given position on the basis of the search request.
US08819532B2
A data stream is transmitted from a transmitting device to a receiving device via a communication network. Data of the data stream is transmitted to the receiving device by using a transport protocol without data acknowledgement. In a transmission method, parity-encoding parameters for parity encoding a data set of the data stream is determined via the transmitting device. The transmitting device also generates parity data from the data set by using the determined parity-encoding parameters. The transmitting device further transmits the generated parity data to the receiving device via the communication network by using a transport protocol with data acknowledgement.
US08819529B2
A method of communication comprising determining whether to use distributing coding between a source (S), relay (R) and destination (D), based on a predetermined transmission rate; if the determination is positive, determining a forward error correction scheme using distributed Alamouti space-time coding, wherein the scheme is determined based on the predetermined transmission rate, a channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a network topology; relaying coded data from the S to the D using the determined forward error correction.
US08819513B2
Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the recovery of lost real-time media packets within a computer network real-time application implementing Forward Error Control (FEC), such that server performance is not affected from a CPU and memory perspective, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a conference server that is part of a communication network compliant with the Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) is able to avoid regenerating FEC packets by not performing any FEC coding operation on the packets unless it is flagged to indicate regeneration via an FEC (e.g., Reed-Solomon) coding is necessary. Absent the flag, the conference server updates the received FEC packet as per the RTP and transmits the packet to its ultimate destination. Such disclosed systems, methods and computer program products are independent of the nature of the media being protected and flexible enough to support a wide variety of FEC techniques.
US08819507B2
A system and method for designing a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with built-in test mechanism includes several enhancements to traditional circular self-test path (CSTP) BIST architecture. The FPGA BIST scheme isolates primary inputs and primary outputs to improve test coverage. Multiple signature output taps are inserted at CSTP registers throughout the test path to help improve signature aliasing probability. Enhanced CSTP register selection algorithms help prevent register adjacency problems and optimize overall resource utilization for implementation. Multiple clock domains are also handled by the FPGA BIST to allow full chip implementation of the FPGA BIST.
US08819503B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for adjusting a memory parameter in a non-volatile memory circuit. On a trigger event, a parameter is determined in accordance with a circuit characteristic associated with the memory block. The parameter may be a new read level voltage to apply to a page of a memory block, or a program verify level voltage used to program a page of a memory block. On determining the parameter a command is sent to the memory circuit to apply the parameter to the page of the memory block. The method can be triggered by an event such as P/E cycle times and the condition is dynamically adjusted to extend the life of the memory circuit.
US08819496B2
In the system, an apparatus for collecting trace information provided on a circuit executing a program includes a counter unit which increments a count value for each execution cycle of the program, and a collection unit outputs trace information at a fetching timing of the trace information outputted by the circuit and a count value of the counter unit at the fetching timing. Another apparatus for processing trace information includes a trace information acquisition unit which acquires the trace information added with a count value from a trace information collection apparatus, a sort processing unit which sorts the acquired trace information based on the count value, and a trace information storage unit which store the sorted trace information.
US08819494B2
In an embodiment, in response to an error encountered by a test of a program, a rule is found that specifies the error and an action. A part in the program is selected in response to the action, the part is modified, and the test is re-executed. In various embodiments, the part is modified by changing the code in the part or by replacing the part with a previous version of the part.
US08819489B2
An Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) comprising a central processing unit (CPU) core portion and a graphics processing unit (GPU) core portion coupled to the CPU core portion. The GPU core portion includes a GPU core and a dedicated GPU debugging core, the dedicated GPU debugging core enabling performance of GPU centric debug functions.
US08819488B1
One or more computers is configured to run an end-to-end test including at least a plurality of independent tests of multiple stages of an asynchronous multi-stage data processing system. One of the set of independent tests is configured to send a request for test input data from a test data repository service for a particular stage. A converted version of the test input data is obtained. A comparison of the converted version to the output of the particular stage to verify operation of the particular stage is obtained. The output of the particular stage is transmitted to the test data repository service. One or more computers is configured to provide the test data repository service. The test data repository service is configured to store in the test data storage the output of the particular stage as test input data for a next stage of the asynchronous multi-stage data processing system.
US08819481B2
Via a processor, receiving a power off alert indicating a power off condition of a first processing system on which a first storage provider is installed, the first storage provider managing at least one storage controller. The method further can include, responsive to the power off alert, issuing a first command to a second storage provider installed on a second processing system, the first command indicating to the second storage provider to assume management of the storage controller.
US08819474B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for the active training of memory command timing. In some embodiments, the CMD/CTL timing is actively trained using active feedback between memory modules and the memory controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08819468B2
A method of controlling power consumption of an image forming apparatus includes outputting information regarding power consumption of a plurality of operation units if a power consumption check mode is set, performing power save operation in which at least one operation unit from among the plurality of operation units is turned on and the remaining operation units are turned off if a power save mode is set. Accordingly, on/off of the plurality of operation units may be controlled in the power save mode based on power consumption of each of the operation units.
US08819464B2
An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of devices configured to operate in a power save mode. A detecting section is configured to detect execution of the function of a device and identify a number of executions of each device. An obtaining section is configured to obtain a frequency of use or usage history of the device based on the number of executions. A priority determining section is configured to determine a priority level of the device in being powered on normally, the priority level being determined in accordance with the frequency of use of the device. A power save mode selecting section holds a plurality of power save modes and configured to select a power save mode from among the plurality of power save modes in accordance with the priority level. A controller is configured to control the plurality of devices based on the selected power save mode.
US08819459B2
A cluster system of mutual standby type forms groups each composed of a job execution system and a job standby system for taking over the job when problems occur in the job execution system, and provides information processing devices each with a job execution system and a job standby system of different groups. The information processing devices each include: an upper limit value storage unit for storing a power upper limit value, a power control unit for controlling use of power by its own information processing device so as not to exceed the power upper limit value stored, and an upper limit value setting unit for causing the upper limit value storage unit to store a power upper limit value smaller than the maximum power consumption of its own information processing device when it is not necessary to take over the job of another information processing device.
US08819455B2
A processor includes a memory encryption engine that provides replay and confidentiality protections to a memory region. The memory encryption engine performs low-overhead parallelized tree walks along a counter tree structure. The memory encryption engine upon receiving an incoming read request for the protected memory region, performs a dependency check operation to identify dependency between the incoming read request and an in-process request and to remove the dependency when the in-process request is a read request that is not currently suspended.
US08819443B2
A storage device comprises a non-volatile storage media and a processor that is operative to receive, via an interface with one or more host devices, a first entered password needed for accessing data stored in the non-volatile storage media, generate a first number, combine the first entered password and the first number, generate a cryptographic key based on the combination of the first entered password and the first number, encrypt the received first entered password using the cryptographic key, and store the encrypted first entered password and the first number in the non-volatile media. The processor may be further operative to receive a request for authentication; provide a reply comprising the first number; receive a second number calculated based on a cryptographic combination of the first number and a second entered password, and authenticate the host device if the second number successfully decrypts the encrypted first entered password.
US08819438B2
A method for issuing a digital residence certificate using a module associated with a counter. Data from the counter are continuously monitored, whereby the data are read and a consistency test is performed on the basis of a predetermined criterion. In addition, after receiving a residence certificate request, a decision is made as to whether or not the request should be fulfilled, based on the results of the continuous data monitoring.
US08819433B2
A method of obfuscating messages stored in a message store or messages received by a computing device by comparing portions of the messages to user-specified criteria and encrypting or hiding portions of the message if the criteria are matched. The obfuscated messages are stored and access thereto is controlled by only permitting authorized users or applications to decrypt or access the message.
US08819428B2
A key is securely injected into a POS PIN pad processor in its usual operating environment. In response to entry of a personal identification number (PIN) into a PIN pad, the processor puts the PIN into a PIN block; puts additional random data into the PIN block; and encrypts the entire PIN block using asymmetric cryptography with a public key derived from the injected key residing in the PIN pad processor. The corresponding private key may be held securely and secretly by an acquirer processor for decrypting the PIN block to retrieve the PIN. The encrypted random data defends the PIN against dictionary attacks. Time stamp data and constant data encrypted with the PIN block enables a defense of the PIN against replay attacks and tampering. The method may also include accepting the PIN from a mobile phone in communication with the processor.
US08819423B2
An optical receiver comprising at least one processor and a memory including at least one of an encryption key or a decryption key and at least one of encryption microcode or decryption microcode that includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the optical transceiver to perform the following: an act of performing an encryption or decryption operation on data received from a host computing system to thereby authenticate the optical transceiver.
US08819410B2
Methods and apparatuses for private electronic information exchange are described herein. In one embodiment, when electronic information is received to be delivered to a recipient, the electronic information is transmitted over an electronic network with a private routing address. The private routing address is routable within a private domain, which is a subset of the electronic network. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08819409B2
A distribution system and method for distributing digital information is provided, which has high recoverability from a security breach. The distribution system comprises a server (200) and a computing device (110). During an enrollment phase, the computing device obtains a first response from an integrated physically unclonable function (150) integrated in the computing device. The system comprises an enrollment module (130) for determining helper data from a decryption key and the first response to enable later reconstruction of the decryption key from the helper data and a second response obtained from the physically unclonable function. During a reconstruction phase, which occurs after the enrollment phase and typically after a security breach has occurred that revealed data and/or programming code of the computing device, the server may encrypt digital information using an encryption module (220) with a cryptographic encryption key corresponding to the decryption key.
US08819403B2
A method and apparatus for supporting a hibernation function in a mobile device are provided. In the method, the mobile device detects a wakeup event in a hibernation mode and, in response to the wakeup event, loads a snapshot image into a volatile memory from a snapshot image region of a nonvolatile memory. After the loading of the snapshot image, the mobile device determines whether there is a system status has been modified. If the system status has not been modified, the mobile device finishes a system boot. If the system status has been modified, the mobile device performs data synchronization and then finishes the system boot.
US08819392B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to store entries each having a translation portion to store a virtual address (VA)-to-physical address (PA) translation and a second portion to store bits for a memory page associated with the VA-to-PA translation, where the bits indicate attributes of information in the memory page. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08819383B1
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for non-disruptively addressing misalignment between a virtual data format and an underlying data format. Virtual data, such as a guest operating system of a virtual machine, may be stored within a virtual structure, such as a virtual machine disk, according to a virtual data format. The virtual structure may be stored within a storage device according to a storage data format. If misalignment is detected, then a new data container may be created within the storage device. A shim, sized according to a misalignment offset, may be inserted into the new data container in order to align the new data container with the storage device. Virtual data may be migrated from the virtual structure to the new data container to achieve alignment. During the migration, the virtual data may remain available from the virtual structure (e.g., a virtual machine may still execute).
US08819374B1
Described are techniques for migrating data from a source device of a source data storage system to a target device of a target data storage system. The target data storage system is configured to operate in accordance with a spoofing mode and a pass-through mode. A first set of commands from the host are processed for the target device when in the pass-through mode and the spoofing mode with respect to the target device. Data is migrated from the source device to the target device. The target data storage system is configured to operate in an echo mode for the target device and processes a second set of commands from the host when in the echo mode for the target device using information stored in the cache from processing the first set of commands.
US08819373B2
In a process for memory management in the execution of a program by a portable data carrier which has a first and a second memory region for the storage of objects generated in program execution, an object is initially created at least in part in the second memory region. If, in the course of further program execution, a persistent reference to the object is generated, the object is transferred to the first memory region. In a process for converting a source program into an executable program, a check is carried out at compile time as to whether a persistent reference to an object to be newly created is generated. Depending on the result of that check, program code is generated which creates the object either in the first or at least in part in the second memory region.
US08819372B2
According to an example, in a method for preventing data loss during reboot, a logical storage resource management device may pre-allocate reserved memory for storing a storage resource mapping table, allocate logical storage resources to a data source device before a system is rebooted, record, in the storage resource mapping table, a physical location of the logical storage resources into which data has been written when the data source device writes the data into the logical storage resources, obtain the physical location of the logical storage resources into which the data has been written from the storage resource mapping table when the system is rebooted, set a state of a physical memory block corresponding to the logical storage resources into which the data has been written as used, and release all logical storage resources after the data source device reads the data.
US08819368B2
A memory subsystem includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a controller including logic to interface the volatile memory to an external system. The volatile memory is addressable for reading and writing by the external system. The memory subsystem includes a power controller with logic to detect when power from the external system to at least one of the volatile and nonvolatile memories and to the controller fails. When external system power fails, backup power is provided to at least one of the volatile and nonvolatile memories and to the controller for long enough to enable the controller to back up data from the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory.
US08819361B2
The objects of an archive may be verified with a cryptographic signature stored in the archive. However, when an object is extracted, the authentication involves re-authenticating the entire archive, re-extracting the object, and comparing the extracted object with the current object, which is inefficient or unachievable if the archive is unavailable. Instead, the archive may include a block map signed with the signature and comprising hashcodes for respective blocks of the objects of the archive. When an object is extracted, the signature and block map may also be extracted and stored as objects outside of the archive. The extracted signature and block map may later be verified by authenticating the signature, verifying the block map with the signature, and matching the hashcodes of the block map with those of the blocks of the extracted objects, thus enabling a more efficient and portable verification of extracted object with extracted authentication credentials.
US08819358B2
Provided is a data storage device including two or more data storage areas including may have two or more (heterogeneous) types of nonvolatile memory cells. At least one of the data storage areas includes a plurality of memory blocks that are sequentially selected, and metadata are stored in the currently selected memory block. The memory blocks can be sequentially used and metadata can be stored in a uniformly-distributed manner throughout the data storage device. Therefore, separate merging and wear-leveling operations are unnecessary. Thus, it is possible to improve the lifetime and writing performance of a data storage device having two or more heterogeneous nonvolatile memories.
US08819353B2
The present disclosure includes methods and systems that share memory located on one PCIe based HBA across other PCIe based HBAs in the system. In addition, the backup battery is effectively shared across multiple PCIe based HBAs in the system. This approach saves significant costs by avoiding the need to have a separate DRAM with its own dedicated battery backup on each HBA board in the system. This also allows the redundant memory and backup batteries to be removed while still retaining the same functionality through the common DDR3 memory chip and battery backup shared across multiple HBAs in the system. The component cost for batteries and memory, management module, board space, and the board manufacturing cost are all reduced as a result.
US08819345B2
Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments of the invention are disclosed for efficient communication between processor units in a multi-core processor integrated circuit architecture. In example embodiments of the invention, a method comprises: storing with a shared inter-core communication unit in a multi-core processor, first data produced by a producer processor core, in a first token memory located at a first memory address of a memory address space; and connecting with the shared inter-core communication unit, the first token memory to a consumer processor core of the multi-core processor, to load the first data from the first token memory into the consumer processor core, in response to a first-type command from the producer processor core.
US08819341B2
The invention relates to a method and entity that allow for saving of uplink bandwidth in connection with peer-to-peer sharing in a wireless communication system. A caching entity, called a reverse cache, intercepts a point-to-point connection between a mobile network user plane gateway and a wireless user equipment running a peer-to-peer application. The reverse cache caches content loaded to the peer-to-peer application and stores information indicative of the wireless user equipment to which the cached content is loaded. A request on the point-to-point connection for delivery of a first content from the wireless user equipment is intercepted by the reverse cache. When the requested first content is cached in the reverse cache along with information indicating that the requested first content has been loaded to the wireless user equipment, the reverse cache responds by delivering the requested first content, without involving the wireless user equipment.
US08819323B2
A port A request queue is configured with a port AQ0 to a port AQn for each of request types Q0 to Qn connected with a requester resource busy flag controller Q0 to a requester resource busy flag controller Qn, respectively. A port A resource checking unit of a port X arbiter unit gives instructions to the requester resource busy flag controller of the port AQ0 to turn a busy flag on when it is determined that a data request from the port AQ0 has difficulty in being output to a port X inter-port arbiter unit due to resources being busy as a result of referring to a resource information unit of a port X resource managing unit. The port AQ0 inhibits output of a data request as long as the busy flag is on.
US08819321B2
Systems and methods for providing instant-on functionality on an embedded controller are disclosed. A method of providing instant-on functionality on a controller comprises an initial state, an intermediate state and a final state. The initial state comprises installing a first responder code, enabling the first responder code and enabling a timer interrupt service routine. The intermediate state comprises registering the first responder code as a timer interrupt service routine. The timer interrupt service routine initiates periodic processing. The final state comprises registering a steady-state interrupt service routine.
US08819307B1
A host computer accesses a federated storage volume at first and second frames (physical storage assemblies). The host identifies a preferred frame by (1) obtaining representative values of a performance metric for sets of paths to the volume, each set associated with a different frame, and (2) selecting the frame associated with the path set having the best representative value. In one example a response latency is used to detect different distances to the host and identify the closer frame, which will be preferred. Operating modes of the paths for non-preferred frames are set to “standby”. During subsequent operation using path selection to send storage operations to the volume, the host selects among paths in an “active” operating mode so as to access the volume at the preferred frame under normal operating condition. Standby paths are reserved for less normal operating conditions, such as when no active path is available.
US08819300B2
A peripheral apparatus management unit of an information processing apparatus includes an acquisition function for acquiring version information of an operating system. The unit further includes a selection function for selecting peripheral apparatus management function control information that defines information required to construct a view content of a peripheral apparatus management screen that includes a function related object, based on the version information of the operating system acquired by the acquisition function. The unit further includes an installation function for installing the peripheral apparatus management function control information selected by the selection function on the information processing apparatus. The unit further includes a display function for reading the peripheral apparatus management function control information installed by the installation function, constructing the view content of the peripheral apparatus management screen based on the peripheral apparatus management function control information, and displaying the peripheral apparatus management screen.
US08819297B2
The invention relates to a token for communicating with a host device. The token includes an interface for communicating through at least one USB communication channel. The token is adapted to receive, through at least one USB communication channel, a command for requesting the token to specify at least one capability of the token, and send, through at least one USB communication channel, as a reply to the received command, a response for specifying that the token supports a USB device class for HID. The invention also relates to corresponding communication system and method.
US08819295B2
A first information processing device configures an information communication system for communicating information through a plurality of overlay networks comprising a plurality of node devices connected to a network, the first information processing device that comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire range information indicative of a range of the network of the request node device, a generation unit configured to generate identification information indicative of identifying a group to which the request node has transmitted the request message is belonged, based on the range information, and a control unit configured to control the request node device to join-in the overlay network corresponding to the range information.
US08819292B2
The present invention provides techniques for use in audience-related measurements, including hybrid techniques which include use of panel-based audience-related measurement information and census-based audience-related measurement information. Techniques are provided in which panel-based audience-related measurement information is obtained from multiple providing entities, and census-based audience-related measurement information is obtained one or more providing entities. The obtained information is stored in a database. The stored information may be provided to the information-providing entities, and may be used in calibrating or improving the accuracy of audience-related measurements.
US08819290B2
The disclosure discloses a method for transmitting compressed rights. The method includes that: a terminal negotiates a compress algorithm with a server; the terminal requests the server through an “Extensions” field in a rights object request message to transmit the rights in compression format; the server generates a rights object response message according to a standard approach, compresses the rights in the rights object response message according to the negotiated compress algorithm, and generates a compressed rights object response message and sends the compressed rights object response message to the terminal; the terminal receives the compressed rights object response message, decompresses the rights in the received rights object response message according to the negotiated compress algorithm, and generates a decompressed rights object response message. The disclosure also discloses a system for transmitting compressed rights through which the volume of data in the Rights Object Acquisition Protocol (ROAP) communication can be reduced and the reliability of digital rights object transmission and user experience are improved.
US08819287B2
Method and system for compressing URL request parameters is provided. At least a portion of a URL is converted from a first form into at least a second form and communicated.
US08819277B2
A technique is provided for delivering an alert to a user. The technique includes identifying which single device of a user's multiple devices should receive the alert. A server is configured to collect device statistics about the user's devices and determine which device should receive the alert. Example device statistics include locations of the devices, last use time of the devices, statistics received from other applications that the user is accessing (e.g., email, search engine, applications, mobile apps, etc.), statistics from other users in the same location as the user, statistics from cameras, motion detectors, or proximity sensors associated with the devices, history/pattern of the user consuming previous alerts, what type of message is associated with the alert (e.g., email, SMS, picture, video, etc.), and/or whether a particular device is ON/OFF or locked/unavailable, among others.
US08819275B2
Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be defined as a load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) for storing a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server during a session. Packets sent between the client and the server may include the LBSPO with the client and server identifiers. A load balancer with a virtual IP address of a target application can perform session persistence and assign a destination server to a client based on a preexisting session between the server and the client, as determined by the LBSPO information. While a target VIP node may process data packets based on the LBSPO information, once established, the LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.
US08819273B2
A method and system for mapping logical identifiers to physical identifiers is provided. In one embodiment, a logical routing system allows each application, or more generally entity (e.g., user of an application), to register its logical identifier to physical identifier mapping when the application starts executing on a computer. To send a message to an application identified by a logical identifier, a client program uses the registered mapping to identify the physical identifier of the computer. If an application later starts executing on a different computer, then the application can register a different mapping.
US08819271B2
A system and method can be used to collect communication information including Layer 2 and Layer 3 information during normal communications between devices or other elements within a network. In a particular embodiment, the information can be generated as address resolution protocol tables and media access control tables, which are used to keep track of which elements are connected to other elements and to map network addresses to media access control identifiers. The communication information can be used in performing an action, such as servicing the system, auditing the system, checking for security breaches or policy violations, or other suitable action.
US08819266B2
According to some embodiments, first and second schedule patterns are determined. For example, a graphical user interface might be used to indicate the times, days, and/or weeks when information is to be transferred. A first transfer of information may be scheduled between remote devices in accordance with the first schedule pattern, and a second transfer may be scheduled in accordance with the second schedule pattern. Moreover, a third transfer of information between remote devices may be automatically scheduled in accordance with both the first and second schedule patterns.
US08819265B2
A count of data segments is maintained. The count includes data segments in a queue and data segments in transit between a data source and the queue. A flow of data segments from the data source is controlled, based on a value of the count.
US08819264B2
Systems and methods for dynamically switching between unicast and multicast delivery of media content are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a user device 1) accessing, over a wireless network, a unicast stream carrying data representative of a media content program, 2) detecting, during the accessing of the unicast stream, an instruction to switch to a multicast stream carrying data representative of the media content program, and 3) switching, in response to the instruction, from the accessing of the unicast stream to accessing the multicast stream by way of the wireless network. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
US08819263B2
A client server arrangement for downloading media content filters from a server device to a client device. The media content filters define portions of a separate audio visual presentation containing potentially objectionable subject matter. Depending on user selections, identified portions of the audio/visual presentation may be skipped and/or muted during play. In one particular implementation, the client device, e.g., a DVD player, is configured to initiate a connection with a server device. Upon successful connection, the server device transmits one or more media content filters to the client device. The client device may be configured to determine whether a particular media content filter is available, to facilitate deletion of some existing media content filters in order to secure adequate memory space, and to ensure that the media player has an active account, before initiating a connection with the server device. The server device may be configured to determine whether the media player is associated with an active user account, whether a requested filter is available, and whether adequate memory space is available at the media player, before transmitting media content filters to the client device.
US08819251B1
The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for the improved tracking of a data state. The present invention allows session states to be maintained by sites that run on multiple, load-balanced servers. The present invention removes a single point of failure in a system, thus preventing all active sessions from being lost by providing persistent session data distributable across one or more machines over a communications network.
US08819247B2
A method, device and computer readable medium are provided for enabling a communication for a second device using a first device. The method comprises detecting a first connection with the first device; obtaining from the first device via the first connection, a first set of one or more addresses and a second set of one or more identifiers associated with respective ones of the one or more addresses; detecting disconnection of the first connection with the first device; deleting the first set; enabling one or more identifiers from the second set to be associated with data to be transferred to the first device; detecting a second connection with the first device; and sending the data and associated one or more identifiers to the first device to have the first device to send the communication using corresponding one or more addresses.
US08819242B2
A method and system to exchange information between computer applications are provided. The system may include a source operating system, a destination operating system and an offload stack, all residing on the device. The source operating system and the destination operating system appear to users as distinct network entities. The offload stack may be configured to function as an intermediate network device for the source operating system. The offload stack, in one embodiment, comprises a back end to receive a message from the source operating system to the destination operating system, an analyzer to determine that the destination operating system resides on the device and a cut though socket module to process the message such that a network layer of the offload stack is bypassed.
US08819238B2
In an application execution system having a plurality of application servers and an application master in an application execution system, the application master stores a plurality of applications, including a respective application, in a library for distribution among the application servers, adds a first instance of the respective application from the library to a respective application server for execution, and obtains usage information of one or more applications added to the application servers. In accordance with the usage information, the application master performs one of a predefined set of actions that includes: adding a second instance of the respective application to the plurality of application servers; and removing the first instance of the respective application from the respective application server.
US08819234B1
A method is used in supplying data storage services. For a set of applications running on an electronic system, an application service is provided to each application in the set to support operation of that application. The application service is separate from operating system services and security protection services provided by the electronic system. A data storage service provider being separate from the electronic system is communicated with to use resources of the data storage service provider in providing the application service to each application in the set.
US08819229B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for configuring logical networks. A client makes a request, through a service call, for creation of a logical network, including a logical network gateway and accounts for users to access the logical network gateway. In response to the service call, the logical network is created and configured, and a confirmation is provided to the client.
US08819222B2
A method of profiling communication traffic of users in a data network, comprising: monitoring communication traffic originated by a user of a communication terminal; and assigning to the user of the communication terminal a unique and anonymous user traffic identifier, wherein the user traffic identifier is related to a user address assigned to the communication terminal in the data network. Also, the user traffic identifier is adapted to be included in the communication traffic with respect to that user. The method further includes communicating the unique and anonymous user traffic identifier to the user terminal and having the user communication terminal include the user traffic identifier in the user traffic, upon receipt of communication traffic including the user traffic identifier, obtaining a descriptor of the received communication traffic useful to describe the detected traffic and at least temporarily storing the obtained descriptor; and building an anonymous user profile related to the user's communication activities based on the stored descriptors.
US08819217B2
An apparatus, and corresponding method, for performing a search for a match of at least one expression in an input stream is presented. A graph including a number of interconnected nodes is generated. A compiler may assign at least one starting node and at least one ending node. The starting node includes a location table with node position information of an ending node and a sub-string value associated with the ending node. Using the node position information and a string comparison function, intermediate nodes located between the starting and ending nodes may be bypassed. The node bypassing may reduce the number of memory accesses required to read the graph.
US08819216B2
A method of controlling communication quality between one node and at least one other node in a packet switched communication system, the method comprising the steps of detecting at one of said nodes a condition that indicates that communication quality is below an acceptable threshold, automatically generating instructions based on the detected condition for a user of the at least one node, said instructions intended to provide a remedy to improve the communication quality, and receiving input from a user of the at least one node responsive to the instructions to implement the remedy and thereby improve the communication quality.
US08819215B2
A system for providing step-ahead computing may include a client and a server. The client may include a communication element, a user interface element and a processor. The communication element may be configured to receive a set of pre-computed actions. The set of pre-computed actions may be based on at least one possible future state of the client. The user interface element may be configured to receive a user input corresponding to a particular action. The processor may be in communication with the communication element and the user interface element. The processor may be configured to determine whether the set of pre-computed actions include an action corresponding to the particular action and to execute the action in response to a determination that the set of pre-computed actions include the action corresponding to the particular action. The server may include a processing element, a pre-computing element and a server side communication element. The processing element may be configured to receive an indication of a current state of the client. The pre-computing element may be in communication with the processing element and configured to determine the set of pre-computed actions based on the at least one possible future state of the client. The server side communication element may be in communication with the processing element and configured to communicate the pre-computed actions to the client.
US08819212B1
An information management system delegates information classification to an external computing resource, or classifier. The intelligence required to perform classification, including a series of logic and/or rules, is provided to the classifier. The logic and/or rules are translated from a first format to a second format understandable to the classifier. The information management system discovers objects of an entity and identifies them for the classifier. The classifier collects information about the objects, applies the logic and rules to the objects, and assigns one or more categories to each object. This classification information is translated from the second format to the first format and reported back to the information management system, which may use the assigned categories to identify and map service level objectives to available service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity receive the selected services.
US08819204B2
A method operates a group service or several group services in a communications network. The method involves detecting specific group service and/or specific group event-related data items in an event-recording unit, transmitting at least a part of specific group service and/or specific group event-related data items from the event-recording unit to a group lists-generating unit, evaluating said specific group service and/or specific group event-related data items and generating specific group lists by said group lists-generating unit, wherein said specific group lists indicate the current participation state of the group participants to the group service or to each group service.
US08819200B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to cluster node configuration and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for automated cluster node configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, an automated cluster node configuration method can be provided. The method can include assigning an initial IP address to a newly added cluster node in a cluster, identifying a hardware address for the newly added cluster node, locating an association with the hardware address in a switch in the cluster, re-configuring the assignment of the IP address based upon the located association in the switch, and requesting a reboot of the newly added cluster node with the re-configured assignment of the IP address.
US08819197B2
A portion of receiver software includes of a device information receiving section bound to an IP address corresponding to a virtual managed printer. The device information receiving section, as ported receiver software, receives distribution from an integrated management printer. As a result, one simulator agent PC can act as numerous managed printers that receive distribution from the integrated management printer.
US08819192B2
A method and apparatus for identifying a keyboard inaccessible node on a web page. The method may include acquiring all nodes in a DOM tree of the web page; identifying a mouse operable node among all the nodes; checking whether or not said mouse operable node is keyboard navigable and whether or not said mouse operable node is keyboard operable; and extracting the keyboard non-navigable node and the keyboard inoperable node as said keyboard inaccessible node.
US08819183B2
Request processing within a computing environment is facilitated. Request processing and analytics processing for the request are performed substantially concurrently in order to improve efficiency of request execution. The analytics processing is at least commenced, and may complete, prior to receiving an indication of success or failure of the request processing. If request processing fails, analytics processing ceases, if not already complete, and results of the analytic processing are not used.
US08819179B2
A method begins by a processing module determining dispersed storage (DS) units that are storing a set of encoded data slices associated with a data segment and sending a revision level check request message to each of the DS units. The method continues with the processing module receiving revision level check response messages from at least some of the DS units within a time period to produce received revision level check response messages and determining concurrency of a revision level of the set of encoded data slices stored by the DS units based on the received revision level check response messages. The method continues with the processing module initiating a revision concurrency process when less than a threshold number of encoded data slices have concurrency of the revision level.
US08819174B2
Provided is an information processing system that reflects a processing load of the virtual machine actually running in one server, and reproduces the processing load generated in the case where this virtual machine is run in the other server. An information processing system (1000) includes a server A(100) and a server B(200) that can communicate with each other through a network (500). The server A(100) runs a virtual machine (123), and transmits, to the server B(200), load information indicative of a processing load generated in the server A(100) as a result of running the virtual machine (123) when the virtual machine (123) is run. The server B(200) generates the processing load on the basis of the load information received from the server A(100).
US08819170B2
A system for exchanging information is provided. The system includes a memory, a first communication link, and at least one processor implementing a first protocol. The at least one processor is coupled to the memory and the first communication link. The at least one processor is configured to receive, via the first communication link, a first request message including a first globally unique identifier (GUID); start, responsive to receipt of the first request message, a communication session over the first communication link; provide a first response message including the first GUID; receive, via the first communication link, a second request message including data and a second GUID; write the data to a location indicated by the second GUID; read information stored at the indicated location; and provide a second response message including the second GUID and the information.
US08819166B2
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item.
US08819161B1
A network device includes a master physical layer and a slave physical layer device configured to communicate with a plurality of network devices. The master physical layer device includes a signal generator module configured to generate a first clock that is syntonized to a grandmaster clock having a fixed frequency; and a frequency adjusting module configured to, at a predetermined time interval, adjust a frequency of the first clock to the fixed frequency of the grandmaster clock. The slave physical layer device includes a time of day calculating module configured to calculate a first time of day of the slave physical layer device based on a second clock that is asynchronous to the first clock, and a period adjusting module configured to synchronize the first time of day to a second time of day of the master physical layer device based on the predetermined time interval.
US08819160B2
A network-connectable device is configured to communicate with one or more computer-related devices via a network. The network-connectable device includes a list management unit and a shutdown unit. When the list management unit receives a start command signal instructing an activation of the network-connectable device which is transmitted from a computer-related device, the list management unit registers the computer-related device on a list. When the computer-related device registered on the list is switched to or is to be switched to a disconnected state disconnected from the network-connectable device, the list management unit deletes the computer-related device from the list. The shutdown unit shuts down power to a part of the network-connectable device when none of the computer-related devices is registered on the list.
US08819159B2
A service providing unit adapted to provide a first service which transmits image data to the external apparatus under the control of the external apparatus on the network; a service retrieval unit adapted to retrieve the external apparatus, on the network, capable of providing a second service which processes the image data transmitted from the data management apparatus under the control of the data management apparatus; a service controlling unit adapted to control the external apparatus on the network such that the external apparatus provides the second service; and a switching unit adapted to switch between a first state that deactivates the service controlling unit and a second state that activates the service controlling unit based on a retrieval result by the service retrieving unit.
US08819152B2
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of verifying a recipient address in an electronic correspondence, the method including the steps of: receiving a recipient address in an electronic correspondence; running an addressee verification logic configured to verify the recipient address according to any one of an: address suffix comparison, correspondence content, recipient combination, or to-from combinations; and indicating whether the addressee information is verified.
US08819151B2
A method for processing deferred messages includes a storing process, a notification process and a retrieving process of a deferred message. In the storing process, when a user presets and requires to store the deferred message, the system stores the deferred message to be sent to the user; in the notification process, when a user gets online, an IM server at the client side detects the system has stored the deferred message for the user and if the user has subscribed the deferred message notification, the system sends the deferred message notification to the client according to the setting of the system or of the user; in the retrieving process, when the client receives the deferred message notification and requests to acquire the deferred message, its IM server sends the deferred message content to the client. The present invention improves the method for processing deferred messages in the SIP/SIMPLE IM service system.
US08819150B1
A conversation server having one or more processors and memory receives a first request from a first client for a conversation associated with a first webpage while there is no conversation associated with the first webpage. In response to the first request, the conversation server generates a first conversation that is associated with the first webpage and sends information to the first client enabling the first conversation to be displayed as an element embedded in the first webpage. After the first conversation has been generated, the conversation server receives, from a second client, a second request for a conversation associated with the first webpage. In response to the second request, the conversation server sends information to the second client enabling the first conversation to be displayed as an element embedded in the first webpage.
US08819138B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for managing pooled collections of content items, such as photos, in a content management system. An example system can first receive, from a first user device, images uploaded to a first account at a synchronized online content management system, and cluster at least some of the images as a collection. The system can receive, from the first user, a request to share the collection with a second user having a second account at the content management system, and generate, in response to the request, a pooled collection at the content management system from the collection. The system can transmit an invitation to the second user to join the pooled collection, and, upon acceptance, link the pooled collection to the second user account so that the first user and the second user have access to images in the persistent pooled collection and have permission to contribute content to the pooled collection.
US08819136B1
A multimedia collaboration system that facilitates more efficient, free-flowing collaboration sessions. The role of the presenter can be exchanged among participants in a collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system is configured so that control of a collaboration session can be exchanged freely between participants in the collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system enables participants in the collaboration session to determine the pace and course of the session.
US08819130B2
A hardware and software platform for collaboratively reviewing prior group to group interactions while planning, producing and archiving new group to group interactions. The platform may be used to collaboratively create group to group interactions. The system may be used to link two or more stadia, movie theatres or homes so as to provide interaction between the groups at each location simultaneously as a game or other event takes place.
US08819128B2
A call conferencing apparatus, method, and computer program detect one or more events that are related to a conference call. The apparatus, method, and computer program then send one or more instant messages to one or more participants associated with the conference call. The one or more events could include, for example, a participant joining the conference call, a participant exiting the conference call, a participant failing to log into the conference call correctly, a participant transferring to another communication device during the conference call, a beginning of the conference call, and an end of the conference call.
US08819127B1
Described herein are methods, systems, and computer program products for seamless interoperability between multiple computing nodes. A server computing device receives, from a first computing node in a plurality of computing nodes, a message for transmission to one or more other computing nodes, the message generated by the first computing node based upon application-specific instructions from a first application on the first computing node, where the plurality of computing nodes is defined as a virtual network at the server computing device and each computing node includes an ensemble module for communicating with the server. The server determines one or more other computing nodes in the virtual network to receive the message. The server transmits the message to the determined one or more other computing nodes, where each of the destination computing nodes formats the message into application-specific instructions for a second application on the determined node.
US08819125B2
There is provided a data processing method of a client terminal that communicates with a server, including: receiving a data request message for requesting data of a USB device connected to the client terminal, from the server, the data request message including information about a size of data that is to be read from the USB device; acquiring data corresponding to the size of data included in the data request message, from the USB device; deciding a size of data that is able to be additionally transmitted from the USB device, according to operation states of other USB devices connected to the client terminal; and transmitting a data transmission completion message to the server, wherein the data transmission completion message includes information about the size of data that is able to be additionally transmitted, and the data acquired from the USB device.
US08819112B2
A method, system and terminal for changing an MO of a broadcast service guide. The method for changing an management object (MO) of a broadcast service guide includes: installing an MO tree by a terminal upon receiving a service guide for which at least one management object has been formed from a broadcast server; changing by the terminal a corresponding MO upon receiving a change-requested parameter of the service guide MO from a DM server; and updating by the terminal a corresponding portion of the service guide based on the changed MO. When the subscriber terminal which has received the broadcast service has a problem or needs to be updated, the problem of the terminal can be remotely, quickly and easily solved by correcting the change-requested parameter of the MO of the service guide of the terminal side according to a request of the server or the terminal.
US08819101B2
Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses methods and techniques for performing multi-bit quantization. One such apparatus includes an input signal line; a first comparator having a first input coupled to the input signal line, a second input coupled to a first reference signal, and an output; a rectifier having an input coupled to the input signal line and also having an output; and a second comparator having a first input coupled to the output of the rectifier, a second input coupled to a second reference signal, and an output, with the first comparator and the second comparator being clocked so as to produce sequences of quantized samples at substantially the same times.
US08819094B2
The technology is a division circuit with decreased circuit area. An embodiment includes an integrated circuit implementing multiplicative division of a dividend input and a divisor input. The integrated circuit includes a lookup table circuit and multiplier circuits. The lookup table circuit providing an approximation of a reciprocal of a divisor input. The multiplier circuits receive the approximation and refine a quotient output of the dividend input and a divisor input. At least one of the multiplier circuits is a squaring circuit implementing multiplication with a reduced number of intermediate partial products. The reduced number of intermediate partial products prevent the squaring circuit from multiplication of any two unequal numbers and limiting the squaring circuit to multiplication of a same number by the same number.
US08819091B2
An information processing apparatus includes a communicating section that executes communication with a server, a local storage section that stores subsequent data acquired from the server, and a data processing section that executes an acquisition process of the subsequent data, and a data playback process using data stored on a disc and the subsequent data stored on the local storage section. The data processing section builds a virtual file system for reading data stored on the disc and the local storage section, at the time of the data playback process, and performs the acquisition process of the subsequent data by transmitting a package ID to the server at the time of the acquisition process of the subsequent data, the package ID being information specifying a package corresponding to a file set necessary for building or updating the virtual file system.
US08819088B2
Techniques are provided for accessing sector data. An embedded storage function is received. One or more data management functions are generated in response to receiving the embedded storage function. The one or more data management functions are invoked to retrieve the sector data from a sector table.
US08819084B2
A system, method and computer program product for importing and exporting data in a network-based customer relationship application is provided. Data to be imported/exported between an origin and a destination is identified. Then, a set of predetermined rules associated with the customer relationship application and at least one user-created scripting function are identified. For importing, the destination is associated with the customer relationship application, and the data is imported from the origin to the destination utilizing the network in accordance with the predetermined rules and is transformed based on the user-created scripting function. The data is then stored in memory accessible to the customer relationship application. For exporting, the origin is associated with the application, the data is exported from the origin to the destination utilizing the network in accordance with the predetermined rules and is transformed based on the user-created scripting function.
US08819083B2
A method and computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method includes receiving a first user selection of a source database object to be used in the creation of a new database object. The source database object has a first predefined database object type. The method also includes storing a reference to the selected source database object in association with a user identifier associated with the first user selection; receiving a second user selection of a second predefined database object type to be used in the creation of the new database object. The second database object type is different from the first database object type. The method also includes determining if a user identifier associated with the second user selection is stored in association with the user identifier associated with the stored reference, and if so, creating the new database object using the referenced source database object.
US08819075B2
A system may include presentation, to a user, of a consuming business entity including a reference field of a business object, reception of an instruction from the user to add an extension field to the consuming business entity based on the reference field of the business object, determination of a second consuming business entity including the reference field of the business object, and presentation of the second consuming business entity to the user.
US08819070B2
Methods and apparatus for information organization and exchange by providing a data store of interconnected items of information that together form an intent-driven taxonomy. This allows users to easily discover and exchange real-time items of information across applications.
US08819069B2
Embodiments are directed to determining a data insertion point in a data layout based on relative cardinalities between data objects and to determining a data insertion point in a data layout based on defined hierarchies between data objects. In an embodiment, a computer system receives a user input indicating that an additional portion of information is to be added to an existing data layout which includes multiple different data objects. The computer system accesses the data objects to determine relative cardinalities between the data objects in the data layout. The computer system determines an optimal data insertion point for inserting the additional portion of information based on the determined relative cardinalities between the data objects. The computer system also inserts the additional portion of information in the existing data layout at the determined optimal data insertion point.
US08819068B1
In some implementations, a user interface (UI) module provides a user interface to a user device to enable input of information for creating or modifying a database object, such as a schema object of a schema maintained in one or more separate databases. The UI module may determine validity of the inputs in real time as the user enters the inputs. Further, the UI module may check permissions of the user and/or obtain a manual approval of a request for creating or modifying the database object. The UI module may forward the user inputs with instructions for creating or modifying the database object to one or more databases. Computing devices associated with the databases may create or modify the database object based, at least in part, on the inputs from the user, creation or modification rules, syntax rules and/or a logical database associated with the user.
US08819064B2
Method, system, and programs for heterogeneous data management. Information from multiple data sources is first obtained. Data/metadata from each of the data sources is modeled based on the source and/or granularity information of the data/metadata to generate data/metadata models. The data/metadata from multiple data sources are integrated, by applying one or more processes to the data/metadata from different data sources based on the data/metadata models, to generate integrated data/metadata. A provenance representation for the integrated data/metadata is created tracing sources, granularities, and/or processes applied and archived for enabling an query associated with the integrated data/metadata.
US08819063B2
Various embodiments are described for searching and retrieving documents based on a natural language input. A computer-implemented natural language processor electronically receives a natural language input phrase from an interface device. The natural language processor attributes a concept to the phrase with the natural language processor. The natural language processor searches a database for a set of documents to identify one or more documents associated with the attributed concept to be included in a response to the natural language input phrase. The natural language processor maintains the concepts during an interactive session with the natural language processor. The natural language processor resolves ambiguous input patterns in the natural language input phrase with the natural language processor. The natural language processor includes a processor, a memory and/or storage component, and an input/output device.
US08819053B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an input including an item, receiving information associated with the item, where the information includes implicit information, determining explicit information based on the implicit information, where the explicit information identifies a geographic location associated with the item, providing a travel search interface including multiple search fields, where the multiple search fields include a destination field, and pre-populating the destination field with a travel destination location associated with the geographic location.
US08819051B2
Techniques for providing information about “offline” content are provided. In one technique, content (e.g., televised or paper-printed content) is “tagged” with a service-associated icon and a keyword. A person seeing the icon in the content may submit the keyword to the service via his web browser. The service responsively submits search-limiting criteria, associated with the keyword, as query terms to a search engine. The search engine determines relevant web pages based on the query terms, dynamically generates search results and returns the search results to either the web browser or the service, which may dynamically generate and send to the web browser another web page containing the search results. Due to the automatic addition of the search-limiting criteria to the query terms, the set of web pages that the search engine determines to be relevant is narrower and more focused than the set otherwise would be.
US08819048B1
Virtually managing repositories to provide retention management services is disclosed. An indication is received that a retention management service is desired to be performed with respect to an external content item. A reference object is created that represents the external content item. The reference object is used to perform the retention management service with respect to the external content item.
US08819037B2
Systems and methods for verifying membership in one or more sets that are subsets of a global set are provided. The method compromises representing members of the global set by mapping each member to a distinct Boolean variable of length d, wherein 2d is not less than the number of members in the global set; representing each of the given subsets of the global set by a Boolean expression which evaluates to a first value for any of the assignments to the Boolean variables which represent members of the subset, and which evaluates to a second value for any of the assignments to the Boolean variables which represent members of the global set that are not members of the subset.
US08819028B2
A method and system for extracting Web content is disclosed. In one embodiment, Web content in a Webpage is extracted by identifying paragraphs in the Web content based on line-break node determination. A range of text-body associated with the identified paragraphs is then identified using a maximum scoring subsequence. Further, the identified text-body is refined using a heuristic rule of substantially horizontal alignment. Furthermore, one or more titles and one or more images associated with the Web content are extracted. Moreover, the Web content including the identified paragraphs, the one or more titles and the one or more images are outputted.
US08819023B1
A data set is clustered into one or more initial clusters using a first term space. Initial themes for the initial clusters are determined. The first term space is reduced to create a reduced term space. At least a portion of the data set is reclustered into one or more baby clusters using the reduced term space. One or more singletons are reassigned to form one or more renovated clusters from the baby clusters. A renovated theme is determined for at least some of the renovated clusters. One or more of the renovated clusters and their respective themes are provided as output.
US08819022B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and managing topical content for websites. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for identifying and managing topical content for a website. The method may include determining a set of topics at a first level of popularity, determining a set of topics at a second level of popularity, and discounting the set of topics at the second level of popularity based on the set of topics at the first level of popularity to determine a revised set of topics for the second level of popularity. The method may also include managing the topical content based on the revised set of topics for the second level of popularity.
US08819017B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-storage media for affinitizing datasets based on efficient query processing. In one embodiment, a plurality of datasets within a data stream is received. The data stream is partitioned based on efficient query processing. Once the data stream is partitioned, an affinity identifier is assigned to datasets based on the partitioning of the dataset. Further, when datasets are broken into extents, the affinity identifier of the parent dataset is retained in the resulting extent. The affinity identifier of each extent is then referenced to preferentially store extents having common affinity identifiers within close proximity of one other across a data center.
US08819000B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for query modification. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an original query including a first limitation. First search results responsive to a modified query are obtained, where the first limitation has been omitted from the modified query. One or more common characteristics shared by two or more resources are identified. Each of the two or more resources corresponds to a different highly-ranked result of the first search results. A second modified query including the original query and a second limitation representing the one or more common characteristics is generated. Second search results responsive to the second modified query are obtained. The second search results are provided in a response to the original query.
US08818986B1
A method of refining a search comprising receiving, by a mobile communication device, a user input, the user input defining a search request; refining, by the mobile communication device, the search request based on a user profile; sending, by the mobile communication device, the refined search request to a search engine; receiving, by the mobile communication device, a search result from the search engine; displaying, by the mobile communication device, the search result.
US08818971B1
Systems and methods for deleting non-key values from an index distributed over a plurality of computing devices maintains a non-key master list that includes the non-key values that are stored on each of the plurality of computing devices and receives a list of non-key values to delete. The systems and methods further intersect the list of non-key values to delete with the non-key master list, creating a first delete list for a first one of the plurality of computing devices that includes non-key values to be deleted that are stored on the first computing device. The systems and methods further transmit the first delete list to the first computing device and update the non-key master list based on the list of non-key values to delete.
US08818957B2
The claimed subject matter relates to architectures for facilitating network-accessible or local backup or restore features in a manner that leverages event-oriented contextual information associated with one or more users of the data to be backed up or restored. In particular, a first restore-based architecture can interface with an associated second backup-based architecture that hosts or maintains a backup data store in order to retrieve a version of the data file that is desired by a user. Additionally, the first architecture can obtain a log of contextual event descriptions that can be aggregated by the second architecture or obtained independently from, e.g., a social networking service or a calendar application associated with the user. Thus, in addition to displaying time and date information associated with the desired version, the first architecture can provide the user with a social context of event from the social services feeds to aid the user in distinguishing between multiple versions of the data file.
US08818954B1
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for recovering databases. In some embodiments, this includes switching an active segment to change tracking mode, intercepting write related changes on the active segment while in the change tracking mode, populating a change tracking log based on the intercepted write related changes, and storing the populated change tracking log in a storage device. In some embodiments, the storage device is memory. In some embodiments, the change tracking log if flushed from memory to disk.
US08818952B2
An optimum chunk cutout method is selected according to the type of content.A storage apparatus is a storage apparatus for storing content in a backup volume in response to a content storage request from a host system connected to the storage apparatus via a network and includes a chunk cutout unit for cutting out the content into one or more chunks and a duplication judgment unit for managing a duplicate state of the chunk or chunks which have been cut out by the chunk cutout unit; wherein the chunk cutout unit selects a method for cutting out the chunk based on content type identification information indicating a type of the content.
US08818942B2
Method and system for accessing subscriber data in a telecommunication system, and providing a database system with a master database and slave databases acting as memory caches located with requester applications. The method including: configuring data clusters at the master database, each data cluster identifying subscriber data associated with an operation and assigned a priority; determining at the master database the priority of the data cluster associated with a received operation; and either providing the data cluster associated with the operation from the master database towards the slave database, replicating the received data cluster at the slave database, and executing the operation with the received data cluster at the slave database, where the priority of the data cluster is higher than for previous operations; or executing the operation with the data cluster at the master database, where the priority of the data cluster is lower than for a previous operation.
US08818941B2
Arrangements are provided which improve the efficiency of the synchronization process. The same ensure that synchronizations of large quantities of content can be completed with a minimum of delay. One method prioritizes the various tasks that are to be performed prior to synchronization. Another method initiates dependent tasks while parsing a synchronization tasks list. Yet another method allows modification of an in-process synchronization operation to allow new synchronization tasks to be accomplished within the context of the same process, negating the need to restart synchronization.
US08818938B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for synchronizing entities. These mechanisms and methods for synchronizing entities can enable improved data synchronization, improved data management, etc.
US08818934B2
A method, system and computer program product for transparent support for distributed transactions in a clustered disk-sharing database environment is disclosed. In one approach, a method, a system and a computer program product are disclosed that disassociate a transaction with a session at a first resource manger, send a request to a second resource manager for the transaction that requires access to stored transaction information from prior requests for the transaction, determine whether the second resource manager has access to transaction information for the transaction stored using the session that has been disassociated with the transaction, obtain an identity of the first resource manager in data shared by the first and the second resource managers, and request access to the transaction information at the first resource manager.
US08818921B2
An improved content search mechanism uses a graph that includes intelligent nodes avoids the overhead of post processing and improves the overall performance of a content processing application. An intelligent node is similar to a node in a DFA graph but includes a command. The command in the intelligent node allows additional state for the node to be generated and checked. This additional state allows the content search mechanism to traverse the same node with two different interpretations. By generating state for the node, the graph of nodes does not become exponential. It also allows a user function to be called upon reaching a node, which can perform any desired user tasks, including modifying the input data or position.