US08273434B2
Resealable multi-ply labels include a base label ply and an overlaminate for capturing onserts between them. The base label plies carry an adhesive layer on the bottom surface for mounting the resealable multi-ply labels to articles. The base plies each include a hinge area, an attachment area, a tab area, and an intermediate area separating the hinge area from the attachment area. The overlaminates form permanent bonds with both the hinge areas and the tab areas of the base plies and form reusable bonds with the attachment areas of the base plies. The permanently bonded tab areas of the base plies provide access for releasing the overlaminates from the attachment areas of the base plies and exposing the onserts.
US08273418B2
Provided herein is a head unit arrangement method for arranging a plurality of head units in a liquid droplet ejection device that plots an image in a matrix form with functional liquid droplets in a number n of colors by performing the number n of primary scans and a number (n−1) of secondary scans. The head unit arrangement method includes evaluating liquid droplet ejection performance of each of the head units based on an inspection result of a volume of liquid droplet ejection from each of the functional liquid droplet ejection heads to arrange two of the head units that exhibit the lowest liquid droplet ejection performance at both ends in the Y-axis direction.
US08273404B2
A process for reducing solvent contents in drug-containing polymeric compositions may be utilized to reduce the solvent content in implantable medical device wherein the compositions are in reservoirs. Specifically, the solvent contents in the drug-containing polymeric compositions are first reduced by one or more conventional drying methods, to a range from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of the total weight of the polymeric composition. Subsequently, the drug-containing polymeric compositions are further treated by a low temperature drying method for further reduction of the solvent content.
US08273399B2
A process for making a coated frozen confection is provided, the process comprising: forming two sheets of coating material comprising particles and a binder, the binder comprising an aqueous solution of sweeteners of from 70 to 90° Brix; placing one or more frozen confection pieces onto the first sheet of coating material; then placing the second sheet of coating material on top of the frozen confection and first sheet; and shaping the second sheet around the frozen confection and pressing the second sheet onto the first sheet so that they are welded together to form a continuous coating. A coated frozen confection is also provided.
US08273398B2
The present invention concerns geranylamine derivates of oxalic acid, use of the same as flavorings and certain mixtures, compositions, preparations and semi-finished goods containing one or more such compounds.
US08273388B2
An extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or of Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) for improving metabolic syndrome is prepared by the following method: (a) providing fresh or dry Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) in partial or whole plant; (b) extracting the partial or whole plant by a solvent to obtain a crude extract; (c) condensing and drying the crude extract to obtain an extract product; and (d) collecting the extract product. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and a food composition having the above extract for improving the metabolic syndromes. The extract of the present invention can be easily prepared and is demonstrated to modulate the levels of both blood glucose and blood lipid, to inhibit the activities of glycolytic enzymes and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and to stimulate acyl-CoA oxidase. The extract of the present invention is capable of improving metabolic syndromes.
US08273384B2
The present invention provides novel methods of making a non-corrosive base solution for use as an alkalinity increasing agent and/or antioxidant. The present invention further provides novel compositions and methods which can be used to provide relief from disorders related to or complicated by acidosis or excessive free radical or other reactive oxygen species production including, but not limited to, gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, hemochromatosis, Alzheimer's, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cellulitis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Reynaud's phenomenon, reperfusion injury, pancreatic impairment, skin infections, Hepatitis C, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and infection. The compositions and methods of the present invention additionally supply relief from microbial infections including fungal infections as well as prevent secondary infections. Additional compositions and methods are provided which employ a non-corrosive base solution in combination with a second alkalinity increasing agent and/or antioxidant, or other therapeutic agent to yield a more effective treatment tool against acidosis and/or excessive ROS production including free radical production useful to prevent or reduce acidosis and/or excessive ROS production or related symptoms or conditions associated with acidosis and/or excessive free radical production in mammalian subjects.
US08273383B2
Methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing a pregnancy related disease or disorder are provided. The methods involve administration of 2-methoxyestradiol, or an analog thereof, to a subject. Also provided are methods for diagnosing or predicting a pregnancy related disease or disorder. The methods involve detection of 2-methoxyestradiol, or a precursor or metabolite thereof.
US08273381B1
A composition, system and method for modifying an olfactory response to an odorant is disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition includes crystalline metal nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium. The composition is applied to olfactory tissues using a suitable applicator or dispenser. The metal nanoparticles are believed to interact with a G-protein coupled to receptor located in the cilia to moderate (enhance or reduce) sensitivity or ability to smell particular odorants. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the composition includes one or more odorants.
US08273378B2
Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.
US08273371B2
Crystalline mesoporous oxide based materials useful for the fixation and controlled release of drugs
The invention describes a new class of crystalline silica material having two levels of porosity and structural order. At the first level, building units are nanoslabs of uniform size having zeolite framework. At the second structural level, nanoslabs are assembled, e.g. linked through their corners, edges or faces following patterns imposed by interaction with cationic surfactant or triblock copolymer molecules. After evacuation of these molecules, microporosity is obtained inside the nanoslabs, and a precise mesoporosity between the nanoslabs depending on the tiling pattern of the zeolite nanoslabs, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction. These materials are useful for the fixation of biologically active species, such as poorly soluble drugs.
US08273370B2
An adhesive patch has a support and an adhesive layer formed on at least one surface of the support. The adhesive patch has a peripheral part and a central part 21. The adhesive layer has voids localized in the peripheral part, with the adhesive layer in the central part being substantially free of voids. The peripheral part preferably contains voids at 2.0-100 voids/mm3 on average. Since time-course changes of adhesive layer components such as additives are reduced, the adhesive patch is highly resistant to detachment from the skin, the components do not easily protrude from the edge of the adhesive patch during preservation in a package, adhesion to the inner surface of the package is suppressed, the adhesive patch can be easily removed from the package and edge lifting by cold flow is suppressed during adhesion to the skin.
US08273365B2
An osmotic delivery system flow modulator includes an outer shell constructed and arranged for positioning in an opening, an inner core inserted in the outer shell, and a fluid channel having a spiral shape defined between the outer shell and the inner core. The fluid channel is adapted for delivery of an active agent formulation from the reservoir of the osmotic delivery system.
US08273361B2
Compositions and methods, including vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing or enhancing an immune response are disclosed based on the discovery of useful immunological adjuvant properties in a synthetic, glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA) that is provided in substantially homogeneous form. Chemically defined, synthetic GLA offers a consistent vaccine component from lot to lot without the fluctuations in contaminants or activity that compromise natural-product adjuvants. Also provided are vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions that include GLA and one or more of an antigen, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, a co-adjuvant and a carrier such as a pharmaceutical carrier.
US08273359B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing pain or pains induced by an anti-neoplastic agent, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of at least one botulinum neurotoxin to a patient in need thereof.
US08273349B2
The invention relates to the use of a binding member which binds to LewisY and Lewisb haptens in the treatment of tumours and leukaemia. The binding member may be an antibody which binds to LewisY and Lewisb haptens and cancer cells and induces cells death.
US08273334B2
Disclosed is a method and composition for transforming hair. The composition is a dual composition that is useful to curl or straighten hair. The composition also repairs hair. The reducing solution includes monoethanolamine and thioglycolic acid and is essentially ammonium hydroxide free.
US08273328B2
The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human EGFR. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function.
US08273321B1
A three-step process for the preparation of analytical grade sodium chloride from rock salt was developed.
US08273316B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for purification of silicon tetrachloride which solves the problems of separating and removing organic chlorosilanes by distillation or adsorption.The method for purification of silicon tetrachloride comprises the steps of (1) bringing a mixed gas including a silicon tetrachloride gas and an oxygen-containing gas into contact with a catalyst layer which is controlled to a temperature of 200 to 450° C. and which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and metal-supporting activated carbon, and (2) cooling the mixed gas after brought into contact to separate and recover liquid silicon tetrachloride.
US08273315B2
Systems and methods are provided for reducing exhaust NOx species using a monolith substrate having a plurality of channels configured with radially varying cell density. An injector injects reductant into the substrate unobstructedly, without use of a mixer. In some embodiments, a twist angle of the channels is based on a distance from an inlet of the substrate and varies exponentially as a function of the distance.
US08273310B2
A centrifugal force-based microfluidic device for nucleic acid extraction and a microfluidic system are provided. The microfluidic device includes a body of revolution; a microfluidic structure disposed in the body of revolution, the microfluidic structure including a plurality of chambers, channels connecting the chambers, and valves disposed in the channels to control fluid flow, the microfluidic structure transmitting the fluid using centrifugal force due to rotation of the body of revolution; and magnetic beads contained in one of the chambers which collect a target material from a biomaterial sample flowing into the chamber, wherein the microfluidic structure washes the magnetic beads which collect the target material, and separates nucleic acid by electromagnetic wave irradiation from an external energy source to the magnetic beads. The microfluidic system includes the microfluidic device; a rotation operating unit which rotates the body of revolution; and an external energy source which irradiates electromagnetic waves.
US08273306B2
The present invention relates to a color-changing material and to a multiple-component material that includes a color-changing composition. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions are capable of changing color in order to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions include a hydrogel-forming composition, a charged colorant and a pH adjuster. The hydrogel-forming composition includes at least one charged species.
US08273304B2
An analytical biochemistry system featuring a substrate with reactants immobilized thereon at fixed, known locations, a holder supporting the substrate and a manipulator for transporting the holder to a fixed sample and to an inspection station. The reactants are binding agents for a target biomolecule in a sample which forms a bound substance having a detectable characteristic. The holder may be a standard pipettor, optionally carried by a robot arm or hand as the manipulator to contact the sample for detection of the presence of target biomolecules within the sample. In one embodiment, the holder is a pipette tip within which the substrate is housed, or it may be a pipette adapter which bears the substrate and fits within the sample wells of a standard microtiter plate. After appropriate incubation, the substrate and holder may be moved from contact with the sample, and the substrate may be exposed to any necessary development steps before being moved by the manipulator to a location for probing, such as by a beam. Probing of the substrate is performed to identify binding or complexing of target biomolecules of the sample with the reactants immobilized on the substrate, and may be accomplished via fluorescence detection, light scattering, autoradiography, or some other detection method.
US08273283B2
A method of making a finely textured molded article is disclosed. The method utilizes properties of the compound being molded, such as impact toughness and melt flow index. Poly(vinyl halide), particularly polyvinyl chloride), articles can be custom-injection-molded using the method, in order to simulate the appearance of original metal, glass, or wood articles. Consumer, transportation, building construction, and other industries can benefit from durable plastic articles that simulate the more fragile articles.
US08273271B2
A method for making an optical fiber connector includes a mold. The mold includes a first mold portion having inserts each for molding a blind hole preform, and a second mold portion having a flat molding surface for forming a flat optical surface, and a number of curved molding surfaces for forming lens caps. A non-contact detection instrument is provided to project a light beam to the bottom of the blind hole preforms with the light beam passing through the flat optical surface. Then a coarseness factor image is obtained and analyzed to determine whether a coarseness factor of the bottom of the corresponding blind hole preform is acceptable and the corresponding insert is modified if it is not acceptable. Finally, the curved molding surfaces are aligned with the inserts to form the lens caps on the flat optical surface.
US08273269B2
A composition, for producing dispersions, thermoplastic masses and/or color filters, comprising (a) a colorant of formula (1) wherein 20-100 mol % R1 are Br and 80-100 mol % R3 are H, especially of formula (Ib) and/or (Ic); (b) from 0 to 150% by weight, based on (a), of C. I. Pigment Red 144, 188, 190, 224, 242 or 2,4,6-trimethylphenylperylene diimide; (c) from 3 to 25% by weight, based on (a), of a di- or tri-azacyclopentylmethyl-substituted colorant (formulae given); (d) from 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 8% by weight, based on the sum of (a) and (b), of an additionally sulfonated colorant of the same kernels as in (c); and (e) from 0 to 30% by weight, preferably from 3 to 25% by weight, especially from 5 to 20% by weight, based on (a), of a diketopyrrolopyrrole colorant substituted by at least one chain containing a plurality of nitrogen atoms (cf. formula (V)).
US08273267B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a positive electrode active material for a battery, which can realize easy regulation of pore size in porosity formation of a positive electrode active material and is less likely to undergo hindrance of ion conduction caused by residues and, thus, can realize excellent high-rate discharge characteristics, and a method for producing a composition for a battery using the positive electrode active material for the battery. The method for producing a positive electrode active material for a battery of the present invention is a method for producing a positive electrode active material for a battery, including: a step 1 of firing a mixture of a raw material for the positive electrode active material and carbon particles to remove the carbon particles; and a step 2 of milling and classifying a fired body obtained in the step 1.
US08273266B2
This invention relates to luminescent materials for ultraviolet light or visible light excitation comprising copper-alkaline-earth dominated inorganic mixed crystals activated by rare earth elements. The luminescent material is composed of one or more than one compounds of silicate type and/or germinate or germanate-silicate type. Accordingly, the present invention is a very good possibility to substitute earth alkaline ions by copper for a shifting of the emission bands to longer or shorter wavelength, respectively. Luminescent compounds containing Copper with improved luminescent properties and also with improved stability against water, humidity as well as other polar solvents are provided. The present invention is to provide copper containing luminescent compounds, which has high correlated color temperature range from about 2,000K to 8,000K or 10,000K and CRI up to over 90.
US08273264B2
Disclosed are novel liquid-crystal compounds, processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, and to LC media and LC displays containing the same.
US08273257B2
In a method for processing a nanotube, a vapor is condensed to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the nanotube and then at least one selected region of the condensate layer is locally removed by directing a beam of energy at the selected region. The nanotube can be processed with at least a portion of the solid condensate layer maintained on the nanotube surface and thereafter the solid condensate layer removed. Nanotube processing can include, e.g., depositing a material layer on an exposed nanotube surface region where the condensate layer was removed. After forming a solid condensate layer, an electron beam can be directed at a selected region along a nanotube length corresponding to a location for cutting the nanotube, to locally remove the condensate layer at the region, and an ion beam can be directed at the selected region to cut the nanotube at the selected region.
US08273253B2
The present application is directed to the separation of—a solid fraction from a fluid sample particularly a therapeutic cellular fraction from a biological sample such as a bone marrow sample by a porous filter (2) which separates a filtration unit (1) into an upper pre-filtration chamber (3) into which a fluid sample (4) requiring cell separation is introduced and a lower post-filtration chamber (5) into which a fluid (6) capable of transmitting an acoustic standing wave is introduced. An acoustic element (8) is coupled to a substrate (7) which is located within and at the bottom of the lower chamber (5) and which resonates in response to the acoustic generating element (8) and generates a standing wave through the two fluid phases and the filter to agitate the sample (4). Simultaneously, a cyclic process of vacuum draw (9). causes movement of the sample (4) downwards through the filter (2). Vacuum pressure, fluid flow rate and frequency of vibration are controlled from a remote unit housing appropriate pumps and valves.
US08273251B2
A fluid feed stream is flowed, subject to electromagnetic pulses, to a filter element via an input feed conduit for the filter element. A coil assembly is disposed about the input feed conduit and an AC power source is connected with the coil assembly. The AC power source has a period including first and second half-cycles of opposing polarities. A switch in series with the coil assembly forms a series connected circuit. A second switch connected with the coil assembly forms a second circuit. A control means closes the first switch and opens the second switch during a first half-cycle of the AC power source. During a second half-cycle, the control means closes and then opens the second switch to produce a first large ringing pulse in the coil assembly. A subsequent pulse may be produced either before or after the first pulse substantially decays.
US08273245B2
The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis. Such devices generally comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters, etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialyzer, microheat exchangers, etc.
US08273236B2
A first aqueous solution filled in an electrolytic cell (2) is electrolyzed by applying DC voltage between the electrodes 7a and 7b in said electrolytic cell 2, to form an oxidation field short of electrons in said aqueous solution; and then, a second aqueous solution with carboxylic acid dissolved in it is mixed into the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state, so that the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state obtains electrons and is deoxidized, and the carboxylic acid is oxidized, to produce carbonic acid gas in said aqueous solution. Therefore, the present invention can be used to produce carbonic acid gas solution at a low cost easily.
US08273235B2
An aqueous acidic trivalent chromium electrolyte comprising trivalent chromium ions and a complexing agent for maintaining the trivalent chromium ions in solution is provided in which the aqueous electrolyte comprises additives capable of producing a coating on a substrate having a desired dark hue. The additives typically comprise a dispersion of colloidal silica and an additional additive selected from thiocyanate ions and/or iron ions. The electrolyte is used in a method of producing the desired dark-hued decorative chromium coating on a substrate by electrodeposition.
US08273225B2
The present invention provides a solid diamond electrode, a reactor, in particular a reactor comprising an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode having first and second major working surfaces positioned therebetween wherein the at least one bipolar electrode consists essentially of diamond, and methods in which the reactors are used.
US08273223B2
A handling device for hoods of an aluminum production cell by fused bath electrolysis, including a positioning device and a hood-gripping device. The positioning device includes a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first translation axis B that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the first translation axis B. The hood-gripping system is fixed to the second framework and includes a set of gripping devices designed to grip a set of hoods at a number of fixing points.
US08273222B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for depositing coatings on the surface of a workpiece with sputtering material in an ion plasma environment. The apparatus may include a magnetron including a core cooling system surrounded by a magnet assembly and target material having a surface capable of providing a source of sputtering material. An RF plasma generation assembly is also provided in the apparatus including an RF antenna capable of providing an RF plasma and drawing ions to one or both of the workpiece surface and target material surface.
US08273220B2
A distillation column is disclosed. The column includes a plurality of rectification zones and corresponding stripping zones. Each rectification zone is linked to a heat pump or a stage of a heat pump. Overhead material from the top rectification zone is compressed and used to heat bottoms liquid from the bottom stripping zone. Similarly, overhead material from a lower rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid taken from the uppermost or top stripping zone. Optionally, overhead material from a middle rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid from a middle stripping zone. A single multiple stage heat pump compressor may be utilized as opposed to a plurality of heat pumps. Because the heat exchanger from each rectification-stripping zone pair has a lower duty, economical stab-in heat exchangers may be utilized.
US08273208B2
A structural composite laminate and method of making the same are provided. The laminate includes first and second skins or laminas, and a core positioned between the first and second laminas. The core contains thermoplastic and/or substantially inelastic polymeric particles with inter-particle interstices between the polymeric particles. Optionally, the polymeric particles are arranged discontinuously to establish gaps between adjacent particles along at least one dimension of the laminate.
US08273195B2
A heat treatment method of heat-treating a steel tube provides the steel tube with satisfactory workability and high pressure resistance capable of coping with a recent increasing trend of pressure dealt with by a recent common rail type fuel injection system. A steel tube of a desired size is formed by drawing a material of a steel containing at least vanadium. The steel tube is processed for normalizing by holding the steel tube at high temperatures between 950 and 1000° C. for a predetermined time and slowly cooling the steel tube at a predetermined cooling rate. Then, the steel tube is processed for tempering by heating the steel tube at a temperature between 500 and 700° C. and cooling the steel tube to an ordinary temperature at an optional cooling rate.
US08273185B2
A method of cleaning a vehicle exhaust system filter (1), the filter (1) having a first end (11) and a second end (10) and comprising a plurality of elongate channels (6) containing debris (19) to be removed, comprises the steps of: (i) providing a chamber (14) having an outlet in fluid communication with the first end (11) of the filter (1); (ii) covering the second end (10) of the filter (1) to hinder fluid flow out of the second end of the filter; (iii) introducing a flow of liquid into the chamber (14); (iv) stopping the flow of liquid into the chamber (14) when the chamber and channels (6) of the filter are substantially filled with liquid; (v) introducing a pulse of compressed gas into the chamber (14), and (vi) uncovering the second end (11) of the filter (1) to allow the gas to force said debris (19) and liquid (17) out of the second end (10) of the filter (1). The invention also provides apparatus for use in the method.
US08273177B2
An apparatus and methods of forming the apparatus include a film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide for use in a variety of configurations and systems. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be structured as one or more monolayers. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be formed using atomic layer deposition.
US08273171B2
A pearlescent pigment (100) includes: a flaky substrate (10); a titanium dioxide layer (20) that is formed on the flaky substrate (10); and an oxazoline compound layer (40) that is formed on the titanium dioxide layer (20) with the titanium dioxide layer (20) being interposed between the flaky substrate (10) and the oxazoline compound layer (40), and serves as a top surface of the pearlescent pigment (100).
US08273168B2
An ink contains at least a pigment, wherein the pigment is a solid solution of C.I. Pigment Red 202 and C.I. Pigment Violet 19, and a primary particle diameter D (nm) of the pigment and a 50%-cumulative diameter D50 (nm) in particle diameter distribution of the pigment satisfy a relation of D×0.95≦(=<)D50≦(=<)130, and a 90%-cumulative diameter D90 (nm) in particle diameter distribution of the pigment and the 50%-cumulative diameter D50 (nm) satisfy a relation of 1.5≦(=<)D90/D50≦(=<)2.2.
US08273157B1
A solar energy system. The system includes a thermal solar system comprising an air plenum positioned between the system and the underside body. In a specific embodiment, the air plenum is configured according to a specified aspect ratio. The system uses an air moving device to transfer a volume of air through the plenum. The air moving device is configured to maintain a flow rate associated with the volume of air at a specified velocity. The air plenum is configured to reduce the particle concentration of the air traveling through the plenum and to undergo heat treatment for use inside the target building where the thermal solar system is implemented, which keeps the air entering the building clean and healthy.
US08273154B2
A method and system for removal of in most instances 70% of mercury contamination from flue gas and in many instances 90-95%. It involves passing hot flue gas through a honeycomb filter brick comprising a ceramic honeycomb of MgAl2 Si2O8, preferably containing minor amounts of Iron, Platinum and Titanium.
US08273151B2
A liquid/gas separator device for separating liquid and gaseous phases of a fluid, in particular crude oil, the device comprising a network of first and second separator pipes disposed horizontally, said first and second separator pipes being connected together by vertical link third pipes. The first separator pipes are fed from and connected upstream to a horizontal cylindrical diffuser and are connected downstream to a first horizontal cylindrical manifold. The second separator pipes are connected upstream to the same diffuser and downstream to a second horizontal cylindrical manifold.
US08273149B2
The present invention provides a nanowire production method that is simpler than conventional nanowire production methods, and that makes it easier to control the size and shape of the nanowires by using a technique completely different from the conventional ones. A powder particle containing a metal element is divided into nanometer-size wires containing the metal element by irradiating a suspension of the powder particles with a femtosecond laser. The present invention also makes it possible to divide the nanometer-size wires thus formed into nanometer-size particles containing the metal element by irradiating further the nanometer-size wires with the femtosecond laser.
US08273140B1
A method, apparatuses and chemical compositions are provided for producing high purity hydrogen from water. Metals or alloys capable of reacting with water and producing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions are reacted with one or more inorganic hydrides capable of releasing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions, one or more transition metal compounds are used to catalyze the reaction and, optionally, one or more alkali metal-based compounds. The metal or alloy is preferably aluminum. The inorganic hydride is from a family of complex inorganic hydrides; most preferably, NaBH4. The transition metal catalyst is from the groups VIII and IB; preferably, Cu and Fe. The alkali metal-based compounds are preferably NaOH, KOH, and the like. Hydrogen generated has a purity of at least 99.99 vol. % (dry basis), and is used without further purification in all types of fuel cells, including the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
US08273131B2
A method and apparatus for positioning an implant system in anatomy is disclosed. The apparatus can include an alignment member operable to contact an implant portion, a bone, or other appropriate portion. The method can include using the apparatus to assist in positioning a single or multi-piece implant member. Also, a method of aligning a first implant position relative to another implant position is disclosed.
US08273129B2
A spinal fusion implant for implantation between adjacent vertebrae is formed in the approximate shape of a hollow cube. The device has an upper section and a lower section separated by a distractor all of which are relatively movable. The sidewalls of the upper section and the lower section terminate in inclined planes so that the sections move away from each other as the wedge shaped increases the height of the device. The upper section and lower section each includes a clamping flange. The clamping flange on the upper section engages the vertebral body above the implant and the clamping flange on the lower section engages the vertebral body below the implant. The distractor has a pair of clamping flanges on an end wall wherein one of the pair engages the vertebral body above the implant and the other engages the vertebral body below the implant. The clamping flanges provide a clamping action between adjacent vertebral bodies to restore alignment and stabilize the vertebral segments.
US08273127B2
A method and apparatus is provided for use in spinal fusion procedures. An interbody fusion device has a first piece that is a load bearing device designed to bear the axial loading from the end plates of adjacent vertebrae. A second piece of the interbody fusion device is a retention device whose function is to prevent migration of the load bearing device. One or more fasteners secure the retention device to the vertebrae above and below the load bearing device. The fasteners cause the end plates of the vertebrae to compress the end plates to the load bearing device to facilitate proper fusion.
US08273120B2
A prosthetic valve delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a prosthetic valve within an existing valve is disclosed. The delivery system includes a stented prosthetic valve having a balloon-expandable stent portion with a prosthetic valve disposed therein and at least one self-expanding stent portion. The delivery system further includes a dual balloon catheter having a first balloon on which the stented prosthetic valve is disposed during delivery and a second balloon. Upon delivery within the existing valve, the self-expanding stent portion contacts the existing valve and the first balloon expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a first diameter such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a first stage deployment configuration. The second balloon then expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a second stage deployment configuration being fully deployed within the existing valve.
US08273116B2
Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems may employ a self expanding stent restrained by one or more members released by an electrolytically erodable latch. Such release means do not connect directly to the implant, though one or more portions may contact it.
US08273113B2
A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.
US08273110B2
A method for repairing a defect in the annulus of an intervertebral disc uses a port through a vertebra adjacent the disc for passage of a rivet insertion tool to place a first part of a two-part annulus repair rivet against an internal surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. A separate rivet insertion tool places a second part of the annulus repair rivet on an external surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. The first and second parts are secured together, repairing the defect.
US08273108B2
An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.
US08273099B2
A thrombus filter which can be securely fixed at a selected location in the vascular system of a patient and removed when no longer required. The thrombus filter includes a body portion and a plurality of struts, each strut having a joined end and a free end. The joined end of each strut is fixably attached to the body portion. The struts radiate outwardly from the body member such that the thrombus filter is generally conical in shape. The free end of each strut includes an anchor member. A weakened portion is disposed proximate the free end of each strut. When removal of the thrombus filter is desired, forces are applied to the thrombus filter causing the struts to break at the weakened portions proximate the free ends. When breaking of the struts has been accomplished, the thrombus filter may be freely pulled into the lumen of the retrieval catheter. Once the thrombus filter is disposed inside the lumen of the retrieval catheter, the removal of the thrombus filter from the body of the patient becomes a simple matter of withdrawing the retrieval catheter from the blood vessel.
US08273088B2
A bone preparation device for preparing a bone surface for receiving an implant is disclosed, as is a method of using the device, wherein the device contains a gripping element for gripping a first bone surface and a abrading element for abrading an opposing bone surface.
US08273085B2
An electrosurgical instrument includes a body portion, an actuator, a first jaw having a first electrode and a second jaw. The first electrode has a relatively large area seal surface with a relatively small edge portion and a third electrode, and the second jaw has a second electrode having a relatively large area seal surface and a smaller edge portion. The actuator moves the jaws between an first, open position, a second position for grasping tissue, and a third position where the jaws are further closed such that the first and second seal surfaces are adjacent each other and only the edge portions are exposed. An electrosurgical generator is connected to deliver a coagulation RF waveform between the first and second jaws when in the second position, and to deliver a cutting RF waveform between one or both of the first and second electrodes and the third electrode when the jaw members are in the third position.
US08273078B2
The catheter (1) has a fastener (10) for firmly holding the wall (19) of vessel (18) when it is cut by optical fibers (3). The fastener (10) has an engaging element which can be a pin (20), roughened surface (23), spiral grooves (27), dendritic grooves (31), adhesive surface (34) or pointed pins (38).
US08273075B2
Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled osmotic pump device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, an osmotic pump device is placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the osmotic pump device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.
US08273073B2
A long nose manipulatable catheter is described herein. The catheter generally comprises a flexible joint region defining a main lumen and an adjacent wire lumen. The wire lumen has an opening near or at a distal end of the flexible joint region and a push/pull wire can be pushed or pulled through the wire lumen. The catheter assembly may also comprise at least one radio-opaque marker band for securing the push/pull wire. The joint region has a predetermined length sized to affect a flexure of the joint and is generally located at the distal end of the catheter. The joint region itself may be varied to extend distally from where the braid terminates, or it may extend to encompass a portion of the braid. By varying a length of the joint region, the amount of curvature and flexure of the joint region can be controlled.
US08273059B2
A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a split valve (150,250) and a split cap (180). The valve (150,250) has a slit (158,258) at least partially across the transverse distal section (154) such that transverse distal section may be displaced laterally during insertion through the slit (158,258), of a dilator (200) or a catheter. The valve (150,250) is formed in two separate halves (152A,152B;252) that are fused or adhered to each other to form a sealed weak bond (154) that is easily broken during splitting of the sheath; each valve half is mechanically affixed in a proximal valve-receiving recess (130) of the hub such as by anchor posts (136) extending through apertures (166A,166B) in ears (164A,164B) of each valve half. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps the valve between itself and the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with lines of weakness or seams (106) of the sheath tube (102) and the weak bond (154) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.
US08273058B2
An improved implantable valve accumulator pump for the delivery of medication is disclosed. The implantable pump comprises a pressurized drug reservoir. The medication metering assembly comprises a fixed volume accumulator positioned between a pair of valves. The valves alternately open and close to admit medication from the reservoir into the accumulator and to dispense a precise volume pulse to an outlet catheter. In order to improve the pump's accuracy and to increase pumping volume while optimizing the pump's overall size and energy usage a two way diaphragm accumulator is used. The unit can be externally programmed or can be used in a fixed rate configuration that is never programmed but set at the factory or in the current programmable configuration.
US08273057B2
The connector provides fewer connections and attachments to a breastpump configured for expressing breast milk from both of a woman's breasts simultaneously, thereby facilitating easier use of the breast pump and yielding fewer pieces for the user to carry or misplace. The connector includes a manifold with four ports. Individual tubes extend from three of the four ports and each has a plug member. One tube engages with a vacuum source and the remaining two tubes engage with a breastshield assembly for double breast pumping. When single breastpumping is desired, one of the two tubes connected to the breastpump assemblies is disconnected and engaged with the dock port of the manifold.
US08273055B2
A retractable safety syringe is provided herein wherein an external vacuum compartment produces a retraction force which urges a piston of a plunger toward a retracted position. The retractable safety syringe may have a needle holder which is removably engageable to a distal portion of a syringe body. When the piston is traversed toward the engaged position, the external variable vacuum compartment produces a retraction force. When the piston is traversed to an engaged position, the piston engages the needle holder and disengages the needle holder from the syringe body. The medical professional may release a thumb pressure on a thumb platform of a plunger. At this point, the retraction force of the external variable vacuum compartment may traverse the piston along with the needle holder and needle toward the retracted position and into the syringe body. An internal variable vacuum compartment may also create a retraction force to assist retraction of the needle holder and needle into the syringe body.
US08273054B2
A system for arterial access for delivery of treatment devices is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a guidewire and a catheter. The catheter comprises a handle and a shaft. The shaft may be a steerable/deflectable tip shaft with a lumen adapted to allow passage of the guidewire at least partially there through. A passive sheath may also be provided to be delivered over the shaft. The handle controls the steerable/deflectable tip shaft and may be used to deflect the distal tip of the shaft.
US08273040B1
An arm sling provides elastic elongation to accommodate arms of differing lengths. Wedge shaped blocks are engagable with the sides of the sling to provide abduction of the sling. The sling is made predominantly of a net material so as to provide air circulation around the supported arm. An elastic sheet material supports the hand of the supported arm. A shoulder strap provides a movable cushioned pad for comfortable use of the sling as held by the strap.
US08273031B2
Method and apparatus are introduced for determining proportional cardiac output (CO), absolute left atrial pressure (LAP), and/or other important hemodynamic variables from a contour of a circulatory pressure waveform or related signal. Certain embodiments of the invention provided herein include the mathematical analysis of a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) waveform or a right ventricular pressure (RVP) waveform in order to determine beat-to-beat or time-averaged proportional CO, proportional pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and/or LAP. The invention permits continuous and automatic monitoring of critical hemodynamic variables with a level of invasiveness suitable for routine clinical application. The invention may be utilized, for example, to continuously monitor critically ill patients with pulmonary artery catheters installed and chronically monitor heart failure patients instrumented with implanted devices for measuring RVP.
US08273027B2
In an ultrasonic probe of the present invention, a probe main body that comprises a flat shaped piezoelectric element group having a plurality of strip shaped piezoelectric elements arranged in a line in the major axis direction, which is the crosswise direction of the piezoelectric elements, is formed and housed within a container main body and sealed therein with a cover. The ultrasonic probe is characterized in that, in order to mechanically and linearly scan the probe main body in the minor axis direction, which is the lengthwise direction of the piezoelectric elements, the probe main body is linearly reciprocated and mechanically scanned in the minor axis direction, by an endless belt that is driven by a drive source via another endless belt linearly in the minor axis direction, while being guided by a pair of linear guides. As a result, sufficient movement stroke of the probe main body in the minor axis direction can be ensured, and by means of a movement mechanism comprising the endless belt, the probe main body can be reciprocated in the minor axis direction to the fullest extent between the inner walls of a sealed container.
US08273012B2
An apparatus for treating tissue within a lumen may include a therapeutic or diagnostic instrument. A cleaning device may also be supported by the instrument. The cleaning device has a portion of a cleaning surface positioned proximal to the distal end of the cleaning device.
US08273010B2
An incontinence treatment device includes a urethral support and first and second connectors. The urethral support extends between a first end and a second end and has porosity that is configured to allow tissue in-growth through the urethral support. The first connector is attached to the first end of the urethral support and the second connector is attached to the second end of the urethral support. At least one of the first connector and the second connector is a cross-linked polymer connector having a glass transition temperature between 40-70 degrees Celsius. The cross-linked polymer connector has an initial length that is elongated to an implant length that is greater than the initial length. Means for heating the cross-linked polymer connector from an extracorporeal location through intact skin is provided, thereby shortening the cross-linked polymer connector.
US08273009B2
A device for aspirating sample media into a pipette for use in a micro-manipulation procedure includes a ring member having an opening sized for receiving a digit of an operator, and an aspirating bulb engaged with the ring member. The aspirating bulb has an open end sized for receiving an end of the pipette, and includes a compressible chamber capable of creating a suction force suitable for aspirating the sample media into the pipette. The aspirating bulb is oriented along the ring member such that the chamber is compressible by a digit on the same hand of the operator as the digit receivable in the ring member.
US08273002B2
A paint roller assembly providing a friction hinge for a swiveling connection between the handle and the paint applicator and a clip for locking the tubular paint applicator against unwanted axial displacement during the use.
US08272999B2
Described are several mechanisms for permitting a user to adjust the seat on a stationary exercise bicycle. The described mechanisms can be used to adjust the height of the seat or the fore and aft positioning of the seat on an upright type bicycle. Each of the described mechanisms can be configured to provide users with an optimum seat position and with a convenient latch mechanism to adjust the position of the seat.
US08272979B1
An aerodynamic multi-bladed expandable broadhead with rearward mounted overlapping blades with greater in-flight blade angles along with substantially perpendicular blade edges relative to the arrowhead body. Position of blades in flight guarantees they will always make a lethal cut on contact with an animal even before expansion. Greater in-flight blade angle means less force to open blades on hide guaranteeing expansion, and minimal rotation of blades to the penetration position results in a maximum entry cut and greater penetration. By expanding the distance between the blade edge and pivot a stronger blocky blade is produced. Geometry dictates during entry when blades hit bone on angle shots arrow direction will favorably remain in its intended lethal path to an animal.
US08272972B2
A golf club, includes: a head; a shaft; a shaft case, having a cylindrical shape and fixed to a leading end of the shaft, a hosel, mounted on the head, wherein: the shaft case is inserted into the hosel from an upper end of the hosel; and the shaft case is fixed to the hosel so that an insertion depth of the shaft into the hosel is changed.
US08272964B2
Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.
US08272961B2
Challenge gaming includes selection of individual gaming characters or teams of characters to be pitted against opposing characters in asynchronous individual competitions or sequential tournament competitions. Each of the characters has a predetermined set of characteristics such as abilities, powers, defenses or performance levels. These characteristics can be implemented in a preselected order or according to a statistical probability, for example, based on historic data. Characteristics of team members are variable based on characteristics of other team members and opposing team members or other competition factors. Game play is conducted between characters without the need for further user interaction.
US08272958B2
A method and apparatus are used to simultaneously display a virtual dealer and a dynamic visual background image in connection with a multi-player video platform simulating and effecting play of a casino table card game. The dealer imagery is in the foreground and the background is behind the dealer. The background is either a live video feed from the casino, live feed from another location or event or pre-recorded image sequences. The various videos are keyed or masked and layered together using known video production technology.
US08272956B2
A supply harvest mechanic with a social fulfillment component for online social games.
US08272955B2
Displayed on a predetermined display device is a play screen on which a virtual game space is rendered, the virtual game space containing a character item indicating a predetermined character and a player object. Also displayed is a character string object screen on which character string objects are rendered, each of the character string objects formed as a combination of the character items displayed on the play screen. When the player object has obtained a character item, a process is performed onto the same character as the obtained character item, the process indicating that the character item has been obtained is performed, the same character being among characters of character strings displayed on the character string object screen. When all constituent characters of a character string object have been obtained, effect generating process predefined as a game effect corresponding to the character string object is performed.
US08272954B2
A mat unit 7 is provided with four foot switches SW1 to SW4 each of which detects stepping motion as input from a player. A processor 11 displays a player character 21 which travels in virtual space on a television monitor 5 on the basis of a result of detection by the mat unit 7, and furthermore arranges tasks 23L, 23C and 23L in the virtual space. The player chooses one which is different from the other two from among the tasks 23L, 23C and 23L. The processor 11 performs correctness/incorrectness determination on the basis of the result of the detection by the mat unit 7.
US08272953B2
When a cooperation game starts in a host game machine and a guest game machine that have been separately executed standalone games, present information (time and position of character) of the guest game machine is changed into one of the host game machine. During the cooperation game, present information of the guest game machine and the host game machine are renewed, being synchronized with each other. Then, player characters of the guest game machine and the host game machine are displayed on a display of each game machine, and each player plays the cooperation game together with the player character of the other game machine which is displayed on one's own game machine.
US08272949B2
Certain embodiments provide a system and method for automatic progressive link management and dispersal. Certain embodiments of a progressive gaming system include a first progressive link, wherein the first progressive link includes a first progressive amount. The system also includes a second progressive link, wherein the second progressive link includes a second progressive amount. The system further includes a progressive manager capable of automatically dispersing to the second progressive amount a portion of the first progressive amount greater than a base amount upon removal of the first progressive link. In an embodiment, the progressive manager calculates the portion of the first progressive amount that is greater than the base amount. In an embodiment, the first and second progressive links are active in multiple gaming environments. The progressive manager may schedule automatic dispersal of the portion of the first progressive amount to a selected progressive amount at a selected time.
US08272945B2
Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.
US08272937B2
A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.
US08272935B2
The present invention relates generally to a casino gaming system including a select and drag feature. In the system, a gaming device is capable of enabling play of a game of chance, wherein the game of chance displays multiple game positions for insertion of values related to the game of chance. Also, the system includes a processor associated with the gaming device, and the processor includes an algorithm allowing a player to select an initial value in one of the game positions and then copy the initially selected value into another game position. The select and drag feature may be used with any game, including a lottery style game.
US08272934B2
A game device and a method allow a player to play a game on the gaming machine. The gaming machine has a main display and a user interface. The game has a main game and a bonus game. The method includes the steps of (i) allowing the player to place a wager on the main game, (ii) playing the main game and randomly establishing a result of the main game, and (iii) awarding the player an award as a function of a paytable if the result of the main game is a win. The method further includes the steps of (iv) detecting an appearance of a predetermined bonus trigger symbol during the play of the main game and responsively, randomly selecting a bonus symbol from a set of bonus symbols, repeating steps (i)-(iv), and awarding the player a bonus award if a predetermined number of unique bonus symbols are selected.
US08272931B2
An air conducting device includes a rigid support, an outlet, a flexible element that is fixedly connected to the outlet and a deflecting means which allows the outlet to be tilted about at least one axis of rotation at least into a first and a second position. The flexible element is fixedly connected to the support at a distance from the outlet such that at least one of the axes of rotation is defined as a substantially stationary axis of rotation in the area of the outlet, at the level of the connection to the flexible element. The air conducting device includes a small size of the components and a small number of required individual parts.
US08272929B2
Auto-Arranged Coin Stacker and Dispenser device that is capable of stacking and dispensing coins automatically in a row and columnar configuration inside chambers formed between a back panel and a front panel between which a space is created to accept coins to drop freely and sequentially from an opening at the top of the device. A spacer having substantially the thickness of the coins is configured to have guide posts wherein the dropping coins are directed automatically to advance downward and arrange themselves first horizontally then vertically in the space provided between the front and back panels. The subsequently falling coins form additional rows vertically above the previous rows in a well-ordered manner by gravity assist and judiciously spaced guides on the sides. The device presents the stacked coins through a translucent frontage to show an immediate accounting of what has been deposited with an aesthetic appearance to the viewer.
US08272928B2
An apparatus to separate a fillet attached to a backbone of a beheaded, slaughtered fish having an open abdominal cavity previously cut by an abdominal knife and a dorsal knife, by cutting through a web left round the backbone of the fish by the abdominal and dorsal knives. The apparatus includes a transport saddle to transport the previously cut fish in a direction of fish travel wherein the saddle includes an upper bone guide and a lower bone guide. The apparatus also includes a separating unit movable back and forth from a standby position into a working position. The separating unit has a separating device to detach the fillet from the backbone of the fish and a counter support associated with the separating device and arranged on the separating unit with the separating device.
US08272927B2
An automated apparatus for removing skin from the shoulder and neck areas of a chicken carcass that includes a neck skinner and a shoulder skinner mounted to an elongated support wall in a longitudinally spaced relationship. The neck skinner includes a rotatably-driven gripper having a plurality of fins extending radially therefrom. A pinch block with an arcuate surface is mounted in a close-clearance relationship with the gripper to form a pinch point therebetween. The pinch point of the neck skinner is positioned to engage the neck area of an incoming chicken. The shoulder skinner is substantially similar to the neck skinner except that the pinch point of the shoulder skinner is positioned to engage the shoulder area of an incoming chicken. The apparatus further includes a rotatably-driven indexing conveyor laterally adjacent the neck and shoulder skinners for maintaining a longitudinal separation between chickens that are conveyed through the skinning apparatus.
US08272924B2
The invention relates to a grinding head for a grinding machine. The grinding head comprises a tool holder, which in use is moved in a plane, in particular rotated or translated back and forth, by the grinding machine. The grinding head furthermore comprises at least two tools which are connectable to the tool holder by a releasable sticking connection. One of the tools or the tool holder is provided with at least one protrusion and the other one is provided with an associated cavity to lock which extend transverse to said plane of movement of the tool with respect to the tool holder in a direction parallel to said plane when the tool is connected to the tool holder.
US08272918B2
A simulation tail swinging installment includes a base plate, an electromagnetic coil disposed on the base plate, a battery module configured for supplying power to the electromagnetic coil, and a control circuit coupled to the battery module. The simulation tail swinging installment further includes a furcated component having two arms disposed with respect to the electromagnetic coil, with the two arms located on opposite sides of the electromagnetic coil, respectively. Each of the arms includes a permanent magnet positioned in correspondence with the electromagnetic coil. The furcated component is mounted to the base plate through a pivot connected to the base plate. A first driving cable and a second driving cable are attached to the two arms, respectively. The first driving cable and the second driving cable extend through and along two side portions of a simulation tail and secured to a distal end of the simulation tail.
US08272914B2
Provided are a field emission electrode, a method of manufacturing the field emission electrode, and a field emission device including the field emission electrode. The field emission electrode may include a substrate, carbon nanotubes formed on the substrate, and a conductive layer formed on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. Conductive nanoparticles may be attached to the external walls of the carbon nanotubes.
US08272913B2
The present invention provides an organic light-emitting device which can prevent a covering member from being damaged or peeled off, and which can be manufactured with excellent productivity and cost performance; and a method for manufacturing the organic light-emitting device. The covering member has a chamfer formed on the side of a face of the covering member on a reverse side to the side of an organic light-emitting element.
US08272909B2
A spark plug (10) includes an intermediate connecting pin (54) disposed in the central passage (28) of an the insulator body (12). The connecting pin (54) seats in an intermediate taper section (72) within the central passage (28), which is generally frustoconical and establishes a transition between a first larger diameter of the central passage (28) and a second smaller diameter. The intermediate tapered section (72) is located longitudinally above a filleted transition (26) feature of the insulator body (12) exterior. A pin head (53) of the connecting pin (54) has a complementary tapered under-cut and seats against the intermediate tapered section (72) to provide self-centering of the connecting pin (54) without trapping gas during the assembly process. The intermediate taper section (72) also provides an increase in insulator wall thickness which improves dielectric capacity and structural integrity of the insulator (12).
US08272902B2
A communication connector uses compensation circuitry to compensate for crosstalk in a network connection. Capacitors are connected between specific conducive paths in said communication connector. Inductive stubs are utilized in the compensation circuitry to improve the overall compensation performance.
US08272900B2
An electrical connector, such as a circuit board connector, includes a first group or subassembly of electrical contacts physically separate from an adjacent and second group or subassembly of contacts. The first group of electrical contacts and second group of electrical contacts each include a row of lower contacts and upper contacts. The second group of electrical contacts has an identical but mirrored configuration as the first group of electrical contacts.
US08272894B2
A coaxial connector includes a terminal, an insulating housing for receiving the terminal therein, and a shell for receiving the insulating housing therein. The terminal includes a carrier plate; two contacts correspondingly provided at their facing sides with two concaved areas for electrically connecting with an external round-shaped conductor; and a first and a second fastening plate for fastening to a core wire of a cable. The two contacts and the first and second fastening tabs are oriented toward the same direction. With the above arrangements, the coaxial connector can be easily assembled and have reduced assembly height, the first and second fastening plates are in direct contact with the core wire to securely fasten the same to the terminal, and the contact area between the contacts and the external round-shaped conductor is increased, ensuring good electrical signal transmission via the coaxial connector.
US08272889B2
A connector has a base having an opening formed at a front surface of the base, to which a distal end of a flexible printed circuit is inserted, a plurality of insertion holes passing from the front surface to a rear surface arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch, and a fit-in recess at an upper surface of the base, a connection terminal press-fit into the insertion hole of the base from a side, a support fitting assembled to the fit-in recess of the base from an upper side, and including an elastic temporary holding portion capable of engaging a temporary holding cutout portion arranged on both side edges of the distal end of the flexible printed circuit, and an operation lever for supporting a turning shaft portion arranged at both side ends at a bearing of the support fitting in a turnable manner, and driving the connection terminal.
US08272877B2
An interconnection system that includes a daughter card and backplane electrical connectors, each mounted to a printed circuit board at a connector footprint. The backplane connector has conductive elements with transition regions that allow the mating contact portions to be positioned on a uniform pitch while contact tail portions can be shaped to improve signal integrity or to provide a more compact and/or mechanically robust footprint. The conductive elements in both connectors are configured such that the contact tails of the ground conductors align from column to column, but the planar portions of the ground conductors in one column align with a pair of signal conductors in the other column, which improves mechanical and signal integrity. Mechanical integrity may be improved by forming the connector footprints with pads for the ground conductors that span multiple columns.
US08272876B2
Apparatus and methods for magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction are disclosed. An embodiment electrical connector comprises a connector body, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to and at least partially disposed within the connector body, a ground contact mechanically attached to the connector body, an insulator mechanically separating and electrically isolating the first active signal contact and the ground contact, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal contact. An embodiment electrical cable comprises an elongated insulating sheath, a first active signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath, a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor.
US08272873B1
Computer software for language analysis and material design, and a method of natural language training, comprising: receiving a plurality of texts in a predetermined natural language; establishing one or more groups of core words of the natural language; and compiling teaching materials that comprise at least a predetermined percentage of words that are within one or more of the groups. At least one of the groups comprises high frequency words in the natural language.
US08272870B2
An anchorage unit fits to a dental implant. A dental attachment for mounting to the anchorage unit has a first attachment part and a second attachment part. The attachment parts define an aperture for accommodating a portion of the anchorage unit with a boundary wall of the aperture on each of the attachment parts serving, in use, as a jaw for clamping against the portion of the anchorage unit. The aperture is of greater size than the portion of the anchorage unit to allow adjustment of the position of the attachment with respect to the anchorage unit. In another embodiment, a two-part anchoring assembly defines a pair of jaws for, in use, receiving and clamping against a portion of a dental attachment. The apparatus is particularly relevant when an attachment must be placed on more than one implant simultaneously.
US08272867B2
An orthodontic device consisting of a bracket having a slot formed by arm parts facing each other in the vertical direction, and an inner part having a socket for holding a wire. The orthodontic device is characterized in that the opening of the slot is closed by inserting the inner part into the slot so that the inner part can be held by the arm parts. Different torque depending on the socket can be applied to a tooth. A desired torque can be applied by only changing the inner part without changing the bracket.
US08272861B1
An apparatus for vulcanizing at least a tread of a tire has a top mold section and a bottom mold section. The mold sections are secured to one another during a vulcanizing process by a plurality of locking mechanisms located around the outer circumference of the apparatus. Each locking mechanism includes a dual action hydraulic actuator. A piston rod of the hydraulic actuator imparts movement to a generally vertically oriented articulated linkage member. T-shaped projection located at an end of the articulated linkage member distal from the piston rod is brought into engagement with a securing member associated with the top mold section to secure the mold sections to one another. After the vulcanizing process is complete the hydraulic actuator imparts movement to the articulated linkage member to release the top mold section from the bottom mold section.
US08272857B2
A tube-positioning system for loading tubing into a peristaltic pump includes a holder and a first tube segment. The holder includes a shell configured to slidably fit onto an exterior of a pump and a pair of guides extending upward from opposite side walls of the shell. The first tube segment has a fixed length and extends between the pair of guides with each end of the first tube segment secured within one of the respective guides.
US08272856B2
The high-pressure pump has at least one pump element which has a pump plunger which is driven in a reciprocating motion and defines a pump working space into which fuel is drawn in from a fuel feed via an inlet valve during the suction stroke of the pump plunger and from which fuel is displaced into a high-pressure region via an outlet valve during the delivery stroke of the pump plunger. The inlet valve and/or the outlet valve has a valve member at least approximately in the shape of a ball which acts as a sealing surface with a valve seat arranged in a valve housing. The valve member, in its open state, is lifted with its sealing surface from the valve seat, a first cross section of flow is cleared between the valve member and the valve seat, and downstream of the first cross section of flow, a second cross section of flow is formed between the valve member and the valve housing. In the direction of flow between the first cross section of flow and the second cross section of flow, a third cross section of flow is formed between the valve member and the valve housing, said third cross section of flow being larger than the first cross section of flow and the second cross section of flow.
US08272851B2
A fluid energy transfer device, including a chamber for receiving a fluid, at least a portion of the chamber comprising a movable portion relative to another portion of the chamber, the movable portion being adapted to change the volume of the chamber from a first volume to a second volume by movement of the movable portion. The device further includes an actuator attached to the movable portion, wherein the displacements of the movable portion can be larger than the displacement of the actuator.
US08272849B1
A process for sizing an axial length of a throat in a jet pump, where an exponential relationship between mixing and kinetic energy dissipation of the primary jet is plotted in terms of a non-dimensional parameter on a graph which ranges from around 1.0 at an axial length of zero to a ratio of less than 0.1 at the minimal axial length of the throat to produce complete mixing between the primary and secondary fluids. This non-dimensional parameter is referred to as the Stein number.
US08272842B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having a matrix polymer and nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of manufacturing an air movement device having dry-mixing about 30% to about 80% by weight matrix polymer and about 2% to about 15% by weight layered clay to form a dry mixture, extruding the mixture to form a polymer nanocomposite, and molding the polymer nanocomposite into an air movement device. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having about 30% to about 80% by weight polypropylene, about 3% to about 10% by weight layered clay, and about 1% to about 10% by weight maleic anhydride grafted polystyrene, wherein the air movement device has a UL 94 5VA flame retardant rating.
US08272834B2
A compressor housing for accommodating a compressor wheel comprises an inlet and an outlet, each being defined by a wall provided integrally with said compressor housing, wherein at least one acoustic damper element is disposed on the outside of at least one of said walls of the inlet and the outlet. Preferably, the acoustic damper element is integrally formed with the compressor housing by die casting. A compressor or a turbocharger can be equipped with the compressor housing.
US08272829B1
A trailer assembly 10 having a frontal support and storage portion 12 and a back support and storage portion 14 and the portions 12 and 14 are selectively and independently articulatable, such that portion 14 may be selectively raised and lowered independent of the movement of the portion 12, portion 12 may be selectively raised and lowered independently of the portion 14, and both portions 12 and 14 may be lowed and raised in a substantial concurrent manner in order to facilitate the loading and unloading of items upon and/or from the trailer assembly 10 without the need for a ramp or other such aid.
US08272823B2
The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement for attaching a side plate often used with a pump volute of a centrifugal pump and an attachment screw used therewith. A characterizing feature of the sealing arrangement for attaching the side plate of a centrifugal pump, comprising at least a pump volute (10) and a side plate (130) with attachment screws (132) and flanges (164) of the screws (132) arranged in communication with the volute (10) or the cover of the casing, is that an annular seal (180) is arranged between the screw (132) and the volute or the cover of the casing.
US08272819B1
A restraining strap securement system for a trailer includes a load-restraining strap with a flat hook that connects to the trailer side rail. The trailer side rail extends along the sides of the trailer and comprises a bottom wall with an opening for receiving the flat hook. A keeper slides upon a rail affixed to the bottom wall and the keeper may be positioned to extend beneath the flat hook and prevent the flat hook from falling from the opening while the strap is being tightened. The keeper may comprise a hook that can be used to secure tarps or ropes over the trailer load.
US08272814B2
A crawler assembly includes an attachment mechanism that is removably attachable to a stringer. The stringer has a vertical web and a longitudinal axis. The crawler assembly includes a longitudinal slider that is engageable to the attachment mechanism and having a normalizing mechanism disposable in bearing contact against the vertical web for maintaining an orientation of the longitudinal slider relative to the stringer. The longitudinal slider is movable along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The crawler assembly includes a lateral slider that is mountable to the longitudinal slider and is movable along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lateral slider includes a drill bushing. The longitudinal and lateral sliders cooperate to move the drill bushing to at least one predetermined hole location.
US08272806B2
Described is a building connecting apparatus for receiving structural members including frames and panels. The apparatus includes a main body having a central opening for receiving an extension member attached to a slot plate. Receiving plates can be coupled to the apparatus for receiving the structural members with the extension member capable of guiding and aligning the structural members.
US08272798B2
In a printer which prints on a roll paper transported toward a discharge port and cuts the roll paper, an exchangeable lower cover is attached to the printer. The exchangeable lower cover defines a lower edge of the discharge port. A change of height of the discharge port is allowed by exchanging the exchangeable lower cover for another one. Hereby, it is possible to change specifications between one for holding a printed slip and the other for allowing the printed slip to fall freely. In the former specification, a brush provided at a periphery of an upper edge of the discharge port is in contact with a lower cover. On the other hand, in the latter specification, the brush is in distant from another lower cover.
US08272792B2
Retention bodies for securing a fiber optic cable thereto for optical connectorization are disclosed along with fiber optic cable assemblies. The fiber optic cable is inserted into a passage of the retention body and secured to the same using a bonding agent and/or a mechanical element. The rear end opening of the passage is configured for inserting and securing an end portion of the fiber optic cable having at least one strength component and a portion of a cable jacket. Additionally, the retention body has a buckling chamber disposed within the retention body passage for accommodating movement of optical fiber.
US08272791B2
An optical fiber connector includes a housing, and two lenses. The housing defines two first blind holes each configured for receiving an optical fiber. The two lenses are formed on the housing and each of the lenses is aligned with a corresponding first blind hole. The two second blind holes are defined on the housing and each of the second blind holes run through the housing to the bottom of a corresponding first blind hole allowing air in the first blind hole vent out when the optical fiber is inserted into the first blind hole.
US08272789B2
Provided are an adapter assembly and method for compensating optical fibers for a length difference. The adapter assembly includes a first adapter, a second adapter, and a member. The first adapter is configured to be connected to at least one optical communication unit. The second adapter is configured to be connected to at least another optical communication unit and be coupled to the first adapter. The member is configured to be interposed between the first and second adapters for providing an optical signal transmission path between the optical communication units. Owing to the member, a length difference between optical fibers can be compensated for.
US08272787B2
A connector enclosure for enclosing a cable assembly includes a main body that has a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion is adapted for selective releasable engagement with the second body portion. Each of the first and second body portions defines a cavity having a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The cavity of each of the first and second body portions cooperatively defines a passage through the main body. The passage is configured to retain a cable assembly.
US08272785B2
A bearing mechanism 1 includes a housing 3 having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 2, a rack shaft 5 inserted and secured in the housing 3 and having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 4, and a sliding bearing 6 interposed between the inner peripheral surface 2 of the housing 3 and the outer peripheral surface 4 of the rack shaft 5.
US08272779B2
A calorimeter which includes a casing in which a sample is combusted, a jacket around the casing, and temperature sensors in an outer surface of the jacket.
US08272773B2
An illuminating device acceding to the present invention has light sources, a light guide body which emits lights incident from the light sources, and a blurring structure, and, on the surface opposing to the emission surface of the light guide body, the light deflection elements which guide lights incident from the light sources toward the emission surface are formed regularly in two-dimensional direction of the first direction and second direction. The blurring structure has a function of blurring the light deflection elements regularly formed in the two-dimensional direction, and this blurring structure converts incident lights into linear lights inclined in the direction of the angle θ with respect to the first direction.
US08272766B2
A lamp, for general lighting applications, utilizes solid state light emitting sources to produce and distribute white light. The exemplary lamp also includes elements to dissipate the heat generated by the solid state light emitting sources. The lamp includes a thermal handling system having a heat sink and a thermal core made of a thermally conductive material to dissipate the heat generated by the solid state light emitting sources to a point outside the lamp.
US08272762B2
A luminaire includes an electrical base, an optic, and a heat sink disposed between the base and the optic. An LED driver circuit is disposed at least partially within the heat sink, and is disposed in electrical communication with the base. An LED light source is disposed in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the heat sink, and in electrical communication with the driver circuit, the LED assembly includes an LED module. The light source includes a printed circuit board with a plurality of projections that are bendable such that the projections are arranged on an angle when assembled on the heat sink.
US08272751B2
A display apparatus includes: a light modulator having translucent windows; a light emitter having a light source; a light guide having a tubular reflecting surface guiding light source light to the light modulator; and a light separator having a light separation surface separating guided light into transmitted and reflected light. The tubular reflecting surface narrows from the light modulator toward the light emitter to guide the reflected light to the windows. Denoting a lateral cross-sectional area of an inside area of the tubular reflecting surface at a light source end as S1, a lateral cross-sectional area of the tubular reflecting surface at a light separation surface end as S2, and a maximum incident angle at which light from the light source reflected by the tubular reflecting surface is input to the light separation surface as θ, θ×√(S2/S1)≧110.
US08272746B2
A projection display apparatus for displaying an image on a projection plane by projection, includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image; an angle calculator calculating an angle of the projection plane relative to the projection display apparatus; a straight line detector detecting a straight line in the captured image corresponding to a line perpendicular to a predetermined reference plane and a straight line in the captured image corresponding to a line parallel to the predetermined reference plane on the basis of the calculated angle; and a keystone corrector correcting a keystone distortion of an image to be displayed on the projection plane on the basis of the detection result in the straight line detector.
US08272735B2
A method for producing lenses with at least one simple surface that is optically equivalent to a lens having two complex surfaces.
US08272733B2
A printer apparatus includes a guide rail, a first device including a first head, a second device including a second head, and a hauling device including a driving member movable between the first device and the second device. A first holding mechanism is provided on one side with respect to a medium supporter. A second holding mechanism is provided on another side with respect to the medium supporter. When ink is to be ejected from the first head, the second holding mechanism holds the second device separated from the driving member, and a first connecting mechanism connects the first device to the driving member. When ink is to be ejected from the second head, the first holding mechanism holds the first device separated from the driving member, and a second connecting mechanism connects the second device to the driving member.
US08272732B2
An image forming method is disclosed, which includes applying a treatment liquid onto a recording medium that has a coated layer and has an area of 1,250 cm2 or more, applying an ink composition including a pigment and resin particles having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 100° C. or higher onto the recording medium onto which the treatment liquid has been applied and which is conveyed at a conveyance speed of 200 mm/s or higher, heating and drying the applied treatment liquid and ink composition, cooling the recording medium that has been subjected to the heating and drying, to a temperature of 35° C. or lower, and accumulating the recording medium that has been subjected to the cooling, into an accumulation unit.
US08272729B2
An ink jet printer for printing a cationic ink jet ink is provided. The printer comprises a print head for printing the ink onto a substrate, a heating means for heating the ink on the substrate, and a source of radiation for curing the heated ink.
US08272723B2
An ink cartridge includes an inner pack that stores ink, an outer pack that packs the inner pack and into which gas is introduced to squeeze the inner pack to supply the ink to an exterior of the ink cartridge, and a cartridge case having a housing portion to enclose the outer pack and an inner wall surface against which the outer pack is inflated to be pressed as gas is introduced into the outer pack.
US08272719B2
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a jetting unit equipped with plural head modules, a supply channel equipped with plural branching channels, first circulation limiting units, liquid storage units and external force applying units. The first circulating limiting units allow circulation of a liquid in a direction from a storage chamber to each of the head modules and limit circulation of the liquid in an opposite direction of the circulating direction. The liquid storage units are disposed between the circulation limiting units and the head modules. The liquid storage units store the liquid, and the volumes of the liquid storage units change due to external force. The external force applying units apply the external force to the liquid storage units such that the volumes of the liquid storage units become smaller and cause liquid droplets to be jetted from the nozzles.
US08272715B2
An inkjet printhead is provided having an array of ink chambers each including a nozzle and an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle and being defined by sidewalls extending between a nozzle plate and underlying wafer substrate with one sidewall having an opening to allow ink to refill the chamber, an ink conduit between the nozzle plate and underlying substrate, and a plurality of ink inlets defined in the substrate. Each conduit is in fluid communication with the openings the chambers and with at least one of the inlets for receiving ink to supply to the chambers. The nozzles are arranged in rows such that the nozzle centers are collinear and the nozzle pitch along each row is greater than 1000 nozzles per inch.
US08272713B2
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first fluid flow path supplying liquid to the recording head, a second fluid flow path being in communication with the liquid tank, a pressure adjusting valve allowing fluid communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths, a cap member covering a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a suction unit being in communication with the cap member. The pressure adjusting valve includes a movable member movably disposed in the internal fluid flow path, wherein the movable member includes a sealing unit that seals the communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths when the cap member covers the nozzle surface of the recording head and a negative pressure is generated in a cap-member space formed between the cap member and the nozzle surface by driving the suction unit.
US08272711B2
A recording target medium includes a base material, a recording portion, and a guided-array portion. The recording portion is formed on or at one surface of the base material. The recording portion includes an ink-accepting layer. The guided-array portion is formed on the base material at a side opposite to an observation side of the recording portion.
US08272708B2
An inkjet printhead has nozzles and respective heater elements. A print engine controller actuates the heater elements to eject ink through the corresponding nozzle. During use, the print engine controller actuates each of the heater elements at least once every decap time. The decap time is a predetermined time period in which the viscosity of the ejectable liquid at the nozzle increases to a threshold, at which ejection fails and the nozzle clogs.
US08272705B2
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a flushing-operation-data producing section which produces flushing-operation data for flashing of ink; a second-liquid-ejection-data producing section which produces data about ejection of treatment liquid such that (i) the treatment liquid is to be landed on a dot area on which the ink is to be landed upon forming an image dot among dot areas and (ii) an amount of the treatment liquid landed to be on at least one dot area on which the ink is to be landed upon flashing of the ink is made smaller, by referring the flushing-operation data produced by the flushing-operation-data producing section, than an amount of the treatment liquid to be landed on a dot area on which the ink is not to be landed upon flashing; and a second-liquid controlling section which controls a head on the basis of the data produced by the second-liquid-ejection-data producing section.
US08272704B2
An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.
US08272702B2
A fixture includes a medicine cabinet having a cabinet body and a door. The fixture includes a frame which includes a frame body having a recess sized and shaped to receive the door, and an overhang which extends along the upper portion of the door. The fixture can include a guide rail which is repeatably moveable between positions away from and extending over the lower portion of the door, and an adjustable container assembly carried by the door.
US08272701B2
A track chain link for use in an endless track chain has a longitudinal (or “x”) dimension and a lateral (or “y”) dimension. The track chain link has an x-y plane of symmetry about which the track chain link is symmetric.
US08272700B2
A pressure regulating valve unit 7 is configured to be electrically driven according to a detection value of a detection unit 74 adapted to detect an amount of brake application effort made by a brake operation member 5 so as to switch states of the vehicle brake apparatus between a state where a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 9 is made to communicate with a hydraulic pressure generating source 6 while a communication between the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 9 and a reservoir R is interrupted, a state where the communication between the boosted pressure chamber 9 and the hydraulic pressure generating source 6 is interrupted while the boosted pressure chamber 9 is made to communicate with the reservoir R, and a state where the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber 9 is disconnected from both the hydraulic pressure generating source 6 and the reservoir R.
US08272696B2
The present invention relates to a height control unit of a headrest for a vehicle seat, in which the height of the headrest may be simply controlled by the driving force of an electric motor. The height control unit of a headrest for a seat of a vehicle includes a bracket fixed to an inner frame of a seat back, an electric motor fixed on a side of the bracket, a lead screw axially supported at a lower end by a stopper plate so as to be driven forward or backward towards a lower part of the bracket via a reduction gear box by the electric motor, lifting rods standing on both sides between the bracket and the stopper plate, and a carrier provided with pockets opened upward on both sides so as to receive poles of the headrest and lifted or lowered by the guide of the lifting rods in a state where the lead screw is screw-coupled with the carrier, wherein the carrier has stoppers axially supported by pins so that the stoppers are alternatively released by the manipulation of a user in a state where the poles of the headrest are coupled, and has coil springs elastically supporting the stoppers with respect to the carrier.
US08272691B2
A resilient lower-back supporting device capable of vertical adjustment along with a backrest of a chair includes a resilient supporting unit pivotally connected between a lower end of the height-adjustable backrest and a supporting element. Configured for resilient extension and retraction, the resilient supporting unit includes an outer supporting rod and an inner supporting rod inserted therein. The two supporting rods are pulled toward each other by a spring provided therebetween. Besides, a spring is provided at an outer end of each supporting rod to bias the resilient supporting unit and the backrest toward a predetermined direction. With the backrest being vertically adjustable, and with the resilient support provided by a lower-back supporting portion at the lower end of the backrest, people of different heights are ergonomically supported especially on the lower back while sitting in the chair and are protected from back pain attributable to a prolonged sitting posture.
US08272690B2
According to the present disclosure, a juvenile vehicle seat includes a base providing a seat bottom, a backrest extending upwardly from the base, and a movable headrest. The headrest is mounted for up-and-down movement on the backrest. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a headrest-height controller configured to control the height of the movable headrest relative to the backrest.
US08272686B1
Devices, apparatus and methods of assembling and mounting a removable net basket on hoops/rings that can be attached to armrests on child car seats. Two hoops can sandwich a rim end of a tubular net/mesh material. The hoops can be located with one within the other and have snapable bendable fasteners that snap into like slots. The bottom end of the tubular mesh material can be closed off by sandwiching a pair of elongated strips together, with the strips having mateable enlarged heads that pass through slots such as cross shaped slots. The mesh/net bag can be removed by reversing the assembly. The assembled hoops can be hunger by a hanger onto an armrest of a juvenile car seat so that items, such as but not limited to beverage holders, food stuffs, toys and the like, can be placed therein.
US08272677B2
The invention relates to a tensioning bow for a convertible top, a convertible top for a convertible vehicle, a convertible vehicle and a method for mounting a convertible top to a body of a convertible vehicle. The tensioning bow comprises a main segment having a first end and a second end, a first pivotable segment being assigned to the first end of the main segment, and a second segment, wherein a first rotary joint pivotably connects the first pivotable segment to a portion of the main segment, and wherein a second rotary joint pivotably connects the first pivotable segment to the second segment.
US08272675B2
A mounting bracket is attached to an instrument panel frame, and an aperture is formed in an upper surface of an instrument panel housing in alignment with the bracket to provide a hardpoint for attaching an adapter module. The adapter module is removably secured to the mounting bracket and is provided with component mounting features for securing electrical components such as a radio or radar device. Vehicle electric wiring internal to the instrument panel housing is easily connected with wiring associated with the components. The apparatus allows cost-effective and efficient customization of electrical components mounted to a vehicle instrument panel.
US08272667B2
An inflatable knee airbag can have a plurality of inflatable chambers. The inflatable chambers can be formed as independent chambers, rather than a single chamber being divided by an internal tether. The inflatable chambers can be arranged in a serial configuration, wherein the chambers form an “L” shape so that when the airbag is deployed, it conforms to the shape of an instrument panel.
US08272658B2
A bicycle may include a rear suspension system to absorb forces impacting on the bicycle by allowing a rear wheel of the bicycle to be displaced relative to the bicycle frame. Upon displacement of the rear wheel, the rear suspension system allows the rear wheel to move from a general first position to a second position, and then acts to return the rear wheel to the general first position. The rear suspension system may be adjusted in some versions to affect the travel path of the rear wheel as well as the leverage ratio curve to suit the rider's preference. The bicycle may include a rear frame couple with a front frame through first and second pivot translating assemblies, the orientations and/or shapes of which affect the rear wheel path as well as the leverage ratios.
US08272657B2
A bicycle comprises a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is coupled to the swingarm. A change in vertical wheel travel (ΔVWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (ΔSL), providing a shock rate (SR). The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. In each case, the rate of change of the shock includes a change in sign, from positive to negative or from negative to positive. In some embodiments, the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.
US08272648B2
A detachable golf club carrier has a handle, a carrier body, a golf club bag, at least one wheel and a second hitching device. The golf club carrier and the motorized golf cart can be hitched together without lifting the golf club carrier. A carrier for attaching to a golf car is also provided.
US08272646B2
A quick change jaw system for chucks is provided. The quick change jaw assembly includes a master jaw including a first pair of coplanar abutment surfaces defining a first aperture; a clamping device including a dovetail portion being disposed in the first aperture of the master jaw, wherein the dovetail portion rests above the first pair of coplanar top surfaces of master jaw; a top jaw formed with a groove longitudinally extending along a length of the top jaw, the groove being complementary to the dovetail portion and configured for engaging the dovetail portion, the top jaw including a second pair of coplanar abutment surfaces extending along opposite sides of the groove; and a cam for actuating the clamping device for urging the second pair of coplanar abutment surfaces of the top jaw into coengagement with the first pair of coplanar abutment surfaces of the master jaw.
US08272645B2
A tool replacing device including a case member is disclosed. In the case member, engaging balls supported between a holding member and a movable member is projected into the holding member by an extruding surface of the movable member, resiliently urged by a second spring, thereby allowing a tool to be engaged. By pressing the movable member against a resilient urging force of the second spring, the engaging balls can be moved in the movable member. Also, since there are provided shock sensors for detecting a moving distance of the holding member holding the tool, collision or the like of the tool can be detected. Even if power supply is stopped, the present tool replacing device can hold the tool.
US08272643B2
An improved air-riding seal system for turbine engines is presented. The seal system includes a movable primary seal assembly, a stationary secondary seal assembly, and at least one structure to increase the stiffness of a thin film between the primary seal and a rotating component. The primary seal assembly includes an annular seal ring and an arcuate support arm. The annular seal ring has a cross section that is substantially L-shaped and a surface with a step face and a circumferential dam. The arcuate support arm has a tooth at one end adjacent to an outermost circumferential surface along the seal runner, which could include an optional notch. The tooth and outermost circumferential surface are separated by a gap. A plurality of radial dams disposed along the surface in an outward radial arrangement from the circumferential darn is provided to improve the stiffness of the thin film.
US08272637B2
A sheet tray unit includes a particular feed tray configured to hold one or more sheets therein, and a discharge tray disposed on the particular feed tray and configured to receive a discharged sheet. The discharge tray includes a first discharge tray portion, a second discharge tray portion, and a third discharge tray portion. The first discharge tray portion is configured to support the second discharge tray portion such that the second discharge tray portion selectively slides in a first direction and in a second direction, which is opposite and substantially parallel to the first direction. The second discharge tray portion is configured to support the third discharge tray portion such that the third discharge tray portion selectively slides in the first direction and in the second direction. The first discharge tray portion includes a stopper configured to limit the third discharge tray portion from sliding in the first direction beyond a predetermined position.
US08272634B2
There is provided a sheet feeding device in which a sheet is discriminated at preliminary loosening before feeding, and is set to be controlled according to the type of the sheet by a simple configuration without requiring a special configuration. In the sheet feeding device in which air is blown onto a sheet stack, and a sheet floating at the uppermost level by the blowing is absorbed and conveyed, a sheet type is discriminated, based on a moving amount of the tray, at preliminary loosening before sheet feeding after setting the sheet in a tray.
US08272632B2
In a bookbinding apparatus, an adhesive applying portion applies an adhesive to an end face of a sheet bundle allowed to stand in the substantially vertical direction, a storage portion that gathers and stores the sheet bundle which is applied with the adhesive and bound in the adhesive applying portion while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction, transport means for conveying the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction from the adhesive applying portion to the storage portion along a substantially vertical transport path, and a cutting portion which is provided on the transport path between the adhesive applying portion and the storage portion, and which cuts an end face of the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction.
US08272628B2
The present invention includes an apparatus and method for restraining a tool that a base having a plurality of spaced apart body apertures of a size and shape for accommodating at least one surface of a tool, said apertures organized in an array according to an outline of at least one surface of each said tool and one or more spacers positioned between the apertures, wherein at least every other spacer comprises a magnet for holding a tool within the aperture.
US08272610B2
In one aspect, a holder assembly includes a substrate-mountable holder having a metal base having a centerline, the base having a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of fasteners, a generally symmetrical wireform having a pair of legs with a portion therebetween, the portion welded to the base, each leg having a first segment extending parallel to the base and a second segment extending outwardly of the base. First segment of each leg may be generally parallel to the centerline, or first segment may be angled with respect to the centerline. Second segment of legs may extend generally linearly outwardly of the base or may have radii of curvature.
US08272604B2
The locking arm pedestal system includes a clevis assembly pivotally attached to a plurality of pivotal arms. One of the arms is pivotally attached to a telescoping arm housed in a base, the telescoping arm setting the desired height of the clevis assembly. The base is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle console and floor. The clevis assembly includes a pivotal mounting bracket where an item can be mounted thereon at a desired angle. A pivot locking joint prevents the mounting bracket from pivoting from the desired angle. Each of the pivotal arms also includes similarly configured pivot locking joints to set the desired position of the clevis assembly with respect to the user. Fasteners clamp the locking pivot joints in place.
US08272602B2
A stand includes a base, a supporting member and a connecting member. The supporting member is spaced from the base and comprises a supporting portion and an arm pivotally engaging with the supporting portion. The arm is rotatable towards the supporting portion. The connecting member connects the base and the supporting member. The connecting member comprises a plurality of connecting portions foldaway relative to each other.
US08272601B2
A cooking utensil support apparatus used for the cooking of food in a cooking utensil over a heat source, such support apparatus having stand and a cooking utensil handle support member adjustably positioned on such stand with angle adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the cooking utensil handle support member and the handle supported therein of such cooking utensil.
US08272599B2
A control lever assembly for a tilt-rotor aircraft, comprises at least one control lever which is movable relative to a control lever support. The control lever support has a rotational position that varies in correspondence with the tilt of the rotor of the aircraft. For example, the control lever support is movable by an actuator between a first position, in the airplane mode of the aircraft, in which the control lever moves substantially horizontally and a second position, in the helicopter mode of the aircraft, in which the control lever moves substantially vertically.
US08272594B2
A method of providing an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing configured for extensive laminar flow at design cruise conditions, the method characterized by a) providing wing biconvex-type airfoils having values of thickness, chord and shape along the wing span which provide substantially optimal aircraft range at design cruise conditions, considering the influences of wing drag and wing weight; b) providing wing leading edges, which are configured to effect laminar flow; c) providing fuselage and wing contours which, in combination, produce reduced total wave drag and produce extensive areas of laminar boundary layer flow on the wing; and d) providing wing sweep angularity that facilitates provision of a), b) and c).
US08272593B2
Conventional bottom blade type flight vehicles have a complex structure and complex flying control operations in that several pairs of fixing plates, and forward/backward and left and right rotation adjustment blades are separately mounted and adjusted to remove the anti-torque of the flight vehicle caused by the rotation of the propellers and to fly the flight vehicle, so that the flight vehicles has difficulties in scouting and surveillance of an indoor area due to the heavy weight and the great volume. The flight vehicle of the disclosure continuously rotates in a state in which the anti-torque is not removed by one adjustment blade. The flight vehicle stops, ascends, descends, advances forward, backward, leftward, or rightward, or left or right rotates, performs flight in a narrow space, scouting and surveillance in an indoor area with a simple structure, simple control, light weight, and small size, and increases power efficiency.
US08272591B2
A breakdown spool is provided having a barrel and at least one flange formed separate from the barrel. The barrel has an insertion end that includes an annular ring spaced from the axial end and projected radially from the barrel winding surface. The flange includes a receiving channel for receiving the insertion end of the barrel to form the completed spool. The receiving channel includes a first portion for receipt of the end of the barrel and a second portion for receiving the annular ring. The second portion is recessed within the support surface such that the annular ring aligns with the support surface on the flange. A locking mechanism is provided for axially securing the insertion section of the barrel within the receiving channel of the flange.
US08272590B2
A tape winding apparatus includes: a rotating device configured to rotate a wind-up core for winding a tape into a roll which defines a tape roll; a push roller configured to be pressed against the tape roll, the push roller contacting with and rolling on an outer periphery of the tape roll at a tape feeding position where the tape is fed onto the tape roll; a feeding direction control guide arranged upstream from the push roller as viewed in a running direction of the tape and configured to control a tape-feeding direction of the tape that is fed onto the tape roll; and a movement device configured to move at least one of the push roller and the feeding direction control guide such that the tape-feeding direction conforms with a tangential direction of the tape roll at the tape feeding position.
US08272587B2
A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation having a cross-sectional shape is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end has opposing longitudinal sides configured to be substantially horizontal in orientation. The inlet end also has opposing lateral sides connected to the longitudinal sides. The opposing lateral sides are configured to be shorter than the opposing longitudinal sides and further configured to be substantially vertical in orientation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is provided for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation.
US08272577B2
An apparatus for spraying a liquid, such as a cleaning liquid or a lubricating liquid, onto a wire or onto a felt in a plant for paper production. The apparatus has pipeline for supplying the liquid and spray nozzles for ejecting the liquid. A shaft with a cleaning device for the spray nozzles or for the inner wall of the pipeline is disposed within the pipeline. The shaft includes a cylindrical sleeve which has a slotted guide and a thread and is arranged in a housing which adjoins the pipeline, the thread interacting with a control spindle and, furthermore, a bolt or the like being provided which can be adjusted transversely with respect to the housing and projects into the slotted guide in a first position, as a result of which, during a rotation of the control spindle, the shaft is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline. Here, a second bolt or the like is provided, by which the control spindle can be coupled to the cylindrical sleeve in terms of its rotation, as a result of which, after adjustment of the first bolt or the like out of the slotted guide, the shaft can be rotated by the control spindle.
US08272576B2
A nozzle for producing a single-file stream of droplets of a fluid, methods using the nozzle, and an injector, comprising the nozzle of the invention, for providing the single-file stream of droplets of a fluid to a high-vacuum system are described. The nozzle comprises two concentric tubes wherein the outer tube comprises a smoothly converging-diverging exit channel and the outlet end of the first tube is positioned within the converging section of the exit channel.
US08272567B2
A system and method for disputing individual items that are the subject of a transaction includes storing, in a database, a record of a transaction in which a plurality of goods or services were sold to an individual that owns a transaction card through which access to monetary funds may be obtained, so that the transaction is identified by a transaction identifier. Also, information identifying each good or service that is a subject of the transaction is associated with said transaction identifier. A cost associated with one of the goods or services associated with the transaction identifier is disputed, without subjecting costs of all goods or services that are associated with said transaction identifier to dispute.
US08272566B2
The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.
US08272559B2
A pack includes a top panel, side panels, bottom panels, and retaining structures at each end of the pack. A packet can be disposed on a top surface of a container enclosed within the pack.
US08272551B2
An exemplary method for treating an animal body may include receiving a driverless surgical stapler that includes a staple holder, staples positioned within that staple holder, and at least one wedge; and sliding at least one wedge relative to the staples to directly contact at least one staple.
US08272545B1
A bottle carrier has a resilient ring dimensioned to encircle a neck of the bottle in an installed condition. A brim is unitarily formed with and depends from the resilient ring and is dimensioned to fall in facing or contacting relation to a shoulder of the bottle.
US08272542B2
A handle attachment for mounting to a standardized valve mounting cup of a spray can and operating a push-type dispenser valve. The handle attachment includes a housing that defines a grip and a cap configured to couple with an outer diameter of the valve mounting cup. An actuation device is pivotally mounted to the housing and includes a trigger portion disposed adjacent the grip and a finger portion disposed within the cap for actuating the push-type dispenser valve. A C-shaped rim is disposed on the cap and defines a central opening sized to accommodate the valve mounting cup, a base located on the axis of symmetry of the rim, a circumferential gap located on the axis of symmetry diametrically opposite the base and separating two ends of the rim, and at least one slot disposed between the base and a diametrical chord perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.
US08272538B2
The wine bottle sealing and dispensing device provides for the dispensing of wine from a wine bottle, or any other liquid from a corresponding liquid container, without exposing the wine or liquid in the bottle to environmental air at any time. The device includes a housing adapted for mounting above a cork of a corked wine bottle. An upper open end of a hollow needle is mounted in the housing, the needle projecting downward from the housing and terminating in a tip adapted for insertion through the cork. A first end of a spout projects outwardly from the housing, and a second end of the spout is in fluid communication with the upper open end of the hollow needle. A cartridge of pressurized, inert gas is mounted to the housing. The cartridge is in communication with an upper end of a gas conduit, which is mounted within the hollow needle.
US08272530B2
A container for receiving cryogenic media and/or units which are to be stored at low temperatures, having an outer shell (1) and an insulating shell (10) which is connected directly or indirectly to said outer shell (1) in a positionally stable manner and is optionally surrounded by one or more further insulating shells (10), wherein an inner shell (2) for storing cryogenic media is connected to the outer shell (1) via fastening elements (3) in a positionally stable manner. Each insulating shell (10) is of at least two-part configuration and is fastened to the outer shell (1) and/or to the inner shell (2) by positioning elements (11, 26, 27) which are independent of the fastening elements (3), wherein the insulating shell (10) is spaced apart without contact from the outer or inner shell (1,2) or from a further insulating shell (10) with the formation of a gap (15).
US08272528B2
A utility box having a housing, and a ring that forms a hole that receives an attachment from a cover. A fastener retention piece has a first recess in a first surface, a second recess within the first recess, and a third recess in a second surface. The first and second recesses retain fasteners when the first surface is adjacent a lower surface of the ring. The third retaining recess retains a fastener when the second surface is adjacent the lower surface of the ring. The fasteners secure the attachment depending from the cover, and the recesses prohibit complete rotation of the fasteners.
US08272524B2
A valve for a floating roof emergency drainage system for draining fluid accumulated atop the floating roof, including a valve body having a top part having a cylindrical bore of first diameter, a bottom part formed by a circumferential wall which extends axially downward from the top part and defines within the wall a cylindrical bore of second diameter that is generally coaxial with and greater than the first diameter, thereby defining at the junction of the top and bottom part bores a downward facing shoulder which serves as a valve seat, the circumferential wall of the bottom part having at least one fluid discharge passage extending transversely therethrough for discharge of the fluid from the valve, a valve seal element axially movable in the bottom part bore between an upper closed position where it abuts the shoulder, and a lower open position spaced axially downward from the upper closed position, and a spring mounted in the bottom part and constantly biasing the valve seal element toward the upper closed position, the valve seal element in the open position being at least partially below the fluid discharge passage in the bottom part bore, thus providing a passageway, when the valve seal element is in the open position, for fluid to flow through the top part bore, past the shoulder and to exit the valve via the fluid discharge opening.
US08272520B2
A method for a standalone open frame in one example is configured to support a rack-mount electronic component of a predetermined size selected from any of a plurality of predetermined sizes. The standalone open frame is configured to securely engage the rack-mount electronic component through employment of at least one set of rack-mount adapters that is configured for the predetermined size of the rack-mount electronic component.
US08272519B1
A rotatable display carousel may include a stationary central rod and a bottom plate rotatably mounted about the central rod. A plurality of shelf sections may be rotatably positioned above the bottom plate respectively. A rotating mechanism may be used to simultaneously rotate each shelf section respectively by rotating the bottom plate about the central rod. In this manner, each shelf section rotates in sync based upon a rotational speed of the bottom plate. The central rod remains stationary while the bottom plate and the shelf sections rotate respectively. The structural arrangement enables the plurality of shelf sections to be dynamically linked to the bottom plate in such a manner that the shelf sections synchronously rotate upon rotation of the bottom plate.
US08272517B2
The present invention provides a water-proof sound-transmitting membrane including a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous membrane, in which the waterproofness is enhanced further with little lowering of the sound transmittance. The water-proof sound-transmitting membrane includes the PTFE porous membrane. The PTFE porous membrane includes a first porous layer, and a second porous layer stacked on and integrated with the first porous layer by a binding force acting between PTFE matrices. The first porous layer and the second porous layer each are composed of PTFE with a number-average molecular weight of 5.0×107 or more determined by a standard specific gravity method. At least one layer selected from the first porous layer and the second porous layer has an average pore diameter of 1 μm or less. The water-proof sound-transmitting membrane has a surface density of 1 g/m2 to 10 g/m2.
US08272516B2
An endcap including a first plate member including a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.
US08272515B2
A packaged article containing an electronic device which comprises an electronic device-packaging carrier tape and an electronic device-packaging cover tape, wherein a layer in the cover tape contacting with the carrier tape contains an adhesive resin (A), an electrically-charged resin. (B) charging opposite to the charging polarity of the adhesive resin (A) generating at the time of friction between the adhesive resin (A) and the electronic device, and a metallic filler and/or carbon, and wherein the packaged article containing an electronic device is capable of preventing the adhesion of the electronic devices to the cover tape (pickup failure) resulting from the static and the part breakage by ESD, by inhibiting the static caused by the friction between the contained electronic devices, particularly small/light weight electronic devices, and the cover tape.
US08272508B2
A sterilization container having surgical implement/implant holders with flexible edges. Each holder is in the form of a pair of brackets which are positioned tightly on either side of a flexible wall for cooperatively forming a composite holder with an upwardly opening recess. The flexible wall of each holder extends beyond edges of its respective pair of brackets for forming the flexible edges which are used to support the surgical implements/implants. Outwardly turned feet on the bottom of each of the pair of brackets are placed through holes on a base wall of the sterilization container for securing each holder to the container.
US08272506B1
A novelty device for securing two or more drinking vessels to an elongated body member to facilitate simultaneous beverage consumption by two or more participants is provided, the device including threaded knob or socket means for securing the drinking vessels to the body member, and a means for securing two or more of such holding devices together so as to increase the number of potential participants, plus the device also serving as a novel medium for placement of advertising indicia.
US08272499B2
A method and apparatus in which laundry cakes (10), formed when washed laundry articles are for the most part freed in a dewatering press of the treatment liquid bound in them giving rise to a laundry cake (10) consisting of coherent laundry articles, are divided from the end face (15) by a roller-like divider (20) which can be driven in rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (31), which axis of rotation (21) runs parallel to the end face (15) of the laundry cake (10) to be divided, and an effective division of the laundry cake (10) which takes care of the laundry articles is carried out.
US08272495B2
A bottle treatment system having a safety unit that improves the operational process, including a first accessible safety region, a second accessible safety region and a shut-off device. The first safety region is delimited by a first protection in which a first machine has a drive associated with the first protective region. The second accessible protective region is delimited by a second protection direction following the first protection, with a second machine having at least one further drive associated to the second protective region. A bottle transport from the first machine to the second machine is provided via a transport device, as provided with an individual drive and exceeds the protective region. The shut-off device turns off the machine drive associated with at least one of the respective protective regions and the drive of the transport device exceeding the protective region, if access to protective region is detected.
US08272478B2
A stepladder includes a top having a plane having a front and a rear, the plane having at least a first bungee tool holding slot to hold a ball and bungee strap unit.
US08272470B2
A steering linkage for a vehicle, having a first draglink (32), an auxiliary steering cylinder (34) and a second draglink (38). The auxiliary steering cylinder (34) has a through piston rod (36). The first draglink (32) is arranged between a guide arm (12) of a steering gear (10) and a first end (35) of the through piston rod (36). The second draglink (38) is arranged between steerable vehicle wheels (48, 50) and the second end (37) of the through piston rod (36), thereby making it possible for the steerable vehicle wheels (48, 50) to be steered via the steering gear (10).
US08272468B2
A tractor includes a boom and a bucket being coupled with each other in series and having the same rotating direction, and a control lever for operating both the boom and the bucket. The control button is equipped in the control lever, and the control lever can operate either a boom or a bucket after either the boom or the bucket is selected by pressing the control button.
US08272464B2
An automotive drive assembly includes a housing configured to be installed in an automobile, a first electric motor component coupled to the housing, a second electric motor component rotatably coupled to the first electric motor component, the first and second electric motor components jointly including at least one magnet and at least one conductive coil configured such that when current flows through the at least one conductive coil, the second electric motor component rotates relative to the first electric motor component, and a transmission assembly including at least one gear coupled to the second electric motor component such that the rotation of the second electric motor component causes movement of the at least one gear. The second electric motor component and the transmission assembly are coupled to the housing such that the transmission assembly substantially supports the second electric motor component when the housing is installed in the automobile.
US08272460B2
A two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle may include highway bars. The two-wheeled vehicle may include a steering axis which is tilted relative to a fork axis. The two-wheeled vehicle may be configured in a faring configuration and in a non-fairing configuration.
US08272459B2
Superabrasive inserts are disclosed. More particularly, a superabrasive insert may comprise a superabrasive layer bonded to a substrate at an interface. Further, the superabrasive layer may include a central substantially planar surface, a peripheral side surface, and an arcuate peripheral surface extending between the central substantially planar surface and the peripheral side surface. In one embodiment, the arcuate peripheral surface may comprise a lateral extent and an extension depth, wherein a ratio of the lateral extent to the extension depth is at least about 1.5. In another embodiment, an arcuate peripheral surface may comprise a substantially circular arc, wherein the substantially planar surface is tangent to the substantially circular arc and a tangent reference line to the substantially circular arc forms an angle of at least about 10° with the peripheral side surface. Subterranean drilling tools (e.g., drill bits) including at least one superabrasive insert are disclosed.
US08272458B2
A drill bit for rotary drilling a well bore of a subterranean formation which has replaceable blades which overlap and interlock with each other and have retention means on more than one axis. The replaceable blades may have cutters with enhanced retention by brazing ring grooves and the body may be flared at its bottom to better retain the blades and cutters.
US08272456B2
A system for drilling a well having a wellbore includes a first pipe string positioned in the wellbore with a first annulus being present between the first pipe string and the wellbore. A second pipe string, smaller in diameter than the first pipe string, is positioned within the first pipe string to form a second annulus between the first pipe string and the second pipe string. The second pipe string is configured to be attached to a drill bit. A first rotator is operably associated with the first pipe string to rotate the first pipe string in a first direction at a first speed, and a second rotator is operably associated with the second pipe string to rotate the second pipe string in a second direction at a second speed.
US08272454B2
One aspect according to the present invention includes a cutting unit for a cutting device. The cutting unit has a gear chamber. A partitioning member can partition the gear chamber at a midpoint of a transmission path of rotation of a gear train from an electric motor to a spindle.
US08272452B2
A hammering tool includes, within its tool main body, a piston which reciprocates by using a motor as its drive force, a hammering member which carries out its hammering operation in linking with the reciprocating motion of the piston, and an intermediate member which transmits a hammering force of the hammering member to a top end tool mounted on the top end of the tool main body. The tool main body further includes a measuring device which measures a hammering state of the hammering member and a control device which controls the number of rotations of the motor. The control device, according to measurement results of the measuring device, determines the limit number of times of hammering where the hammering member becomes unable to follow the reciprocating motion of the piston, and thus controls the number of rotations of the motor.
US08272438B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for accurately determining a pore pressure of a subsurface formation (20) penetrated by a wellbore (40). The systems and methods provide for measuring pressure and temperature at a measuring location proximal to the wellbore for a predetermined amount of time, storing the measurements, communicating the measurements and processing the pore pressure from the pressure and temperature measurements. The measuring location may be a location in a channel (50) drilled from the wellbore into the formation.
US08272436B2
A novel method reduces methane slack when operating a biogas fermenter. When starting up a freshly charged fermenter, the methane portion of the produced biogas is initially so low and the portions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are so high that the biogas cannot be directly used in a combined heat and power plant. Conventionally, the biogas generated during the startup phase has a small portion of methane that is discharged directly into the atmosphere or is flared off if the methane fraction is larger. The initially produced methane is consequently not used and becomes methane slack. To reduce methane slack, the biogas with the low methane fraction is fed to a gas treatment unit in which non-methane components of the gas mixture are partially separated, and the remaining gas mixture with a higher methane content is returned to the biogas fermenter until the methane fraction is sufficiently high.
US08272427B2
A casting element for a casting installation for transferring liquid metal comprises a plurality of casting elements in successive contact and forming a canal along which the metal can flow, the casting element comprising a tube, notably a ladle shroud, the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the canal. The casting element is able to make contact with an upstream element of the installation and comprises means for controlling the angular orientation of the tube about its axis with respect to the upstream element, these means being capable of giving the tube at least three distinct orientations.
US08272415B2
A heavy duty tire (1) comprising at least three rib-like land portions (7) with a block row where blocks (6) defined by circumferential main grooves (3) extending in the circumferential direction and lateral grooves (5) are arranged in the circumferential direction, wherein the lateral grooves (5) are provided, in their bottoms (S), with a sipe-forming region (Sy) having a sipe (20) which extends along the groove center line and has a width of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and wherein the depth (DY) in the sipe-forming region (Sy) of the lateral grooves (5) is from 0.5 to 0.75 times the depth (H) of the circumferential main grooves (3), and the depth (DS) of the sipe (20) is from 0.75 to 1.0 times the depth (H) of the circumferential main grooves.
US08272414B2
A tread surface includes a center arc, a shoulder-side arc, and a shoulder arc, and is formed such that a value given by F1=L1/(TDW×0.5) falls in the range of 0.64≦F1≦0.7, a value given by F2=TR1/OD falls in the range of 1.2≦F2≦2.0, a value given by F3=TR2/TR1 falls in the range of 0.1≦F3≦0.2, and a value given by F4=(β×TDW)/(100×SW) falls in the range of 0.35≦F4≦0.48, where L1 is outline range being a width from an equatorial plane to an edge of the center arc, TDW is extended tread width, TR1 is curvature radius of the center arc, TR2 is curvature radius of the shoulder-side arc, OD is tire outside diameter, SW is total width, and β is aspect ratio.
US08272410B2
A method for filling a dispensing bag includes inserting a collapsed bag within a chamber of a bin and securing a lower end of the collapsed bag to the bin. After securing the lower end of the collapsed bag to the bin, a hoist coupled to an upper end of the collapsed bag is manipulated so that the hoist raises the upper end of the collapsed bag within the chamber while the lower end of the collapsed bag remains secured to the bin so as to expand the collapsed bag within the chamber of the bin.
US08272408B2
An apparatus and method operations are provided for battery plate fabrication, in particular for applying paste to battery plate grids. A conveyer-type pasting machine includes a conveyer belt for moving battery plate grids under a new type of paste dispensing hopper, which includes closely spaced knurled rollers and an angled paste deflector member, which cooperate to generate a pressurized stream of paste for extrusion thru the battery plate grid. The apparatus also includes a specialized grid support sheet that also enables a consistent layer of paste to be applied to both exterior sides of a manufactured battery plate grid by enabling application of paste to one side of the grid and facilitating transmission of the paste through to and past the opposite, exterior side of the grid.
US08272407B2
An insulated hose for a high voltage paint application apparatus including an inner hose containing a fluid or paint charged at a high voltage. The flexible inner tube hose is arranged inside at least one flexible mechanical protection tube or layer and an air excluding medium is enclosed between flexible inner tube and first flexible mechanical protection layer. A mechanical protection layer may be surrounded by an electrical protection layer which is grounded. A system for applying paint or other fluid materials at a high voltage is also described.
US08272403B2
A valve part of a hydraulic control valve for controlling flows of pressurized medium is provided. The valve part includes: a cylindrical valve housing with a valve housing hollow space that is open on one side in the axial direction, wherein the valve housing is provided with a radial first work connection (A), a radial second work connection (B), and a radial pressure connection (P), each of which opens into the valve housing hollow space, and a cylindrical control piston is held in the valve housing hollow space so that it can move in the axial direction with a control piston hollow space that is open on one side at an axial control piston hollow space opening. The control piston is provided with a radial discharge connection (T) opening into the control piston hollow space, and the control piston is constructed in such a way that the work connections (A, B) can be connected selectively in a fluid conducting way to the pressure connection (P) and the discharge connection (T) through axial displacement of the control piston. The valve part distinguishes itself in that a cover provided with at least one cover opening is attached to the axial control piston hollow space opening.
US08272395B2
A water dispensing device capable of recycling cold water comprises a mixing valve connected with a first pipe for supplying cold water and a second pipe for supplying hot water; at least one watering member connected with an output end of the mixing valve; a bucket connected with the output end of the mixing valve and the first pipe to store water from the mixing valve; a control unit being used to sense a temperature of the water flow passing through the mixing valve; as a sensed temperature is less than a set value, the cold water stored in a pipe system will be guided to recycle toward the bucket and to be supplied to the first pipe, obtaining recycling and reusing purpose; while the sensed temperature is more than the set value, the cold water stored in the pipe system will be guided to flow toward the watering members.
US08272387B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for allowing a user to modify a surgical procedure. An embodiment of the method of the present invention can include: providing a GUI on a touch screen of a surgical console, said GUI comprising a representation of the surgical procedure and representations of one or more surgical steps, wherein the GUI allows a user to modify the representation of the surgical procedure by dragging and dropping representations of surgical steps using the touch screen; detecting that the representation of the surgical procedure has been modified; and modifying the surgical procedure to correspond to the modified representation of the surgical procedure.
US08272379B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for compensating for inelastic and elastic leaks in a ventilation system. The disclosure describes a model-based enhancement to conventional flow triggering and cycling methodologies that improves the timing and patient work of flow-based triggering and cycling performance. The methods and systems described herein compensate for the leak condition and minimize additional effort a patient has to exert to generate the same patient synchrony and comfort level compared to no leak condition. One method described includes calculating an elastic leakage and an inelastic leakage based on current measurements of pressure and flow in the ventilation system and then estimating a leak-compensated lung flow using the inelastic and elastic leaks and pneumatic attributes of the patient-ventilator system.
US08272375B1
A stove and pot arrangement is provided that affords utility to backpackers and other users having limited space. The apparatus provides a specially configured stove frame having laterally spaced apart channels that are receptive of the pot rim and wall and wherein the pot interior is receptive of a central portion of the frame, the pot and frame having about the same overall height.
US08272373B2
A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun is provided. The pneumatic assembly includes a valve stem, and a bolt slidably mounted on the valve stem. The bolt includes at least one bolt port arranged through a sidewall of the bolt. A sealing member is provided on the valve stem in communication with an inner surface of the bolt. The bolt slides from a rearward position to a forward position along the valve stem. Compressed gas flows through the bolt port and through the bolt aperture to fire a projectile when the bolt is in the forward position. A paintball gun incorporating the pneumatic assembly is also provided.
US08272365B2
An engine with two vacuum sources is disclosed. In one example, a valve position is adjusted when engine load is low and intake manifold pressure is low to arbitrate vacuum between the two vacuum sources. The approach may increase engine operating efficiency during at least some conditions.
US08272354B2
A fuel tank system includes a fuel tank that has a tank wall defining a fuel storage space. A heat control chamber is formed within the tank wall. A pressure control device can control a pressure within the heat control chamber in response to a difference between a temperature within the fuel storage space and a temperature externally of the tank wall.
US08272346B2
An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing. The assembly includes an upper showerhead electrode which is mechanically attached to a backing plate by a series of spaced apart cam locks. A thermally and electrically conductive gasket with projections thereon is compressed between the showerhead electrode and the backing plate at a location three to four inches from the center of the showerhead electrode. A guard ring surrounds the backing plate and is movable to positions at which openings in the guard ring align with openings in the backing plate so that the cam locks can be rotated with a tool to release locking pins extending from the upper face of the electrode.
US08272342B1
A counterweighted mooring line includes a line, a counterweight portion and a hook. The line has a proximal end which is secured to a watercraft and an opposite distal end. The hook is tied to the distal end of the line and includes a center shaft with an opening for receiving the line and at least one prong extending from a center shaft. The counterweight portion is also secured to the line and is spaced away from the grappling hook. The counterweight portion and hook may be thrown at a pole to catch the pole or dragged across a float having cleats in order to catch a cleat.
US08272334B2
A three-link toggle type positioning platform comprises a first motor, a first ballscrew coupled to said first motor, a first linkage attached to the ballscrew a second linkage attached to the first linkage, and a third linkage attached to the second linkage. The ballscrew drives the first linkage, and then the first linkage drives the second linkage, and then the second linkage drives the third linkage, which drives a platform in a predetermined direction.
US08272332B2
An overhead mass transportation system for cities and urban areas may be particularly suitable for environmentally acceptable, or “green”, systems because it can be used to produce power by an optional super solar system deployed, for example, over the tracks. The mass transportation system may meet many current economic and environmental needs. In many urban areas around the world, the mass transportation system can replace buses and taxis on the street, with their noise and pollution, and reduce the use of oil and fuel. The system can also be used for inter-cities transportation, where in can dispense with the need to carry large amounts of fuel for long distance transportation. The system may also be suitable for areas with challenged trains, such as those areas with a high level of floods, snow, or the like. Furthermore, the system may be suitable for desert transportation or transportation over waterways or between islands. The system can provide faster public transportation than buses and can operate where the streets are too crowded for ground transport, acting like an elevated freeway.
US08272321B1
A removable rotisserie accessory for an oven includes a motor assembly positionable beneath a floor of the oven to provide rotational energy about a vertical axis perpendicular to the floor of the oven. A vertical rod is insertable through an opening in the floor of the oven to engage the motor assembly and to rotate about the vertical axis. A horizontal rod has a first end supported by the vertical rod and has a second end supported proximate to a sidewall of the oven. The horizontal rod supports at least one engagement device for an item to be cooked. A miter gear assembly includes a first bevel gear mounted on the vertical rod to rotate with the vertical rod and includes a second bevel gear mounted on the horizontal rod to rotate the horizontal rod in response to rotation of the first bevel gear.
US08272320B2
A cooking apparatus having a waste heat recovery system for incorporation into broilers, ovens, and toasters, the apparatus including a cooking chamber having a cooking platform, at least one air plenum disposed in the upper portion of the cooking chamber and having a plurality of air outlets for producing a focused forced air, a low pressure air source connected to the air plenums, a heating element or burner disposed under each of said air plenums, such that said curtain of focused forced air guides and directs heat from said heating element toward food product being cooked, and heat exchange pipes disposed between at least two of said air plenums. Radiant heat generated from the heating elements or burners rises in the cooking chamber and is retained between the air plenums to maximize heat transfer from the heated air to the heat transfer pipes, and thus to the low pressure air in the low pressure air system. The recycled heat enhances cooking.
US08272314B1
An auto-loading firearm may obtain improved firing precision by using stored energy to cycle the firearm. The firearm may be partially cycled when the trigger is pulled. The firearm may be completely cycled only when the trigger is released. Sound suppression and/or sound reduction may be obtained by limiting the amount of gas escaping the breech during extraction as well as separating the noise of the firing event from the noise of the action cycling.
US08272312B2
The invention relates to a breech for a repeating rifle with a breech guide, a locking chamber arranged in the breech guide, and a locking sleeve that is arranged concentrically about a rear part of the locking chamber and that has several locking elements that can be moved by an expansion device between an inner unlocked position and an outer locked position for engaging in a locking groove of a barrel. The expansion device has, according to the invention, a support sleeve that can move in the axial direction between the rear of the locking chamber and the locking sleeve.
US08272301B2
An extensive apparatus includes a shaft, a sensor, a display, a sleeve and a shell. The sensor is attached to the shaft so that the sensor detects torque exerted on the shaft. The display is electrically connected to the sensor so that the value of the torque detected by the sensor is shown on the display. The sleeve includes a tunnel through which the shaft extends. The sleeve is connected to the shaft so that they can only rotate together. The shell is rotationally provided around the sleeve. The display is connected to the shell so that the display is rotational relative to the shaft and easily observable regardless of the shaft.
US08272298B2
A steering device for a ratchet screwdriver includes a base. The base has a receiving hole defined therein. Two receiving grooves are defined in the base. A moving slot is comparted from receiving hole. A ratchet rod is partially received in the base. The ratchet rod includes a spindle and a ratchet wheel disposed on the spindle. Two blockers are respectively received in the two receiving grooves. Each blocker has unidirectional teeth formed on one end thereof for selectively engaging with the ratchet wheel. A housing is sleeved on the base. The housing has a protrusion disposed on an interior thereof for inserting into the moving slot.
US08272283B2
Disclosed is a method and a system for vibrating an object using centrifugal forces, wherein the centrifugal forces are achieved from a rotating device and wherein the centrifugal forces comprise a positive force and a negative force. A linear motion is added to the rotating device thereby inverting the negative force of the centrifugal forces to a positive force.
US08272275B2
A Coriolis mass flowmeter having a measuring tube that can be excited to oscillation and a magnet assembly (1) serving to generate oscillations and/or to receive oscillations. The magnet assembly (1) includes at least one permanent magnet (2) and a magnet holder (3) holding the permanent magnet (2). The Coriolis mass flowmeter that has a mounting for the permanent magnet, which can withstand long-term oscillation stress and can reliably protect the permanent magnet is implemented by the magnet holder (3) consisting of nonmagnetic metal such as stainless steel.
US08272268B2
An acceleration sensor includes a substrate, a rocker mass, a z spring connected to the rocker mass, which allows the rocker mass to rotate about an axis, and at least one additional spring system connected to the substrate and the rocker mass. The additional spring system allows the rocker mass to deflect in an x or y direction oriented parallel or perpendicular to the axis. The z spring or the additional spring system allows the rocker mass to deflect in a y or x direction oriented parallel or perpendicular to the axis.
US08272267B2
In an angular velocity sensor, driven mass portions are disposed on a surface of a base plate at point-symmetrical locations with respect to a central point O. The driven mass portions are connected to a coupling beam to be interconnected. The coupling beam is flexibly supported through connecting portions and driven beam. Detecting mass portions are disposed inside the driven mass portions, and the detecting mass portions are supported by detecting beams to be displaceable in the Z-axis direction. Two adjacent ones of the driven mass portions in the circumferential direction are vibrated by vibration generation portions in opposite phases to each other. When angular velocities are exerted in such a state, the detecting mass portions are caused to displace and vibrate in the direction of thickness of the base plate. Displacement detecting portions detect displacements of the detecting mass portions in the direction of the thickness.
US08272262B2
An underwater sensor device comprises a submersible housing including one or more housing components, one or more sensors for monitoring and collecting water characteristics, a controller for controlling operations of the one or more sensors and an graphical user interface mounted to the housing that displays the water environmental data. The housing defines a channel that extends through one of the housing components, and at least one of the sensors is mounted to the housing and extends into the channel. The controller is disposed within the housing and is operatively connected to the one or more sensors.
US08272252B2
A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.
US08272250B2
An effective sensor for indicating exposure to a toxic gas includes a non-conductive, inert substrate such as glass or polyethylene, a two-dimensional film of nanoparticles of a conductive metal such as silver or copper on the substrate and an electrode connected to each end of the film. When an electrical current passes through the film and the sensor is exposed to a toxic gas, changes in the electrical resistance of the film provides an indication of the presence of the toxic gas.
US08272245B2
When shaping a metal blank (P), the blank (P) is heated to a predetermined temperature, is then cooled using a cooling device (10), and is subsequently placed in a press and is shaped. According to the invention, at least one plate surface, and particularly both plate surfaces, of the blank (P) is/are brought in direct contact with a cooling element (16, 19) in the cooling device (10), and the blank is clamped especially between said cooling elements (16, 19). A corresponding cooling device for a metal blank (P) comprises a first cooling element (16) and a second cooling element (19) which are adjustable relative to each other and between which the blank (P) can be clamped.
US08272241B2
An electronic door lock for a door having a first side and a second side. The electronic door lock includes an escutcheon including a first aperture. A non-circular spring cage extends through the first aperture, and the spring cage includes a second aperture. A spring cage spindle at least partially extends through the second aperture, and the spring cage spindle extends from the spring cage and includes a third aperture. A key cylinder is received in the third aperture. A handle including a fourth aperture receives the key cylinder and the spring cage spindle, and a fastener is received by the handle. The fastener is configured to couple the handle to the spring cage spindle and inhibit movement of the handle with respect to the spring cage spindle.
US08272236B2
A method of producing a thermally stable grating allows the grating to be placed in environments where temperatures reach 1000° C. and where the grating is relatively stable and has very low loss from scatter. These gratings have spectral characteristics that allow them to be concatenated so as to form a sensor array. The method requires a step of lowering the characteristic intensity threshold of a waveguide by at least 25%, followed by irradiating the waveguide with femtosecond pulses of light having a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient duration to write the grating so that at least 60% of the grating remains after exposures of at least 10 hours at a temperature of at least 1000° C. Pre-writing a Type I grating before writing a minimal damage Type II grating lowers the characteristic threshold of the waveguide so that a stable low damage type II grating can be written; alternatively providing a hydrogen or deuterium loaded waveguide before writing the grating lowers the characteristic threshold of the waveguide.
US08272233B2
A heat exchanger includes a first flat tube in which a low temperature fluid flows and a second flat tube in which a high temperature fluid flows and that is laminated on the first flat tube and arranged so that the flow direction of the high temperature fluid is parallel to the flow direction of the low temperature fluid. One of the first and second flat tubes is arranged in the direction of lamination. Ends of the flat tubes are bent in a direction intersecting at right angles both flow directions of the fluids and the direction of lamination.
US08272228B2
A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.
US08272223B2
A twin-shaft gas turbine 1, which has a gas generator 2 including a compressor 7, a combustor 8, and a high-pressure turbine 9, is configured to make a first control mode and a second control mode selectively useable for control of the gas generator. In addition, in the first control mode, an IGV angle in the compressor is controlled in accordance with a corrected shaft rotation speed of the gas generator, and in the second control mode, the IGV angle is controlled to maintain a constant gas generator shaft rotation speed. Furthermore, the first control mode is used to start, to stop, and to operate the turbine under fixed or lower load conditions, and that the second control mode is used under operational states other than those to which the first control mode is applied.
US08272220B2
A thermal machine including a wall defining a hot gas duct for transferring a hot gas stream and a cooling jacket disposed at a distance from the wall on an outside of the hot gas duct so as to define a cooling duct with an inlet and an outlet. The cooling duct is configured to conduct a cooling medium along an external face of the wall from the inlet to an outlet in a direction counter to a flow of hot gas in the hot gas duct. An impingement cooling plate is disposed at the inlet of the cooling duct and includes cooling baffle holes configured such that cooling medium entering the cooling duct through the cooling baffle holes flows in a direction perpendicular to the wall. The impingement cooling plate is positioned such that an inflow-side edge sealingly abuts the wall of the hot gas duct so as to reduce a transverse flow of the cooling medium through the cooling duct.
US08272216B2
[Subject]The subject is to provide a method of converting solar energy into the transportable and stockable secondary energy[Means for Solving the Problem]There is provided a method of converting solar thermal energy obtained in a first region into motive power energy used in a second region, the second region having a solar-radiation amount smaller than that of the first region, comprising: synthesizing ammonia from air and water by using, as an energy source; only the solar thermal energy acquired in the first region, transferring the ammonia from the first region to the second region; and, burning the ammonia in the second region such that nitrogen and water are produced, thereby obtaining motive power energy.
US08272209B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce oxide stored in an NOx catalyst in a more preferable manner. According to the present invention, when oxide stored in the NOx catalyst is to be reduced, the combustion mode of the internal combustion engine is switched into a low air-fuel ratio mode in which the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine is low, and supply of fuel is executed at a time when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas has been made low by the switching of the combustion mode.
US08272199B2
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a flexiable cutterbar assembly and a draper assembly that flexes with the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a side draper belt configured to receive severed crop materials from the cutterbar assembly. The draper belt includes an internal guide rib. Pivoting structure is positioned within the interior of the draper belt. The pivoting structure presents a groove that receives the guide rib therein.
US08272190B2
Methods of fabricating wall panels by generally continuously pultruding a wall panel profile comprising inner and outer layers, and spaced reinforcing webs and/or foam extending between the inner and outer layers, optionally studs extending inwardly from the inner layer, away from the outer layer. The so-continuously pultruded wall panel optionally has male and a female edges. The wall panel is periodically cut for wall panel height, thereby creating an ongoing stream of cut wall panels. The panels are advanced through a corner index station, and indexed at right angles while maintaining orientation of the panels. The wall panels leave the indexing station edge-to-edge. Resin is applied to facing edges of adjacent wall panels. Adjacent wall panels are joined to each other at the facing edges, to make a generally continuous wall panel. The so-joined wall panel is cut to desired lengths. The resulting wall panel can provide tough, water-proof, otherwise weather-proof, building systems and buildings, without structural use of concrete except in floor slabs.
US08272179B2
A barrier for a robotic work station is provided and includes a pair of upright posts, and rigid panels which are movable between a lower open position and a raised closed position. The panels are simultaneously moved between the raised and lower positions by a pneumatic cylinder and a pulley system. The movable panels are cantilevered from one of the posts, and include rollers for movement within a channel in the post. A fixed panel is provided at the bottom of the posts and extends approximately to the top of the work station table.
US08272155B2
The present invention provides an automatic banner roll-up mechanism for automatically rolling up a banner or poster, which includes two tubes, a foldable material cloth, a connecting rod, two plugs, a cylindrical spring, a stopper and two mounting supports. One end of the connecting rod is sheathed by one plug and the cylindrical spring, and it is retained in one of the mounting supports. Ball bearings in one of the plugs are engaged with the connecting rod when the plug is rotated to twist cylindrical spring tight. After rotating the plug in a reverse direction to release the cylindrical spring, the connecting rod rotates in the reverse direction, thereby rolling up the foldable material. Further, the foldable material may be coated or printed with various patterns for decorative or sun-shading purposes.
US08272149B2
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of an upper and a segmented sole structure. The sole structure may include an insole portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements disposed within an outsole unit. The insole is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of flexible regions.
US08272148B2
A sports shoe has a sole S absorbing a shock of landing, an upper U covering an instep of a foot, and a fastening member 3 fitting the upper U to the instep of the foot. The upper U has a first opening 1 from which a leg extends upwardly during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue, and the first and second openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other in a front-rear direction, the upper comprises a medial side portion 7 covering a medial side surface of the foot, a lateral side portion 8 covering a lateral side surface of the foot, and stretchable portions 71, 81 forming a part of the medial side portion 7 and/or the lateral side portion 8, and the second opening 2 inclines toward the medial side of the foot along a ridge line of the foot as the second opening extends toward a front of the foot.
US08272146B1
A spring-loaded jumping shoe featuring a shoe component comprising a sole, a top, and a foot hole; a track disposed in the sole of the shoe component; an attachment flange removably attached in the track in the sole of the shoe component; a generally flat base having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upwardly curved front end, and an upwardly curved back end; and at least a first hydraulic spring and a second hydraulic spring each extending upwardly from the base and sandwiched between the base and the attachment flange.
US08272143B1
A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure includes heating the ambient air within the enclosed area to a predetermined temperature over time to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air. Temperature and pressure levels are monitored through the treatment process. Contaminated objects or areas may be subjected to biocides, irradiation, or even freezing as part of the treatment process. The air removed from the enclosure is preferably passed through an incinerator, a filter or an irradiation device and the heated air is re-circulated to enhance efficiency.
US08272136B2
A cutting tool is provided which may simultaneously score or cut opposite sides of a wallboard. The tool may also be used to cut semi-circular portions from a corner of the wallboard and which may be used to cut circles from the wallboard.
US08272135B2
A saw blade clamping mechanism includes a saw blade spindle, a support sleeve, a clamping pin, and a rotating sleeve. The spindle has a longitudinal receiving slot and an axial elongate slot. The rotating sleeve has a retaining slot. A movable pin is secured on the rotating sleeve and extends through the elongate slot. A latch pin is fixed on the support sleeve and is held within the retaining slot. The rotating sleeve is movable from a first position to a second position. When the rotating sleeve is in the first position, the latch pin is positioned at an outer end of the circumferential section of the retaining slot and the clamping pin inserts into the longitudinal receiving slot of the spindle to fix a saw blade. When the rotating sleeve is in the second position, the latch pin is positioned at an upper end of the axial section of the retaining slot and the clamping pin retracts from the receiving slot of the spindle to release the saw blade.
US08272131B2
Provided are a fixture of a dental implant and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a method of manufacturing a fixture of a dental implant easily that allows fast bone formation at an early stage and prevents infection and inflammation, and a fixture of a dental implant having an improved structure that can be manufactured by using the method of manufacturing the same. The fixture of a dental implant with an improved structure in which the performance of osseointegration is excellent and spread of inflammation is reduced, and the method of manufacturing the fixture of a dental implant easily are provided. In the method of manufacturing a fixture of a dental implant, the fixture of the dental implant in which the performance of osseointegration is excellent and spread of inflammation can be reduced, can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, in the fixture of the dental implant, the performance of osseointegration is excellent and spread of inflammation can be reduced.
US08272121B2
A connector installation apparatus including a frame, a ram and a gas spring. The frame includes an anvil section. The anvil section is adapted to have a first connector part located at the anvil section. The ram is movably connected to the frame. The ram includes a front section adapted to have a second connector part located at the front section. The gas spring includes a piston head on a rear end of the ram, and a portion of the frame forming two variable chambers with the piston head.
US08272120B2
An apparatus for applying solder to semiconductor chips is provided that employs a plurality of apertured decals to define areas for engaging solder on a semiconductor chip. Each of the plurality of decals includes an upper, center and bottom layer having apertures present therethrough. The apparatus fills the apertures with solder. The upper and bottom layers of the apertured decals are removed to provide solder portions projecting from the center layer. The apparatus provides a station for applying an adhesive layer to the exposed surfaces of the center layer having the solder portions projecting therefrom. The apparatus includes a station for contacting the solder and adhesive to the semiconductor chip. The apparatus also includes a separating structure for detaching the portion of the center layer that is in contacting to the semiconductor chip through the solder.
US08272117B2
A window frame insulation assembly and sealing arrangement, comprising an elongated, extruded block of foam material having a first or inner side and a second or outer side. A unitary air fin is co-extruded therewith. The air fin comprises an elongated flange of flexible foam material. The air fin and the elongated block define an elongated receiving-channel that is filled with a foam compression rod there between creating a seal for blocking air and moisture from a building in which said window frame assembly has been placed.
US08272115B2
A multi-plate clutch includes a plurality of drive plates that are rotationally coupled to a concentric shell wherein keys radially extending from each drive plate are slidably received in axial channels formed in the interior surface of the shell. The enhancement of the wear resistance of the keys of single one of the drive plates serves to extend the service life of the entire clutch.
US08272101B2
A door hinge comprises a first hinge element fastenable to a door frame and a second hinge element fastenable to a door leaf and includes first and second hinge blade. A first pivot axis is connected, when the door hinge is in a first operating condition, to first and second hinge elements such that the second hinge blade is pivotable relative to the first hinge element, in a first pivot direction, for unblocking a door aperture. The first pivot axis is decoupled from the first or the second hinge element when the door hinge is in a second operating condition. A second pivot axis is connected to the first and second hinge elements such that said first and second hinge elements are pivotable relative to one another, in a second pivot direction which is opposed to the first pivot direction, for unblocking the door aperture.
US08272098B2
A vacuum cleaner has a hose and wand assembly onto which a floor tool may be attached. The wand includes a plurality of telescoping tubes which can slide between retracted and extended positions. In order to be able to transmit power and signals from the vacuum cleaner to the end of the wand assembly, conductors are provided in a channel in the hose. The hose is connected to the interior of the wand, just beyond the last telescoping joint, with the conductors extending beyond the end of the hose to a connector at the far end of the wand. This arrangement automatically provides a reliable electrical connection down the wand. Previously, electrical conductors were not employed with this type of wand as it was not straightforward to provide electrical connections across the telescoping parts.
US08272093B2
A cloth disc assembly for a mop includes a disc having engaging holes. A fixing member is mounted to each engaging hole and includes a cylinder having a longitudinal hole. The cylinder further includes an engaging section formed on an outer periphery thereof and engaged in one of the engaging holes. A fixing hole extends from the outer periphery of the cylinder through an inner periphery of the longitudinal hole. A cleaning unit is extended through the longitudinal hole of the cylinder of each fixing member and includes a plurality of cleaning strips each having two ends extending out of the cylinder. A positioning member is mounted to each fixing member and includes a shank extending through the fixing hole of the cylinder of each fixing member into the longitudinal hole of the cylinder and pressing the cleaning strips against the inner periphery of the longitudinal hole of the cylinder.
US08272090B2
A method for operating a washing machine, in which wrinkles are removed from laundry using steam. The method includes supplying steam of a high temperature to a drum containing laundry; and supplying air to the drum. The method facilitates the refreshing of the laundry, such as clothes, thus allowing a user to wear the clothes just after the refreshing of the clothes.
US08272079B2
A whirlpool foot bath for a pedicure chair having a housing with a removable cap and a rotor and stator magnetic motor within the housing. Water in the bath is circulated through an inlet in the cap and out through at least one outlet in the cap. A method of use is described.
US08272078B2
An apparatus and system are disclosed for a pool drain cover, the cover having a perforated ramp around its perimeter to which are attached a plurality of straight, horizontally disposed tubes, circumscribing channels with substantially continuous cross-sectional areas, each tube enclosing a channel extending the length of the tube of at least six inches. The cross-sectional area of the tubes is kept at a minimum and their number is increased by arranging the tubes in rows and columns or giving the tubes an elliptical cross-sectional area and arranging them in a single row, thereby reducing the tapering in the tubes. The cover may be segmented and may be of multiple shapes, including a circle.
US08276209B2
A method and system for determining the level of allowed communication between devices. By addition of one or more tamper-resistant proximity check server(s), round-trip time measurements to estimate the distance between the communication devices are performed in order to determine the amount of communication allowed between these devices. In one embodiment, a single tamper-resistant proximity server computes the distance between communication devices that are implemented as trusted applications on open platforms.
US08276208B2
Methods, systems, and articles to receive, by a fail-over computing device, a request to instantiate a virtual-machine in response to a virtual-machine failure on a separate physical device. The request includes a minimum security rating. The fail-over computing device then compares the minimum security rating against an assigned security rating of the fail-over computing device and instantiates the virtual-machine if the assigned security rating meets or exceeds the minimum security rating.
US08276200B2
A system and method for securely processing sensitive streams in a mixed infrastructure includes analyzing a stream to determine data sensitivity. A likelihood that processing elements employed to process the stream would result in a risk to sensitive information is determined. At least a portion of the data stream having sensitive information is transferred to a secure processing environment to ensure security of the data stream during processing.
US08276197B1
A method and system are provided for accessing network resources. An embodiment of the method includes receiving login information associated with logging one or more customers in to a data network associated with a first domain substantially owned by a first entity; and utilizing the login information to automatically register the one or more customers with a second data network associated with a second domain so that at least a portion of services that would have been available to a customer who was properly logged in to the second network will be available to the one or more customers by virtue of the registering.
US08276193B2
An Activity Access Control (AAC) utility controls access to applications and devices by allowing an administrator to set terms of use/access regarding a applications and/or devices for a group of users, whose activity are monitored. The AAC utility also enables administrator and user access to a compromise facility via a centralized access point to establish or request changes to the terms of use/access. The AAC utility allows the administrator to dynamically update information and set terms based on real-time information collected during activity monitoring. Dynamic updates may also occur based on the monitored user's request, the priority of the requesting user(s), historical data, occurrence of a special event, completion of other internal or/external tasks, and/or pre-set limitations or thresholds. In addition, the AAC utility facilitates the real-time display or publishing of the terms of use, status information, and statistical information to users and the administrator.
US08276190B1
A user using a browser having stored authentication information for a web service in a first domain is authenticated to a web service in a second domain. The browser is provided with computer program instructions causing the browser to transparently provide the stored authentication information to the service in the first domain, receive cross-domain authentication credentials from the service in the first domain, and provide the cross-domain authentication credentials to the service in the second domain. The service in the second domain validates the cross-domain authentication credentials. If the credentials validate, the service in the second domain transparently provides the user with authenticated access.
US08276186B2
A method for communicating data between a first and second control system (FCS and SCS). FCS (202) controls a first process (FP) having first security data (FSD) in a first data security format (FDSF). The method involves modifying the FSD (214) from being in the FDSF into modified security data (MSD) in a modified security format (MSDF) compatible with SCS (226). Subsequent to the modifying, a request is received from an SCS user. The request includes a user type, process parameter (PP) associated with the FP, and request for information regarding the PP or a request to change a PP value. The method also involves referencing the user type and PP to the MSD. The method further involves blocking or allowing the request based on results of the referencing. If results indicate that the request is allowed, then an access level can be impersonated for changing the PP value in FCS.
US08276185B2
A memory device includes: at least one storage area for storing data; a protection control structure adapted to selectively allow an external device access to the at least one storage area of the memory, the storage area being not freely accessible by the external device if protected; a control logic adapted to identify an access request by the external device to the at least one storage area and cooperating with the protection control structure for managing an unlock procedure for selectively granting the external device at least temporary access rights to the storage area if protected; means for providing a first code to the external device in said unlock procedure; means for receiving a second code from the external device in response to said first code; means for verifying validity of the received second code. The means for verifying validity are adapted to ascertain a correspondence of the second code with the first code based on a predetermined relationship. The control logic instructs the protection control structure to grant access to the storage area if the validity of the received second code has been verified. The first code issued by the memory device to the external device upon receiving an access request is changed after performing predetermined number of unlock procedures.
US08276182B2
Television content from multiple sources is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device includes an interface to receive television media content in multiple streaming video formats. A television media service implemented in the television client device can process television media content when received in a first streaming video format, and render the television media content for display. In addition, the television media service can process additional television media content when received in a second streaming video format, and render the additional television media content for display.
US08276168B2
An apparatus and method for increasing data storage capacity of a media library is disclosed herein. The elevation or vertical clearance of a tray assembly included in the library is configured to permit access of data storage media stored near the floor of the library.
US08276166B2
Systems and methods for providing interoperability of systems are provided. One embodiment may be seen as instantiating a server in a container having instances of Enterprise Java™ Beans (EJB), and accessing the EJB through the local interface of the EJB. Since the EJB is accessed from within the container, the need for translation of messaging protocols at a bridge is removed. The server components are provided access to the EJB logic through the local interface of the EJB.
US08276162B2
A computer-implemented method for updating a web user interface on a client device is provided. A router back-boned to the Internet communicates with the client device web-user interface data defined in markup language to dynamically update the web-user interface on the client device. The router contains no logic regarding the web-user interface running on the client device. The client device has a browser server for dynamically updating the web-user interface through downloading and caching the data from the router. The browser server on the client device has (i) a user interface model of the web-user interface running on the client device defined in Javascript, and (ii) a JavaScript Runtime Engine for dynamically converting the downloaded and/or cached web-user interface markup language data into JavaScript objects. The web-user interface is dynamically updated by combining steps (i) and (ii).
US08276154B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for partitioning streaming data. Embodiments of the invention can be used to hash partition a stream of data and thus avoids unnecessary memory usage (e.g., associated with buffering). Hash partitioning can be used to split an input sequence (e.g., a data stream) into multiple partitions that can be processed independently. Other embodiments of the invention can be used to hash repartition a plurality of streams of data. Hash repartitioning converts a set of partitions into another set of partitions with the hash partitioned property. Partitioning and repartitioning can be done in a streaming manner at runtime by exchanging values between worker threads responsible for different partitions.
US08276153B2
A method, system and computer program capable of executing a transaction in a scalable manner by dividing and then executing the transaction in a distributed environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a system divides and then executes a transaction in a distributed environment. The system includes means which divides the transaction processing into an optimistic process which unlikely causes conflicts and a pessimistic process which likely causes conflicts; a first server; and a second server. The first server includes a first transaction execution unit for executing the optimistic process; and a transaction log transmission unit for transmitting a result of the execution of the optimistic process to the second server. The second server includes a transaction log receiving unit for receiving the transmission log; and a second transaction execution unit for executing the pessimistic process.
US08276139B2
Virtual machines are provisioned computers in a computer environment based on input/output (I/O) requirements of software tasks. A workload request, requesting the execution of a software task on a virtual machine, is received. The I/O requirements of the software task are matched to an optimal computer, in the computer environment, that has an I/O bandwidth capability that best matches the I/O requirements of the software task. The software task is then routed to a virtual machine, on the optimal computer, for execution of the software task.
US08276138B2
Providing data to an application running on a segmented virtual machine (VM) is disclosed. Providing data includes opening an interface between the segmented VM and an external data source, transferring data from the external data source to an interface buffer, transferring a first selected amount of data from the interface buffer to a shell VM buffer, transferring a second selected amount of data from the shell VM buffer to a core VM buffer, and providing portions of the data from the core VM buffer to the application in response to read requests from the application.
US08276123B1
In general, techniques are described for intelligently selecting test cases within testing environments. Specifically, a computing device may include a user interface with which a user interacts to specify a safety level. The device also includes a control unit that determines those functions of source code that changed. Based on these changed functions, the control unit determines those functions of the source code not changed but impacted by the changes within a set distance. The control unit then selects, for each of these determined functions, one or more test cases in accordance with one or more test selection algorithms by adaptively applying these algorithms in order of decreasing safety assurances and increasing precision. The control unit further aggregates these selected test cases and implement the test cases to ensure the safety level with respect to a percentage of functional errors occurring within a software program compiled from the source code.
US08276118B2
Operating an integrated development environment in a data processing system comprising running a source code editor, displaying source code in a graphical interface of the source code editor, displaying at least one cross-reference marker, the at least one cross-reference marker indicating crosscutting in the source code, receiving an input, changing one or more cross-reference markers, and highlighting the one or more changed cross-reference marker.
US08276116B2
An algebra operation method includes the steps of converting algebra operations for a plurality of objects which appear in a program into an algebra operation sequence object described using object access data used to access the plurality of objects and object state data used to store states associated with the plurality of objects without immediately evaluating the algebra operations, determining a function to be applied to the algebra operation sequence object, and evaluating the algebra operations by executing the function by designating an argument group required for the function in response to a call of a substitute operator.
US08276113B2
A method displays a Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram on a graphic user interface. The UML diagram can have, for example, nodes representing objects of an object-oriented system. Further, input is received regarding the location of a user-directed pointer on the UML diagram. The location of the pointer identifies a currently “selected node” of the UML diagram. In response to such input, the method dynamically highlights portions of the UML diagram depending on the location of the selected node. This highlighting process dynamically alters the appearances of nodes logically related to the selected node by highlighting nodes that are relatively closely related to the selected node differently (e.g., more brightly) than nodes that are not as relatively closely related to the selected node.
US08276109B2
A mixed-height cell library for designing integrated circuits is provided. The mixed-height cell library includes a first plurality of cells having a first track height and a second plurality of cells having a second track height that are configured to be coupled to the first plurality of cells at respective power and ground rail lines. A method for mixed-height cell placement and optimization is also provided. The method comprises abutting cells of different track heights to form a plurality of rows of cells by coupling power and ground rails of the cells at a secondary layer that is different from a primary layer that is used to connect active material and determining whether re-ordering cells within rows allows for further compaction of adjacent rows. The method further comprises re-ordering cells within rows so to allow for further compaction of adjacent rows. The method also includes the steps of splitting rows vertically to minimize the distance between the split rows.
US08276102B2
Techniques for estimating yield of an integrated circuit design, such as a very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design, are provided. In one aspect, a method for determining a probability of failure of a VLSI query design includes the following steps. A Voronoi diagram is built comprising a set of shapes that represent the design. The Voronoi diagram is converted into a rectangular grid comprising 2t×2s rectangular cells, wherein t and s are chosen so that one rectangular cell contains from about one to about five Voronoi cells. A probability of failure is computed for each of the cells in the grid. The cells in the grid are merged pairwise. A probability of failure for the merged cells is recomputed which accounts for a spatial correlation between the cells. The pairwise merge and recompute steps are performed s+t times to determine the probability of failure of the design.
US08276101B2
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a computing device with the ability to perform text-entry operations (e.g., using a touch screen) on a computing device. Specifically, the techniques of this disclosure may, in some examples, allow the user to use gestures on a mobile computing device to perform text entry and editing operations. Using a presence-sensitive user interface device (e.g., a touch screen), the user may use gestures to enter text into text-based applications (e.g., short message service (SMS) messages, e-mail message, uniform resource locators (URLs), and the like). Using visually-defined areas on the touch screen, the user may utilize gestures of certain patterns, relative to the defined areas, to indicate text entry and editing operations such as, for example, deleting characters and words, indicating a space or return characters, and the like.
US08276100B2
An input control device for enabling the user to perform predetermined operation for an icon simply by performing move operation of a pointer without button operation is provided. An operation selection area generation section 167 generates position information of an area indicating operation corresponding to selection and activation of predetermined operation for an object to be selected, and a display section 15 displays an operation selection area based on the operation selection area position information. When an operation selection determination section 168 determines that a pointer arrives at the operation selection area, it instructs a control section 19 to execute operation for the icon corresponding to the operation selection area information. Upon reception of the instruction, the control section 19 activates and executes the operation corresponding to the operation selection area.
US08276092B1
A method for reporting financial data includes displaying a report of the financial data at a first level of granularity and a report slider. The report includes a first plurality of line items. The report slider includes a sliding module in a first position, The method detects a first movement of a sliding module on the report slider from the first to second position, and generates a first sub-report for a first line item of the first plurality of line items and a second sub-report for a second line item of the first plurality of line items based on the second position of the sliding module. The first line item and the second line item are selected in the report. The first sub-report and the second sub-report display financial data are at a second level of granularity. The method displays the first sub-report and the second sub-report with the report.
US08276084B2
The present invention permits performance adjustment in a virtual universe. In particular, the invention proposes a mixed server-based/peer-to-peer approach, in which transmission responsibilities are shifted towards peer-to-peer computing as the number of avatars within a region increases. The invention may foster fluid business transactions (e.g., sales) during times of high avatar load.
US08276082B2
A method and computer readable storage media for organizing digital stream contents. A plurality of time-sequential segments of digital stream data may be stored in a corresponding plurality of stream data files. Identifying information for each of the stream data files may be stored in order of recording in an administrative file.
US08276064B2
A method to generate an effective schema of an electronic document for optimizing the processing thereof may include performing a programmatic analysis to determine all required portions of the electronic document. The method may also include generating a parser or deserializer to build an optimized document model; and specializing a document processing program against the optimized document model.
US08276052B1
A system and method for recovering the seed of a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) using soft decisions is disclosed. In some implementations, a log-likelihood ratio is calculated to determine the certainty with which each bit in the seed has been recovered, and in some implementations, the value of the PRBS is used in the calculation of the log-likelihood ratio. In some implementations, a linear feedback shift register stores the log-likelihood ratio for each bit in the sequence.
US08276044B2
An information recording apparatus includes a writing system for writing the datasets to the recording medium, so that each of the datasets can be identified from a certain number indicating an order that each of the datasets was sequentially written to the recording medium, and from the number of writing operations (WP) carried out for a dataset of the certain number, the writing system writing a first dataset; the writing system being configured for substantially appending a second dataset onto the first dataset, the second dataset having the same certain number as the first dataset, and for setting a value obtained by incrementing the WP of the first dataset as the WP of the second dataset. A writing control system controls, in the case where an error occurs at the time of the appending, the appending on the first dataset, in a position shifted forward by a predetermined distance from the position of the first dataset on the recording medium, by setting the value obtained by incrementing the WP of the first dataset as the WP for the second dataset, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance with which error correction of the first dataset is avoided by appending the second dataset onto the first dataset so that the second dataset overwrites a part of the first dataset.
US08276041B2
A method for reading data from a data storage system is provided. The method comprises requesting a virtual data volume to access data from one or more data blocks in the data storage system; requesting a virtual protection information volume to access protection information associated with the data blocks; validating the data using the protection information; and providing the data to the host interface, in response to successful validation of the data. A method for writing data to a data storage system is also provided. The method comprises receiving data to be written to one or more data blocks in the data storage system, wherein the data is stored in a cache; generating protection information to be stored on a virtual protection information volume; requesting a virtual data volume to update the data blocks with the data; and requesting the virtual protection information volume to store the protection information.
US08276039B2
A first error detection for a first data word is performed using a first error correction code associated with the first data word. In response to the first error detection indicating a first uncorrectable error at the first data word based upon the first error correction code, a second error detection for a plurality of data words including the first data word and a second data word is performed using a second error correction code based upon the first and second data words.
US08276037B2
The invention related to a turbo decoder comprising SISO decoding modules each other interconnected in a feedback control scheme having scaling modules for applying a scaling factor to extrinsic information delivered by said SISO decoding modules. The turbo decoder comprises a selection module for adaptively selecting said scaling factor based on a number of decoding iterations of the turbo decoder.
US08276034B2
A receiving unit wirelessly receives a packet communication signal. When receiving a packet included in the packet communication signal is failed, a requesting unit issues a retransmission request for retransmitting the packet. A storing unit stores therein packets included in packet communication signals received before and after issuing the retransmission request. A setting unit sets an order of transferring the packets stored in the storing unit to a control unit in an order of receiving the packets without a fail. A transferring unit transfers the packets stored in the storing unit to the control unit in the order set by the setting unit.
US08276030B2
Scan distributor, collector, and controller circuitry connect to the functional inputs and outputs of core circuitry on integrated circuits to provide testing through those functional inputs and outputs. Multiplexer and demultiplexer circuits select between the scan circuitry and the functional inputs and outputs. The core circuitry can also be provided with built-in scan distributor, collector, and controller circuitry to avoid having to add it external of the core circuitry. With appropriately placed built-in scan distributor and collector circuits, connecting together the functional inputs and outputs of the core circuitry also connects together the scan distributor and collector circuitry in each core. This can provide a hierarchy of scan circuitry and reduce the need for separate test interconnects and multiplexers.
US08276027B2
A semiconductor memory in which arbitrary operation mode information is set in a plurality of CRs at test time and by which a test cost is reduced and a method for testing such a semiconductor memory. The plurality of CRs hold operation mode information. When a CR control circuit detects write commands to write to an address for register access or read commands to read from the address for register access in a predetermined order, the CR control circuit updates the operation mode information for each of the plurality of CRs on a time division basis. A command generation section generates the write commands, the read commands, or a test start command by which write operation or read operation does not occur, in response to a control signal from the outside. In addition, the command generation section regenerates the test start command each time the plurality of CRs are updated. A data pad compression circuit changes the operation mode information to be written to the plurality of CRs by using test data inputted to part of data pads, after inverting the test data or in its original condition according to a code, as data for a rest of the data pads, the code represented by part of an address inputted at the time of the test start command being sent.
US08276025B2
An embodiment is a method and apparatus to interleave data. A demultiplexer demultiplexes an input packet having N bits into L sub-packets on L branches. M flipping blocks flip M of the L sub-packets. M is smaller than L. L sub-interleavers interleave the (L-M) sub-packets and the M flipped sub-packets. A concatenator concatenates the interleaved sub-packets to form an output packet.
US08276017B2
In a system management apparatus, a failure detection unit detects a readout failure in one of blocks constituting distributed data stored in a first RAID disk array. A request unit requests a computer to supplement one of the blocks of the distributed data stored in the first RAID disk array in which a readout failure irrecoverable by use of only the data stored in the first RAID disk array occurs, where the computer has a second RAID disk array storing a duplicate of the distributed data stored in the first RAID disk array. And an overwriting unit receives data corresponding to the one of the blocks from the computer, and overwrites the one of the blocks with the received data.
US08276016B2
Systems and methods are described for service availability that provides automated recovery of server service in a timely and application intelligent manner, maintaining application consistency and integrity, while preserving server identity. The systems and methods, referred to herein as a Service Preservation System (SPS), manage complete recovery of server data and preserve continuity of server service, reestablishing user access to server(s) after an event or disaster in which in which primary or other server(s) fail. The failures, disasters, and losses referred to herein can be at many levels and include, but are not limited to, accidental deletion of an item, loss of an entire mailbox, loss of an entire disk drive, loss of an entire server, and/or loss of an entire server site.
US08276013B2
A system and method for using a link energy signal in physical layer devices (PHYs) having a silent channel/interface in energy efficient Ethernet (EEE). LPI modes in EEE suffer deficiencies in cable unplug detection due to the latency in refresh cycles. LPI modes in EEE also suffer from potential frequency drift, which leads to high bit error rate (BER) when coming out of LPI mode. A link energy signal transmitted during LPI modes enables real-time detection of cable unplug and the frequency lock to be maintained.
US08276003B2
Reducing current draw of solid state drives from a shared power supply of a computer at computer startup, each SSD including computer memory, a capacitor, a disk controller, and a charge controller, the disk controller configured to enable the charge controller to charge the capacitor upon receiving a charge command, the SSDs organized into startup groups characterized by a position in a predefined startup order. Upon startup of the computer, beginning with a first startup group in the predefined startup order and until the last startup group in the predefined startup order has received a charge command, embodiments include, sending, by a storage device initiator, a charge command to a startup group to initiate charging of the capacitor of each solid state drive in the startup group and waiting a predefined period of time before sending another charge command to a next startup group in the predefined startup order.
US08275990B2
A method for receiving/sending multimedia message uses a wireless LAN, and communicates with a gateway via the wireless LAN so as to send and receive multimedia messages. Furthermore, the gateway of the invention detects whether the user device is located within the wireless LAN. If yes, then multimedia messages are sent and received via the wireless LAN; and if not, then via conventional telecom network. The invention also discloses a corresponding gateway and a corresponding user device.
US08275981B2
A computing system includes a flash storage device that loads a boot program from a flash storage of the flash storage device to a random access memory of the flash storage device. A processor of the computing system then accesses the boot program from the random access memory and executes the boot program.
US08275976B2
A hierarchical instruction scheduler included in a hierarchical microprocessor comprising a plurality of execution clusters. In one embodiment, a hierarchical instruction scheduler comprises a first-level instruction scheduler configured to receive instructions for execution; store first operand status information for respective operands of the instructions; and dispatch the instructions to respective execution clusters based on the instructions' respective first operand status information. The instruction scheduler also includes a plurality of second-level instruction schedulers, each operatively coupled with the first-level instruction scheduler, each second-level instruction scheduler being included in a respective execution cluster The second-level instruction schedulers are each configured to receive instructions for execution from the first-level instruction scheduler; store second operand status information for respective operands of the instructions received from the first-level instruction scheduler; and dispatch instructions, for execution, to respective execution units of the execution clusters based on the instructions' respective second operand status information.
US08275974B2
An advantageous system and method are provided for supporting and/or enabling the creation of dynamic reports and/or data presentation(s) in connection with a spreadsheet-based application or program. The system and method offer a full complement of spreadsheet-based formatting and calculation capabilities. In addition, the system and method may be used in conjunction with and/or incorporated as part of spreadsheet-based application(s) and/or program(s) found on stand-alone clients and/or networked clients. The system and method generally include an electronic spreadsheet having a plurality of cells that are arrayed in a defined number of columns and rows, a database in communication with the electronic spreadsheet, and an expansion formula that functions to control retrieval of data from the database and automatically varies/expands at least one of the defined number of columns and rows to accommodate the data retrieval.
US08275973B2
A reconfigurable device comprises a plurality of processing elements, a main memory unit that stores plural pieces of circuit configuration information, a cache unit that caches circuit configuration information forwarded to at least one of the processing elements from the main memory unit, and a cache control unit that controls forwarding of circuit configuration information from the cache unit to the processing element. The cache control unit selects circuit configuration information which must be forwarded to each processing element. When the selected circuit configuration information is not stored in the cache unit, the cache control unit reads out the circuit configuration information from the main memory unit, stores the read-out circuit configuration information in the cache unit, and sends forward the circuit configuration information to the processing element from the cache unit.
US08275965B2
For a storage apparatus in which flash memory disks and hard disks coexist, high-density mounting of flash memory modules is achieved. A storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes flash memories and a storage controller. A second storage apparatus including magnetic disks is connected to the storage apparatus. For creation of a logical volume, the storage controller can form a storage area using a flash memory or a magnetic disk. When an input/output request is issued from a host computer, if a storage area is formed with a flash memory, the storage controller directly accesses the flash memory to handle the input/output request. When the storage apparatus defines a storage area formed with a flash memory, the storage apparatus defines the storage area by adding up the capacity of a storage area to be provided for the host computer and a substitute area capacity determined in consideration of restrictions imposed on the number of times of deletion of the flash memory.
US08275962B2
One or a plurality of copy pairs are disposed in a plurality of storage systems. A management server determines the propriety of execution of an operation request for each user for either a local copy pair or a remote copy pair. As operation requests, a pair create, a split, a resync, a restore, and a pair delete can be cited.
US08275951B2
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, a system comprises a plurality of computers coupled together and to an array of redundant storage devices that is accessible to the plurality of computers. Each of the plurality of computers comprises a local memory that stores at least one bitmap. The least one bitmap logs regions of the redundant array that have been modified.
US08275950B2
A storage system adapted to be coupled to a plurality of host devices via a fibre channel. The storage system including a plurality of storage devices, at least a portion of the plurality of storage devices corresponding to a logical unit of a plurality of logical units, the logical unit having a logical unit number (LUN). The storage system also including a storage control device having a cache memory and controlling to store data, addressed to the LUN, into the portion of the plurality of storage devices. The storages system also including an input device being adapted to be used to set information, which is used to prevent an unauthorized access to the logical unit and which corresponds to a relationship between a host device of the plurality of host devices and the logical unit.
US08275937B2
A storage system 200 has a storage device 240 providing a plurality of logical volumes 250 used as data storage areas of a host 100 and a plurality of MPPKs 210 executing data IO processes for the logical volumes 250 from the host 100 and, when it is determined whether the MPPKs 210 correlated with the logical volumes 250 must be changed based on a storage function such as local copy set for the logical volumes 250, if it is determined that the change is necessary, the MPPK 210 after the change is determined such that the logical volumes 250 are correlated with the same MPPK 210.
US08275931B2
A block management method for a flash memory of a storage system is provided, wherein the flash memory includes a plurality of physical blocks. The block management method includes grouping the physical blocks into a plurality of physical units, and grouping the physical units into a data area, a spare area, and a replacement area. The block management method further includes performing a first physical unit switch which switches the physical units between the data area and the spare area, and performing a second physical unit switch which switches the physical units between the spare area and the replacement area. Therefore, the block management method can uniformly use the physical blocks and thereby effectively prolong a lifespan of the storage system.
US08275930B2
The present invention allows a save target stored in a volatile memory, to be reliably saved to a non-volatile memory and reduces the time required for the save processing as much as possible. The charging state of a battery is regularly of irregularly checked. It is determined, according to the checked charging state, which information element stored in the volatile memory should be made a save target at the time of the occurrence of a power interruption. Among a plurality of information elements stored in the volatile memory, a predetermined information element is made a non-save target of save processing, according to a state related to the predetermined information element.
US08275924B2
A system for communicating between an accessory and an electronic device includes a first interface, a second interface, and a docking station. The first interface is configured to communicate with the electronic device. The second interface is configured to communicate with the accessory. The docking station is coupled to the first interface and the second interface. The docking station is configured to receive a set of preferences from the accessory and forward the set of preferences to the electronic device.
US08275923B2
An exemplary high speed data storage system includes hard disks, a first control panel, a second control panel and a midplane interconnected between each of the first and second control panels and the hard disks. Each of the first and second control panels includes a control chip and a connector. First and second printed circuit wires corresponding to the hard disks are layered on the first and second control panels for electrically connecting the control chip with the connector, respectively. The first printed circuit wires of the first control panel and the second printed circuit wires of the second control panel are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, and an order of stacking circuit layers of the first printed circuit wires of the first control panel is the reverse of an order of stacking of circuit layers of the second printed circuit wires of the second control panel.
US08275915B2
A link detection system for a network cable is applicable for detecting a connection state of the network cable. If the network cable is connected to the link detection system, the network state detection unit sends a voltage level of a first signal, so as to turn on the power supply of the LAN controller. If the network cable is unplugged, the LAN controller sends a second signal, so as to turn off the power supply of the LAN controller. Alternatively, if the network cable is linked to the network interface in an idle contact state, the network state detection unit sends another voltage level of the first signal, so as to not turn on the power supply of the LAN controller, thereby reducing the power consumption of the personal computer.
US08275911B1
A free space laser beam communication system, set forth by way of example and not limitation, advantageously includes a laser beam generator configured to develop a laser beam, a laser beam detector which is not in a line-of-sight of the laser beam generator, and a laser beam redirector within a line-of-sight of the laser beam generator and configured to redirect the laser beam to the laser beam detector. A path of the laser beam can be varied by adjusting a relative position between the laser beam generator and the laser beam detector.
US08275903B1
A method and system for concurrent processing transmit requests uses transmit queue including a circular buffer and a queue state including a producer index, a consumer index, and a producer list. Producer processes write to the circular buffer concurrently. The producer list signals which portion of the circular buffer are allocated to each of the producer processes.
US08275901B1
A network comprising a server and a remote client including an input output pin is disclosed. The server and the client are connected through a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection. The server controls the client input output pin, e.g., switches it on and off. The input output pin control instruction is transmitted from the server to the client. The control instruction is not stored in the client memory upon its execution.
US08275897B2
Systems and methods for providing accelerated data storage and retrieval utilizing lossless and/or lossy data compression and decompression. A data storage accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data compression encoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly or lossy compress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the transmission rate of an input data stream. The compressed data is subsequently stored in a target memory or other storage device whose input data storage bandwidth is lower than the original input data stream bandwidth. Similarly, a data retrieval accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data decompression decoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly or lossy decompress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the input data stream from the target memory or storage device. The decompressed data is then output at rate data that is greater than the output rate from the target memory or data storage device. The data storage and retrieval accelerator method and system may employed: in a disk storage adapter to reduce the time required to store and retrieve data from computer to disk; in conjunction with random access memory to reduce the time required to store and retrieve data from random access memory; in a display controller to reduce the time required to send display data to the display controller or processor; and/or in an input/output controller to reduce the time required to store, retrieve, or transmit data.
US08275894B2
A common location service request/response method between various types of clients and location servers. A location request and a location estimate are delivered between a terminal and a location server using messages defined in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocol. In this manner, the terminal and server using the SIP protocol can easily send a request/response for location information, making it possible to provide a new service associated with the location service.
US08275886B1
A storage system to be used by a host is automatically configured using an agent running at a management console communicatively coupled to the host and to the storage system. In response to probes initiated by the agent, information regarding the host and the storage system, which information is required for the host and the storage system to establish a connection therebetween is obtained and is provided to the host and the storage system. Thereafter, the agent instructs the host and the storage system to establish the connection and further instructs the host to configure the storage system and, finally, to mount the storage system in some instances, the agent may use instruction compliant with the storage management initiative-specification (SMI-S) or, more generally, with the WBEM standard.
US08275885B2
A method, apparatus and system for processing of a series of service messages. In one embodiment, the series of service messages is formed by a plurality of service messages, and at least two server instances provide real-time processing of the service messages and store the information provided by the service messages and results obtained from processing the service messages. The method includes the steps of: determining an activity that affects real-time processing of the service messages will occur in at least one server instance of the server instances; and dispatching subsequent service messages among the service messages to other server instance(s) other than the at least one server instance, so as to ensure that said activity will not affect message processing delay.
US08275882B2
The present invention includes, but is not limited to, a method, system and computer-usable medium for providing automated management of threshold crossing alarms. Transaction processing resources are selected for monitoring, followed by selecting a monitoring time interval, an initial threshold alarm level. Selections are then made regarding transaction codes to monitor, acceptable average transaction processing times, and acceptable ratio of successful transactions to unsuccessful transactions. The transaction processing resources are then monitored to count the number of transactions processed, measure the processing time for individual transactions, and capture their corresponding transaction result code. An average transaction processing time value and a successful transaction ratio processing value are generated. Comparison operations are performed. If the results of the comparison operations are acceptable, then threshold crossing alarms are then suppressed and the threshold alarm level is increased. If not, then a threshold crossing alarm is generated and the threshold alarm level is decreased.
US08275873B2
An exemplary architecture is for an Internet Location Coordinate enhanced Domain Name System (DNS). An exemplary method includes requesting information for a plurality of servers associated with a network domain name of a Domain Name System (DNS) where the information includes information based in part on packets transmitted by each of the plurality of servers to a plurality of network beacons; receiving the requested information from a name server associated with the Domain Name System (DNS); and, based in part on the received information, selecting an optimal server for the network domain name. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.
US08275866B2
The present invention provides techniques for assigning network nodes to community of interest clusters. A seed point representing a cluster is selected. One or more nodes are added to the cluster based on each node's geographic proximity to the selected seed point. Nodes that are adjacent to the cluster are identified and a clustering metric is computed that is representative of the affinity that each identified adjacent node has for the cluster. One or more of the identified nodes are added to the cluster when the clustering metric for the one or more identified nodes exceeds a predetermined value.
US08275862B2
A single unified server transmits/receives information in a common interface format with respect to a plurality of service servers and a portable terminal and has a common database in a data format corresponding to the common interface format, and the plurality of service servers connects to clients in a specific interface format to provide services by individual applications, respectively, and coverts a data format between higher-rank data transmitted/received in the common interface format and lower-rank data transmitted/received in the specific interface format. The portable terminal transmits/receives information in the common interface format using the application.
US08275860B2
Methods and apparatus for maintaining access point names (APNs) at a centralized location for distribution to gateway nodes are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for maintaining service profile information includes receiving the service profile information from a server arrangement that is substantially external to a node. The server arrangement and the node are associated with a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol. The method also includes storing the service profile information in a memory of the node.
US08275859B2
A request for a partial update of web content is received that identifies at least one web content element associated with the web content. An update is requested for the identified at least one web content element from a content server. The partial update of the web content is performed in response to receipt of the update for the identified at least one web content element from the content server. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08275857B2
An Intelligent Network Peripheral (INP) is equipped with a recording control processor that is connected to at least one internal or external recording device (e.g., hard drive, disk array, CD-recorder, DVD recorder, and/or tape device). Using the INP, a user may be prompted to perform an activity, such as (1) start a new recording session, (2) playback a recorded session, (3) delete a recorded session, (4) edit recording parameters (e.g., the number of stored frames, the length of a session to record, the resolution of the image to record), and (5) re-run a recorded session. An INP may be incorporated into a Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) switch, a Rack Connection Manager (RCM) and/or a Pod Extension Module (PEM) for recording at least one of video from and user input to a computer for diagnostic and other purposes.
US08275838B2
A system and method for conditioned distribution of e-mail is provided. Delivery of an e-mail message to selected second recipients (equivalently addressees) may be conditioned on a set of preselected conditions, in particular to a set of conditions associated with the delivery of the e-mail to a set of first recipients. In response to message delivery notifications corresponding to the set of first recipients, a determination is made if the delivery conditions are satisfied, and delivery to the set of second recipients made accordingly. Delivery to a set of third recipients may be likewise conditioned on another set of conditions.
US08275837B1
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scheduling calendar events. An exemplary method includes receiving, from a requesting device, an invite request referencing a network address associated with a calendar for a target user, wherein the network address is encoded in a machine-readable code from which the requesting device extracted the network address. The method then includes, sending a preauthorized availability for the calendar of the target/service user to the requesting device, wherein the availability is for a predetermined time length. The method then includes receiving a selection of a desired meeting time within the preauthorized availability from the requesting device and creating a calendar event according to the received selected desired meeting time.
US08275836B2
A system for supporting collaborative activity in a network includes a storage component storing data related to the network and a model of the network; a processor that accesses the stored data and the model to process the data according to the model, where the stored data relates to the collaborative activity including user-defined data created by interaction of a user and the model, and context data related to the user, where the user-defined data and the context data, as metadata, are stored in the storage component; and a user interface, provided by the processor, that presents the user-defined data, the context data, and the model in a form readable by the user, the interface permitting the user to define a set of arbitrary domains, relate the user-defined data to the domains, and view relationships between the user-defined data and the context data, and the domains.
US08275809B2
Several tools are included in an object processing system that also includes a common object model containing a data structure and an administrative program for the data structure. The tools have read access and optionally also write access to partial areas of the data structure via the administrative program. The partial areas can be different from one another and can contain mutually corresponding information. The administrative program optionally updates the other partial areas by compulsion, during write access approaches by a tool.
US08275804B2
One machine, i.e. computer, on a network, such as associated with a distributed database, e.g. a data store or a partition thereof, is designated as a master, which alone can issue system orderstamps for transactional operations, while other machines associated with the data store or partition thereof act as any of clients that submit transactions to the master, or as slaves that adhere to updates from the master. If a transactional operation on the distributed database is attempted on a client machine, and communication cannot be established with the master machine, the transaction fails. The distributed data store having such a master provides a method that decreases transaction time across the distributed database, and maintains consistent data between separate machines.
US08275799B2
Methods and apparatus for information modeling, such as product modeling, are described. In one specific embodiment, a system for capturing product information includes a plurality of product trees and a plurality of configuration trees. Each configuration tree is associated with one of the plurality of product trees. At least two of the configuration trees share at least one usage configuration node, and the at least two configuration trees are associated with a same product tree. The at least two configuration trees share at least one occurrence configuration node.
US08275798B2
Participants in a communication are rendered by determining whether each entry in a list of participants in the communication satisfies criteria specified by a user participating in the communication. The criteria are used to identify a first subset of participants that are to be rendered in a first style that differentiates the first subset from remaining participants in the list. The first subset of participants is formatted in the first style.
US08275791B2
A process for executing a downloadable service with specific access rights to at least one profile file in a user's computer. The web browser is used for accessing a web server through a first set of communication port and socket. Therefore is arranged a confined runtime environment such as for example an extended sandbox (11) and used in Java programming which is assigned a second communication port and sockets and which is used for executing downloadable service with restricted access on at least one profile file. The process can be used for executing services under the form of a signed archive file which signature is used for both validating the archive file and for selecting one particular secure class loader prior to the generation of the compiled code of the service.
US08275787B2
A system and apparatus for managing data collection processes can include a data collection system having a controller element that assigns a priority level for processes, assigns to each of the processes a query interval for requesting use of processing resources, prompts each of the processes according to their respective query interval to request use of at least a portion of available processing resources, releases at least a portion of the available processing resources to a requesting one of the processes when the utilization of available processing resources exceeds a utilization threshold, and modifies the query interval of the processes after occurrence of a triggering event. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08275786B1
Systems and methods for providing refinements to queries based upon the context of a refinement indication. Refinements, for example, can be related to a previous search query and can be provided to the user based upon receipt of a refinement indication.
US08275783B2
To provide a conversion program search system that can increase the reusability of conversion programs as well as can find a solution to a data connection problem in a short time. A first-signature generation means 71 generates a first signature indicating, in a binary manner, whether one piece of data meets each of predetermined multiple description formats. A second-signature generation means 72 generates a second signature of a conversion program, based on the difference between the first signatures of conversion-source data and post-conversion data. When a conversion path candidate generation means 74 generates a candidate for a solution to a data connection problem, an evaluation value calculation means 75 calculates the evaluation value of the candidate using the second signature. A conversion path identification means 76 tries conversion paths to serve as a solution in the descending order of the evaluation values.
US08275780B2
A rule discovery program which enables discovery of a rule by automatically searching for a feature portion which is effective for generation of a rule in multimedia data. When sample data items are inputted, a search unit selects evaluation positions on a data array constituting each of the sample data items so as to generate a selection pattern. Next, an integration unit integrates the evaluation positions in the selection pattern so as to generate a predetermined number of evaluation regions, and a rule-candidate generation unit generates a rule candidate indicating a relationship common to the sample data items. A rule-candidate evaluation unit evaluates the generated rule candidate, and an output unit outputs, as a rule, the rule candidate when the rule candidate satisfies a predetermined criterion.
US08275777B2
In order to reproduce contents with a substantially high degree of efficiency, the present invention provides a content reproduction system in which, typically, a music providing server holds a reproduction list showing a music reproduction order in which pieces of streaming musical data are to be reproduced sequentially and sequentially provides the pieces of streaming musical data to a music reproduction terminal in accordance with the music reproduction order shown in the reproduction list held therein, whereas the music reproduction terminal sequentially reproduces the pieces of streaming musical data provided by the music providing server sequentially.
US08275774B2
A streaming query system for extensible markup language is provided. An XPath query translator receives and analyzes a user-input XPath document. An abstract syntax tree analyzer establishes an abstract syntax tree. A XML parser receives and parses an XML document. An index generator generates an index for the XML document. A computation module performs a format calculation based on the abstract syntax tree and the index, and generates a query result accordingly.
US08275766B2
Systems and methods are described for intercepting user interactions without network-provided content. The intercepted information can be used for prioritizing search results by statistical and other analyses of user interactions with a network resource and/or network content. A server connected to a network can receive captured information from an agent that is installed in a device connected to the network. The captured information can be related to an interaction of a user with a network resource. An aggregator may be provided to aggregate the captured information with other captured information related to a plurality of network resources and maintains a repository of aggregated captured information. A prioritizer can determine the relevance of network content based on characteristics of the aggregated captured information. The prioritizer determines relevance for a plurality of search results based on frequency of prior user interactions with the content of the search results.
US08275765B2
The present invention provides a method and system for automatic objects classification. The method comprises: acquiring a set of objects; classifying the objects based on query log to generate a first classification result; classifying the objects based on ontological information to generate a second classification result; and semantically fusing the first and second classification results to generate a final classification result. According to the present invention, compared with the prior arts, by semantically fusing the query log-based classification result and the ontology-based classification result, the accuracy and user-friendness of the object classification can be improved.
US08275762B2
One embodiment is a method that generates points from an input space obtained from a query for a database. A kernel function maps the points from the input space to a feature space. Given a point in the feature space, a reverse mapping identifies coordinates in the input space for the point to predict performance of the query before the query executes in the database.
US08275755B2
Systems and methods enabling search of a repository for the location of data that is similar to input data, using a defined measure of similarity, in a time that is independent of the size of the repository and linear in a size of the input data, and a space that is proportional to a small fraction of the size of the repository. The similar data segments thus located are further analyzed to determine their common (identical) data sections, regardless of the order and position of the common data sections in the repository and input, and in a time that is linear in the segment size and in constant space.
US08275741B2
A method of memory management in an electronic device, includes receiving at the electronic device, representative viewable or audible samples of data records, and storing the representative viewable or audible samples of data records in a memory of the electronic device. Each of the representative viewable or audible samples of data records includes one of a compressed version of a corresponding one of the backup data records, and a viewable or audible portion of the corresponding one of the backup data records.
US08275740B1
Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to electronic form processing systems and/or techniques, and may more particularly relate to data linkage for electronic forms. In one or more example embodiments, form data associated with one or more forms may be stored in a first database. The structures for one or more electronic forms may be defined, at least in part, by metadata stored in a second database. The one or more electronic forms may be generated based at least in part on the structures defined by the metadata from the second database and may be displayed using one or more subsets of the form data from the first database.
US08275737B2
The present invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for capturing, integrating, organizing, navigating and querying large-scale data from high-throughput biological and chemical assay platforms. It provides a highly efficient meta-analysis infrastructure for performing research queries across a large number of studies and experiments from different biological and chemical assays, data types and organisms, as well as systems to build and add to such an infrastructure.
US08275736B2
A method of knowledge sharing using a computer system is provided. The method includes: receiving a question electronically submitted by a user; forwarding the question and at least one response option to at least one expert using a first computer interface; monitoring selected response options from the at least one expert; and selectively presenting the selected response options to the user using a second computer interface.
US08275734B1
A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing automated processing of returned mailpieces. Recipient data and mailpiece data are processed to generate a mailpiece operation rule, all of which are then encoded to generate a unique identifier. The unique identifier is then indexed to its corresponding recipient data, mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation rule and thereafter associated with a corresponding mailpiece, which is then sent to an intended recipient. If the sent mailpiece is undeliverable to its intended recipient, it is returned and its unique identifier is scanned and then decoded to extract its corresponding recipient data, mailpiece data, and mailpiece operation rule. The extracted mailpiece operation rule is then processed to initiate a corresponding returned mailpiece operation.
US08275733B2
A system for creating an album is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an image input configured to receive related images, an image memory coupled to image input, an image processor coupled to image memory, and an album output coupled to image processor. The image processor is configured to use game play with users to assign metadata labels to the related images and assign album layout rules based upon the story schema and metadata labels.
US08275724B2
A biologically-inspired system and method is provided for self-adapting behavior of swarm-based exploration missions, whereby individual components, for example, spacecraft, in the system can sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the entire system. The swarm-based system can exhibit emergent self-adapting behavior. Each component can be configured to exhibit self-sacrifice behavior based on Autonomic System Specification Language (ASSL).
US08275718B2
An interactive information dissemination system includes a media server (210) for receiving a plurality of media elements and storing the media elements in a database. A sender client (200) enables a first user to identify message data, a recipient identifier, and a media element from the database of media elements. A recipient client (202) presents the media element to a second user associated with the recipient identifier. The recipient client (202) further presents the message data to the second user when the second user performs a predetermined action, such as submitting authentication information or requesting the message data, to receive the message data. The message data may be secured by requiring sender and recipient authentication, and by encoding the data using a private encoding key and data package identifier managed by a main server (206) and a key server (208).
US08275711B2
A service level agreement may be imposed by a service provider, such as an Internet service provider, that may include, e.g., a volume limitation and a bandwidth limitation. One or more limitations of the service level agreement may be enforced or modified in response to a triggering event. For example, a bandwidth limitation on a network subscriber may be enforced or modified based on how much data is consumed by the subscriber.
US08275710B1
A system for bill pay enrollment may comprise at least one subsystem that scans a paper a bill into a digital image, at least one subsystem that recognizes information on the digital image, and at least one subsystem that uses at least some of the recognized information to enroll a payee into a bill pay system.
US08275707B1
A process for identifying a normalized insurance quality index of present and prospective insurance policies for an insurance book that can be utilized to more accurately predict present and future profitability on a standardized basis.
US08275704B2
A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.
US08275700B2
The present invention is directed at a system and method to rate lender profiles to determine the level of risk that is present in the loans originated or purchased by a particular lender will be based on a misrepresentation or as a result of material inaccuracies in the financial information provided by or on behalf of the borrower. The rating is preferably based on a variety of factors including at least one of, for example, prefunding controls, post closing controls, product mix, and/or loan source.
US08275699B2
Provided in some embodiments is a method for conducting an honorary credit transaction. The method includes providing a system configured to provide honorary credit to a purchaser in exchange for an honorary commitment to provide payment for electronically transmittable item to one or more agents, wherein the honorary commitment comprises a non-legally binding commitment to provide a payment to the one or more agents for purchase of the electronically transmittable item, receiving a request from a first purchaser to provide a second purchaser honorary credit in exchange for an honorary commitment to provide payment for an electronically transmittable item to one or more agents, providing the second purchaser honorary credit in exchange for an honorary commitment to provide payment for the electronically transmittable item to one or more agents, providing the electronically transmittable item to the second purchaser via electronic transmission prior to receiving payment for the electronically transmittable item, and if a payment is received for the electronically transmittable item via at least one of the one or more agents, providing an incentive to the first purchaser.
US08275696B2
As market conditions descend or ascend an axis of prices, the display of market information is repositioned, at a pre-determined rate if desired, around an item of interest. An item of interest may include the best bid price, the best ask price, the inside market, a moving average, a last traded price, a theoretical value, the result of an equation, or some other item of interest to the trader. According to the present embodiments, market information may be displayed in a region relative to an axis of prices, and when an event occurs, a repositioning signal is initialized causing the axis to be repositioned such that the item of interest is positioned at a pre-determined location in the region. The price axis can be repositioned at a fixed rate or at a dynamically variable rate.
US08275688B2
A system and method is provided to generate personalized savings recommendation and/or needed assignments of reference-date dependent investments. Recommendations and assignments are based on differences between a investor profile and an ideal representative that was used to construct the investments. The system provides a configurable increasing level of financial service based on a Methodology Publisher's configuration for reference date based investments. A forecast simulation system is provided for each investor with various optimizers by the Methodologically Publisher to provide various level of financial services and portfolio recommendations for reference date dependent investments. Reports may be provided to investors illustrating progress toward goals and highlighting distribution of potential risky outcomes. An online inter-active mode may allow an investor to provide further profile information and customize a solution to their needs.
US08275670B2
Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure.
US08275669B2
An automatic system for determining outcomes to an auction process represents the auction by a directed graph and uses a K best solutions algorithm to determine the K best solutions. The system uses a particular graphical representation. Constraints may be included directly into the graph.
US08275666B2
Managing online content via user supplied and/or refined tagging is disclosed. In some embodiments, a selection of an item available from an online store is received, and one or more tags to be associated with the item are received from a member of an online community comprising users of the online store. In some embodiments, an indication of a degree of usefulness of a tag is received from a member of an online community, and an attribute of the tag is updated to reflect the indication.
US08275665B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for estimating, refining, and using the tare mass for an item to determine and monitor item depletion. In response to detecting an initial presence of an item in the storage unit, a controller collects data about the item. The controller then searches a database for a recorded item containing the same item identification. The tare mass of the item is set equal to the refined tare mass of the recorded item retrieved from the database. The tare mass is then used to calculate a depletion threshold for the item.
US08275663B2
For use in a wireless communication network, a method and system for targeting advertising for a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of advertisements from an advertising distributor. The method also includes filtering the advertisements based on meta data for each advertisement. The method further includes receiving ratings of the advertisements from a plurality of mobile devices. The method also includes further filtering the advertisements based on an end user profile and the ratings from the plurality of mobile devices. The method still further includes transmitting a selected advertisement to the first mobile device.
US08275661B1
Disclosed is a system for performing online data queries. The system for performing online data queries is a distributed computer system with a plurality of server nodes each fully redundant and capable of processing a user query request. Each server node includes a data query cache and other caches that may be used in performing data queries. The data query, as well as request allocation, is performed in accordance with an adaptive partitioning technique with a bias towards an initial partitioning scheme. Generic objects are created and used to represent business listings upon which the user may perform queries. Various data processing and integration techniques are included which enhance data queries. An update technique is used for synchronizing data updates as needed in updating the plurality of server nodes. A multi-media data transfer technique is used to transfer non-text or multi-media data between various components of the online query tool. Optimizations for searching, such as the common term optimization, are included for those commonly performed data queries. Also disclosed is a system for targeting advertisements that are displayed to a user of the system.
US08275660B2
Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations.
US08275659B2
Methods and systems for dynamically incorporating advertising content into multimedia environments, such as games, are provided. Example embodiments include a dynamic inserter, which selects content, based upon a set of criteria, to deliver to a receiving client system, such as a game client. The receiving client system typically dynamically determines locations within the game where advertisements are desirably inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads including, for example ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information, which are sent by the client system to the dynamic inserter to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the client system, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The client system then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.
US08275655B2
System and methods of use are discloses that default routing of an ID read by an ID reader as part of a purchase transaction in a retail store, to a first computer system (MCS) instead of the POS computer system for the retail store, the first computer system processes the ID, and the POS computer system receives the results of the processing in the form of a IDs recognizable by the POS computer system and for which the POS computer system has associated costs.
US08275653B2
A method of providing industrial status views reflecting a schedule for industrial project plan generated by a project schedule planning and management application includes uploading the industrial project plan schedule, uploading CAD drawing files comprising a physical layout of resources, structural elements and equipment units included in the project plan schedule, extracting project data from the uploaded project schedule and CAD drawing files and generating Plan progress views that reflect expected completion percentages of intended project tasks and operations over a fixed industrial project timeline, according to the plan schedule, as well as Comparison progress views depicting a difference between the expected and actual project progress.
US08275644B2
Techniques for optimizing a Business Process Model (BPM) having at least one work process are presented. At a simulation client, a determination is made whether a simulated business outcome associated with a test BPM satisfies a business value deficiency associated with a current BPM. In response to a determination that the simulated business outcome does not satisfy the business value deficiency, the test BPM is optimized. Once the simulation client determines that the simulated business outcome satisfies the business value deficiency, the test BPM is implemented as an actual BPM. Moreover, an actual business outcome associated with the actual BPM is generated. A determination is made whether the actual business outcome satisfies the simulated business outcome. In response to a determination that the actual business outcome does not satisfy the simulated business outcome, the actual BPM is optimized.
US08275638B1
An apparatus and method of using the apparatuse. The method includes: controlling a computer system comprising a digital computer processor to process input data into output data, the processor in communication with an input device, to receive the input data, and to an output device, to output the output data, the processor programmed so as to facilitate managing a dual purpose profit sharing plan cooperating with a pension plan such that money in an incidental account of the dual purpose profit sharing plan funds a retiree health account of an employee of an employer, and money in another account of the dual purpose profit sharing plan funds pension plan retirement income benefits of the employee.
US08275635B2
The methods and systems described herein may involve providing a device, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual in association with the device, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and modifying at least one attribute of the device based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing a computer program that operates on a data structure that includes at least one of life byte data and lifeotype data, and providing an interface to such computer program whereby a system may access the computer program to obtain at least one of the life byte data and the lifeotype data.
US08275633B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for obtaining health information with a handheld device. The present invention relates to a system for providing real time health information utilizing a bar code or RF ID reader on a handheld device. The bar code or RF ID reader could be used to obtain a product identity in a retail or home environment. Health information is correlated with the product based on the product's identity. This information could then be used for a variety of health related purposes including ingredient alerts, high fat content, high calorie content, nutritional budgets, etc. Alternatively, products could be scanned before consumption in the home environment to assist in health budgets for particular nutritional values such as calories, fat, carbohydrate, or protein. The bar code or RF ID reader for both embodiments may be incorporated into any existing handheld device.
US08275611B2
An apparatus for adaptively suppressing noise in an input signal frequency spectrum derived from overlapping input frames is provided. The system includes a psychoacoustic power computation module configured to compute a noisy signal power in psychoacoustic bands, a voice activity scoring module configured to compute a probabilistic score for a presence of a speech, and a noise estimation module configured to estimate a noise power in the psychoacoustic bands based on information of past frames, the probabilistic score, and the computed noisy signal power. The system also includes a gain computation module configured to compute a gain for each frequency, based on a probabilistic heuristic, the probabilistic score and the information on the past frames, and a gain post-processing module configured to perform a gain time smoothing, a gain frequency smoothing, and a gain regulation for the computed gain.
US08275607B2
A word is selected from a received text and features are identified from the word. The features are applied to a model to identify probabilities for sets of part-of-speech tags. The probabilities for the sets of part-of-speech tags are used to weight scores for possible part-of-speech tags for the selected word to form weighted scores. The weighted scores are used to select a part-of-speech tag for the word and the selected part of speech tag is stored or output. The scores for the possible part-of-speech tags are based on variational approximation parameters trained from a sparse prior over probability distributions describing the probability of a part-of-speech tag given a word.
US08275604B2
Embodiments for the adaptive learning of translation layout patterns to mine bilingual data are disclosed. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the adaptive learning of patterns to mine bilingual data includes processing a bilingual web page into a Document Object Model (DOM) tree. The embodiment further includes linking the bilingual snippet pairs of each node into a plurality bilingual snippet pairs. The embodiment also includes determining one or more best fit candidate patterns based on the plurality of translation snippets via a Support Vector Machine classifier. The embodiment additionally includes mining one or more translation pairs from the bilingual web page using the one or more best fit candidate patterns. The translation pairs are further stored in a data storage. The one or more translation pairs including at least one of a term pair, a phrase pair, or a sentence pair.
US08275599B2
A bus emulation device in accordance with one aspect of the present description includes an embedded microcontroller and a nonvolatile memory carried on a body. The memory contains firmware which includes boot code adapted to boot the microcontroller to operate in one of a plurality of dedicated operating modes in response to a mode switch. These dedicated operating modes include a learning mode in which bus signals generated by other bus devices are recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and an emulation mode in which recorded bus signals are retransmitted over the bus in response to received signals, to emulate a bus device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US08275591B2
A crane planner for planning an operation of a crane, in particular a crawler crane, with a central planning unit which comprises a central database with data on the usable cranes and a calculation module for calculating the load moments occurring during the operation, wherein the simulation and calculation of the operations is executed by the central planning unit and the input and output of data is effected via clients, the clients communicating with the central planning unit via the Internet.
US08275586B2
End-to-end testing of applications across networks is enabled. To test the application and the infrastructure subsystems, an application server connected to the network contains an application under test. A response simulator is connected to the other end of the network. A test module is accessible to the application and to the simulator and contains a test message to be transmitted to the simulator, and an expected response message from the simulator. The application transmits each test message and compares a response message from the simulator to an expected response message. The simulator obtains the response to each test message from the test module.
US08275585B2
An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of shims, at least two of which have different thicknesses. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the shims has a different thickness with an essentially equivalent stress on each shim.
US08275582B1
A method and system for estimating the inception of gimbal motion of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), includes independently filtering, in a computer process, three-axis angular orientation rate information or data from component gyroscopes in the IMU, to provide a first output; adaptively detecting, in another computer process, discontinuities in the first output; estimating a regularity of gimbal motion to provide a second output; and comparing the discontinuities detected in the first output to the estimated regularity of gimbal motion provided in the second output, in another computer process, to determine which of the discontinuities detected in the first output are true discontinuities and which of the discontinuities in the first output that are false discontinuities, and to identify other discontinuities which have been missed in the first output. The true and missed discontinuities are estimates of the inception of gimbal motion of the IMU.
US08275575B2
A method of statistical analysis is based on an accelerated degradation model for estimating the failure rate from a set of accelerated life data (e.g. stress, humidity, temperature, voltage, resistance, vibration, etc.). The method re-samples randomly distributed data and organizes it into subsets that may be ordered. The maximum is found for each subset. From the maximums a parametric LEV distribution is determined. Maximum Likelihood Estimation methods may be used to find the parameters employed in the determined LEV distribution. The failure rate is calculated using the determined LEV distribution of the sample maximums.
US08275568B2
A semiconductor test system with self-inspection of an electrical channel is disclosed, which includes a tester head, a plurality of parameter detection units and a self-inspection controller. The tester head includes a plurality of pin electronics cards inserted therein, in which the plurality of pin electronics cards contain a plurality of power channels, a plurality of I/O channels and a plurality of drive channels. The self-inspection controller outputs different inspection signals respectively to each power channel, each I/O channel and each drive channel. Then, the plurality of parameter detection units detect response signals respectively produced by each power channel, each I/O channel and each drive channel in response to the inspection signals respectively received thereby, and the response signals are judged by the self-inspection controller. Thus, the invention is capable of self-inspecting each electrical channel if it is in a normal condition, either in an open or short circuit, or if there exists a leakage condition.
US08275563B2
According to a feature of the present disclosure, a method is provided for the determination of anomalous events in complex systems, such as problems, inefficiencies, and failures, and a tool is provided for the detection of these events. Many complex systems are non-stationary or experience periodic fluctuations or spikes in values that are outside of normal ranges, but constitute normal behavior nevertheless. The method accounts for both non-stationarity, as well as fluctuations and spikes. Additional novel features include both a threshold setting initialization method and a regression method for the determination of the start points and end points of events.
US08275558B2
A method and apparatus for visually detecting and measuring retention assembly tightness are disclosed. In an embodiment, an optical device is used to obtain at least an image of a retention assembly, the optical device being insertable into a slot between two stator core laminations and directable toward a side view of the retention assembly. The image is displayed on a display, and a measurer is used to determine a tightness of a retention assembly.
US08275554B2
Systems for differentiating the lengths of nucleic acids of interest in a sample are provided. The system includes a microfluidic device, a detector, and a software system. The microfluidic device includes an amplification microchannel or microchamber containing a reaction mixture under conditions that provide one or more amplicons of the nucleic acid of interest. The detector is integral with or proximal to the microfluidic device and is configured to detect the amplicons as one or more signals from a homogenous mixture. The software system interprets one or more coincidentally detected signals to indicate lengths of one or more individual nucleic acid molecules of interest, thereby differentiating the lengths of the nucleic acids of interest.
US08275551B2
Method of imaging seismic data recorded using a set of seismic receivers positioned to receive seismic responses from a subsurface formation upon activating a seismic source. The seismic responses are direction-sensitive responses. A virtual signal received by receiver k from the virtual source at the position of receiver m is determined by processing involving cross correlating at least part of the responses of a receiver m with at least part of the responses of a seismic receiver k. Part of direction-sensitive responses or part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at receiver m traveling in a first direction and part of the direction-sensitive responses or part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at the receiver k traveling in a second direction may be removed.
US08275545B2
A system locates a user in a remote troubleshooting environment. An office device is utilized to perform at least one of a copy, a facsimile, a print, and an email. A headset facilities audio communication between the user and a remote troubleshooter. A compass is located proximate to the office device wherein the headset is placed in a predetermined location proximate to the compass to establish a datum point such that movement from the datum point is recognized as a location proximate to the office device. A remote processing component displays the location of the headset relative to the office device based on information provided by the compass.
US08275543B2
A method of controlling a navigation apparatus, and which includes displaying map information on a touch screen display unit of the navigation apparatus, receiving at least a first touch input signal corresponding to a touching of a first position on the display unit and a second touch input signal corresponding to a touching of a second position on the display unit while the first position is continuously touched, calculating, via a controller, a traveling route including the touched first and second positions, and displaying the calculated traveling route on the displayed map information to inform a driver of a vehicle including the navigation apparatus about the calculated traveling route including the first and second positions.
US08275541B2
A method using airport surveillance data to output a location of a delay and an amount of time a vehicle is subjected to the delay during a movement of the vehicle between two locations, the delays being observed in the surveillance data as a knot of several data points. A first method is used to identify proposed knots based on distances between individual data points within the data. A second method is used to identify proposed knots based on the speed of the vehicle. Another method can be used to separate proposed knots have been incorrectly joined together. This method performs the separation by arranging the data points into a two-dimensional grid to form clusters of grid cells having data points. The location of the individual cells is then analyzed to determine whether clusters should be separated. Each of the remaining clusters defines a hold where the vehicle is delayed.
US08275537B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a valve (13) in a thermal engine (10), the valve having a closed position and an opened position, the method comprising at least one step of opening the valve, said step including at least one phase (I) for bringing the valve into an open position and a phase (II) for maintaining the valve in an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method and to a method for supplying an engine with an oxidant.
US08275528B2
Methods and systems for managing acceleration of a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission by controlling transmission turbine acceleration are provided. A desired transmission turbine acceleration is determined based on vehicle speed, turbine speed, and other information obtained from the vehicle transmission. One or more torque limits are determined as a function of the turbine acceleration. The torque limits are applied to manage acceleration of the vehicle.
US08275523B2
The present disclosure relates to a commercial vehicle with a control unit connected with the drive of the commercial vehicle and to a method for controlling a commercial vehicle.
US08275521B2
A highway tractor (12) has a fifth wheel (28) to which a trailer (14) that is to be towed by the tractor can be coupled. A positioning system sets fore-aft position of the fifth wheel on the tractor. The positioning system (FIG. 2; FIG. 3) has a positioning mechanism for moving the fifth wheel fore and aft on the tractor and a controller for processing certain data that is used to cause the positioning mechanism to move the fifth wheel to a fore-aft target position on the tractor.
US08275518B2
A target parking position setting section (23) is adapted to temporarily set a target parking position (p31, p32, p33) for the vehicle for each parking mode in a predetermined stop position. A parking mode determining section (25) is adapted to determine the parking mode and the target parking position corresponding to the parking mode based on an operation of a steering wheel performed by a driver after the target parking position (p31, p32, p33) is set. A guiding section (29) is adapted to guide the vehicle (1) to the determined target parking position (P3).
US08275516B2
A rollover risk assessment system includes sensors and a processor for estimating rollover risk associated with maneuvering on varying terrain.
US08275510B2
An ECU executes a program including the steps of determining that a change speed solenoid is abnormal when a target speed ratio falls within a predetermined range, an upshift is recognized and the change speed solenoid is abnormal; determining that the change speed solenoid is normal when the change speed solenoid is not abnormal; determining that a belt pinch pressure solenoid is abnormal when the target speed ratio is substantially equal to a speed ratio γmin on a maximum speed-increase side and the target speed ratio is not substantially equal to an actual speed ratio; and determining that the belt pinch pressure solenoid is normal when the target speed ratio is substantially equal to the actual speed ratio.
US08275504B2
A stabilization apparatus for stabling load voltage of vehicle is applied to a vehicle battery unit, a vehicle computer unit and a vehicle load unit. The stabilization apparatus for stabling load voltage of vehicle includes a voltage boost unit and a microcontroller unit. The voltage boost unit is electrically connected to the vehicle battery unit and the vehicle load unit. The microcontroller unit is electrically connected to the voltage boost unit and the vehicle computer unit. When the voltage of the vehicle battery unit is going to drop, a voltage-drop signal is sent from the vehicle computer unit to the microcontroller unit. The voltage boost unit is controlled by the microcontroller unit to supply a boosted voltage to the vehicle load unit.
US08275497B2
A method and device for assisting in driving a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, having a surroundings detector for detecting at least a partial area of the surroundings of the vehicle, an output device for the output of information concerning the vehicle surroundings obtained from the surroundings detection to a driver, and an evaluation unit for determining a risk level based on the vehicle-surroundings information. To facilitate driving of the vehicle, it is provided that at least a portion of the vehicle-surroundings information provided for determining the risk level, and the risk level determined by the evaluation unit are output continuously by the output device to the driver during operation of the vehicle.
US08275495B2
Disclosed is a method and device, which provide an enhanced ability to monitor the navigation of an aircraft during a phase of flight in which the aircraft is close to the ground in which the aircraft uses positional information supplied by a satellite positioning system for the navigation. A display screen is used to display a first characteristic sign representing a selected setpoint value for a height parameter of the aircraft. The display screen also displays a second characteristic sign representing a current auxiliary value expressed in the form of an achievable height parameter. An alert is emitted when the second characteristic sign is determined to be within a predetermined height value of the first characteristic sign, and the alert is shown in visual format on the display screen. An alarm is also emitted following a predetermined time after the alert is emitted, if the setpoint value is not replaced by a new setpoint value.
US08275494B1
Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for controlling an aircraft.
US08275484B2
A controller for a variable heating system is operable to control a stepper motor operated gas valve to adjust gas flow to vary the heating level. The controller includes a first terminal for receiving a thermostat signal requesting heating, an electronic memory, and a microprocessor in communication with the electronic memory and first terminal. The microprocessor detects a thermostat signal requesting heating, and generates a control signal for the stepper motor to operate the gas valve. The microprocessor includes a programmable read-only-memory encoded with an instruction to store a time duration during which the microprocessor detects a thermostat signal requesting heating, and further encoded with an instruction operable to determine a predetermined heating level based on the stored time duration. The microprocessor responds to a thermostat signal requesting heating by determining the number of steps the motor must move to vary the gas flow corresponding to the predetermined heating level.
US08275480B2
A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes. After a last receiving volume nearest the drop side of the first store lane is filled, the receiving volumes of the second store lane are filled using the automated guided vehicle.
US08275475B2
Methods, digital systems, and computer readable media are provided for estimating change of amplitude and frequency in a digital audio signal by transforming a frame of the digital audio signal to the frequency domain, locating a frequency peak in the transformed frame, determining an interpolated peak of the located frequency peak, computing inner products of a portion of the transformed frame about the interpolated peak with a plurality of test signals, and estimating change of amplitude and change of frequency for the frequency peak from results of the inner products.
US08275471B2
Systems and methods for enabling communication with a wired sensor are provided. A wired sensor may be adapted for wireless communication using a sensor interface. A sensor interface is communicatively coupled with a wired sensor that provides information about a detected environmental condition. The sensor interface wirelessly transmits information received from the wired sensor to a controller that may control an electrical load based on the wirelessly transmitted information.
US08275465B2
A method of fabricating a stimulation lead by supplying a lead body with a plurality wire conductors extending the length of the lead body and being within insulative material therein; providing a plurality of terminals and electrodes on the ends of the lead body, wherein the plurality of terminals and electrodes are electrically coupled, wherein the providing comprises: (i) positioning a conductive band about the lead body that is adapted to be clasped about the lead body; (ii) positioning a conductor wire between an exterior surface of the first end and an interior surface of the second end of the conductive band; (iii) closing overlapping ends of the conductive band about the conductor wire; and (iv) welding the ends to seal the conductive band about the lead body.
US08275462B1
Systems and methods for efficiently transmitting power using a high frequency (e.g., RF) telemetry transmitter are provided. The telemetry transmitter may include a fixed clock source (which may provide a fixed clock signal), telemetry phase shift circuitry (which may include switching circuitry and phase shifting circuitry), and a push-pull network. The telemetry phase shift circuitry generates a phase shifted clock signal that is phase shifted with respect to the fixed clock signal. The fixed and phase shifted clock signals may drive the switching circuitry to produce a high frequency signal that is passed through the push-pull network. The power or magnitude of the high frequency signal is based on the phase delay between the fixed clock signal and the phase shifted clock signal.
US08275459B2
An implantable arrangement including an implantable electromedical device having an exterior wall and an implantable sensor and/or actuator outside of the exterior wall. The sensor and/or actuator are in signal connection with the implantable device via an electric stage and a mechanical stage arranged in series, wherein the mechanical stage sends and/or receives mechanical vibration signals through the closed exterior wall, and the electrical stage sends and/or receives the same signals in electrical form.
US08275455B2
In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.
US08275453B2
A method and system are provided for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial and stromal tissue in the human breast. A plurality of measuring electrodes are used to measure the tissue and transepithelial electropotential of breast tissue. Surface electropotential and impedance are also measured at one or more locations. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological characteristics. The condition of the tissue is determined based on the electropotential and impedance profile at different depths of the epithelium, stroma, tissue, or organ, together with an estimate of the functional changes in the epithelium due to altered ion transport and electrophysiological properties of the tissue. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.
US08275446B2
A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer. The wireframe model is then rendered by the computer in an interactive three-dimensional display to indicate the populations of abnormal wall structure.
US08275444B2
The disclosure is directed to techniques in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is coordinated with the operation of an implantable medical device (IMD). By using an IMD to sense conditions, MRI can be improved because the sensed conditions can accurately define timing for application of electromagnetic radiation bursts. Moreover, by applying stimulation pulses specifically to coordinate the electromagnetic radiation bursts, the MRI may also be improved.
US08275435B2
An implantable medical device having an optical sensor selects the function of modular opto-electronic assemblies included in the optical sensor. Each assembly is provided with at least one light emitting device and at least one light detecting device. A device controller coupled to the optical sensor controls the function of each the assemblies. The controller executes a sensor performance test and selects at least one of the plurality of assemblies to operate as a light emitting assembly in response to a result of the performance test. The controller selects at least one other of the plurality of optical sensor assemblies to operate as a light detecting assembly in response to a result of the performance test.
US08275433B2
A non-invasive blood constituents measuring instrument measures blood constituent values including blood glucose concentration in a living body non-invasively. The instrument is composed of a light source 11 to irradiate a light containing plural wavelengths to a living body 13, a light receiver 14 to detect the light transmitted through a living body or reflected and scattered thereon, a spectrum analyzer 15 to analyze the light transmitted through the living body or reflected thereon at different times, a subtraction processor 18 to generate spectrum subtraction from the spectrum of the light at the different times measured by the spectrum analyzer 15, and a blood glucose concentration predictor 21 into which the output data of the subtraction processor 18 are input and which outputs a blood constituent value.
US08275429B1
High magnetic field gradient strength superconducting coil systems for use in medical applications are provided. Systems capable of providing time-varying gradient magnetic field strength greater than 50 mT/m, over a spherical volume with a diameter greater than 20 centimeters include superconducting gradient coils and a heat conduction assemblage in physical contact with each coil.
US08275428B2
Disclosed herein is a topologically protected π/8-gate which becomes universal when combined with the gates available through quasi-particle braiding and planar quasi-particle interferometry. A twisted interferometer, and a planar π/8-gate in CTS, implemented with the help of the twisted interferometer, are disclosed. Embodiments are described in the context of state X (CTS) supported by an ISH, although the concept of a twisted-interferometer is more general and has relevance to all anionic, i.e. quasiparticle systems.
US08275426B2
A button control structure is used for an electronic device including a barrel defining a groove. The button control structure includes a button, a support element and a split ring gasket. The support element defines a slot. The button is slidably attached to the support element. One portion of the split ring gasket is received in the slot, the other portion projected from the slot and received in the groove.
US08275425B2
A portable device suitable for various multimedia environments includes: a main body; a folder; and a hinge unit mounted on the main body and rotatably connecting the folder to the main body. The hinge unit is slidable on the main body together with the folder. The mode-switching of the portable being provided according to the sliding position of the hinge unit.
US08275416B2
A combined base station controller (12) and base transceiver station (14) comprises a selector distribution unit (SDU, 20), a main call control (MCC, 22) coupled to the SDU, a radio call control (RCC, 18) coupled to the MCC, and a channel element control (CEC, 16) coupled to the RCC.
US08275415B2
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for automated multi-device, multi-persona wireless SIM management. A virtual SIM database associated with a user is maintained on the mobile service provider's network. Such a virtual SIM database contains multiple personas for that user. For each of the user devices they wish to use on the mobile service network, the user is furnished with one “stub” SIM to be installed on the user device, onto which may be loaded any one of the personas maintained by the virtual SIM database. Upon an event, a selected user device downloads a selected persona from the network and loads it onto its stub SIM, so that the selected device is now registered on the network with that persona.
US08275414B1
Apparatus and methods are described for providing a user augmented reality (UAR) service for a camera-enabled mobile device, so that a user of such mobile device can use the mobile device to obtain meta data regarding one or more images/video that are captured with such device. The meta data is interactive and allows the user to obtain additional information or specific types of information, such as information that will aid the user in making a decision regarding the identified objects or selectable action options that can be used to initiate actions with respect to the identified objects.
US08275411B2
A telecommunications device including a laptop computer having a telephony soft client. According to embodiments of the present invention, calls may be received even when the laptop computer is turned off. The laptop computer wakes up responsive to detecting an incoming call. In some embodiments, the system checks on a user presence status before waking up the laptop. In some embodiments, the telephony soft client may be quick booted to allow a user to make an emergency telephone call, without fully booting the laptop computer.
US08275407B2
Methods and apparatus for communicating information using different transmission power levels during different time periods are described. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a peer to peer wireless communication system. A device uses a high transmission power level for transmitting during a first predetermined period, so that information can be transmitted to at least some devices which are not reachable using lower transmission power levels. The high transmission power level used during the first predetermined period of time exceeds a maximum average permitted power level permitted for a second predetermined period of time. In some embodiments a device refrains from transmitting for a period of time after transmitting at the high transmission power level. In some embodiments the device transmits at a lower transmission power level during a third period of time following the first period of time.
US08275406B2
A method and apparatus in a base station for jointly controlling sub-channel transmission power and assigned codec modes for a first and second mobile station utilizing Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channel on One Slot (VAMOS). The base station receives signal quality information reports from the mobile stations every 480 ms using the Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH), and receives codec mode requests from the mobile stations every 40 ms using Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) in-band signaling. The base station associates the requested codec modes with estimated levels of speech quality currently being experienced by the first and second mobile stations. The base station then allocates sub-channel transmission power and assigns codec modes to the first and second mobile stations based on the estimated levels of speech quality associated with the requested codec modes and the signal quality reports.
US08275402B2
A network server operable to communicate information over a half-duplex push-to-talk over cellular wireless communication system includes a location manager operable to determine geographic location of a plurality of recipients, an alert notification manager for preparing alert messages based information regarding events and respective geographic locations of the events, and a message delivery notification manager operable to deliver alert messages to the recipients over the half-duplex push-to-talk over cellular wireless communication system based upon the geographic location of each recipient relative to the geographic locations of the events, with the alert messages being delivered to the recipients without completion of calling procedures and incoming call acceptance by the recipients that are required by conventional full-duplex cellular communication systems.
US08275394B2
A method and system for marking a location with a mobile device, uploading location information from the marked location to a location based service, creating a web page for the location information, and adding descriptive content to the web page pertaining to the location.
US08275393B2
Methods, systems, devices and computer program products for executing a predetermined routine including one or more location determination modes to determine a geographic position, i.e., the location of a wireless communication device. In certain aspects, the predetermined routine may be configured to adjust the Quality of Service (QoS) for one or more of the location determination modes implemented in the routine. Based on the pre-configuration of the routine, adjustment of the QoS of one or more location determination modes may occur as a matter of course or the routine may be configured to adaptively adjust the QoS based on conditions, such as network conditions, environmental conditions and the like, existing at the point in time in which the location determination mode is executed.
US08275387B2
A mobile station comprises a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from a base station; a selection unit configured to select a communication area to perform communication from a plurality of communication areas based on traffic load in the plurality of communication areas where the reception unit can receive the signal; and a notification unit configured to notify the base station of the communication area selected. Another mobile station comprises a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from a base station; a calculation unit configured to calculate a ratio of an average reception quality value over a short period to an average reception quality value over a long period; and a selection unit configured to select a communication area to perform communication from a plurality of communication areas where the reception unit can receive the signal, based on the ratio.
US08275386B2
A subscriber station for use in a wireless network capable of communicating according to a multicarrier protocol. The subscriber station determines a total average signal level across N subbands, where each of subband comprises a plurality of subcarriers. The subscriber station also determines a first average signal level within a first subband. The subscriber station then transmits a channel quality indicator (CQI) feedback message to the wireless network. The CQI feedback message comprises a first data field indicating the total average signal level and a second data field indicating the first average signal level. The first data field may indicate the total average signal level as an absolute value and the second data field may indicate the first average signal level relative to the total average signal level.
US08275382B2
A multimedia communicator is disclosed. The multimedia communicator comprises a processing unit; and a storage device coupled to the processing unit. The multimedia communicator further includes a plurality of interfaces to allow the multimedia communicator to offer a user a plurality of services. The MMC which includes a microprocessor computing system may be located in a car, for example, or within a handset similar to handsets presently utilized for cell phones. The MMC may be connected to a WiFi Internet connection, a cellular network, a satellite radio or equivalent satellite network, or to other available wireless networks. Additionally, the MMC has the potential to interface with GPS signals as desired.
US08275364B2
The method and system of authentication of authorized person and transaction approval principally at the direct debits by means of a mobile communication device (2) is based on the fact that an alphanumerical chain is sent from the mobile communication device (2) into energy passive identifier (3) approached to the mobile communication device (2), the identifier (3) is supplied contact free by electromagnetic field of the mobile communication device (2) while in the identifier the received alphanumerical chain is signed electronically and in such signed alphanumerical chain is sent back into the mobile communication device (2). Payment approval is realized by the correctness approval of the electronically signed alphanumerical chain and by approaching the mobile communication device (2) to the payment terminal (1). The invention enables to use a high level of cryptography security by using a passive identifier (3) which does not demand own energy source.
US08275355B2
The present invention provides a method for a roaming user to establish security association with the application server in the visited network. When receiving the service request from the roaming user, the application server in the visited network establishes security association with the roaming user by making use of the authentication results of the generic authentication architecture in the home network via the BSF in the local network, or the generic authentication architecture proxy in the local network, or the AAA server in the local network and the AAA server in the roaming user's home network, so as to achieve the object that the roaming user is able to use the services of the visited network after authentication of the generic authentication architecture in his home network.
US08275350B2
Cell broadcast protocols are used to distribute emergency alerts to mobile devices. Emergency alerts may be received from an emergency provider or governmental agency. Parameters of an emergency alert may be derived and mapped to parameters of a cell broadcast message, which may then be transmitted to mobile devices. In one embodiment, attributes of an emergency alert are mapped to a first parameter of a cell broadcast message, and the contents of the emergency alert are mapped to the first parameter of the cell broadcast message. If the contents of the emergency alert exceed the available space in the first parameter, the remaining contents of the emergency alert are mapped to a second parameter of the cell broadcast message.
US08275347B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for initiating an emergency alert system alert from a mobile device. In addition to the general system, methods and computer readable medium for such initiating of an emergency alert system alert from a mobile device the process may further implement receiving multiple such emergency alert system alert initiation messages and combining them to determine a more accurate location area of the emergency.
US08275340B2
A fixed point finite impulse response (FIR) filter comprising: 1) an input stage for receiving an input signal as a sequence of input samples comprising: i) delay elements connected in series for receiving and shifting N sequential input samples; ii) multipliers, each multiplier receiving a selected one of the N sequential input samples from the delay elements and multiplying the selected input sample by a corresponding coefficient to produce an intermediate product; and iii) a summer for receiving and adding N intermediate products from the multipliers to produce an output sum signal comprising a sequence of output sum samples; and 2) an output stage for truncating k least significant bits (LSBs) from each of the output sum samples, wherein k is a variable number.
US08275338B2
The apparatus is a complete passive implementation of an image reject mixer (IRM) that is capable of operating at very high frequency. Using a hybrid as part of the IRM circuit enables operation at very high frequencies that also employs a high intermediate frequency (IF). All the components of the design are passive and implementable in MOS technologies providing significant cost and implementation advantages. Furthermore, the apparatus is operative at frequencies that are higher than several tens of GHz.
US08275337B2
An adaptive array wireless communication apparatus able to suitably select antenna elements, small in amount of processing, fast in convergence speed, and suitable for transmission/reception, and a method of the same, which controls the directionalities of array antenna elements based on array weights, controls an antenna element selecting unit 23 so that the antenna elements are intermittently determined, and adjusts a period of determination of the antenna elements based on information of the antenna elements determined at a controlling unit 26.
US08275332B2
An apparatus comprising a plurality of switchable full step mixer unit cells, wherein each switchable full step unit cell is configured to, when the full step transceiver mixer unit cell is turned on, increase the gain experienced by an electronic signal by a full step increment, and wherein the step increment is substantially constant regardless of temperature; and at least one switchable partial step mixer unit cell configured to, when the partial step transceiver mixer unit is turned on, increase the gain experienced by the electronic signal by a predetermined step increment less than that of a full step, and wherein the partial step increment is substantially constant regardless of temperature.
US08275331B2
Techniques for optimizing the power consumption of existing low cost multi-gain state power amplifiers (PA) to increase the talk time of wireless communication devices are described. In an exemplary embodiment a device, such as a baseband processor, operates to set a multistage PA having at least two gain states for amplifying a transmit signal to a lowest power consuming gain state. The device calculates a transition power level as a function of an identified maximum power reduction (MPR) value and switches the PA to a higher gain state from a lower gain state when a transmission power level is higher than the calculated transition power level.
US08275328B2
A mobile phone to transmit and receive a radio frequency signal through a first antenna and a second antenna in a radio communication system includes a first radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the first antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to a controller, a second radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the second antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to the controller, and a radio frequency signal transmitting unit to convert a baseband signal transmitted from the controller into a radio frequency signal, to distribute the radio frequency signal, and to selectively output the distributed radio frequency signal to the first antenna and the second antenna.
US08275313B1
In one embodiment, a first sensor node 100 includes a radio to effect wireless communications; a sensor module 204 to sense a selected parameter; and a scheduler 228 that selects a listen time for the first sensor node, such that, during the listen time, the radio is activated and able to receive wireless signals and, during a time other than the listen time, the radio is deactivated and unable to receive wireless signals, and causes transmission to a second sensor node a first message. The first message includes a time offset from a transmission time of the first message, the time offset indicating a timing of a first listen time for the first sensor node. In response, the node 100 receives, from the second sensor node, a second message, with the time selected by the second sensor node to transmit the second message to the first sensor node being based on the time offset.
US08275307B2
An audio integrator monitors the outputs of a plurality of audio sources, and a controller prioritizes the audio sources. An active audio detection circuit determines when one or more of the audio sources become active. When the two or more audio sources are active simultaneously, the controller directs the highest priority audio source to one or more speakers. If a lower priority audio signal is currently playing, newly active voice communication audio, such as communications or directional information, is delayed to preserve the beginning of the message during an audio switch-over. A currently-playing, lower-priority audio signal may be decreased in volume, and a tone unique to the new audio source sounded, prior to the switching the audio to the higher-priority source. During audio input (e.g., while actuating a push-to-talk button on a microphone), all active audio sources are quieted.
US08275306B2
A method, system and processor-readable storage medium for evaluating vocabulary similarity are disclosed. A generic rate may be determined for each word in a plurality of first responses. Each first response may respond to one of a plurality of first prompts. At least one first response may respond to each of the first prompts. A specific rate may be determined for each word in a plurality of second responses, which each respond to a second prompt. A target response may be received that is associated with the second prompt and has a plurality of words. A vocabulary similarity index may be computed for the target response based on one or more generic rates and on or more specific rates. A determination of whether the target response is off-topic may be made based on the vocabulary similarity index for the target response.
US08275304B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit configured to read image information of an original document, an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet according to the image information, a sheet discharge space located between the image reading unit and the image forming unit, into which the sheet is discharged after passing through the image forming unit, a first sheet discharge port disposed facing the sheet discharge space, a second sheet discharge port located beneath the first sheet discharge port, and a sheet handling unit detachably mountable in the sheet discharge space, configured to connect to the first sheet discharge port and block the second sheet discharge port when mounted in the sheet discharge space.
US08275303B2
A discharging unit including: a casing; a discharger to discharge printing medium; a storage plate disposed in the casing below the discharger, to store the printing media discharged by the discharger; and a separation preventing unit to prevent the printing media from being ejected from the discharging unit by selectively protruding from the storage plate.
US08275293B2
A conductive member includes a substrate, an elastic layer provided on the substrate and a surface layer provided on the elastic layer, in which the surface layer has a sea/island structure includes a sea portion containing a first resin and an island portion containing a second resin, and at least the island portion contains carbon black.
US08275292B2
A rubber composition for a conductive roller that has at least an elastic layer above an outer periphery of a shaft member having conductivity is provided, the rubber composition including: a binary epichlorohydrin rubber; and a vulcanizing agent that contains at least sulfur, wherein the rubber composition does not contain a quinoxaline vulcanizing agent and a triazine vulcanizing agent.
US08275288B2
An image forming device includes a main body having a main frame, a plurality of photosensitive members, a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium onto which images are transferred from the photosensitive members, a fixing unit that fixes the images onto the recording medium, and an attaching member that attaches both the fixing unit and an end section of the conveying unit nearest the fixing unit to the main frame.
US08275279B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the drum; a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the drum into a developer image; a cleaning device for removing a developer remaining on the drum after transfer; and a control device. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade contacting the drum. The control device is capable of performing an operation for rotating the drum, in a direction identical to the rotational direction of the drum during image formation effected by rotating the drum, after a lapse, without next instruction of image formation, of a predetermined period from a stop of rotation of the drum after completing image formation. The predetermined period is longer with a larger number of sheets subjected to the image formation in an image forming job before the rotation of the image bearing member is stopped.
US08275271B2
An image forming apparatus includes a prediction unit, an inquiry unit and a request unit. The inquiry unit judges whether or not the prediction unit deals with a type of a consumable item used in image formation processing. The request unit transmits use history information to a consumable item management apparatus and requests the consumable item management apparatus to predict a remaining usable period of the consumable item when the inquiry unit judges the prediction unit does not deal with the type of the consumable item in the image formation processing. The use history information indicates a use history of the consumable item. The prediction unit predicts the remaining usable period of the consumable item using the use history information in the image formation processing when the inquiry unit judges the first prediction unit deals with the type of the consumable item used in image formation processing.
US08275270B2
Avalanche amplification structures including electrodes, an avalanche region, a quantifier, an integrator, a governor, and a substrate arranged to detect a weak signal composed of as few as several electrons are presented. Quantifier regulates the avalanche process. Integrator accumulates a signal charge. Governor drains the integrator and controls the quantifier. Avalanche amplifying structures include: normal quantifier, reverse bias designs; normal quantifier, normal bias designs; lateral quantifier, normal bias designs; changeable quantifier, normal bias, adjusting electrode designs; normal quantifier, normal bias, adjusting electrode designs; and lateral quantifier, normal bias, annular integrator designs. Avalanche amplification structures are likewise arranged to provide arrays of multi-channel devices. The described invention is expected to be used within photodetectors, electron amplifiers, chemical and biological sensors, and chemical and biological chips with lab-on-a-chip applications. Structures have immediately applicability to devices critical to homeland defense.
US08275259B2
A method for determining a value of chromatic dispersion compensation in an optical network including a plurality of nodes connected by at least one transmission line, the plurality of nodes including a plurality of dispersion compensators, the optical network including a plurality of wavelength paths between the optional nodes, the method includes determining a compensation value of the dispersion compensators in the optical network by the computer, the compensation value selecting that an error between the object value of the residual chromatic dispersion in accordance with of the first end node of the first path and the permissible value of the residual chromatic dispersion of the first end node of the first path is least, and the value of the residual chromatic dispersion of the first end is in the permissible value of the residual chromatic dispersion of the second end node of the second path.
US08275254B2
A camera module includes a lens assembly and a baseboard assembly mounted on the lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens, a barrel receiving the lens, and a support member receiving the barrel. The baseboard assembly includes a circuit board and an image sensor on the circuit board. The baseboard defines a friction surface at a side surface thereof.
US08275250B2
A zoom switch assembly for an image photographing apparatus includes a fixing member which includes a flat unit, a rotating member which is mounted rotatably with respect to the fixing member, an electric conductivity unit which is mounted on the rotating member to rotate opposite the flat member, and a position detection pattern which is formed along a rotation trace of the electric conductivity unit on the flat unit of the fixing member, and through which electricity flows selectively according to a rotation angle of the electric conductivity unit.
US08275247B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for normal reverse playback of GOPs of a bitstream stored in a storage medium from an Xth GOP. The apparatus includes an MPEG decoder which reads a first bitstream corresponding to the Xth GOP and an (X−1)th GOP from the storage medium and which decodes pictures of the Xth GOP and reference pictures of the (X−1)th GOP using the read bitstream, a frame buffer which stores the pictures decoded by the MPEG decoder, and a display block which displays the decoded pictures stored in the frame buffer, wherein during the normal reverse playback, the apparatus displays all the decoded pictures only once, and each display time of the decoded pictures displayed only once is the same. Accordingly, the apparatus can perform a linear search even during the normal reverse playback.
US08275239B2
On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST_VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST_VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set PGC table (VTS_PGCIT). By referring to the program chain table (VTS_PGCIT) according to the user's input, the playback order of program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes.
US08275232B2
A data transmission interface apparatus is provided for communicating with another data transmission interface apparatus through a digital transmission means specified for multimedia data transmission. The data transmission interface apparatus has at least a processor for processing multimedia data; and a data converting circuit, coupled to the processor, for converting a plurality of first multimedia data sets into a plurality of second multimedia data sets; and for converting a plurality of first auxiliary data sets into a plurality of second auxiliary data sets.
US08275228B2
A network interface unit (NIU) for a modular workstation includes a housing. One or more input network adapters on the housing receive input connectors of a first multi-network cable that is connected to a distribution network. One or more output network adapters on the housing receive output connectors of a second multi-network cable that is connected to another NIU of another modular workstation to provide for a daisy chain connection. One or more workstation adapters are provided on the housing for providing connections to one or more networks of various security levels. Cables that are connected to one or more CPUs or telephones of the workstation are connected to respective ones of the workstation adapters. The workstation adapters of the NIU may provide one or more of visual, physical, and geographical verification and segregation of the network connections to enhance the integrity of the security of the various networks available at the NIU.
US08275223B2
An opto-electrical hybrid wiring board is formed with a flexible wiring board; a first rigid wiring board and second rigid wiring board connected to each other by the flexible wiring board; a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, one of which is arranged on the first rigid wiring board and the other on the second rigid wiring board; and a flexible optical waveguide for optically connecting the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. One end of the flexible wiring board is inserted in and supported by the first rigid wiring board, and the other end is inserted in and supported by the second rigid wiring board; the rigid wiring boards and flexible wiring board are electrically connected to each other by using vias to connect the wiring of the first and second rigid wiring boards and the wiring of the flexible wiring board at the inserted portions.
US08275221B2
A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.
US08275218B2
A forward and backward image resizing method is used for resizing a low-resolution image into a high-resolution image. In the method, the low-resolution image is obtained first, and then a forward and backward image resizing process is performed, so as to resize the low-resolution image into the high-resolution image with an integral multiple resolution. The forward and backward image resizing process includes: resizing the low-resolution image by the integral multiple, so as to generate a first-resizing image with the integral multiple resolution; further increasing the resolution of the first-resizing image by 2-fold, so as to generate a second-resizing image; and reducing the resolution of the second-resizing image by 2-fold, thereby obtaining the high-resolution image.
US08275202B2
There is provided a method of grouping pixels in a 2D digital image that assigns labels to regions of objects to differentiate between objects separated in the input image and groups a region of an object having the same label into one group when pattern recognition and image process are performed on the 2D digital image. A method of grouping pixels in a 2d digital image according to an aspect of the invention may include: determining whether a target pixel in an input image is included in a labeling section; determining whether the target pixel is connected to a previous pixel of the target pixel and an upper pixel located adjacent to and above the target pixel to perform a labeling process, and renewing a label table while saving a labeling result in a line memory when the target pixel is included in the labeling section and is a valid pixel including object information; and grouping pixels of the input image using the labeling result and the renewed label table, and renewing a group.
US08275194B2
Site modeling using image data fusion. Geometric shapes are generated to represent portions of one or more structures based on digital height data and a two-dimensional segmentation of portions of the one or more structures is generated based on three-dimensional line segments and digital height data. A labeled segmentation of the one or more structures is generated based on the geometric shapes and the two-dimensional segmentation. A three-dimensional model of the one or more structures is generated based on the labeled segmentation.
US08275189B2
The present invention relates to a defect inspection system which can perform inspection condition setting easily in a relatively short period of time, can examine the inspection condition setting even when there is no sample, and further can provide an inspection condition and a defect signal intensity to a person, who sets the inspection condition, to assist the inspection condition setting. In the defect inspection system, a defective image, which is an inspection image, and a reference image corresponding thereto and a mismatched portion of the defective image and the reference image are digitalized as a defect signal intensity and accumulated in association with the inspection condition, and the inspection conditions are changed to repeat evaluations while repeating accumulating works until the evaluation of all the inspection conditions in a set range is completed. After all the evaluations are completed, if there are a plurality of defects to be inspected, the work is repeated by times corresponding to the number of kinds of the defects and a recipe file including the accumulated conditions having the high defect signal intensity and an inspection condition item distribution as a inspection condition recipe is automatically outputted and is provided to the person who sets the inspection condition. And, appearance inspection for detecting a pattern defect or a foreign material defect on a substrate is performed.
US08275184B2
A measuring body for an implant, having a measuring geometry that can be captured by a measuring camera and a connection geometry on the implant. Said measuring geometry is arranged on a test part and the connection geometry is arranged on a bearing part, both parts being embodied as separate components. Said bearing part comprises a bearing for the test part and the test part comprises a counter bearing to the bearing and the measuring geometry is provided on a free end of the test part. Also provided is a method for capturing a 3D-measurement drawing of a measuring body that is arranged on an implant.
US08275181B2
A method for performing a high-resolution pharmacokinetic analysis for calculation of tissue parameters for a fast-enhancing tissue enables medical personnel to accurately determine pharmacokinetic parameters in fast-enhancing tissues. The method includes obtaining mask image data of the tissue when it is in a steady state condition, obtaining a time series of image data of the tissue when the contrast agent is flowing in the tissue, and increasing a spatial resolution of the time series of image data using the mask image data to obtain a time series of increased spatial resolution image data. The method further includes performing a pharmacokinetic analysis to obtain data including at least one parameter that characterizes the tissue, providing a multi-parameter look-up table derived from a combination of two or more parameters, and providing a display including one parameter or a parametric image, where the parametric image is derived from the look-up table.
US08275177B2
A fingerprint and indexing service is implemented to receive a media object and generate a fingerprint corresponding to the media object. The fingerprint and indexing service may segment the fingerprint into frames and generate a confidence value for each bit within each frame. The confidence values may be added together and totaled, such that each frame has a corresponding confidence score. The frames may be ranked, according to their confidence scores. N of the top ranked frames may be selected as the index. Subsequently, a search component may determine the index values for a query media object. The database of media objects may be searched for matching index values for fingerprints with fingerprint lengths matching the query media object's length. Once a match is declared, the fingerprints of the query media object and the matching media objects within the database may be compared to determine if a match exists.
US08275171B2
A composition determining apparatus includes a subject detecting unit configured to detect one or more specific subjects in an image based on image data; a subject orientation detecting unit configured to detect subject orientation information indicating an orientation in the image of the subject detected by the subject detecting unit, the detection of the subject orientation information being performed for each of the detected subjects; and a composition determining unit configured to determine a composition based on the subject orientation information. When a plurality of subjects are detected by the subject detecting unit, the composition determining unit determines a composition based on a relationship among a plurality of pieces of the subject orientation information corresponding to the plurality of subjects.
US08275165B2
A communication device comprises a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior. A microphone is arranged in the housing interior and communicates via an audio passage with the outside of the housing. An electrical socket is adapted to receive an electrical plug through a socket opening, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. The audio passage comprises the socket opening and the electrical socket includes a socket casing which surrounds the socket opening and extends in the insertion direction of the electrical plug. The socket casing includes through-going holes which form a part of the audio passage. The electrical plug is adapted to be removably inserted in the electrical socket and is provided with latching protrusions, which are adapted to be received in the through-going holes in the socket casing, when the electrical plug is inserted in the electrical socket.
US08275163B2
A battery compartment for a behind-the-ear hearing device includes a battery compartment body having a battery receiving space for accommodating a battery and at least one latching element for locking to a hearing device housing. The latching element and the battery compartment body are formed of different materials and the latching element is disposed in a holding device in the battery compartment body. A behind-the-ear hearing device with a latching element and the use of polyoxymethylene for manufacturing the latching element, are likewise provided. As a result of the separation of the latching element and the battery compartment body and the use of different materials, a switching and locking function can be optimized and the wearing quality can be improved.
US08275161B2
For enabling fast, customer-specific and precise matching of a hearing device's directional characteristic, a hearing device having a signal processing unit for performing a processing algorithm is provided, with at least one design-related parameter of the hearing device having been made available to the signal processing unit and with the signal processing unit performing the processing algorithm based on the design-related parameter of the hearing device. It should be considered as especially advantageous in the case of the inventive hearing device that a processing algorithm can be performed particularly precisely and customer-specifically based on the provided design-related parameters of the hearing device.
US08275157B2
A ribbon microphone unit includes: an electrode lead portion for conducting an electric signal which a ribbon diaphragm generates cooperating with a magnet; a tightening member for securing the ribbon diaphragm; and a screw for crimping the tightening member, wherein the tightening member is crimped via the ribbon diaphragm and the electrode lead portion by the screw, and wherein the ribbon diaphragm includes a portion sandwiched by the tightening member, and the portion is formed in an irregular shape in the thickness direction.
US08275156B2
To obtain a ribbon microphone unit, which makes the tension of a diaphragm adjustable by configuring a ribbon diaphragm assembly that is detachable to a magnetic-circuit assembly including a magnet, and which further allows a user side to carry out the maintenance by replacing the ribbon diaphragm assembly; a ribbon microphone unit comprises: a magnetic-circuit assembly including a magnet; and a ribbon diaphragm, wherein the ribbon diaphragm, together with a substrate having a circuit pattern formed on both ends thereof, a metal fitting for crimping an end portion of the ribbon diaphragm to the circuit pattern, and a screw for crimping the metal fitting toward the substrate, constitute a diaphragm assembly, and wherein the diaphragm assembly is secured to the magnetic-circuit assembly.
US08275147B2
Angular discrimination between signals is described. Multiple signals are sampled with multiple signal sensors spatially separated from each other. Respective transform signals are determined that are representative of each sampled signal. If a difference between the transform signals in a given transform kernel bin is greater than a difference threshold, a first transform signal is modified by altering that kernel bin. Then the resulting modified transform signal is inverse transformed.
US08275143B2
An audio system comprises at least one pair of wireless headphones having an active operating mode and an inactive operating mode, the at least one pair of headphones comprising a solid-state audio player, a rechargeable battery, means for connecting to a computer, means for charging the battery, and a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor detects movement of the headphones and causes headphones to be put into inactive mode when no motion is detected for a certain period of time and causes headphones to be put back into active mode when motion is detected.
US08275141B2
A noise reduction system and a noise reduction method are provided. The noise reduction system comprises a uni-directional microphone, an omni-directional microphone and a signal processing module. The signal processing module comprises an adaptive noise control (ANC) unit, a main noise reduction unit and an optimizing unit. The uni-directional microphone senses a first audio source to output a first audio signal, and the omni-directional microphone senses a second audio source to output a second audio signal. The ANC unit executes an adaptive noise control to output an estimated signal according to the first audio signal and the second audio signal. The main noise reduction unit executes a main noise reduction process to output a de-noise speech signal according to the estimated signal and the second audio signal. The optimizing unit executes an optimizing process to output an optimized speech signal according to the de-noise speech signal.
US08275138B2
A method of acoustically rendering a virtual environment is described. The method includes receiving a subset of polygons derived for an acoustic display from a set of polygons generated for a graphical display. Acoustic reflections are determined from a sound source that bounce off of polygons in the subset of polygons to a listener position in the virtual environment. It is determined whether a polygon in the subset of polygons causes an occlusion of the sound source at the listener position, and a play list of sounds is generated based on the reflections and occlusions.
US08275129B2
A data scrambling method for scrambling raw data from a host system is provided. The data scrambling method includes generating a random number and storing the random number into a storage unit. The data scrambling method also includes receiving a user password from the host system, generating a padded value by using a first function unit based on the random number and the user password, and generating a nonce value by using a second function unit based on the padded value and a key. The data scrambling method further includes generating scrambled data corresponding to the raw data by using a third function unit based on the nonce value and the raw data. Accordingly, the raw data of the host system can be effectively protected.
US08275126B2
An apparatus for hash cryptography has a hardware structure that is capable of providing both secure hash algorithm (SHA)-1 hash calculation and SHA-256 hash calculation. The apparatus for hash cryptography generates a plurality of first message data corresponding to a plurality of first rounds when the SHA-1 hash calculation is performed and generates a plurality of second message data corresponding to a plurality of second rounds when the SHA-256 hash calculation is performed by using one memory, one first register, one XOR calculator, and one OR calculator, calculates a message digest by the SHA-1 hash calculation by using the plurality of first message data when the SHA-1 hash calculation is performed, and calculates a message digest by the SHA-256 by using the plurality of second message data when the SHA-256 hash calculation is performed.
US08275124B2
A threshold secret sharing apparatus, a threshold secret sharing scheme, a secret information recovery apparatus a secret information recovery method, and a program thereof are provided using XOR computation, thereby offering a general (k,n) threshold secret sharing scheme with high computation speed. Secret information K is divided into (np−1) divided pieces of secret information Kq (np is a prime number which is equal to or greater than a secret distribution number n). Furthermore, dummy secret information K0 is generated. Moreover, random numbers R, which are mutually independent are generated. Then, pieces of shares are created using exclusive-OR (XOR) operations based upon the dummy secret information K0, the divided piece of secret information Kq, and the random numbers R. The pieces of shares thus generated are concatenated so as to generate n shares Si, thereby providing a (k,n) threshold secret sharing scheme.
US08275123B2
Systems for exchanging encrypted data communications between devices. A system can comprise a first device and a second device. The first device can comprise a first sensor adapted to create a first data profile based at least in part on a sensed condition, and a first transceiver integrated with the first sensor and adapted to generate a first cryptographic key from the first data profile. The second device can comprise a second sensor adapted to create a second data profile based at least in part on the sensed condition, the second data profile being substantially similar to the first data profile, and a second transceiver integrated with the second sensor and adapted to generate a second cryptographic key from the second data profile, the first and second cryptographic keys comprising a set of identical cryptographic keys.
US08275106B1
A method and apparatus manage conference calls by receiving for each of participants a participant access code to identify a subconference call to which each of participants is assigned; forming a conference call of all participants; initiating subconference calls by a host of the conference call; transferring each of the participants into a subconference call identified by the participant access code of each of the participants; re-initiating the conference call by the host; and re-forming all of the participants back into the conference call.
US08275105B2
In an IP telephone terminal, a function implementation controlling unit is configured so as to be capable of controlling implementation of a function instructed by a file received via IP telephone communications when the communicating unit receives the file. The configuration data storing unit stores configuration data that is used by the function implementation controlling unit to implement the function. The configuration data acquisition controlling unit performs control to acquire configuration data from the configuration data storing unit when a communicating unit receives a read file that is transmitted from an external IP telephone terminal. The response file generation controlling unit performs control to generate a response file including the configuration data. The response file transmission controlling unit controls a communicating unit to transmit the response file to the external IP telephone terminal that has transmitted the read file. The update controlling unit performs, when the communicating unit receives a write file, control to update the configuration data based on the write file that is transmitted from the external IP telephone terminal that has received the response file.
US08275100B2
A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address.
US08275094B2
A device, a method and a line testing device connected to a line-capturing matrix for providing wetting current in the communications field are disclosed. Connecting the line-capturing matrix to a wetting current circuit in a network device makes it possible to acquire a wetting current from the wetting current circuit via the line-capturing matrix in the network device. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, one wetting current circuit may provide wetting currents for lines of multiple ports by connecting to a line-capturing matrix in the network device. The wetting current circuit may be a built-in or an independent wetting current circuit. By using the solution provided in the embodiments of the invention, the cost of system hardware may be reduced while the power consumption of the system may be lowered.
