US08496822B2
A retaining device 1 comprises a cup-shaped trap basket 2 including a circular support edge 3. A holder 4 is disposed at the trap basket 2, includes at least two holding arms 5, 6 movable between a “holding position” and “release” position, and is a separate assembly adapted to be connected to the trap basket 2. A gear unit 8 includes a bolt 10 that is adapted to be connected with a rotatable operating element 7 and has a driving worm 9 and tooth sections 11 adapted to be engaged with the driving worm 9 and disposed at the holding arms 5, 6.
US08496821B2
The present disclosure is directed to a capsule configured to direct fuel flow within a fuel filter assembly housing. The capsule has a tubular element configured to define a flow path between the capsule and a fuel filter assembly housing. The tubular element defines an interior chamber, a proximal end, and a distal end defining a manifold. The tubular element is configured to be removably received by the fuel filter assembly housing. The interior chamber is configured to receive a fuel filter element. The capsule is configured to direct fuel flow from the proximal end of the capsule, around the tubular element, to a point beyond the distal end of the capsule, and to receive fuel flow from the point beyond the distal end of the capsule and direct the fuel flow via the manifold to the filter element, thereby providing at least two passes of the fuel flow through filter elements within the fuel filter assembly housing.
US08496817B2
A dechlorinator for dechlorinating a stream of water comprises a housing comprising an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. A filter is operatively supported in the housing and located in the flow path. At least one dechlorinating tablet is operatively supported in the housing and located in the flow path downstream of the filter for dechlorinating water flowing from the filter to the outlet.
US08496814B2
A system designed to control and filter runoff water in storm drains is presented. Drain water frequently carries trash, organic matter, suspended solids, hydrocarbons, metals, nutrients and bacteria collected from streets and parking lots into a storm drain inlet, which enters storm water drain pipe systems.The present invention supplies a series of baffle boxes inserted in the drain water stream with a final box possessing an upflow filter and a hydrocarbon absorbing boom. The system can also support a storm flow bypass that directs high-flow storm runoff water directly to the outlet to protect the filter system.
US08496811B2
A locking drain device for a floor drain comprises a top strainer, a cylindrical middle section having spreadable sides with slits in them, a frustoconical spreader, and a locking bolt, such that, when the spreader is drawn against the spreadable sides of the cylindrical middle section by tightening the locking bolt, the cylindrical sides will be spread to frictionally engage against the internal surface of a drain pipe to prevent inadvertent removal of the floor drain.
US08496806B2
Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The water separation membrane unit 1b on a downstream side of the water separation membrane unit 1a is connected to a steam ejector 3, and the condenser 4 for condensing water in a gas phase passed through the steam ejector 3 condenses water and thereby separates the water.
US08496804B2
Systems and methods for staging an investment in hydrocarbon processing are provided. In a first stage, a hydrocarbon feed can be apportioned equally or unequally into first and second portions. The first portion can be mixed with one or more oxidants and gasified to provide a first effluent, at least a portion of which can be combusted to provide steam. The second portion can be mixed with one or more solvents to provide one or more fungible hydrocarbon products, at least a portion of which can be sold to generate capital. In a second stage, the hydrocarbon feed can be mixed with one or more solvents and one or more non-catalytic solids and the resultant mixture thermally cracked to provide one or more hydrocarbon products and coked non-catalytic solids. The coked, non-catalytic solids can be regenerated and recycled.
US08496796B2
A process for forming a composite film on a substrate comprises providing a suspension comprising an ionised polymer and functionalised carbon nanotubes in a solvent, at least partially immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in the suspension, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the counterelectrode so as to form the composite film on the substrate. Electrical charges on the polymer and on the nanotubes have the same sign and the voltage is applied such that the charge on the substrate has the opposite sign to the charge on the polymer and the nanotubes.
US08496792B2
In a rotary magnet sputtering apparatus, a target consumption displacement quantity is measured, and corresponding to the measurement results, a distance between a rotating magnet group and a target is adjusted, and uniform film forming rate is achieved over a long period of time so as to reduce the change of a target surface due to consumption of the target and to reduce the change of the film forming rate with time. An ultrasonic sensor or a laser transmitting/receiving device may be used as a means for measuring the consumption displacement quantity of the target.
US08496791B2
An active oxygen generating apparatus comprises cathodes constituted by a plurality of base materials, each containing a conductive polymer, an anode having conductivity, a power source that conducts electricity between both electrodes through water in which oxygen is dissolved, and a water receiving portion that contains the water. The cathodes are made of a plurality of plate-shaped base materials installed upright at intervals in the water receiving portion and the anode is arranged across the plurality of base materials and orthogonally to the plurality of base materials.
US08496778B2
A method of manufacturing absorbent articles in which first and second stabilizing strips confer stability during the manufacturing process by controlling the position of side panels with respect to absorbent structures. In the thus manufactured articles, material of the stabilizing strips remain on the side panels to provide a region of material having consistent properties.
US08496769B2
The present invention pertains to carpet and method of making it. In one aspect, the carpet includes (a) a primary backing which has a face and a back surface, (b) a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing, (c) an adhesive backing, (d) an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing, and (e) at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer. The method includes extrusion coating at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer onto the back surface of a primary backing to provide an adhesive backing. The method can include additional steps or procedures, either separately or in various combinations. Additional steps and procedures include preheating the primary backing prior the extrusion step, multilayer adhesive backings, washing or scouring the primary backing prior the extrusion step, and utilizing adhesive polymeric additives, high heat content fillers, blowing agents and/or implosion agents. The constructions and methods described herein are particularly suited for making carpet tile.
US08496763B2
A seamless steel tube for an airbag accumulator which can be manufactured by heat treatment of normalizing without quenching and tempering and which has a tensile strength of at least 850 MPa and resistance to bursting at −20° C. has a stee; composition comprising, in mass %, C: 0.08-0.20%, Si: 0.1-1.0%, Mn: 0.6-2.0%, P: at most 0.025%, S: at most 0.010%, Cr: 0.05-1.0%, Mo: 0.05-1.0%, Al: 0.002-0.10%, at least one of Ca: 0.0003-0.01%, Mg: 0.0003-0.01%, and REM (rare earth metals): 0.0003-0.01%, at least one of Ti: 0.002-0.1% and Nb: 0.002-0.1%, with Ceq which is defined by the following Equation (1) being in the range of 0.45-0.63, with the metallurgical structure being a mixed structure of ferrite+bainite: Ceq=C+Si/24+Mn/6+(Cr+Mo)/5+(Ni+Cu)/15 (1) wherein the symbol for each element in Equation (1) indicates the number expressing the mass percent of the element.
US08496761B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to an interface block. The interface block comprises a drying processing group including two drying processing units and an interface transport mechanism. After a substrate is subjected to exposure processing by the exposure device, the substrate is transported to the drying processing units in the drying processing group by the interface transport mechanism, where the substrate is subjected to cleaning and drying processings.
US08496760B2
A dishwasher with a closed loop condenser having a moist air conduit, a dry air conduit having a portion in overlying relationship with a portion of the moist air conduit, wherein the overlying portions of the moist air conduit and the dry air conduit form a heat exchanger, and a controllable gate for selectively introducing, exhausting, or redirecting air relative to the condenser.
US08496759B2
A dishwasher is provided that advantageously enables reduction of the amount of water required during the rinsing cycle in order to thereby minimize operational costs and to improve environmental compatibility. A water preparation system has a water preparation container which can receive at least one part of the rinsing liquid used during operation of the dishwasher. The impurities contained in the rinsing liquid are at least partially biodegraded during a water preparation phase with the aid of microorganisms. By preparing and recycling at least one part of the used rinsing water, it is possible to reduce the requirement for fresh water. This enables the burden on the environment to be reduced since at least one part of the water used during the rinsing process is biologically cleansed while it is still in the dishwasher and the requirement for fresh water for the dishwasher is thus reduced.
US08496757B2
A cleaning solution and method for removing submicron particles from the surface and/or the bevel of an electronic substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. The cleaning solution comprises a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. The method comprises the step of contacting a surface of the substrate with a cleaning solution comprised of a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. Additional optional steps in the method include applying acoustic energy to the cleaning solution and/or rinsing the surface with a rinsing solution with or without the application of acoustic energy to the rinsing solution.
US08496754B2
A method of hydrolyzing woody cellulosic material containing lignin and air pockets involves impregnating the woody cellulosic material a first alkali having a pH of from 10 to 14 such that the first alkali is in contact with the lignin within the woody cellulosic material. Thereafter, the woody cellulosic material is advanced through a gravity pressure vessel for the acid hydrolysis conversion of cellulosic material to sugars. In accordance with other methods, ultrasound may be introduced during impregnation or at the gravity pressure vessel or both.
US08496751B2
This invention relates to a cement binder composition and to the use of the binder composition in construction products. The cement binder composition is based on MgO that absorbs CO2 when hardening. The binder composition of the present invention also comprises at least one magnesium carbonate (either hydrated or unhydrated) having the formula xMgCO3-yMg(OH)2-zH2O, wherein x is at least 1, and at least one of y or z is greater than 0. The binder composition may optionally comprise a hydroscopic material, for example NaCl. The MgO when mixed with water in the presence of the magnesium carbonate produces magnesium hydroxide that has a rosette-like morphology (as shown).
US08496744B2
An ink composition contains a particular anthrapyridone dye and a particular copper phthalocyanine dye. The hue angle in the L*a*b* color system calculated from spectral characteristics of a 1,000-fold diluted solution of the ink composition in water is 270° to 360°. The content of the anthrapyridone dye is higher than the content of the copper phthalocyanine dye.
US08496743B2
By using an ink composition which contains C.I. Acid Red 52, C.I. Acid Red 92, and a specific dye at a ratio in a specific range, it is possible to provide recorded matter having good lightfastness without impairing fluorescence intensity and color developability.
US08496731B2
There is provided a method for transporting a fluid, in which even if the fluid is transported for a long period of time, dehydration after transportation is not needed, and the transported fluid can be used immediately after transportation. Specifically, there is provided a method for transporting a fluid, comprising steps of: dehydrating some of the transportation fluid during transportation by using a dehydration system comprising a separation membrane through which water permeates, and returning the dehydrated fluid to the transportation fluid so as to keep water content in the transportation fluid in a fixed range. In one embodiment, the transportation fluid is a liquid, and the dehydration system comprises a heater for heating the liquid to a temperature in a range in which the liquid does not boil, and a membrane separation apparatus for dehydrating the heated liquid, wherein the membrane separation apparatus is a PV method apparatus comprising a primary side chamber extending in an up and down direction to introduce the liquid from a lower portion thereof and discharge it from an upper portion thereof, a separation membrane in contact with the primary side chamber to allow water in the liquid to permeate through as a gas, and a secondary side chamber being located on the opposite side to the primary side chamber with the separation membrane held therebetween and being under a pressure lower than that in the primary side chamber.
US08496719B2
A dust collection system has a cyclone separator in which dust is separated from an air stream and the air stream is passed from a separator and flows through a final filter back into the ambient air. A flame arrester is positioned downstream of the separator, either in advance of or after the final filter. The flame arrester defines a multiplicity of narrow channels to permit exhaust air flow but block any flame front. In a preferred embodiment the flame arrester is in the form of a sheath of a porous metal material surrounding the final filter. The sheath may comprise a metal wire mesh screen, with a guard cage surrounding the screen.
US08496709B2
A spinal implant to correct disc compression is presented. The implant has proximal and distal ends, and is sized for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae.
US08496708B2
Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An integrated fixation plate and spacer having a retaining structure within the screw holes of the fixation plate to resist backout of screws attaching the fixation plate to the bone is provided. A movable joint may be provided between the fixation plate and spacer. In some embodiments, a screw hole insert is also provided to resist shear forces acting between the screw and fixation plate. In some embodiments, an integrated fixation plate and spacer system is provided, comprising two or more integrated fixation plate and spacer implants, wherein the fixation plates of each implant has a complementary configuration to allow attachment of the implants at adjacent intervertebral spaces. Alternative fixation systems are also contemplated.
US08496707B2
A cervical disc prosthesis or intervertebral disc prosthesis that includes a first disc comprising a protrusion connected to a disc body and a convex surface facing a first cervical vertebra when implanted, and a second disc comprising a socket recessed in a disc body, and a convex surface facing a second cervical vertebra when implanted. The second disc remains substantially parallel to the first disc and axially spaced from the first disc. The protrusion is adapted to fit into the socket to join the first disc with the second disc, and the protrusion is fit for pivoting movement into the socket. Also provided is a method for implanting the inventive cervical disc prosthesis or the inventive intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between two adjacent vertebrae.
US08496705B2
An anchor assembly for autologous or artificial tendon grafts comprises an insertion element and a stabilizing element. The insertion element has a stem and a head containing an aperture large enough to receive a graft. The stabilizing element is adapted to be embedded in bone, and comprises a sleeve with a cavity arranged to receive and hold the insertion element stem. In use, the stabilizing element is affixed in the bone, and the stem of the insertion element is placed therein. A tendon graft may be secured to the insertion element either before or after its placement in the stabilizing element. Two such anchors may be linked with one or multiple grafts, in either a two-ply or four-ply arrangement.
US08496703B2
This invention provides a new class of medical devices and implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The medical devices and implants may be temporary or permanent and may comprise other materials as well, such as polymers, ceramics, and conventional crystalline or polycrystalline metal alloys.Specifically, this invention provides implantable surgical fabrics comprising amorphous metal alloys. The presence of amorphous metal alloys in these fabrics can serve a variety of purposes, including structurally reinforcing the surgical fabric and/or imparting to the fabric the ability to shield against harmful radiation. The fabric may be used inside or outside the body during medical procedures. Further, the implantable surgical fabrics may be woven or non-woven fabrics.
US08496695B2
A system is provided for photodynamic diagnosis and therapy of skin diseases. In particular, a camera head is provided to irradiate a white light, a fluorescent excitation light and a therapeutic light for the photodynamic therapy from the inside of a case onto the skin region being in contact with a view hole. Additionally, a digital color TV camera collects the light from the skin region and outputs a generated image signal. In particular, an image processing and analysis system receives the image signals from the camera head to process, analyze and store the same, displays a color image by the white light, a fluorescent image by the excitation light and the therapeutic light for the photodynamic therapy, obtained by the digital color TV camera, and a synthesized image thereof, and controls the general operations of the camera and the light source system.
US08496688B2
A flexible spine fixing structure for fixing to a first vertebra and a second vertebra includes a first flexible element and a second flexible element. The first flexible element includes a first flexible part, a first fixing part and a second fixing part. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are respectively connected to two ends of the first flexible part and used for fixing to the first vertebra, and the first flexible part includes a first through hole and a second through hole. The second flexible element includes a second flexible part, a third fixing part and a fourth fixing part. The third fixing part and the fourth fixing part are respectively connected to two ends of the second flexible part and used for fixing to the second vertebra. The second flexible part is disposed by penetrating through the first through hole and the second through hole.
US08496683B2
Multilayer structures including a porous layer and a non-porous layer are useful as buttresses when associated with a surgical stapling apparatus.
US08496682B2
Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along an longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members, a reciprocating member, a shuttle and at least one cam pin. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots and first and second cam slots and may be pivotable towards one another about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The shuttle may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The cam pin may be coupled to the shuttle and positioned within the first cam slot and the second cam slots.
US08496679B2
This disclosure is directed to a device for facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The device includes an intravascular device including a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The device includes a handle assembly fixed about the proximal end of the shaft, the handle assembly including a first portion. Rotation of the first portion in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the shaft causes rotation of the shaft in the first direction when a torque applied by the first portion to the shaft is below a first maximum torque. Further rotation of the first portion in the first direction about a longitudinal axis of the shaft does not cause rotation of the shaft in the first direction when the torque applied by the first portion to the shaft is equal to or above the first maximum torque.
US08496666B2
Knee prosthesis instrumentation including an insertion tool and a removal tool. The insertion tool may include an offset to provide clearance from a femoral component of the knee prosthesis. The removal tool may be wedge shaped to at least partially encircle a post of the knee prosthesis for removal. A mallet may be used with the instruments to provide additional force for prosthesis insertion or removal. A slide hammer may be incorporated into the instruments themselves.
US08496662B2
The present application provides an apparatus for forming and method of creating a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy by identifying a cutting plane through the bone; and inserting an apex pin along the cutting plane to limit cutting and minimize stress risers in the bone.
US08496661B2
Spinal surgery systems are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes threaded caps and screw assemblies. Each assembly includes a cannulated and threaded screw having upper and lower ends, a polyaxial head permanently fixed to the screw upper end in a ball-and-socket engagement, and an extension portion fixed to the head wherein extension portion movement causes the head to move in concert. Each head has a receiving area for engaging a rod and a threaded area for receiving one of the caps after the rod is engaged in the receiving area. Each extension portion has: (a) two arms spaced apart such that the arms are on opposite sides of the polyaxial head receiving area; and (b) at least one point of weakness such that forcing the arms away from one another causes the extension portion to divide at the point of weakness and separate the extension portion from the head.
US08496653B2
A catheter and catheter system can use energy tailored for remodeling and/or removal of target material along a body lumen, often of thrombus from a blood vessel of a patient. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable structure may have a plurality of electrodes or other energy delivery surfaces. The electrode structures may be radially inwardly oriented and/or supported in cantilever to facilitate advancing the electrodes.
US08496651B2
A system and method are provided for an ophthalmic surgical procedure to provide a refractive correction for an eye. Specifically, the procedure is indicated when the desired refractive correction “dreqd” exceeds the capability of a correction achievable when corneal tissue is only ablated. In accordance with the present invention, an optimized refractive correction “d1” is accomplished by the ablation of corneal tissue (e.g. by a PRK or LASIK procedure). The optimized correction is then followed by a complementary refractive correction “d2” wherein stromal tissue is weakened with Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB). Together, the optimized refractive correction (ablation) and the complementary refractive correction (LIOB) equal the desire refractive correction (dreqd=d1+d2).
US08496646B2
A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.
US08496629B2
A peripheral catheter having a catheter tip diffuser for reducing an exit velocity of an infusant within the catheter. Pluralities of diffusion side holes are provided on the tip portion of the catheter. Some examples further include pluralities of annularly arranged, staggered diffusion holes provided on the tip portion of an intravenous catheter to streamline infusant issued from the diffusion holes. An inner surface of each diffusion hole is further angled relative to the inner surface of the catheter lumen such that an infusant within the lumen exits the catheter though the diffusion holes at an angle less than 90°.
US08496626B2
Provided is a safety needle assembly for protecting a needle point, a safety type needle assembly having a curved portion, to which an erroneous piercing preventing mechanism is added, or a safety type Hoover needle assembly thereby to prevent the piercing accident. The safety needle assembly includes a needle having a point at its leading end, a hub for holding the root end portion of the needle, and a leading end protecting portion. The safety needle assembly further includes a restricting portion for restricting the distance between the needle and the hub, in that the leading end protecting portion includes a mechanism for warping the needle point, when the leading end protecting portion moves the leading end of the needle to a projecting position, thereby to accommodate the needle point in the inner side of the leading end protecting portion, so that the leading end of the needle is protected.
US08496622B2
The present disclosure relates to catheterization systems and components thereof. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a catheterization system is disclosed that includes a catheter including a body with proximal and distal ends and defining first and second lumens extending therethrough, and a stylet. The stylet includes first and second stylet portions each having proximal and distal end regions, wherein the distal end regions of the first and second stylet portions together define a tapered penetrating portion. The first and second stylet portions are configured and dimensioned to be slidably positioned within the first and second lumens of the catheter, respectively. The first and second stylet portions extend from the proximal end of the catheter and beyond the distal end of the catheter, and are independently movable in relation to each other to facilitate selective removal of the first stylet portion and/or the second stylet portion from the catheter.
US08496615B2
A method is described including introducing a delivery device to a point within a renal artery or a renal segmental artery and delivering a treatment agent from the delivery device according to conditions that create a turbulent blood flow and wherein the treatment agent is capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy. In other embodiments, an apparatus and kit are described including a delivery device for insertion to a point within a renal artery or renal segmental artery and delivery of a treatment agent capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy.
US08496613B2
An infusion pump having a tubing clamping section including a movable and a stationary portion. The infusion pump includes at least one sensor for detecting a contact length of tubing within the movable and/or the stationary portion. The infusion pump includes a shuttle having a shuttle stationary and a shuttle moveable portion, and is configured to squeeze a length of the tubing between the shuttle portions. The infusion pump includes a motor connected to the shuttle moveable portion via a shaft. The motor moves the shuttle moveable portion towards and away from the shuttle stationary portion. The infusion pump includes a controller and an encoder that detects a position of the shaft. The controller converts the detected position into a travel distance of the shuttle moveable portion, and calculates a diameter and a thickness of the tubing based on the travel distance and the contact length of the tubing.
US08496604B2
Systems for and methods of assessing urinary flow rate via sound analysis. Embodiments of the uroflow measurement systems include a computer and a telephone or a digital recording mechanism to capture the sound of one or more urination events, which are stored as audio files in a database. The uroflow measurement systems may include sound analysis software for analyzing the strength and duration of each urination event and may include a web-based uroflow software application for viewing the results via the Internet or other network. In one embodiment, the sound analysis software performs the steps of reading in the raw data of a selected audio file, generating a plot of the audio signal amplitude vs. time, generating a plot of smoothed data for the purpose of presenting an outline of the flow, generating a main flow plot, which is a plot of the largest continuous flow that has a strength that is greater than a predetermined minimum, and generating a set of numerical values that correspond to the strength and duration of urination.
US08496594B2
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
US08496593B2
A needle guide for an ultrasound guidance system. The needle guide may be included as part of a sterile kit for an ultrasound probe. The kit includes a shell and a sheath which form a sterile cover for the ultrasound probe. The needle guide is used to guide a needle into a body using the ultrasound probe.
US08496586B2
Navigation among breast ultrasound volumes derived from different volumetric ultrasonic scans of a same breast is described. On a display of a breast ultrasound workstation, a first image derived from a first ultrasonic volume is displayed. A user election of a source region of interest (ROI) in the first image is received. A destination ROI within a second ultrasonic volume is identified that at least roughly corresponds to a same locality of tissue in the breast as the source ROI. A second image derived from the second ultrasonic volume and including the destination ROI is displayed, the destination ROI being highlighted.
US08496564B2
A transportable apparatus for performing cardiovascular training, including: an exercise device that is adapted to enable a user to perform a specific motion pattern; an ergometer that provides an indication of the amount of work performed by the user of the exercise device; an alarm system that provides an indication to the user responsive to the readings of the ergometer; wherein the alarm system is preprogrammed to provide indications responsive to one or more readings of the ergometer based on the results of a cardiorespiratory exercise test performed on the user with the exercise device.
US08496562B2
A method is described for the operation of a transmission device (1) with a plurality of frictional shift elements (A, D, E, F) and at least one interlocking shift element (B, C) for obtaining various gear ratios. When a command is received for a gearshift during which the interlocking shift element (C) has to be changed from an open to a closed operating condition, the interlocking shift element (C) is at least approximately synchronized by increasing the transmission capacity of at least one frictional shift element (A) which does not have to be engaged in the force flow either to obtain the gear ratio that is to be disengaged or to obtain the gear ratio that is to be engaged.
US08496558B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The transmission input member is connected to a dry launch clutch. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are for example clutches and brakes.
US08496557B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and the brakes are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
US08496554B2
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable accessory drives (CVAD). In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD. In another embodiment, a skew-based control system includes a skew actuator coupled to a carrier member. In some embodiments, the skew actuator is configured to rotate a carrier member of a CVT. Various inventive traction planet assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In some embodiments, a traction planet assembly is operably coupled to the carrier members. Embodiments of a shift cam and traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
US08496549B2
The present document describes an arrow/arrowhead which depart from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. The arrowhead described in the present embodiments allows for higher penetration coupled with a higher ability to snatch and/or isolate tissue from the animal body to take down animals as fast and as humanly as possible. In an embodiment, the arrowhead comprises a shaft having a pointed end and at least one lobe mounted on the shaft. When the arrowhead penetrates the animal's body, the lobe snatches the tissue from the animal's body, as opposed to only making a cut therein. When the tissue is snatched from the animal's body, excessive bleeding occurs, which prevents the animal from running away and suffering longer. In an embodiment, each lobe may include a blade forming a closed loop.
US08496547B2
A collapsible goal post includes a lower support extending from a playing field; a upper support having a first end and a second end, and a pivot assembly attaching the first end of the upper support to the lower support; an upper assembly comprising two uprights and a crossbar having two ends. The crossbar is attached to the second end of the support at about the midpoint of the crossbar. One of the two uprights is attached to each end of the crossbar. The upper support is configured to pivot about the pivot point assembly to move the upright assembly from a raised position to a lowered position. The two uprights are substantially perpendicular to the playing field in the raised position, and are substantially parallel to and contacting the playing field in the lowered position while the upper assembly and upper support remain attached to the lower support. In another embodiment, the goal post includes a hydraulic cylinder system coupled to the upper support and the lower support to hinder a rate of pivoting of the goal post about the pivot assembly.
US08496543B2
A golf club having a golf club head 20 with a keel zone that makes the actual face angle of the golf club appear differently when the golf club is at address. The golf club head 20 has a keel zone that is preferably 0.5 inch wide in the fore- aft direction and 1.0 inch wide in the heel-toe direction, which changes the appearance of the face angle while the golf club is at address.
US08496536B1
A blade assembly for a golf putter includes an outer body, a pin, and a blade. The outer body is sized to fit partially within the putter shaft. The pin has a pin shaft and a pin head, each of which have a diameter, and the diameter of the pin head is greater than the diameter of the pin shaft. The blade has a channel sized to receive the pin head. In a first position, the blade extends into the outer body and the putter shaft, substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the putter shaft. In a second position, the outer body and pin support the blade at an angle between 15 and 165 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the putter shaft. A golfer can thus use the putter and extended blade as a pendulum and angle finder to read the break of a green.
US08496534B2
In FIG. 2, a diameter Dd of drilling edges of a drill is selected smaller than a valley diameter d1 of a male thread of a tap portion, and an inner diameter D1 of a female thread is defined by the valley diameter d1 of the male thread. Therefore, a predetermined radial gap is formed between the male thread 30 formed by the tap portion and the drill. When a tap with the drill is reversely rotated to be pulled out from the female thread after cutting the female thread, the tap released from the restriction may deflectively displace in the diameter direction upon pulling out the male thread of the tap portion from the female thread. However, the drill hardly contacts with the female thread, so that the occurrence of the defective product due to the contact is suppressed.
US08496533B2
A compressor rotor compresses air and delivers the compressed air to a downstream inlet and across a turbine rotor. A shaft rotates with the turbine rotor and the compressor rotor. The shaft is hollow with an inner bore and an outer periphery. At least one journal bearing supports a portion of the shaft, and has an inner bore spaced from the outer periphery of the shaft. A cooling air path is provided between the shaft outer periphery and the bearing inner periphery, and along a length of the bearing to at least one connection hole. The connection hole provides cooling air from an outer periphery of the shaft to the inner bore of the shaft. In a separate feature, a shaft for use in an air supply machine includes a hollow interior, with such a connection hole.
US08496532B1
A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. A first group of a plurality of players of a computer-implemented game is notified that each member of the first group is to receive an incentive reward based on a level of influence of the first group over a location being greater than a level of influence of a second group of the plurality of players over the location. The level of influence of the first group over the location is determined to be greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location. The incentive reward is provided to the first group based on the determined level of influence of the first group over the location being greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location.
US08496528B2
A controller characterized with a function for adjusting the controller to provide an optimal operational feel to a player comprises a main body configured to be held by the player performing a game, a plurality of operational keys arranged on the main body, a pair of analog stick means arranged on the main body, a switch arranged in contact with the plurality of operational keys and a plurality of adjustment parts for adjusting key stroke of the plurality of operational keys. The plurality of operational keys is configured to be operated by a finger of the player. The plurality of plurality of operational keys, the switch and the plurality of adjustment parts are configured to be adjusted by the player holding the controller so as to achieve an optimal operational feel, according to the player's preferences and game characteristics.
US08496526B2
A game machine on which a user allows a plurality of player characters of an operation subject team to perform linkage play. A linkage partner selecting unit selects a linkage partner player character from among fellow player characters. A type of linkage play selecting unit selects a type of linkage play. A linkage partner control unit controls the position of a linkage partner player character based on a selected type of linkage play. If a linkage partner player character is not selected, a pass execution unit makes an operation subject player character execute a pass in a direction based on the content of a pass instruction operation according to the pass instruction by the user. If a linkage partner player character is selected, the pass execution unit makes the operation subject player character execute a pass to a linkage partner player character based on the user's pass instruction operation.
US08496521B2
A gaming system which displays a plurality of reels. Each reel is associated with a display area which displays a symbol. A wager is allocated to each one of the display areas. An award is determined based, at least in part, on such allocation.
US08496508B2
Various methods and apparatus are described. Some examples include determining cards, determining actions that must be taken by a player according to game rules, game rules that require certain actions to be taken in certain circumstances, determining outcomes of games according to poker rankings of hands of cards, awards to winning players, and/or other desired features. Further embodiments are described.
US08496506B2
A training paddle for use by a swimmer comprises a base configured to accommodate a hand of the swimmer. A strap holds the base to the hand. A raised fin that extends upward from the base directs water away from flowing between the hand and the base.
US08496497B2
A mounting apparatus is used to fix a flash drive mounted on a circuit board with a connector. The mounting apparatus is mounted on the circuit board and receives the flash drive and connector. The mounting apparatus includes a base board, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other. The second sidewall defines a receiving space. The first sidewall is pivotably connected to the first sidewall, and includes a deformable engaging portion, away from the first sidewall, to be engaged in the receiving space.
US08496496B2
A connector system includes a socket and a plug. The socket includes a receptacle and a recess communicating with the receptacle. The plug includes a main body, a locking element and a spring. The main body is inserted in the receptacle to electrically connect the plug with the socket. The locking element is retractably mounted to the main body. The spring drives the locking element to be latched in the recess. When the pressing block is pressed, the resisting panel drives the latching block releasing from the recess.
US08496492B2
A modular power distribution system (110) comprises an incoming power cable (118) adapted to connect to jumper cable assemblies (140) having female end connectors (142) and jumper cables (148) connecting together the female end connectors. Junction blocks (150) are connectible to the jumper cable assemblies (140) and are adapted to provide for multiple circuits. Electrical receptacle blocks (152) are adapted to electrically connect to the junction blocks (150), and are configured so as to electrically connect to one of the multiple circuits.
US08496490B2
A card connector for accommodating either of a first card and a second card with the different size from the first card, includes: contacts including first contacts for the first card and second contacts for the second card; a partition plate which partitions a card accommodation space up and down; and an eject mechanism including an eject member which slides in the card connector in a front-back direction, a card contacting member coupled to the ejected member and having a first card pressing surface that abuts on the first card, and a movable metal member attached to the card contacting member and having a second card pressing surface that abuts on the second card and that is moved between a first position and a second position.
US08496480B2
A video camera and recording device integrated with a real or toy weapon to provide video recording of the assault and aiming process of the weapon holder in operational training, actual combat, hunting, sports and gaming scenarios. A video camera is boresighted with the weapon, and a video memory stores the recorded dynamic scenario, and a trigger sensor which continually senses and records the triggering actions imposed by the weapon holder. The trigger sensor is attached to the actual trigger of the weapon thus enabling normal operation of the weapon. The video camera, may be mounted internally within the bore of the weapon, such that the external form of the weapon is not altered, thus achieving closer operation to real life situations. The recorded trigger data is utilized upon playback of the recorded video, enabling quick review and scoring of the recorded aiming process for training and gaming.
US08496479B2
A device (1) simulates the recoil of a firearm and has a breechblock (60) with a knockover slide (63). To avoid freezing up and outward emissions, a control mechanism controls a hydraulic working piston in working connection with the breechblock (60). A valve pressure lever (11) is deflected by movement of the knockover slide (63) to open a pressure valve (20), as a result of which fluid is fed to the working piston. The valve (20) has a movable separating piston (14) separating a hydraulic chamber (13) tightly from a gas chamber (17) filled with compressed gas. The separating piston (14) is acted on by the compressed gas. The working piston at the end of an adjusting movement brings about the closing of the valve (20) and opening of a discharge valve. The hydraulic fluid is guided, with open discharge valve, from the working piston into a return chamber (24).
US08496478B2
The invention relates to an intra-osseous implant for placement in bone of a human or animal body, which allows an accurate implant position at a desired depth into bone tissue, providing without losing a high degree of primary implant stability, including at least one intra-osseous part intended for placement in the bone tissue having an apical side and a cervical side, which part is provided on its circumferential surface with a thread running in the direction of the apical end and with one or more grooves extending in longitudinal direction and interrupting the screw thread into multiple interrupted screw thread parts serving as retention elements allowing the placement of the implant in longitudinal direction into the bone tissue but preventing the removal of the implant in opposite longitudinal direction of the bone and a support part present at the cervical side of the at least one intra-osseous part intended for supporting a prosthetic element.
US08496477B2
A system for removing dental prosthetics and restorations effectively and efficiently without damaging the dental prosthetic or restoration and with minimal discomfort to a patient is disclosed. The system features central holder designed for receiving and securely supporting a single or plurality of support arms in a spaced apart arrangement, whereby each support arm is capable of supporting an adjustable and pivoting attachment designed to adhesively engage and remove a dental prosthetic and restoration with the application of force. The system also features a plurality of independent attachments that can be used to adhesively engage and effectively remove a dental prosthetic and restoration with the application of force.
US08496469B2
Closure assembly (10), for an injection unit (11) of plastic material (MP), comprising: a closing rod (16); a driving piston (15) adapted to drive an axial movement (f1) of the closing rod (16) between an open position (P1), in which the closing rod (16) opens an injection hole (13′) of a mold (13), and a closed position (P2), in which the closing rod (16) closes the injection hole (13′); an adjustment element or nut (20, 21), provided of a fine-pitch threading (21a), that is adapted to be screwed or unscrewed in one sense or the other (f2) in a corresponding threaded portion (22b) of an internal seat (22), formed in the driving piston (15), in order to regulate axially, in a micrometric way, the closing rod (16) in the closed position (P2); and an elastic washer (30, 31) that is provided for cooperating with a plurality of projections and notches (23a, 23b), formed in such internal seat (22, 22a), in order to fix the adjustment element (21) with respect to the body (15a) of the driving piston (15), once the closing rod (16) has been exactly regulated in the desired closed position (P2). Advantageously the adjustment element (21) is entirely housed in the internal seat (22) formed in the driving piston (15), whereby it does not protrude from the body (15a) of the latter.
US08496468B2
A blow valve of a blow-molding machine for containers, having a valve seat which is arranged in a valve chamber between an inflow channel mouth and an outflow channel mouth and has assigned thereto a valve piston which is shiftable linearly between a shut-off position and a lifted open position and which with a piston extension carrying a closing surface passes sealingly shiftably through a bore of a wall defining the valve chamber, wherein a flow path which extends through the valve chamber between the mouths is shut off in the shut-off position and released in the open position, at least one guide surface which is generally inclined relative to the shifting direction of the valve piston is provided for the lateral forced deflection of the flow on the wall and/or on the piston extension.
US08496454B2
An apparatus is provided and may include a compression mechanism, a valve plate having a plurality of ports, a header, and a plurality of cylinders disposed within the header. A plurality of pistons may be respectively disposed in the plurality of cylinders and may be movable between a first position separated from the valve plate and permitting flow through the plurality of ports and into the compression mechanism and a second position engaging the valve plate and restricting flow through the plurality of ports and into the compression mechanism. A chamber may be disposed within each of the cylinders and may receive a pressurized fluid in a first mode to move the piston into the second position and may vent the pressurized fluid in a second mode to move the piston into the first position. One of the chambers may include a different diameter than the other of the chambers.
US08496453B2
A linear compressor is provided, which has a reduced number of front main springs among springs continuously transmitting a force so that a piston can move in a resonance condition. The linear compressor includes a hermetic container to be filled with a refrigerant; a linear motor including an inner stator, an outer stator, and a permanent magnet; a piston linearly reciprocated by the linear motor; a cylinder that provides a space to compress the refrigerant; a supporter piston having a connecting portion connected to one end of the piston, a support portion that extends from the connecting portion, and an additional mass member fixing portion that extends from the connecting portion; front main springs, one end of each of which is supported by one surface of the supporter piston; and one rear main spring, one end of which is supported by the other surface of the supporter piston.
US08496451B2
A diaphragm assembly for a fluid driven diaphragm pump includes a piston having an inflexible core. This core includes a hub with a plate extending radially from about the periphery of the hub. The piston further includes a unitary diaphragm body molded with the inflexible core in situ. The unitary diaphragm body has a plurality of connective tendons extending through the plate. A thermoplastic coating extends about the inflexible core between the core and the molded unitary diaphragm body having a thermally miscible surface with the thermoplastic coating. An inflexible backing plate extends in juxtaposition with the diaphragm.
US08496444B2
A water-lifting pump apparatus which is free of a discharge valve and a check valve, is low in cost, and is capable of reducing vibration and noise due to a waterfall after the end of water pumping operation. The water-lifting pump apparatus has a suction tank (10), a discharge tank (20), a pump (30) for pumping water in the suction tank (10) into the discharge tank (20), and a discharge piping (50) connected to a discharge side of the pump, an actuator (60) for actuating the pump (50), a reverse flow preventing mechanism (80) for preventing a reverse flow of water pumped into the discharge tank (20) toward the discharge piping (50), and a back flow rate control (90) for controlling the flow rate of a waterfall falling from the discharge piping (50) into the suction tank (10) when pumping operation is finished.
US08496440B2
A method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure capable of being diffusion bonded and superplastically formed to create a substantially hollow cavity within the aerofoil structure, the method comprising: providing a metallic plate for forming the aerofoil structure; joining mounting elements to opposing end surfaces of said metallic plate; dividing said plate along a plane extending substantially in a span-wise direction so as to produce two metallic panels each with one of said mounting elements joined thereto; assembling the two metallic panels so that the surfaces of the panels opposite to the surfaces which have been divided are facing each other; and joining the two metallic panels to one another to form the aerofoil structure; wherein the mounting elements are joined to one another to form the root of the aerofoil.
US08496438B2
The invention concerns an aircraft turbomachine propeller comprising a plurality of blades (1) each comprising a root (20) mounted on a hub (2) rotating about the rotation axis of the propeller (I-I), and its purpose is to reduce the risks of loss of the entire blade (1) following an impact by a foreign body.To achieve this, at least one blade (1) comprises a means (30) of retaining the blade in an outwards radial direction, said retaining means (30) being engaged in a housing (5) of said blade (1) opening radially inwards at the root of the blade (20), and fixed in translation in said outwards radial direction.
US08496427B2
A modular front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle has a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and a side-loading robotic arm. To reduce mechanical stresses, a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container. Elastomeric and/or other dampening devices may be interposed between the vehicle and the bulk mass of the combination of the intermediate container and robotic arm mechanism for converting into heat some vibrational energy. A modular sled system may be provided for supporting different robotic arms in combination with refuse containers made of different materials.
US08496413B2
End mill, primarily for coarse machining, has even number of main flutes spiraling around the periphery of the mill, the flutes having a relatively smaller and a relatively larger helix angle relative to the axis of the mill and wherein uneven-numbered main flutes are defined in that they include the smaller helix angle with the axis. Directly at the end face, distances between peripheral angles of successive main flutes in the direction of rotation are smaller between uneven-numbered main flutes and subsequent even-numbered main flutes than the distances between peripheral angles between even-numbered main flutes and subsequent uneven-numbered main flutes. The end mill is better able to prevent vibrations of the tool due to intermittent engagement with a work piece by having all distances between peripheral angles at the end face of the mill different from one another.
US08496411B2
A two-stage MSE system for securing a facing to an earthen formation is disclosed. The system includes a wire grid laterally-offset from the facing and a formation anchor coupled to the wire grid. The formation anchor includes a face plate, a wave plate, and an eyebolt extensible through the face plate and wave plate to secure the plates on opposing sides of the wire grid. The wave plate has transverse protrusions that align with and seat adjacent vertical wires of the facing. A facing anchor is coupled to the facing and a turnbuckle assembly secures the facing to the wire grid by coupling to the facing anchor and the formation anchor. A soil reinforcing element may also be attached to the formation anchor.
US08496409B2
A push-up tensioner for maintaining a tensile force in a riser having an axis couples to a floating platform and maintains the tensile force while the riser tilts variably from the vertical. The tensioner includes a plurality of cylinders having a lower end pivotally coupled to the deck. The cylinders are substantially perpendicular to the deck in the running position and at an angle to the deck in the tensioning position. After running of the riser, a placement assembly moves the cylinders from the running position to the tensioning position. A tensioner ring is run on the riser proximate to an upper end of the cylinders, and the cylinders are then automatically coupled to the tensioner ring.
US08496390B2
A cover unit includes a first cover that is movable between a cover position and an exposed position. A second cover slidably is movable in a direction perpendicular to its visible surface. A cover moving mechanism moves the second cover, wherein, when the first cover is at the cover position, the second cover is at such a height that the visible surface of the second cover is substantially coplanar with a visible surface of the first cover. When the first cover is moved from the cover position to the exposed position, the second cover is moved to such a height such that the visible surface of the second cover is moved by at least an amount that corresponds with the thickness of the first cover. When the first cover is at the exposed position, the first cover is above the visible surface of the second cover.
US08496383B2
The bump stop device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprises a bearing 6 forming an axial stop, a bottom support cover 5 of the bearing and a bottom retainer 7 for a spring comprising at least one stiffening strut. The support cover 5 and/or the retainer 7 comprises at least one axial securing means 15 of the bottom retainer and of the bottom support cover, the said means being situated axially set back from a bottom end of the retainer.
US08496378B2
A converter comprising a comparator having a first input operable to receive a first signal, a second input operable to receive a second signal, and an output, a switch for sinking a portion of the first signal, wherein the switch is responsive to the output, and an integrator connected to the first input, wherein the first signal is a voltage developed by the integrator when a current proportional to the absolute temperature is applied thereto. A method for measuring temperature of a device using a comparator and converting the bitstream of the comparator to a digital output is also given. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
US08496371B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate and at least one light source. The light guide plate has a first light-emitting surface, a second light-emitting surface opposite the first light-emitting surface, and at least one side surface connected between the first light-emitting surface and the second light-emitting surface. The light guide plate has a first substance and a second substance surrounding the first substance, and the second substance is different to the first substance to form at least a first light reflecting/diffusing interface and a second light reflecting/diffusing interface. A light beam emitted by the light source is deflected by the first light reflecting/diffusing interface and output via the first light-emitting surface, and a light beam emitted by the light source is deflected by the second light reflecting/diffusing interface and output via the second light-emitting surface.
US08496366B2
A hand-held power tool comprising an output shaft rotatable around a tool axis of rotation, a tool housing portion radially disposed relative to the output shaft, an illuminating element for illuminating a work area of the tool, a lens positioned adjacent the illuminating element, and a cover that secures the lens and the illuminating element to the tool housing portion. At least a portion of the cover is closer to the axis of rotation than the lens is to the axis of rotation.
US08496362B2
A light module includes a light emitting diode (LED) array and a double-reflective assembly coupled to the LED array. The double-reflective assembly includes a lower member having a frame. The frame has an opening corresponding to the LED array. The frame and LED array are located in the same plane. The light module further includes a left bottom reflector and a right bottom reflector. The light module further includes an upper member which includes a left top reflector; and a right top reflector, wherein the left top reflector is attached to the left bottom reflector, and right top reflector is attached to the right bottom reflector, each forming an arbitrary left and right double-reflective assembly. A shape geometry and profile of each double-reflective assembly provides a pre-calculated combined non-circular asymmetrical intensity distribution pattern. The intensity distribution pattern is a superposition of light reflected from the bottom reflectors, light reflected from the top reflectors, light doubly reflected from both the top and bottom reflectors, and light directed into the intensity distribution pattern directly from the LED array.
US08496361B2
An illumination unit including: a light source; a light guide-diffuser that guides and diffuses source light from the light source; a selective translucent unit that reflects external light or reduces the transmission of external light, while also transmitting light guided from the light guide-diffuser; and a presentation surface that presents the source light that has been guided from the light guide-diffuser and transmitted through the selective translucent unit.
US08496360B2
An LED lighting apparatus and method provide efficient illumination in a downward and forward direction toward a preferential side, by mounting a plurality of LED devices to the apparatus in at least one horizontal row oriented perpendicularly to the downward and forward direction; mounting a vertical reflector behind and parallel to the horizontal row; and orienting the LED apparatus such that the vertical reflector extends substantially straight downward. A two axis orthogonally symmetric secondary lens is associated with each LED and the vertical reflector has a specular reflective front surface facing the LEDs. The vertical reflector may be curved around ends of the row of LEDs. Also it may be continued further downward, on the outside of a cover lens, by a backlight shield with a straight linear outer edge that extends horizontally across an uplight ring shield. The backlight shield may have a specular or diffuse reflecting front surface.
US08496358B2
An apparatus for concentrating solar radiation includes a number of modules. Each module has three receivers for receiving reflected radiation and a reflecting surface. The receivers form a triangle in a plane approximately parallel to the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a number of reflectors. Each of the reflectors includes three mirrored facets which are each oriented such that light reflected from the facet is directed to one of the three receivers. Further, each of the reflectors is positioned with respect to the receivers and the other reflectors to reduce facet shading.
US08496354B2
Described are an improved automated multi source luminaire and luminaire systems. More particularly an multicolor LED array luminaire system with a series of lenses and light louvers to control the light beam.
US08496348B2
A linear light source (20), which emits light by causing light to propagate in a linear material (11) in which incoming light can be propagated, includes: a light emitting device (12), provided on a side of one end of the linear material (11), which emits light so that the light enters the one end of the linear material (11); and a light receiving device (21), provided on a side of the other end of the linear material (11), which detects the light which has propagated in the linear material (11). With the configuration, it is possible to provide: a linear light source in which an abnormal condition, such as breaking of a linear material, can be detected; and an electronic apparatus including the linear light source.
US08496343B2
A walking stick structure with an LED light inside the stick body has a holding part, a footing, joint holding parts, LED illumination components, and reflecting devices. The stick body is a highly translucent glass fiber inner tube with combination of a hollow external tube, and the hollow external tube is configured with a plurality of translucent parts. A battery seat and a battery are provided. The LED illumination component is connected on either end of the battery seat, and the battery seat is combined with a switch to turn on/off the LED illumination component. The reflecting device is configured inside the glass fiber inner tube and opposite to the irradiation direction of the LED. The light beams from the LED can be reflected by the reflecting device and go out from the translucent parts. Thus, the intensity and scope of illumination is considerably enhanced.
US08496335B2
A projector includes an illumination optical system, a light modulation element, and a projection optical system. The illumination optical system includes a first light source section, a plurality of second light source sections, and an optical axis conversion element. The optical axis conversion element emits the light beam, which is input from the first light source section, so that an exit optical axis of the light beam approximately matches with an illumination optical axis, and emits the light beams, which are respectively input from the plurality of second light source sections, so that exit optical axes of the light beams intersect the exit optical axis of the light beam from the first light source section between the optical axis conversion element and the light modulation element.
US08496330B2
An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus includes: a control unit configured to control, based on a pixel value of the optic papilla in an infrared light image of the fundus of a subject's eye to which infrared light is radiated, the light amount of visible light to be radiated onto the subject's eye; and an imaging unit configured to capture an image of the fundus of the subject's eye to which visible light having the controlled light amount is radiated.
US08496321B2
A liquid cartridge includes a cartridge main body comprising a liquid chamber and an end surface. The liquid cartridge also includes a communicating portion protruding from the end surface of the cartridge main body in a protruding direction which is perpendicular to a width direction. The liquid chamber includes a wide portion and a narrow portion which is narrower than the wide portion in the width direction, and the narrow portion is offset toward a first side of the cartridge main body in the width direction. When the liquid cartridge is oriented such that the communicating portion faces downward and liquid is stored in the narrow portion, a position of center of gravity of the liquid cartridge is offset toward the first side of the cartridge main body from an area occupied by the communicating portion when the liquid cartridge is viewed in a vertical direction.
US08496300B2
A wheel rim guard comprising a resilient circular disc having a gap extending from a central inner opening to a circumferential edge of said disc; said disc is shaped to form a body of frusto-conical or cylindrical shape. The wheel rim guard further includes a guide strap received through the disc. One end of the guide strap is fastened proximate to a first edge of the body, the other end of the guide strap is fastened to the body between the first edge and a second edge. The wheel rim guard further includes a hook assembly having at least one hook and a washer attached by a cord, wherein the hooks are received through the central inner opening of the disc and attached to the wheel rim such that tightening the cord on the fixing member secures the wheel rim guard to the wheel rim.
US08496298B2
A towable cart. At least one axle is coupled to a frame. A bottom of a container is also attached to the frame. Each of a pair of wheels are rotatably attached to the axle. A tow bar has first and second ends, the first end of the tow bar being pivotably coupled to one of the frame and the axle. An arm has first and second opposing ends, the first end of the arm being attached to the container and the second end of the arm being selectably secured to the tow bar. The container is fixed in a loading condition when the arm is secured to the tow bar, the container and the frame further being pivotable to an unloading condition when the arm is not secured to the tow bar.
US08496292B2
In one aspect, the invention is directed to an ergonomic bench that includes a horizontal base; a vertical support structure; a seat support assembly that is height-adjustable; a chest support assembly that is height-adjustable and pitch-adjustable; a knee support assembly that is height-adjustable; and a heel rest assembly. In one aspect, the ergonomic bench includes wheels and a handle. In one aspect, the ergonomic bench includes a tool tray assembly. In one aspect, the ergonomic bench includes a horizontal base that is sectional. In one aspect, the ergonomic bench includes bumper guards.
US08496263B2
A foldable stroller frame with an auto-extending wheel distance adjustment is provided with at least a front support rack, a rear support rack, a pushing rack and a pair of power transmitting rods. A pair of first sliding-and-pivoting connectors is mounted for moving along the front support rack and permitting the pair of rear wheel sets capable of moving toward the front wheel set for shortening the wheel distance between the pair of rear wheel sets and the front wheel set. The pushing rack has an upper pushing section and a lower pushing section pivoted to the lower portion of the upper pushing section. The pair of power transmitting rods is connected between the rear support rack and the pushing rack for driving the rear support rack by rotating the pushing rack.
US08496256B2
A work machine includes a frame, at least one drive wheel carried by the frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, and at least one turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist arrangement is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. Each turn assist arrangement is configured to bias the corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn, and to be overridden by forces applied by the ground to the caster wheel assembly.
US08496253B2
The invention relates to a metallic flat gasket comprising a gasket layer (2) having at least one combustion chamber through-opening (3) which is surrounded by an elastically deformable sealing element (4) which is configured in the form of an undulatory profiling (40) in the gasket layer (2) in such a way that on each of the surfaces (21, 22) of the gasket layer (2) at least two wave crests (41) and two wave troughs (42) are present. The thickness (hyl) of the gasket layer (2) in the region of the sealing element (4), in the unloaded state, is greater than the original thickness (alpha) of the gasket layer. Apart from the undulatory profiling (40), no further sealing or support elements are present around the combustion chamber through-opening (3). The sealing element has, when subjected to linear compression of from 500 to 2,800 N/mm in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the plane (E) of the gasket layer, a thickness which is greater by from 0.05 to 0.3 mm than the original thickness (d) of the gasket layer which has at least 4 through-openings for fastening means (51) and also at least one further through-opening (5) for lubricant or coolant that is surrounded by an elastomer sealing element (6), the combustion chamber through-opening (3) having a diameter of less than 200 mm.
US08496247B2
An encoder idler roll includes an integral idler roll/encoder structure that forms an enclosed housing with a portion of the surface of the idler roll becoming the inner race for the encoder, as well as, the media encoding surface. Additionally, this integral idler/encoder configuration minimizes run out, improves tolerances between parts and stabilizes clearances between the idler roll and its support shaft.
US08496244B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a control section configured to control a rotating speed of a longitudinal alignment roller, which is set on a recording medium stacking surface of a processing tray and configured to align a recording medium in a longitudinal direction, such that acceleration and deceleration of the rotating speed is performed at least twice during one longitudinal alignment operation and a paddle including a striking paddle configured to strike the recording medium, a dropping paddle configured to drop the recording medium, a draw-in paddle configured to draw the recording medium in a direction of a stopper, a dropping-paddle supporting member configured to support the dropping paddle from the back in a rotating direction of the paddle, and a draw-in-paddle supporting member configured to support the draw-in paddle from the back in the rotating direction.
US08496240B1
An automatic document feeder includes an upper cover, a document pick-up module, and a conveying channel. The upper cover has a first hooking element. The document pick-up module is arranged between the upper cover and the conveying channel. In addition, the document pick-up module has a second hooking element. When the automatic document feeder is operated in a standby mode, the document pick-up module is swung to a position near the upper cover and the second hooking element is engaged with the first hooking element, so that the document pick-up module is fixed on the upper cover. Since the document pick-up module is not contacted with the document when the automatic document feeder is operated in the standby mode, the possibility of causing an erroneous action of the document pick-up module will be eliminated.
US08496239B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a pair of first aligning members movable in a sheet conveyance direction and a sheet width direction, a pair of second aligning members to align lateral sides of a bundle of sheets, a stapler movable in the sheet width direction to staple a trailing end portion of the bundle, a driving unit to move the first aligning members, and a controller. The first aligning members include a stack portion to contact and support a trailing edge of the bundle. When the stapler staples the bundle at two positions symmetrically relative to a center position in the sheet width direction, the controller selects either first positions inside the two stapled positions or second positions outside the two stapled positions in accordance with multiple stapling-related variables, and the first aligning members are set at the selected positions to align the trailing edge of the bundle.
US08496238B1
A tubular gripping apparatus has a jaw assembly that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, a drive yoke that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, an actuator connected to the drive yoke, and a locking mechanism interconnected to the drive yoke. The drive yoke is connected to the jaw assembly. The actuator moves the jaw assembly and the drive yoke such that the tubular-contacting surfaces thereof move radially inwardly for a substantially identical distance. The locking mechanism directs a load away from the actuator while the jaw assembly and the drive yoke grip the tubular. The locking mechanism has a cylinder yoke positioned around the piston-and-cylinder assembly, and a wedge assembly positioned adjacent the bearing bar and the cylinder yoke. The wedge assembly is suitable for contacting the cylinder yoke so as to prevent a movement of the cylinder yoke.
US08496236B2
A clamp for linking a mounting rail to a flange of a beam is disclosed. The clamp includes a lower base, an upper base, a connecting web, and a T-shaped back-gripping element, which is disposed at the lower base for gripping a rail opening of the mounting rail from behind. In the upper base, a threaded hole, which corresponds to the lower T-shaped back-gripping element, is provided for a clamping screw, with which the flange and the mounting rail can be pressed against one another when the lower T-shaped element grips a rail opening of the mounting rail from behind. In the lower base, a threaded hole, which corresponds to an upper T-shaped back-gripping element, is provided for a clamping screw, with which the flange and the mounting rail can be pressed against one another when the upper T-shaped element grips a rail opening of the mounting rail from behind.
US08496235B2
The suspension thrust bearing device comprises a rolling bearing 44 forming an axial stop and a support element 42 for the rolling bearing forming bearing means for a spring, the rolling bearing comprising a bottom ring 48 in contact with the support element, a top ring 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 50 positioned between the rings. The support element 42 comprises a body 60 and a stiffening insert 66 at least partly covered by the body. The body is formed of a rigid material 62 for the transmission of axial forces between the spring and the rolling bearing and a flexible material 64 to provide at least one dynamic seal 84b, 86b inside the device. At least a part of the rigid material is situated radially between the flexible material and the stiffening insert.
US08496230B1
A mounting system for securing a winch to a hauling platform has a mounting base with a mounting base table. The mounting base has an anchoring attachment, a leg, and a mounting attachment. Upon installation, a bottom member bottom surface rests against a hauling platform vertically projecting component expanded top lip top surface. A rear member front surface rests against a hauling platform vertically projecting component outside surface. A vertical clamp component front surface rests against a hauling platform vertically projecting component inside surface. An “L”-shaped screw clamping fastener clamps against a bottom surface of the hauling platform vertically projecting component expanded top lip. A screw clamping fastener is tightened to affix the mounting attachment into position. A leg second end rests against and is located on the hauling platform vertically projecting component inside surface. The system has a winch attached to the anchoring attachment.
US08496225B2
A valve device includes a wire channel through which wires are routed from the inside of a gas tank to the outside of the gas tank, and a hermetic connector in which a sealing member is provided around wire pins that constitute part of the wires is provided in the wire channel. In addition, the wire channel has multiple (two) bent portions formed on the outer side of the hermetic connector. When pulling force acts on the wires from the outside, stress concentration portions are formed in the wires at these bent portions.
US08496220B2
The system comprising a base (2) having attachment means (3) which are movable between a retracted position for fitting/dismantling the seat and an active position for attachment of the seat, by an operating lever (4) which is movable between a retracted fitting/dismantling position and an active position for blocking of the attachment means and which has means (6) for articulation with the base (2) and disengageable means (8) for locking the lever in the active position, is characterized in that the locking means comprise means in the form of a catch (9) which are carried by the lever or the base and are suitable for cooperation, in the active position, with holding means (10) of the base or of the lever in order to lock the lever (4) in the active position, the means in the form of a catch (9) being resiliently deformable in order to allow them to pass over the holding means (10) and engage in the locking position and to be freed therefrom under the action of rotary operating means (18).
US08496209B2
A device for deploying and aiming structural elements designed to be placed in Earth includes at least one locking/unlocking device making it possible to deactivate the first coupling mode and to activate a second coupling mode allowing a portion of the device to be aimed at a target. The device uses: a plurality of structural elements linked together by articulations, the assembly forming an articulated arm linked to a payload via a root section; the articulations having at least one pivoting connection making it possible to have two consecutive structural elements pivot relative to one another; a motor making it possible to activate at least one pivoting connection of an articulation; and a system for coupling the articulations making it possible to link the pivoting of all of the structural elements comprising a first coupling mode.
US08496203B2
An aircraft includes, but is not limited to a central fuselage body without horizontal stabilizer, at least one high-lift control surface, at least one vertical stabilizer that is arranged on the central fuselage body and at least one extendable compensation control surface. The compensation control surface may be moved independently of the high-lift control surface of the aircraft and generates a positive tail-heavy pitching moment when it is moved into the flow against the aircraft. Due to this measure, a negative pitching moment during the actuation of high-lift control surfaces may be at least partially eliminated without influencing the high lift. Rudder segments that may be moved opposite to one another on two vertical stabilizers that are arranged mirror-symmetrical referred to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft preferably are used for this purpose.
US08496190B2
A garden hose sprayer has a main body, an adjusting member, a flow control shaft, a spray head, a pressing handle, the two stopping knobs and an axial rod. The pressing handle is capable of staying in a fixed compressed status, and the adjusting member can drive the flow control shaft to rotate to provide adjustable flow after the pressing handle is fixed.
US08496189B2
Disclosed herein is a mixing apparatus for mixing solids and liquids comprising a mixing chamber defined within a plurality of sides radially arranged about a central axis, the mixing chamber comprising an eductor, the eductor comprising a first chamber inlet separated along the central axis from a chamber outlet by a frusta conical venturi throat arranged coaxial with a central axis; the eductor further comprising a second chamber inlet disposed through one or more of the plurality of sides and located between the first chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the second chamber inlet having a plurality of second inlet opening diameters, each determined perpendicular to the central axis at the point at which the second chamber inlet intersects with an outer wall of the venturi throat, wherein the second inlet diameters are each less than the diameter of the venturi throat at each of the points at which the second chamber inlet intersects with the outer wall of the venturi throat. A method of mixing solids with a liquid is also disclosed.
US08496183B2
Provided is a non-contact IC card communication controller of a simple configuration which can easily be manufactured at a reasonable cost. The non-contact IC card communication controller (100) includes: a copper plate frame (101) having a cut-off portion (20); and a copper plate piece (30a) which arbitrarily closes the cut-off portion (20). When the controller (100) is arranged so as to be overlapped with a non-contact IC card, the copper plate frame (101) and a coil antenna built in the non-contact IC card are partially or entirely overlapped. If the cut-off portion (20) is in the open state, it is possible to read information recorded on the non-contact IC card. If the cut-off portion (20) is in the closed state, it is impossible to read the information recorded on the non-contact IC card.
US08496182B2
A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.
US08496180B2
A system allows a connecting a mobile device with a barcode scanner to a stationary device by scanning a barcode displayed on a display of the stationary device. The system allows connecting only one mobile device to the stationary device at any given time and allows connecting the mobile device to only one stationary device at any given time. Once connected to the stationary device, the mobile device may be used to scan additional printed barcodes and barcodes displayed by the stationary device or elsewhere, sending data corresponding to the scanned barcodes to the stationary device as if the data were entered by an input device of the stationary device. The barcode scanning functionality may also allow other ways of controlling the mobile device, including performing speed dialing, call transfer, or other telephone functionality based on barcode scanning Encryption and other similar techniques may be employed for additional security.
US08496179B2
Improved systems and techniques for imaging bar code processing. One or more cameras are deployed in a bar code scanner, oriented so that an imaging device of each camera is oriented such that rows of data elements in the imaging device are oriented nonorthogonally with respect to a preferred orientation of a bar code. One or more imaging devices captures bar code data representing light and dark spaces of the bar code. The captured bar code data is analyzed to create one or more rows of data completely transecting the bar code, and the rows of data are processed to generate a scan signal which is in turn processed to extract bar code data.
US08496177B2
A bar code reading terminal can, in one embodiment, include a two-dimensional image sensor and an imaging assembly. The terminal can be configured, in response to receipt of a trigger signal, to buffer a set of frames and subject each frame of the set of frames to a decode attempt. The terminal can also be configured to convert the convert the captured set of video frames into a compressed video format, and transfer the resulting video file to a file server or to one or more playback devices, in response to a user interface action, or in response to difficult read condition having been detected. The terminal can also be configured to establish two-way video- and audio-communication with a remote video- and audio-streaming device. The video capturing and streaming operation of the terminal can be controlled remotely from a playback device via web interface.
US08496175B2
Upon recognizing a loss of a first connection to a computing apparatus, such as a personal computer, a smart card reader may maintain an open session with a smart card and may associate an identity of the computing apparatus of the first connection with the open session. Some time later, the smart card reader may establish a second connection with a computing apparatus. The smart card reader may compare an identity of the computing apparatus of the second connection with the identity of the computing apparatus of the first connection. Responsive to determining that the identities do not match, the smart card reader may close the open session with the smart card. Responsive to determining that the identities do match, the smart card reader may maintain the open session with the smart card.
US08496165B2
A method of archiving media includes replacement of non-RFID labels with RFID labels without the risk of misplacing media items or mislabeling the same. The method includes receiving a work order and a plurality of media items identified by the work order. Then, on a one-by-one basis, each media item is scanned, with a scanning device, such that information from a non-RFID label, e.g., a bar code label, attached to one of the media items can be delivered to a control device. The control device then creates, with an RFID label printer, a unique encoded RFID label corresponding to the non-RFID label scanned by the scanning device. The unique encoded RFID label can include a data field having a cart identifier to which the scanning device and the RFID label printer are attached and a serial number. An operator or machine then removes the non-RFID label and attaches the RFID label where the non-RFID label was previously located. The media item can then be archived. Methods for auditing the archival system are also included.
US08496153B2
A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.
US08496151B2
A staple gun tacker includes a wire guide mechanism in its forward end which includes a wire guide plate having a recessed lower end for engaging a wire when the plate is in an extended position and a rotatable cam for moving the plate between extended and retracted positions which includes a circular slot formed therein having one end thereof located closer to the axis of rotation of the cam then the other receiving and engaged with a projection on the cam plate so that rotation of the cam is translated into linear movement of the wire guide plate.
US08496148B2
A bicycle carrier for a vehicle including a frame, a crossbar assembly, a wheel tray, and a swing arm pivotally secured to the crossbar assembly. The wheels of the bicycle are positioned in the tray and secured by a tray coupling to restrain lateral movement. Two trays may be secured to the crossbar assembly to each receive a wheel of the bicycle. The swing arm pivots on the crossbar assembly and includes a shoe which engages the bicycle wheel. A shoe coupling secures the bicycle wheel to the swing arm. Two swing arms could be pivotally secured to the crossbar assembly each to engage a bicycle wheel. The frame may include a drawbar for insertion into the receiver of a trailer hitch. Additional crossbar assemblies could be secured to the frame to accommodate multiple bicycles.
US08496143B1
A coat or personal item carrier that is worn by a person is disclosed. An example of personal item carrier includes at least one elongated flexible strap, the elongated flexible strap having a first end, a second end, and a mid section, the first end and the second end each including a waist connector that is adapted for engaging the waist portion of the user's garment. A coat hook is attached to the elongated flexible strap at about the mid section of the elongated flexible strap so that the coat hook is positioned over the wearer's back when the elongated flexible strap is worn as disclosed. The coat hook or coat hooks are used to support personal items such as coats, purses, or other items that would otherwise have to be carried in the person's arms.
US08496136B2
Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location includes a mechanism for supplying fluid connected to a reservoir. The reservoir has a variable volume and includes an outlet via which fluid may be delivered to the location.
US08496130B2
A one-piece plastic container includes a container body and an upper portion having a finish. Integrally formed with the finish and extending downward therefrom is a shoulder region. The shoulder region merges into and provides a transition between the finish and a sidewall portion. The sidewall portion extends downward from the shoulder region to a base portion having a base. The sidewall portion defines a series of horizontal lands and horizontal ribs. The horizontal lands and horizontal ribs extend continuously in a vertical direction from the shoulder region to the base portion. The horizontal ribs are designed to achieve optimal performance with regard to vacuum absorption, top load strength capabilities and dent resistance.
US08496118B2
A device for the tangential filtration of a fluid to be processed and intended to be divided into a filtrate and a retentate includes, in an outer case, a series of filtration elements of tubular form lying parallel to each other, at least one output for the filtrate, communicating with the filtrate collection receptacle, a first communication chamber in which are fitted the separation resources, communicating with respectively a first series and a second series of filtration elements forming the go and return circuits of a circulation loop for the fluid to be processed, where the separation resources include a turbine of a circulation pump. The input for the fluid to be processed opens into the first communication chamber of the outer case between the turbine of the circulation pump and the filtration elements of the series forming the return circuit of the circulation loop.
US08496114B1
An apparatus for processing a sample of fibers and trash, having a cylinder for receiving the sample. Pins extend from the surface of the cylinder and retain the fibers. A knife extends along the cylinder adjacent the pins, and removes the trash that is not retained by the pins. The trash is separated from the sample along a downward direction. A counter-flow of air in an upward direction is directed towards the cylinder, where the velocity is sufficient to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder, and yet is insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward.
US08496109B2
A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps can be overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A reinforcing insert comprises a central panel and at least one reinforcing end flap. The central panel can be at least partially disposed in the interior of the carton, and the at least one reinforcing end flap can comprise a base portion and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion. The base portion extends in an oblique direction from the central panel toward the closed end of the carton, and at least a portion of the distal portion is positioned outwardly of at least one of the end flaps.
US08496104B2
Communications systems and methods for transmitting extendible conveyor control signals along an extendible conveyor. A conveyor communication system includes a first transceiver for use on a stationary boom of an extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a conveyor main control of the extendible conveyor system. The conveyor communication system includes a second transceiver for use at an end boom of the extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a control station on the end boom. The second transceiver is configured to receive wireless communications from the first transceiver over a wireless communications link.
US08496101B2
A medium recovery device for medium processing device may provide a barrier that is internally provided to be inclined, and may increase a storage amount of uncollected media stacked in the media retraction device.
US08496093B2
A brake pad of a disc brake is provided, in particular for a commercial vehicle. A pad carrier plate supports a friction lining. A pad-retaining spring, which is movable relative to the pad carrier plate in the clamping direction, is nonreleasably connected by a hood fastened on the pad-retaining spring. An electric final wear indicator is attached with a sensor fitted on the edge of the pad carrier plate. The sensor is retained captively in the fitted position of the brake pad by the pad-retaining spring. The brake pad is designed such that the distance of the fitted pad-retaining spring from the pad carrier plate in the relaxed or substantially relaxed position of the pad-retaining spring in the region of the sensor is the same size as or larger than the associated dimension size of the sensor.
US08496074B2
In a power tool, a housing is composed of two divisional housings to be combined together; two receptacle blocks are provided on inner surfaces of the two divisional housings, respectively, and configured to protrude opposite to each other from the inner surfaces of the two divisional housings to surround an electric component and to hold the electric component in place when the two divisional housings are combined together into the housing; and a seal layer of an elastic material is formed integrally with one or each of the two receptacle blocks. The seal layer formed on a first receptacle block is pressed against a second receptacle block or another seal layer formed on the second receptacle block to provide sealing between opposed surfaces of the two receptacle blocks when the two divisional housings are combined together.
US08496059B2
A method of producing from a subterranean formation can include injecting steam into the formation, and then automatically opening at least one valve in response to the steam condensing. A well system can include a tubular string disposed in a wellbore, the tubular string including at least one valve, steam which flows from the wellbore into a formation surrounding the wellbore, and alternately flows from the formation into the wellbore as liquid water, and the valve opening automatically in response to presence of the liquid water in the wellbore.
US08496057B2
This invention refers to the oil and gas production industry and can be employed to enhance the productivity of wells by preventing the closure of fractures through application of proppant granular material during the formation fracturing operation.
US08496055B2
A service tool and methods for performing subterranean hydrocarbon services in a wellbore. The service tool can include a body that having an aperture formed therethrough. A valve system can be connected to the body. The valve system can selectively form a flow path between a first portion of the aperture and a second portion of the aperture; a flow path between a first flow port formed through a first portion of the body, the aperture, and the outer diameter of the body; and/or a flow path between a channel formed in a portion of the body, a second flow port formed through a second portion of the body, and the second portion of the aperture.
US08496049B2
A heat sink with distributed jet cooling is provided. The heat sink includes a base for thermal connection to at least one heated object, an array of fins thermally coupled to the base, and at least one multi-orifice synthetic jet or multiple single orifice jets disposed on a side of the array of fins. A heat sink with distributed and integrated jet cooling is also provided and includes a base and an array of fins. Respective ones of at least a subset of the fins comprise a synthetic jet configured to eject an ambient fluid into an ambient environment of the fins and base. Another heat sink with distributed and integrated jet cooling is provided and includes a base, an array of fins and multiple synthetic jets coupled to respective ones of the fins. The synthetic jets are provided for at least a subset of the fins.
US08496045B2
A ladle (100) for a casting apparatus (1) includes a cylindrical melt pouring spout (120) through which a melt (M) is poured from an accommodation portion (110). Protrusions (121, 122) are formed on opposite sides along the inner circumference of the melt pouring spout (120) along the lower side and upper side in the vertical direction of the melt pouring spout (120). The cross sectional area of the protrusions (121, 122) in the axial section of the melt pouring spout (120) gradually increase, while the phase of the protrusions varies gradually in one circumferential direction of the melt pouring spout (120) from the upstream side towards the downstream side in the flow direction of the melt (M). In addition, the protrusions (121, 122) become gradually thinner and curve gradually in the respective phase variation direction towards the inside in the radial direction of the melt pouring spout (120).
US08496042B1
An accordion-type shutter assembly including a plurality of elongated vertically extending corrugated or flat shutter slats hingedly held together in an edge-to-edge arrangement for limited pivotal movement between adjacent slats between the assembly being open and closed. The shutter assembly is used to protect a window or door from flying object damage and building intrusion caused by storm or hurricane. The female hinge half along one of the edges of each slat has lengthwise extending rib reinforcements for greater impact resistance to better withstand the impact of airborne flying objects produced during storms and hurricanes.
US08496023B2
A temporary drainage system for draining rain water that flows into a floor under construction to an outside of a building during construction of a multiple-story building includes: a flexible drainage collection hose connected to a penetration hole formed in a floor slab of the floor under construction; a sand-settling vessel provided on a floor slab of a constructed floor of the building and connected to the drainage collection hose; a drainage pit provided on a lowest floor of the building to store drainage water discharged from the sand-settling vessel through a drainage hose; and a drainage pump provided in the drainage pit. The drainage water collected into the drainage pit is discharged to the outside of the building by an operation of the drainage pump.
US08496020B1
A tap and draining device for a filter cartridge that allows removal of excess fluids to be removed from a filter prior to filter removal in an effort to reduce fluid spillage and associated contamination includes an angled hollow punch in fluid communication with a valve and flexible tube for controlled drainage. A magnet is provided along a top surface to hold and seal the device against the oil filter. A user taps a bottom surface of the device, thereby causing the beveled tap to penetrate the filter. Once fully inserted, the device allows fluid to drain through an internal port and out the attached tubing, preferably into a container where it may be discarded or recycled as required.
US08496019B2
A tent includes a tent cloth and a tent frame to support the tent cloth. The tent frame comprises a top module and a plurality of supporting poles which are radially pivoted to the top module. The top module includes a modular main body, a top cap and a quick-pitch assembly. The modular main body includes a plurality of pivot sockets which are integrally formed with the modular main body. Each pivot socket is pivotally connected with a connector. The connector is further connected to the respective supporting pole. The connector has a top engaging portion at a pivot end thereof to mate with the quick-pitch assembly. The top cap is coupled to the modular main body to form a middle space. The quick-pitch assembly is located in the middle space and able to move up and down.
US08496018B2
A clamping apparatus for a hiking/skiing pole for detachably axially fixing a pipe that is insertable into an opening of the clamping apparatus. The clamping apparatus includes a plastic collar, which encloses an axial portion of the pipe and clamps the pipe in a closed state, the plastic collar includes at least one axial slot making the circumference of the plastic collar variable. On opposite sides of the slot first and second projections are arranged on the plastic collar and include a coaxial passage opening that is arranged perpendicular to the pipe axis and through which a transverse pin penetrates. The outside of the second projection has a stop and the outside of the first projection has a rotational axis for a clamping lever, that includes a lever arm, which at least partially encloses the plastic collar when the clamping apparatus is closed, and has an eccentric roll-off region.
US08496016B2
A cleaning apparatus includes: a supply unit to supply at least an initial amount of cleaning solution to a specific portion of an object to be cleaned; an agitator to induce agitation in the cleaning solution supplied to the object; a monitoring unit to monitor an amount of the cleaning solution and to provide a signal indicative thereof; and a control unit to detect a threshold amount of reduction in the cleaning solution based on the signal from the monitoring unit and accordingly to control the supply unit to supply an additional amount of cleaning solution to the specific portion of the object.
US08496015B2
A standard military transportation container is positioned next to a waste water containment pad. Several connections are provided for on the side of container. One of these connectors is a fluid connection for containment pad relocatable waste water sump pump. Another of the connectors provides a power outlet for the system to be connected to an external source of electrical power. A third connector connects a pressure washer to the wash system. A vacuum cleaner connection, is provided on an opposite side of the container so that equipment may be vacuumed and washed simultaneously on opposite sides of the wash system. All connectors are flush mounted into the walls of container thus eliminating any protrusions which could otherwise interfere with container loading resulting in connector breakage and extra difficulties in container handling. A pressure washer, vacuum cleaner, pumps and electrical controls are located in the container. Several filter stages are provided in the container to enable re-use of wash water collected in the containment pad.
US08496007B2
A device avoiding the use of any motor or perpendicular or rectangular elements, having a convex asymmetrical longitudinal curve, a central longitudinal groove, and mirrored perpendicular and latitudinal, symmetrically-matched convex curves extending from the central groove to the sides, and optimally surfaced with a soft dense foam, uses gravitational force on the body of a user to provide an effective, yet gentle stretch along the length and across the width of the back, particularly at the thoracic vertebrae thereby relieving postural mechanical shoulder, back or spine pain. Additional alternative embodiments using a heating, cooling, or vibrational element along the central longitudinal groove are also described and claimed herein.
US08496006B2
The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment.
US08495989B2
A gasket of an internal combustion engine includes a discharge line installed in an intermediate layer and having an outer end exposed from the outer peripheral edge of the gasket to be a first connection part and an inner end exposed from a inner peripheral edge around the opening to be an electrode, configured such that discharge is generated between electrodes with voltage applied between first connection parts; an antenna installed at least partly in the intermediate layer at the inner peripheral edge around the opening to radiate electromagnetic waves into a combustion chamber; and an electromagnetic wave transmission line installed in the intermediate layer, having an outer end exposed from an outer peripheral edge to be a second connection part and an inner end connected to the antenna, and guiding electromagnetic waves to the antenna.
US08495980B2
A camshaft arrangement for a motor vehicle engine has a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft supporting inner shaft cams. The inner shaft cams are non-rotatably attached to the inner shaft by at least one connection element that protrudes with clearance through an aperture in the outer shaft and is attached to the respective inner shaft cam which is rotatably mounted on the outer shaft. When inserted into a receiver in the inner shaft, a portion of the connection element protrudes out of the receiver, and the protruding portion is at least partially inserted into an aperture located at the joint diameter of the inner shaft cam. This aperture is open at least towards an end face of the inner shaft cam. The protruding portion has at least two opposite-lying side surfaces lying with an interference fit against corresponding inner surfaces of the aperture of the inner shaft cam.
US08495978B2
A drive configuration for driving one or more rotating sprockets (e.g., of an engine drive train), including a flexible force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area; a drive sprocket situated outside the area and driving the force transmitting member; first and second pulleys situated at least partially within the area and on opposing sides of the drive sprocket so as to urge the force transmitting member against the drive sprocket; and one or more driven sprockets each coupled to the force transmitting member. The drive configuration may include a cartridge including a base, one or more secondary pulleys being situated on opposing sides of the first pulley such that a timing belt is urged into contact with a drive sprocket and each of the pulleys. Accordingly, a timing belt may be rapidly installed or removed by inserting or removing the cartridge according to the present invention.
US08495973B2
This invention provides a thin film vaporizer. The vaporizer includes a primary body having an inlet, an outlet, and an internal surface therebetween. The inlet, outlet and internal surface defining a gas passage between the inlet and the outlet. A first liquid provider is disposed proximate to the inlet and structured and arranged to provide liquid flow upon at least a portion of the internal surface. A first vaporizing zone is provided downstream from the first liquid provider and structured and arranged to provide wetting of the provided liquid flow upon at least a portion of the internal surface. The first vaporizing zone is further structured and arranged with the gas passage to permit vaporizing of the liquid and mixing with a first gas received from the inlet about contemporaneously. A heat source is thermally coupled to the first vaporization so as to apply heat by conduction, convection, radiation and or combinations thereof. An associated method of use and fuel cell incorporating the thin film vaporizer are also provided.
US08495972B1
The injection system provides an automated means to safely inject a target animal. In the preferred embodiment, the automated injection system injects an animal with a radio frequency identification device (RFID). The automated injection system includes a baiting station with multiple sensors that confirm the position of a target animal and initiate the injection process. A controller actively controls the injection process and records the identification data associated with each injected animal.
US08495971B2
The present invention is directed to litter compositions including a litter substrate in the form of granules and a stable fragrance coating applied over at least some of the litter granules. The stable fragrance coating provides a fragrance litter composition exhibiting no or a reduced tendency for fragrance to be lost over time. Furthermore, the fragrant litter composition is able to reform a stable fragrance coating after being wetted, upon redrying. The stable fragrance coating comprises a nanoemulsion including an aqueous surfactant continuous phase and a dispersed phase comprising one or more fragrance oils. The fragrance oil is dispersed within the continuous phase as nano-sized droplets having an average diameter of no more than about 100 nm.
US08495968B2
A honeycomb filter production apparatus includes: a workpiece securing section for securing a base of a honeycomb filter; a powder transfer section for transferring a powder together with an air current by utilizing pressurized gas; an introduction section for introducing the powder that has transferred from the powder transfer section into the base secured by the workpiece securing section when the apparatus is used; a suction section for sucking the gas that has passed through the base secured by the workpiece securing section using suction means; a cleaning section for removing a surplus powder adhering to an end face of the base after the introduction of the powder; a judgment section for judging an amount of the powder adhering to the base; and a workpiece transfer section for transferring the base among the workpiece securing section, the cleaning section, and the judgment section.
US08495965B1
A submersible apparatus is configured to eject air and/or water in desired predetermined patterns to simulate particular types of ordnance to facilitate safe and effective splash testing of ship radar systems. The apparatus includes a frame, one or more adjustable buoyancy bodies, a source of fluid such as an air compressor or a water pump, and a plurality of nozzles through which the fluid is ejected to create the desired splash. Fluid can be supplied to the buoyancy bodies to adjust the level of the apparatus in the water as necessary to simulate a particular type of ordnance. Additionally, the nozzles can be individually adjustable to facilitate ordnance simulation. A control system is provided to enable remote and/or preprogrammed control of the apparatus. A wireless or hard wired link can be provided to allow a remote user to control the apparatus in real time.
US08495964B1
An elastic anchor rope has an elastomeric core over most of its length. The core stretches during mooring to permit discharge of persons and items such as on a beach with subsequent retraction of the craft to an offshore location. A bow line permits retraction of the craft to the beach for loading purposes. Tensile loads are transferred from the elastomeric core to an intermediate cord and from the cord to end portions of the rope that do not have the core.
US08495953B2
There is provided a cooked rice molding apparatus which enables a rice mat to be easily moved and the rice mat to be stored. A rice mat formed into a plate shape by a forming section 3 is spread over a pick plate 5 placed on a slide tray 4, and the rice mat, along with the pick plate 5, is removed from the slide tray 4.
US08495949B2
A apparatus for forming a beverage using a beverage formation device. Opening of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid from a reservoir to a heating tank that is used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, opening of the brew chamber may cause a valve to be opened or otherwise permit flow of beverage precursor liquid from the reservoir to the heating tank. The valve may open simultaneously and automatically with a brew chamber lid, and may close when the brew chamber lid is closed.
US08495948B2
A power distribution transmission unit (1) having a hydrostatic power branch (2) and a mechanical power branch (3) connected by a connection system (8). The connection system (8) at least partially damps transfer of oscillations between the power branches. The power flow can be passed between the power branches, via a connecting shaft (22) that compensates axial offset between a hydrostat shaft (18) of the hydrostatic power branch (2) and a mechanical branch shaft (20) of the mechanical power branch (3). The connecting shaft (22) is a hollow shaft and a spring device (27), elastically prestressing the hydrostat shaft (18), is arranged within the connecting shaft. The tooth profiles (23, 25) of the connecting shaft (22) are formed as curved outer teeth which engage in tooth profiles (24 and 26) of the hydrostat shaft (18) of the hydrostatic power branch (2) and of the shaft (20) of the mechanical power branch (3), in each case made as inner teeth.
US08495944B2
A blast treatment method for blasting a treatment subject having an outer shell and a chemical agent charged into an interior of the outer shell includes the steps of: disposing an explosive on the outer side of the outer shell such that a difference occurs in a detonation pressure of the explosive, that acts on the outer shell from an outer side, between one side and another side of a predetermined cutting position of the outer shell and the outer shell is cut by a shearing force generated as a result of the difference in the detonation pressure; and detonating the explosive, wherein, in the step of detonating the explosive, the chemical agent is exposed by cutting the outer shell in the cutting position through detonation of the explosive, and the chemical agent is decomposed using the detonation.
US08495939B2
A table saw includes a table capable of supporting a workpiece, a cutting unit and a positioning fence. The positioning fence has a positioning surface for supporting the workpiece. The positioning surface is divided into an upper positioning surface and a lower positioning surface that are positioned above the table. First slide fences allocated to the lower positioning surface and second slide fences allocated to the upper positioning surface are slidably supported in a table surface direction relatively independent from each other. The positioning surfaces of the first and second slide fences constitute an entire region of the positioning surface. In this way, the entire region of the positioning surface is made to be slidable in accordance with various operation modes.
US08495937B2
A fence system for use on a power saw including an elongated fence configured to be secured on a top surface of a power saw at positions relative to a blade. The elongated fence has at least one flat side wall portion against which an object can be positioned and moved along while the object is moved through a cutting zone. A support unit is configured to ride on the fence and contact the object to move the object through the cutting zone. The support unit includes an ergonomically shaped hand pad, wherein the support unit is removably attached to the fence and movable along the length thereof. A movable arm is attached to the hand pad and is configured to extend downwardly to an elevation closely adjacent to the top surface.
US08495933B1
An adjustable wrench includes two plates, a handle unit, a rotary unit and a control unit. Each plate has a first toothed portion. The handle unit is located between the two plates and includes a handle and a toothed ring. The handle has a second toothed portion. The toothed ring has multiple third teeth and multiple fourth teeth. The third teeth are engaged with the second teeth. The fourth teeth are located between the first toothed portions of the two plates. The rotary unit is located between the two plates and has a first jaw and a second jaw. The control unit includes having a controlling member and a resilient member. The controlling member is connected to the plate and has fifth teeth defined in one end thereof. The resilient member contacts the controlling member to engage the fifth teeth with the first and fourth teeth.
US08495922B1
A sampling system for ground level aircraft engine PM emission measurements has been developed.
US08495921B2
The invention relates to an apparatus and method to obtain a bitumen or heavy oil sample from an oil reservoir sample, such as a core sample, to enable measurement of physical properties such as viscosity, API gravity, or chemical properties such as sulphur content of the obtained bitumen or heavy oil sample. The analysis performed on the samples obtained in accordance with the invention are effective in assisting oil field operators in making timely drilling and production decisions at the oil reservoir or for routine laboratory extraction of oils and bitumens. The invention also permits the collection of samples from simulated thermal recovery operations and also allows the collection of bitumens and oils for online analysis of live oil physical properties.
US08495917B2
A sensing device is provided for measuring flexural deformations of a surface. Such a sensing device may be used as a user interface in portable electronic devices. The sensing device comprises at least one cell. The cell comprises a first electrode, a central electrode, a second electrode, a first piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the first electrode and the central electrode, a second piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the central electrode and the second electrode, and a circuit connected to the first, second and the central electrodes. The circuit is configured to measure a first electrical signal between the first electrode and the central electrode, and a second electrical signal between the second electrode and the central electrode. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is responsive to an external stress applied on the sensing device.
US08495916B2
A gage having a motion detection mechanism magnetically attached to a pressure sensing diaphragm. The motion detection mechanism is magnetically coupled to a pointer rotation mechanism configured to indicate the position of the diaphragm and the corresponding pressure sensed by the diaphragm.
US08495907B2
Disclosed is a method for measuring the drying time of a moisture-wicking and quick-drying material that enables convenient and precise measurement of the drying time of the material by creating an environment similar to the skin surface of a human body wearing clothes. The method includes: creating a temperature and humidity state similar to a condition in which sweat of a human body is shed on the bottom surface of a test material; blowing wind to the upper surface of the test material at a speed similar to a speed at which a human being is walking; dropping distilled water to the upper surface of the test material with the temperature and humidity state and the wind speed being maintained constant; and measuring the drying time of the test material with the distilled water having been dropped to the upper surface of the test material.
US08495900B2
The device for satinizing and embossing packaging foils comprises at least two embossing rollers that are each provided with a toothing consisting of individual teeth, the pyramidal teeth having an essentially rectangular horizontal projection, and the sides of the teeth being essentially parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the longitudinal axis of the embossing roller. In contrast to the prior art, the opening angle (α) between the radially aligned adjacent tooth flanks is smaller than the opening angle (β) between the axially aligned adjacent tooth flanks, and the tooth height in the radial direction, measured from the tooth tip to the tooth bottom, is greater than the tooth height in the axial direction measured from the tooth tip to the tooth bottom. This dimensioning and arrangement of the teeth provides an improved gearing with a reduced specific pressure as well as an improved processing of the paper part of the foil that results in its better folding, curling, and tubing behavior.
US08495895B2
A bent glass sheet shaping method which is capable of reducing occurrence of visibility distortions and a bent glass sheet with reduced visibility distortions. A glass sheet is heated to a shapeable temperature, a cover material is mounted onto a press die such that a direction of waves in the cover material is diagonal to a direction of distortions in the glass sheet, and the heated glass sheet with the press die is pressed.
US08495889B2
A refrigeration apparatus for mounting to a retail gondola includes a case, a door hingedly connected with the case, a compressor disposed within the case, a condenser coil disposed within the case, an evaporator coil disposed within the case, and brackets connected with the case. The case includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall and a rear wall defining a forward opening and a storage compartment for storing retail items. The case further includes a heat-conductive inner wall and a heat-conductive outer wall. The door is moveable between a closed position for covering the forward opening and an open position for providing access to the storage compartment. The condenser coil is disposed adjacent the outer wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The evaporator is disposed adjacent the inner wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The brackets extend rearwardly from the case away from the rear wall for engaging an upright of a retail gondola. A method for installing the refrigeration apparatus is also disclosed.
US08495888B2
A computerized method for operating a process includes using at least one sensor to determine when to transition a state machine between a first operating state wherein the process is operated using extremum seeking control and a second operating state wherein the process is operated without extremum seeking control. The method further includes, in response to the determination, automatically transitioning from the first operating state to the second operating state.
US08495887B2
The liquid galley refrigeration system for cooling food carts for aircraft employs an intermediate working fluid to transfer heat from one or more food carts to one or more remote chillers, allowing the carts and chillers to be advantageously distributed in the aircraft. While the chiller working fluid undergoes a phase change in order to transfer heat from the intermediate working fluid to the cooling air, the intermediate working fluid remains in its liquid phase throughout its circulation. A recirculation pump circulates the intermediate working fluid through a distribution system that may link a plurality of chillers to a plurality of food carts, and the temperature of the food carts is regulated by a combination of controls.
US08495880B2
Embodiments of a system are disclosed that include a heat source, an endothermic process module, and a fuel source configured to supply fuel to the endothermic process module and to receive isomerized fuel from the endothermic process module. A controller includes logic instructions operable to receive information regarding temperature of fuel received by the endothermic process module, and regulate application of heat from the heat source to the fuel at the endothermic process module. The endothermic process module includes a catalyst that increases the thermal carrying capacity of the fuel by isomerizing fuel from the fuel source.
US08495874B2
A method for providing intake air to an engine in a vehicle comprises delivering compressed fresh air and EGR to the engine via first and second throttle valves coupled to an intake manifold of the engine. During a higher engine-load condition, an EGR exhaust flow is cooled in a heat exchanger and the cooled EGR exhaust flow is admitting to the intake manifold. During a lower engine-load condition, fresh air is warmed in the heat exchanger, and the warmed fresh air is admitted to the intake manifold.
US08495870B2
Disclosed is a work machine having a traveling apparatus and a work implement driven by an engine. A hydraulic system mounted on the work machine includes an HST pump comprising a swash plate, variable displacement pump driven by the engine, an HST motor connected in a closed circuit to the HST pump and a pair of speed-changing oil passageways, the HST motor being driven by an amount of oil supplied by the HST pump, thereby to drive the traveling apparatus, a main pump driven by the engine, the main pump supplying pressure oil to the work implement, a pilot pump driven by the engine, a swash plate positioning circuit configured to effect positioning of a swash plate of the HST pump with pilot oil supplied from the pilot pump, and a bleed circuit configured to drain, via a throttle, a portion of the pilot oil supplied to the swash plate positioning circuit.
US08495869B2
Disclosed is a power system that may be housed inside a single ISO shipping container having standard outside dimensions. The system may include a power source and an internally integrated aftertreatment module that is removable as a unit and that comprises, for example, Particle Filters (PF), and/or Oxidation Catalysts (OC), and/or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. The power system may include other removable modules such as a power module comprising a generator, pump, chipper, chiller, or other power equipment, a container module for fuel, and a container module for reductant, both of which may be non-rectangular in cross-section. A system is also disclosed for providing on-site power in the absence of shore power.
US08495867B2
An exhaust gas treatment system includes a heating module for heating exhaust gas upstream of a main catalytic converter. The heating module includes a first heating core having a first core volumetric size and a second heating core having a second core volumetric size that is less than the first core volumetric size. The first heating core with the larger first core volumetric size is configured to optimize pre-crank heating, while the second heating core with the smaller second core volumetric size is configured to optimize post-crank heating. The first heating core and the second heating core may be arranged in series with each other or in parallel with each other.
US08495864B2
A method of operating an engine having an after-treatment system that treats exhaust gas from the engine with an oxidation catalyst includes adjusting the operation of the engine to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas, continuously sensing a cylinder pressure with a pressure sensor disposed at at least one cylinder of the engine to identify a unstable combustion event, i.e., an engine misfire, and adjusting the operation of the engine to prevent a future unstable combustion event when the unstable combustion event is detected.
US08495862B2
A control system for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes a conversion efficiency determination module, an ammonia slip determination module, and a diagnostic module. The conversion efficiency determination module determines a conversion efficiency of an SCR catalyst. The ammonia slip determination module determines an amount of ammonia slip across the SCR catalyst when the conversion efficiency is less than a predetermined threshold. The diagnostic module determines pass/fail statuses of a reductant supply and the SCR catalyst based on the amount of ammonia slip and at least one ammonia slip threshold.
US08495851B2
An improved acoustical damping wall (ceiling or floor) or door material comprises a laminar structure having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material which also functions as a glue and one or more constraining layers, such as metal, ceramics, composites, cellulose, wood, or petroleum-based products such as plastic, vinyl, plastic or rubber.
US08495849B2
Floorboards with a mechanical locking system that allows movement between the floorboards when they are joined to form a floating floor.
US08495845B2
A securing cap, for use in fixing a wall with a floor or ceiling mounting, is snap fit within the space between the wall and a floor or ceiling mounting thereby fixing each component in position. The securing cap, in conjunction with other such caps, holds a wall assembly in a desired position in a building or shed where wall panels are positioned relative to each other to form a wall. The securing cap also serves to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris within the space formed by the wall and the floor or ceiling mountings.
US08495843B1
A buck system for forming and framing an opening in a poured concrete foundation includes a plurality of buck sections matching the desired dimension of an opening. Each of the buck sections is affixed to an adjacent buck section forming a closed geometric shape. Each buck section has an inner surface defining an inside dimension of the opening and each of the buck sections has a first channel and a second channel. The first channel snuggly accepts an edge of a first insulated concrete foundation wall of the insulated concrete foundation walls and the second channel snuggly accepts an edge of a second insulated concrete foundation wall of the insulated concrete foundation walls.
US08495839B2
An installation structure of a solar cell module comprising: a solar cell module including a solar panel, an eaves-side frame in a long shape holding an edge on an eaves side, a ridge-side frame in a long shape holding an edge on a ridge side opposite to the edge on the eaves side, and a lateral frame in a long shape holding edges of the solar panel different from the above edges; and a fixing member fixed to a predetermined structural member in a roof at a position on a ridge side further than the ridge-side frame and configured to prevent the ridge-side frame from moving towards the ridge side of the roof and in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the solar panel, the eaves-side frame of another solar cell module being positioned above the ridge-side frame and supported by the fixing member from outside.
US08495837B2
A detritus exclusion appliance includes a support that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. This arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen.
US08495814B1
A reactor installation tool and method for installing a reactor unit in a reactor tube. A reactor installation tool including a movable assembly and a fixed assembly linked together such that the movable assembly can be adjusted relative to the fixed assembly. The movable assembly including a reactor sleeve attachment means for releasably securing a reactor sleeve loaded with a reactor unit to the tool. The fixed assembly including an expandable clamping unit for releasably securing the tool to a reactor tube. A reactor unit can be installed in the reactor tube by adjusting the movable assembly to extract the reactor unit from the reactor sleeve as the fixed assembly is rigidly secured to the reactor tube. The fixed assembly can be released from the reactor tube and the reactor installation tool can be removed from the reactor tube.
US08495808B2
Method for replacing a seat cover, comprising said method the following steps: a) removing screws from underside of chair; b) removing the padded seat (with the upholstery to be replaced) from the chair frame; c) placing a new cover over the old padded seat stretching all around the cover edge of the new cover to fit firmly to the padded seat; d) locating four reinforced corners on the new cover; e) attaching elasticized band provided top right to bottom left, top left to bottom right; f) replacing the reupholstered seat to the chair frame, and g) re-fasten the reupholstered chair seat to the chair frame.
US08495805B2
An apparatus is described for needling a fibrous web having at least one needle bar. On its underside, the needle bar carries a needle board with a multiplicity of needles, wherein the needle bar is guided via a movably held bar carrier. The bar carrier is driven in an oscillating manner with a superimposed horizontal and vertical movement by a crank mechanism drive. To this end, a phase shifting device is provided, by which the crankshafts of the crank mechanism drive can be adjusted depending on the phase relation. Here, the movement of the bar carrier is guided by a guide device. In order to obtain stable guidance with high flexibility in every situation, according to the invention the guide device is formed by a steering rod which is connected at one end to the bar carrier by a rotary joint and which is coupled with the other end to a steering gear by a second rotary joint.
US08495780B2
An apparatus for shining shoes is provided in which an oil shoe polish containing 5˜20 volume % of an oil ingredient is substantially coated on a shoe surface by using a rotating sponge and is maintained for a certain time period under a high temperature environment of above 60° C. by introducing a heat wind, so that it is possible to obtain an excellent shoe shining effect similar to that of a manual shoe shining work or a higher shoe shining effect than the same.
US08495778B2
A washing machine and a washing control method of the same that is capable of controlling laundry to be effectively washed with bubbles depending upon load of the washing machine. The washing control method includes supplying wash water and detergent into a water tub, heating concentrated detergent liquid including the wash water and the detergent mixed with each other, generating and supplying bubbles into the water tub when the temperature of the heated concentrated detergent liquid reaches a predetermined bubble generation temperature, and washing laundry with the supplied bubbles.
US08499361B2
A localized nanostructure growth apparatus that has a partitioned chamber is provided, where a first partition includes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) and a second partition includes an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber, where the first partition is hermetically isolated from the second partition, and at least one SPM probe tip of the SPM is disposed proximal to a sample in the ALD chamber. According to the invention, the hermetic isolation between the chambers prevents precursor vapor from damaging critical microscope components and ensuring that contaminants in the ALD chamber can be minimized.
US08499359B1
A user requests to store a file to a storage device and a DLP module receives the request. The DLP module receives data for the file, encrypts the data using an encryption key and stores the encrypted data to the storage device. Next, the DLP module determines whether the encrypted data in the file is in compliance with a DLP policy. To determine compliance, the DLP module decrypts the data using the encryption key and examines the decrypted data for compliance. If the decrypted data is not in compliance with the DLP policy, the DLP module deletes the encrypted data from the storage device.
US08499358B2
A processing device is provided in which unauthorized processing is prevented from being preformed at the time of executing a program or others. The processing device includes a processing portion for executing processing, a program memory portion for memorizing a program that makes the processing portion execute processing, a judge portion for judging whether or not the program is permitted to start, and a control portion for controlling the processing portion so that processing is executed in accordance with the program when the judge portion determines that the program is permitted to start, and for controlling the processing portion so that processing based on the program is not executed when the judge portion determines that the program is not permitted to start.
US08499356B2
A data distribution system is provided which supplies customers with an executable for requested secured data files to provide the customer with fulfillment software, obviating the need for the customer to download fulfillment software prior to requesting secure data. The data distribution system is characterized by server technology which can dynamically encrypt secured data files just prior to a customer request to download the data file. A framework for building a universal data distribution infrastructure is provided which employs Requesters.
US08499351B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for security monitoring. In one aspect, a device includes an integrated processing unit, including a user system and an auditor system. The user system includes a first processor and a first computer storage medium. The auditor system includes a second processor that is isolated from the first processor and a second computer storage medium that is isolated from the first computer storage medium. The second computer storage medium stores instructions that cause the second processor to load auditing data in isolation from the user system, monitor processes on the user system, determine from the auditing data that one of the processes is an unauthorized process, and perform one or more security processes on the unauthorized process.
US08499350B1
A file on a computer system is evaluated against trust criteria to determine whether the file is compatible with the trust criteria. Responsive to the file being incompatible with the trust criteria, the file is assigned to a package. Files assigned to the package are tracked to determine whether the files collectively perform malicious behavior. The package is convicted as malware responsive to the files in the package collectively performing malicious behavior.
US08499347B2
A temporary use license issuing apparatus includes a communicating unit, an instruction receiving unit, and an issuing unit. The communicating unit communicates with a document use managing apparatus storing pieces of management information prescribing scopes of operation authority of respective users over documents and manages users' operations on documents according to the pieces of management information. The instruction receiving unit receives, from a user, an instruction to issue a temporary use license for a document. The issuing unit issues the temporary use license containing document identification information of the document to which the issuance instruction is directed, and operation authority information indicating a scope of operation authority over the document, the operation authority indicated by the operation authority information being within a scope of the operation authority of the user over the document which is prescribed by the management information.
US08499339B2
Verifiable authentication credentials are provided to foreign systems without passing an id and password to the protected resource. A user wishing to access a secure remote site is prompted for credentials, the credentials are authenticated locally and a digitally signed token is created. The token is redirected to the secure remote site by the user's browser using HTTP redirection. The digital signature is verified by the secure remote site preferably by a digital signature web service. The remote site establishes communications with the user if the digital signature is valid.
US08499338B1
An Internet Protocol (IP) controlled modem receives a single modem command packet from a user IP system. The modem command packet indicates a destination IP address, a destination IP port number, and a modem command to initiate a voice call. The IP controlled modem determines if the destination IP address and the destination IP port number are authorized for modem control. If the destination IP address and the destination IP port number are authorized for modem control, then the IP controlled modem processes the modem command to wirelessly transfer call set-up signaling to a wireless communication network to initiate the voice call. The IP controlled modem receives a user data packet from the user IP system and wirelessly transfers the user data packet over the voice call.
US08499336B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing redundancy and failover for servers communicating via an authentication protocol. Mirroring is initiated at the beginning of a Diameter application session by an enhanced Diameter server, which continuously provides updates of the Diameter session to one or more peer Diameter mirror servers and thereby maintains an active mirror of the session.
US08499335B2
An online home improvement document management service includes a host server having a web-based interface adapted to facilitate secure customer access to the host server. The host server is configured to receive home improvement data communicated from the customer through use of a computing device. A processing module is in operative communication with the host server and is configured to process the home improvement data communicated from the customer. A processing software application is trained to classify the processed home improvement data and selectively extract data therefrom based on the classification. The processing software application is configured to selectively present the processed home improvement data for a customer verification via the web-based interface upon at least one of an unsuccessful classification and an unsuccessful extraction of data. A storage device is in operative communication with the processing module and is configured to store the extracted data as metadata upon at least one of the customer verification and the extraction. A content management software application is configured to detect at least one of a customer request through the web-based interface and at least one triggering condition corresponding to the metadata. The content management software application generates at least one report based on the detection of at least one of the customer request and the at least one triggering condition.
US08499334B2
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus that includes a user device having a magnetic field generator disposed within a substrate that is normally inactive, an initiator mounted on the substrate, a memory disposed within the substrate and a processor disposed within the substrate that is communicably coupled to the magnetic field generator, the initiator and the memory. The processor is operable to process information received from the initiator, generate a time varying code in response to the received information and activate the magnetic field generator. A power source is also disposed within the substrate. The magnetic field generator can create a spatial magnetic signal using a magnetic stripe and one or more induction coils, or create a time-varying magnetic signal for emulating data obtained from swiping a traditional magnetic stripe card through a magnetic card reader.
US08499319B2
Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: an image processing unit which processes and displays a broadcasting signal; a user input unit through which a user inputs a key selection signal; and a controller which performs a switch to a favorite channel or performs a certain function in association with the favorite channel if an input time of the key selection signal is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. With this, a viewer can more directly and conveniently search favorite channels.
US08499315B2
An optical disc drive including a conductive plate provided on a front surface of a disc tray. The conductive plate includes a structure of a hook portion at two places on the right and left and a structure of a pressure bar spring on the side end, in which the conductive plate is fixed using hook holes provided on the disc tray and the pressure bar spring presses and grounds a cabinet with the disc tray loaded in the inside of the cabinet.
US08499309B2
An exemplary method includes an application event handling system 1) detecting an occurrence of an event initiated by a user and associated with an application configured to be executed by a computing device, 2) determining, in response to the detecting, that another event previously initiated by the user and associated with the application is either already being processed by the computing device or already scheduled for processing by the computing device, 3) directing, in response to the determining, the computing device to ignore the previously initiated event, 4) scheduling, in response to the determining, the event to be processed by the computing device after a delay timer expires, and 5) starting, in response to the scheduling, the delay timer. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08499302B2
An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US08499299B1
Techniques for ensuring deterministic thread context switching in a virtual machine application program include, in one embodiment, providing a single application-level mutex that threads of the executing application program are forced to acquire to execute application code of the virtual machine application program. During a first recorded execution of the virtual machine application program, a record is created and stored in a computer that indicates the order in which threads acquire the application-level mutex. In a subsequent replay execution of the virtual machine application program from the recording, threads of the virtual machine application program are managed to ensure that the application-level mutex is acquired by threads in the same order indicated in the record such that any race conditions that occurred during the recorded execution as a result of executing application code are reproduced during the subsequent replay execution thereby aiding application development personnel in identifying and isolating program errors and bugs related to race conditions.
US08499297B2
A virtualized computer system provides fault tolerant operation of a primary virtual machine. In one embodiment, this system includes a backup computer system that stores a snapshot of the primary virtual machine and a log file containing non-deterministic events occurring in the instruction stream of the primary virtual machine. The primary virtual machine periodically updates the snapshot and the log file. Upon a failure of the primary virtual machine, the backup computer can instantiate a failover backup virtual machine by consuming the stored snapshot and log file.
US08499295B2
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system memory device for a computer system having a processor and a firmware. In one embodiment, the system memory device has a RAM, and a ROM with stored boot block data and operational code data, the boot block data containing computer-executable instructions for initializing the firmware, determining if the operational code data is valid, and if the operational code data is valid, copying the operational code data from the ROM to the RAM, where the operational code data contains computer-executable instructions for enabling a plurality of different interfaces to receive a firmware update from a firmware update provider, and if the operational code data is not valid, causing a particular one of the plurality of enabled interfaces to wait for an available firmware update and, when a firmware update is available, receiving the firmware update.
US08499291B2
The examples of the present invention disclose a method for dynamically linking a program on an embedded platform and an embedded platform. The embedded platform includes a middle layer which comprises at least one class. An application program to be linked includes at least one class. The application program is compiled into PICs, wherein storage positions of different code sections in the PICs which are obtained by compiling different functions of the application program do not overlap with each other; all the PICs are copied into a memory of the embedded operation system; a class pointer is created, and the class pointer is transferred between the class of the middle layer and the class of the application program to dynamically link the application program.
US08499290B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating text functions form a spreadsheet. Embodiments of the invention extract functions from spreadsheets and represent the functions in textual form. Representation in textual form promotes code reuse, clarify, expressive power, and better performance. Text can be rendered in virtually any programming language, such as, for example, C#, C++, Visual Basic (“VB”), etc. In some embodiments, programming language extensibility to support spreadsheet compatible data types and functions is utilized.
US08499287B2
Thread blocking synchronization event analysis software uses kernel context switch data and thread unblocking data to form a visualization of thread synchronization behavior. The visualization provides interactive access to source code responsible for thread blocking, identifies blocking threads and blocked threads, summarizes execution delays due to synchronization and lists corresponding APIs and objects, correlates thread synchronization events with application program phases, and otherwise provides information associated with thread synchronization. The visualization may operate within an integrated development environment.
US08499279B2
A computer method and apparatus defining Business Classes for modeling business activities comprising the steps of representing business activities as the interaction between one or more Business Classes, and entering into a computer and storing in an electronic format the Business Classes and the relationships existing between the Business Classes.
US08499275B2
The present invention aims to improve accuracy of a planar manufacturing drawing used to instruct manufacture of a three-dimensional structure in a planar form. According to path plan information is acquired by a path plan information acquisition unit 11a and manufacturing requirement information is acquired by a manufacturing requirement information acquisition unit, a layout configuration production unit 11c produces a layout configuration model in which the three-dimensional structure is laid out in a planar manner based on a manufacture layout and distortion of the wire harness. Then, a simulation unit 11d simulates a transformation from the layout configuration model to the mounting configuration model with which the three-dimensional structure is mounted to a mount object. Then, an evaluation item evaluating unit 11e evaluates a predetermined evaluation item by comparing the simulation result and the three-dimensional structure indicated by the path plan information. Then, an evaluation result information output unit 11f outputs the evaluation result to support path designing of the three-dimensional structure and/or production of the planar manufacturing drawing.
US08499274B2
A tool includes one or more machine readable storage mediums encoded with data. The data include a list of standard cells included in an integrated circuit (IC) design The data include a nominal leakage value approximating a respective median leakage value for each of the plurality of standard cells at a predetermined temperature and voltage. The data include at least one table including adjustment factors for calculating leakage based on voltage, temperature and process variations. The table includes a respective statistical scaling factor, for computing a mean leakage corresponding to a given median leakage. A processor is programmed to calculate and output a total IC leakage for the IC design at an input voltage and input temperature, based on the list, the nominal leakage values, the input voltage, the input temperature and at least one of the adjustment factors.
US08499273B1
Systems and techniques are described for optimizing placement and routing by providing global information during early stages of a computer aided design (CAD) flow to produce better place and route solutions. Moreover, the systems and techniques described herein use natural connectivity information inherently provided in a design hierarchy.
US08499271B2
High density circuit modules are formed by stacking integrated circuit (IC) chips one above another. Unused input/output (I/O) locations on some of the chips can be used to connect other I/O locations, resulting in decreased impedance between the chips. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08499270B1
A system and method are provided for configuring a programmable integrated circuit including a number of function blocks. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmable integrated circuit including a number of function blocks, and a host computing device to configure the number of function blocks to perform a number of functions. The host computing device utilizes a graphical user interface to provide specification of configuration parameters of the function blocks, and the graphical user interface updates a given configuration parameter if a value of the given configuration parameter is affected by a value specified for another configuration parameter. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08499265B2
A circuit for preventing a setup fail between a first latch and a second latch according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a mimic combinational logic module and a clock compare module. The mimic combinational logic module is configured to receive a first clock signal for the first latch and to generate a delayed first clock signal, which is a delayed version of the first clock signal. The clock compare module is configured to provide a delayed second clock signal, which is a delayed version of a second clock signal for the second latch, to the second latch after receiving the delayed first clock signal and the second clock signal.
US08499264B2
A method of designing a logic circuit based on one of the functions of the form fn=x1 (x2 & (x3 (x4 & . . . xn . . . ))) and f′n=x1 & (x2 (x3 & (x4 . . . xn . . . ))), by (a) selecting n as the number of variables of the logic circuit, (b) testing n against a threshold, (c) for values of n less than the threshold, using a first algorithm to design the logic circuit, (d) for values of n greater than the threshold, using a second algorithm to design the logic circuit.
US08499261B2
Provided is an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a first photomask and a second photomask. The first photomask has a plurality of first features thereon, and the first photomask having a first global pattern density. The second photomask has a plurality of second features thereon, and the second photomask has a second global pattern density. The plurality of first and second features collectively define a layout image of a layer of the semiconductor device. The first and second global pattern densities have a predetermined ratio.
US08499258B1
A touch input gesture made on a touch sensitive display is described for providing a quick and efficient method for initiating the opening of a text input box. The initiation of opening the text input box following the touch input gesture may be made during the running of a separate application. Further, certain characteristics related to the shape, size and length of the touch input gesture will be referenced to determine certain characteristics of the text input box that is initiated in response to the touch input gesture.
US08499256B1
A method of conditionally displaying an icon to indicate a status within a user interface as part of a media presentation system is described. An example method includes updating a status of content within the media presentation system, displaying at least one icon within a guide menu containing one or more menu sections with each menu section containing a plurality of menu layers, and displaying the icon within a first menu layer to indicate the status of content within menu layers associated with the first menu layer.
US08499254B2
The functionality traditionally provided by an application program through a window presented as part of a window-based user interface can be accessed while the window remains hidden. A toolbar, or similar collection of user interface elements, can be presented when a user indicates an intention to interact with an application program whose window is hidden. The toolbar can comprise elements associated with functions specific to the hidden window. The user's selection can be communicated to the application program so that it can perform the requested function. If the user no longer indicates an intention to interact with the application program, the toolbar can be removed. In one embodiment, the toolbar can be presented together with a thumbnail of the relevant window in a floating display element.
US08499253B2
According to one general aspect, a method may include detecting an audio signal configured to be played from a local loudspeaker. The method may also include determining which of one or more applications is included with the audio signal, wherein the determined application includes one or more tabs. The method may include determining which tab of the one or more tabs of the determined application is included with the audio signal. The method may comprise providing a graphical user interface (GUI) included with a handle of the determined tab, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to facilitate the manipulation of the audio signal by a user. The method may include manipulating the audio signal, based upon a command generated by the graphical user interface in response to a user interaction.
US08499252B2
The disclosure describes improved systems and methods for configuring the layout of a graphical display in a ventilatory system. Specifically, the present methods provide a user interface for configuring one or more layout categories associated with data on the graphical display. Upon selection of a layout category, a clinician is provided with a preview of the layout of the layout category. The preview consists of one or more parameter positions. Each parameter position is associated with a parameter. The clinician is also provided with a listing of possible parameters. The parameter positions in the preview and the possible parameters in the listing are selectable elements. Once a parameter position is selected, a possible parameter can be chosen to replace the parameter associated with the selected parameter position. If this replacement is acceptable to the clinician, the clinician can access an accept button to implement the replacement in the graphical display.
US08499247B2
A server receives an interaction history comprising a set of one-to-one interactions between a first user and other users. The server determines an interaction score for each of the interactions, wherein each interaction score is based on a type of the respective one-to-one interaction and an age of the respective one-to-one interaction. The server then determines a friend rank for each of the other users based on the interaction history, wherein the friend rank indicates a measure of a degree of influence the other users have over the first user and stores the friend rank for each of the other users. The server then receives, from a client, a request for an advertisement to display to the first user, selects one of the other users having a friend rank satisfying a predetermined threshold, and transmits, to the client, an advertisement portraying the selected additional user.
US08499246B2
Systems and methods for providing single click enterprise communication are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a profile is associated with each individual of an enterprise. A single click selection of a communication type from a plurality of communication types for a particular individual may then be received. The profile associated with the individual is then reviewed to determine one or more contact identifiers associated with the selected communication type. Using the determined contact identifiers a communication may be established with the individual.
US08499245B1
A client device may include various sensors that monitor an environment of the client device as well as operations performed by the client device. The sensors may sense data that, when analyzed and compared to past events and patterns, may be used to identify a current user of the client device. In some aspects, the data may be used to determine a context of operation of the client device, which may enable the client device to adapt in real-time or to predict future behavior of a user and then adjust control settings of the client device accordingly.
US08499223B2
According to one embodiment, a receiving apparatus includes a data packet receiver, a quality reinforcement packet receiver, an information setting module, a packet processor, a recovery processor. The data packet receiver is configured to receive a data packet comprising a data portion. The quality reinforcement packet receiver is configured to receive a quality reinforcement packet comprising a quality reinforcement portion. The information setting module is configured to set the data portion corresponding to a part of information included in the data packet as a recovery process target. The packet processor is configured to determine whether there is a lost data packet based on the received data packet and the quality reinforcement packet. The recovery processor is configured to recover, when there is the lost data packet, at least the data portion set as the recovery process target in the lost data packet by using the data portion set as the recovery process target in a non-lost data packet and the quality reinforcement portion corresponding thereto.
US08499219B2
A data encoding circuit and a corresponding method is provided. The data encoding circuit includes a first data formatter in communication with an encoder section. The first data formatter is configured to receive blocks of source data in serial and output parallel two dimensional source data. The encoder receives the parallel two dimensional source data and that computes a plurality of serial row parity bits and a plurality of parallel column parity bits of an error correcting code from the parallel two dimensional source data. A second data formatter communicates with the encoder section and receives the parallel column parity bits and outputs serial column parity bits. A multiplexer section multiplexes the blocks of source data, the serial row parity bits, and the serial column parity bits into an output stream including the blocks of source data encoded by the error correcting code.
US08499215B2
A multi-level cell (MLC) memory device may include ‘a’ number of m-bit MLC memory cells; an encoder that encodes ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream; and a signal mapping module that applies pulses to the MLC memory cells in order to write the encoded bit stream in the MLC memory cells. In the device, ‘a’ and ‘m’ may be integers greater than or equal to 2, ‘k’ and ‘n’ may be integers greater than or equal to 1, and ‘n’ may be greater than ‘k’. A method of storing data in the device may include encoding ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream. A method of reading data from the device may include decoding ‘n’ bits of data at a code rate of n/k to generate a decoded bit stream.
US08499204B2
A network appliance for monitoring, diagnosing and documenting problems among a plurality of devices and processes (objects) coupled to a computer network utilizes periodic polling and collection of object-generated trap data to monitor the status of objects on the computer network. The status of a multitude of objects is maintained in memory utilizing virtual state machines which contain a small amount of persistent data but which are modeled after one of a plurality of finite state machines. The memory further maintains dependency data related to each object which identifies parent/child relationships with other objects at the same or different layers of the OSI network protocol model. A decision engine verifies through on-demand polling that a device is down. A root cause analysis module utilizes status and dependency data to locate the highest object in the parent/child relationship tree that is affected to determine the root cause of a problem. Once a problem has been verified, a “case” is opened and notification alerts may be sent out to one or more devices. A user interface allows all objects within the network to be displayed with their respective status and their respective parent/child dependency objects in various formats.
US08499201B1
Mechanisms for measuring, analyzing, and presenting performance data associated with a memory controller system are described. The mechanisms include a performance monitor that detects and analyzes performance including efficiency and latency of a memory controller system. In addition to determining performance, the systems identifies reasons for loss of memory controller system efficiency. Moreover, the reasons, the efficiency, and the latency are analyzed and presented in a manner easily understandable to a user.
US08499197B2
A description language and a tool for identifying, analyzing and addressing performance issues in event traces. With this language, a behavior descriptor may be defined to describe a simple behavior within a performance trace, by specifying values for a relatively small number of attributes. Even a relatively unsophisticated user can define behavior descriptors, but complex behaviors may be defined based on interactions between multiple behavior descriptors. A trace analysis tool may use a library of behavior descriptors to identify performance issues in performance traces by matching behavior descriptors to the performance trace. This analysis may be used in any number of ways, including reporting to a user detected performance issues reflected in a set of performance traces, filtering a set of performance traces to remove those performance traces corresponding to known performance issues or prioritizing efforts to resolve performance issues.
US08499194B2
A forced power down signal issues from an I/O device to an information handling system through an optical interconnect if the information handling system fails to power down in response to a normal power down message. A 100% duty cycle signal issues from an optical interface at the I/O device and is detected by an optical interface of the information handling system, which issues a command to force a power down of the information handling system in response to the forced power down signal.
US08499193B2
A self-checking network is provided, comprising a first command processor configured to execute a performance function and a second command processor configured to execute the performance function, coupled to the first command processor. The self-checking network also comprises a first monitor processor configured to execute a monitor function that is coupled to the first command processor and a second monitor processor configured to execute the monitor function that is coupled to the second command processor. The first and second command processors compare outputs, the first and second monitor processors compare outputs, and the first monitor processor determines whether an output of the first command processor exceeds a first selected limit.
US08499192B2
A method for writing and reading data in memory cells, comprising, when writing a data in a block of a first memory zone, a step consisting of writing in a second memory zone a temporary information structure metadata comprising a start flag, an identifier of the temporary information structure, an information about the location of the block in the first memory zone, and a final flag, and, after a power on of the first memory zone, searching for an anomaly in temporary information structures present in the second memory zone.
US08499189B2
A method, system, and computer program product for maintaining reliability in a computer system. In an example embodiment, the method includes performing a first data computation by a first set of processors, the first set of processors having a first computer processor architecture. The method continues by performing a second data computation by a second processor coupled to the first set of processors, the second processor having a second computer processor architecture, the first computer processor architecture being different than the second computer processor architecture. Finally, the method includes dynamically allocating computational resources of the first set of processors and the second processor based on at least one metric while the first set of processors and the second processor are in operation such that the accuracy and processing speed of the first data computation and the second data computation are optimized.
US08499182B2
A semiconductor device has reduced power consumption and processing time associated with the release of a low power consumption state set by a central processing unit thereof. The semiconductor device controls a relationship between a forcible release and reset of the low power consumption state previously set by the central processing unit. In one embodiment, a forcible release control circuit forcibly releases the supply and stop of power and clocks previously set to one or more controlled circuits, only during a period required by a signal outputted from a requesting circuit, which requesting circuit may be either internal to the device or external to the device. Once the request signal from the requesting circuit has ended, the controlled circuits and, if appropriate, the central processing unit as well, are restored to the original low power consumption state.
US08499181B2
A for supplying power to a processor is disclosed. The power supply unit includes a smoothing capacitor, a controller, and an arithmetic circuit. The controller controls an output voltage according to each power state of a processor operating in a transition state where a power state of the processor transitions between an active state and a predetermined sleeping state at a predetermined transition frequency. The arithmetic circuit determines a transition stop condition based on power consumption of the processor and charging loss generated at the smoothing capacitor during the transition of the active state, and outputs a transition stop signal to stop transition to the predetermined sleeping state.
US08499173B2
A method and system for protecting a printed circuit board (PCB) from tampering positions a physical sensor proximal to the PCB. An initialization period is established and an output signal from the sensor is continuously monitored to establish threshold parameter data. Periodically, the sensor is polled and an output signal received which is compared to the threshold parameter data. A detected intrusion signal is generated if the received signal exceeds the threshold by a predetermined level. A detected intrusion is validated using a sent of validation rules which analyze the detected intrusion based on historical sensor output values and factors such as duration or frequency of intrusion detections. If the detected intrusion is validated, a validated signal is generated which triggers a reset processor to output a reset signal that causes erasure of at least a portion of onboard memory.
US08499160B2
An improved encryption and digital signature system and method in accordance with the invention reuses an encryption ephemeral key pair from an encryption process in a digital signature process. The reuse of the encryption ephemeral key pair in the digital signature process advantageously results in reduced byte size of the digital signature and reduction of costly computation overhead. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is based on the El Gamal encryption scheme and the Nyberg-Rueppel signature scheme. The present invention is particularly useful for operation in conjunction with small communication devices having limited processing and storage, wherein such devices may communicate via bandwidth sensitive RF links.
US08499152B1
A file policy is created for each confidential file in a server computer including a list of events and a corresponding action. The file policies for the confidential files are sent to each client computer in the computer network. A software agent on each client computer detects when an activity occurs that affects one of the confidential files having a file policy. The activity is reported to the server computer and, if the activity matches an event in the policy, the corresponding action is taken. Events include: copying a file, printing, accessing, sending via e-mail, renaming, etc. Actions include: alerting an administrator, temporary blocking the activity or preventing the activity. If the activity is temporarily blocked from occurring, the agent queries the user as to whether the user wishes to request approval, and forwards that requests on to the server computer. If the activity is approved then the software agent removes the temporary block from the user activity and allows the user's activity concerning the confidential file to occur.
US08499151B2
Apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for secure platform voucher service for software within an execution environment. An embodiment includes the ability for a Virtual Machine Monitor, Operating System Monitor, or other underlying platform capability to restrict memory regions for access only by authenticated, authorized and verified software components. A provisioning remote entity or gateway only needs to know a platform's public key or certificate hierarchy to receive verification for any component. The verification or voucher helps assure to the remote entity that no malware running in the platform or on the network will have access to provisioned material. The underlying platform to lock and unlock secrets on behalf of the authenticated/authorized/verified software component provided in protected memory regions only accessible to the software component.
US08499148B2
A computing platform for facilitating dynamic connection and collaboration of users to transact services in a secure computing environment. The users include service providers and service requesters. The platform includes a registration module for registering users including service requesters and service providers, a connection module for connect users to form groups based on users' selective invitations to other users, and a collaboration module for creating a virtual secure data room for collaboration and sharing of encrypted data by the connected users in a user-friendly and transparent manner. The platform further comprises a transaction module for settling payments between the service requesters and the service providers based on completion of previously agreed project milestones.
US08499146B2
A method for preventing network attacks is provided, which includes: obtaining a data packet, where a source address of the data packet is a cryptographically generated address (CGA); determining that the obtained data packet includes a CGA parameter and signature information; authenticating the CGA parameter; authenticating the signature information according to the authenticated CGA parameter; and sending the data packet to a destination address when the signature information is authenticated. Accordingly, a device for preventing network attacks is also provided. A CGA parameter used by a data packet is directly used to ensure authenticity of a source address of the data packet, thus preventing network attacks performed by counterfeiting the address. In addition, by authenticating signature information, authenticity of identification of a sender of the data packet and bound address of the sender of the data packet are further ensured. Therefore, illegal data packets are filtered to prevent network attacks on servers, thus improving network security.
US08499134B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for storing selective register reset. One method embodiment includes receiving an indication of a die and a plane associated with at least one address cycle. Such a method can also include selectively resetting a particular register of a number of registers, the particular register corresponding to the plane and the die.
US08499132B1
Described herein is a flash remapping (FR) layer in a storage operating system for utilizing flash memory as a secondary permanent storage device in a storage system. The FR layer collects particular information (specified by collection parameters) of received access requests for data stored on primary storage devices of the storage system. Based on the collected information and a predetermined access pattern (specified by pattern parameters), the FR layer selects data sets on the primary storage devices to be transferred permanently to flash memory, whereby subsequent access requests to the selected data sets are redirected to flash memory. New parameters may be received by the FR layer (from a user or program) to dynamically reconfigure the functions of the FR layer. The FR layer may be implemented in the operating system without requiring other code of the storage operating system to be modified.
US08499131B2
As part of a deduplication process, chunks are produced from data. The chunks are assigned to locations in a data store, where the assignments are such that a number of locations referenced is capped according to at least one predefined parameter.
US08499128B2
According to the disclosure, a unique and novel archiving system that provides one or more application layer partitions to archive data is disclosed. Embodiments include an active archive including a fixed storage. The active archive can create application layer partitions that associate the application layer partitions with portions of the fixed storage. Each application layer partition, in embodiments, has a separate set of controls that allow for customized storage of different data within a single archiving system. Further, embodiments of methods for ensuring storage capacity in the active archive and the application layer partitions within the active archive is also disclosed.
US08499127B2
A computer system includes a memory hub for coupling a processor to a plurality of synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”) devices. The memory hub includes a processor interface coupled to the processor and a plurality of memory interfaces coupled to respective SDRAM devices. The processor interface is coupled to the memory interfaces by a switch. Each of the memory interfaces includes a memory controller, a cache memory, and a prediction unit. The cache memory stores data recently read from or written to the respective SDRAM device so that it can be subsequently read by processor with relatively little latency. The prediction unit prefetches data from an address from which a read access is likely based on a previously accessed address.
US08499112B2
An aspect of the invention is a storage control apparatus, comprising a plurality of processors, a memory, an I/O device coupled to a storage device, a virtualization module that allocates a first processor to a first guest and a second processor to a second guest from among the plurality of processors, and an interrupt control module that receives an interrupt from the I/O device and transmits the interrupt to any one of the plurality of processors, wherein the virtualization module comprises, a state detection module that detects at least one of a state of the first guest and a state of the first processor, and an interrupt delivery destination control module that switches the interrupt with respect to the first processor to the second processor when at least one of the state of the first guest and the state of the first processor becomes a predetermined state.
US08499109B2
A data reproducing apparatus comprises: a reproducing unit adapted to read out data from a plurality of recording media; a list generating unit adapted to generate a content list which describes storage location information in association with contents stored in the plurality of recording media; and a communication unit adapted to communicate with an external device and sending the content list to the external device, wherein the list generating unit checks if the contents stored in the plurality of recording media include identical contents, and if the identical contents are detected, the list generating unit generates the content list including information indicating that the storage location information of the identical contents are integrated.
US08499097B1
The invention consists of the invention consists of a new route optimization authentication protocol. The current Mobile IPv6 protocols do not allow for optional control over the use of route optimization. The present invention allows for system control over whether route optimization is allowed or not allowed. The conditional allowance of route optimization solves several billing and security issues by allowing the system to impose appropriate charges for the route optimization feature or prevent route optimization where message flow using care-of addressing can be monitored.
US08499096B2
A system includes a plurality of cache servers and a domain name server. Each of the cache servers is configured to respond to a content request. The plurality of cache servers is divided into a plurality of subsets and configured to respond to an anycast address for each subset to which the cache server belongs. The domain name server is configured to receive a request from a requestor for a cache server address, identify an anycast address for a largest available subset, and provide the anycast address of the largest available subset to the requestor.
US08499095B1
A system receives a request at a hub. The request is received from a first spoke regarding a packet to be transmitted from the first spoke to a second spoke. The system identifies, at the time of the request, a preferred route from the first spoke to the second spoke. The system sends a redirect message to the first spoke, the redirect message directing the packet along the preferred route. The system transmits, from a first spoke to a hub, a first request associated with a packet. In response, the system receives, at the first spoke, a redirect message from the hub. The redirect message identifies a preferred route by which the first spoke transmits the packet to a second spoke. The system creates, at the first spoke, a second request containing a destination address of the second spoke, and transmits the second request along the preferred route.
US08499093B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing stateless load balancing of network traffic flows are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for performing stateless load balancing of network traffic flows. The method occurs at a layer 3 packet forwarding and layer 2 switching device. The method includes responding to address resolution protocol (ARP) requests from clients, the ARP requests including a virtual IP (VIP) address shared by the device and a plurality of servers coupled to the device, with the medium access control (MAC) address of the device. The method also includes receiving, from the clients, packets addressed to the VIP address and having the MAC address of the device. The method further includes load sharing the packets among the servers using a layer 3 forwarding operation that appears to the clients as a layer 2 switching operation.
US08499091B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recording and streaming multimedia sequences transmitted from a data distribution device (8) over a data communications network (2), comprising receiving a recording request; receiving a multimedia sequence (DC) relating to the recording request; removing, during reception of the multimedia sequence (DC), all information comprised in the multimedia sequence (DC) except the payload data from the multimedia sequence (DC); determining an empty memory portion (MB) in a temporary memory (6a) of a control unit (6); storing, during reception of the multimedia sequence (DC), the payload data in the memory portion (MB); writing the address of the memory portion (MB) to a second networking unit memory portion (4c″); and when the memory portion (MB) is full, by means of the writing device (4d): writing the address of the memory portion (MB) to a third networking unit memory portion (4c′″), and sending a trigger signal to a file system (6f) of the control unit (6) and by means of the file system (6f) transferring the payload data stored in the full memory portion (MB) to a memory portion (MC) of a memory unit (7).
US08499088B1
A portable electronic device is provided comprising a processor, a memory, a display, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, initiates a plurality of user agents that each indicate a different communication point. The portable electronic device also transmits a request for a content from each of the user agents to a content source, the requests being transmitted substantially concurrently. The portable electronic device also receives a plurality of contents, each content associated with one of the user agents and each content formatted differently than the remaining contents. The portable electronic also presents one of the contents on the display, wherein the portable electronic device promotes concurrent downloading of a content in multiple formats from the content source.
US08499078B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing a cluster of servers organized into nodes. A method of one aspect includes establishing a cluster; establishing a set of ultimate identifiers for nodes resulting from splitting in the cluster; and storing every new data object on a node that has a node identifier that identifies a subset of the set of ultimate identifiers, and providing for the object a universal identifier that combines (i) an object identifier that is unique on the node and (ii) a server identifier that is one of the ultimate identifiers in the subset. A method of another aspect includes generating for a new data object a universal identifier that has a node identifier part that uniquely identifies a node, a reserve part generated at least in part as a pseudo-random value, and an object identifier part that uniquely identifies the object in the node.
US08499077B2
A method of controlling internet access on a client computer. The method includes identifying a DNS request generated on the client computer and which is addressed to a specific DNS root server, and sending an information request to a central server identifying said DNS root server. Then, at the central server, reputation information for said DNS root server is determined, and said reputation information is provided from the central server to the client computer. The reputation information is then used at the client computer to handle the DNS request or a response to that request.
US08499070B2
An electronic device includes a communication component that connects the electronic device to a network and that enables the electronic device to communicate within the network. The electronic device also includes a listening unit connected to the communication component that monitors messages transmitted over the network. The electronic device includes a processing unit that determines a type of at least one monitored message. The electronic device also includes an output means for outputting at least a part of the monitored messages depending on the determined type.
US08499068B2
A method for transmitting measured information from a measuring computer to a control computer of a measuring system, the control and measuring computers being interconnected via a telecommunications network, includes combining measured data into characteristic values having a lower volume than the measured data. The characteristic values are transmitted from the measuring computer to the control computer.
US08499064B2
Mechanisms for managing a first unit and one or more other units connected to the first unit over a network are provided. The mechanisms detect, by a management unit, an operating state of the other units positioned within a specific range from the first unit on the basis of a location of each of the first and other units over the network. The operating state includes at least an operating state at which a service request is capable of being transmitted to the first unit. The mechanisms further transmit, by the management unit, to the first unit, an instruction to change an operating state of the first unit depending on a number of the other units being in the detected operating state at which the service request is capable of being transmitted.
US08499062B2
The storage system in the present invention includes: plural control units for controlling data sending/reception independently for each network; a management unit provided between a management computer and the control units, for managing the control units based on a command sent from the management computer; a virtual communication channel creation unit for creating a virtual communication channel between the management unit and the control units; a virtual communication channel connection unit for separately connecting the management unit and each control unit to the virtual communication channel created by the virtual communication channel creation unit; and a sending unit for sending, to each control unit, a command sent from the management computer via the virtual communication channel connected by the virtual communication channel connection unit.
US08499061B2
The invention relates to a method for inserting a new device in a community of devices wherein each device of the community is able to store insertion requests received from at least one new device and to forward these insertion requests to a device chosen by a user of the community for confirming authorization to join the community.
US08499058B2
According to an embodiment, a file transfer system and a file transfer method to transfer an MXF file are provided. A source server performs parallel transfer of data pieces of an MXF file divided by partition packs (PPs) sequentially from the beginning, by using multiple transmitters to a recording server through multiple channels included in a network. The recording server sequentially reads the data pieces divided by the PPs from buffers, and writes and records the data pieces to a storage unit.
US08499056B2
There is a master server according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes: a remote USB information manager receiving information on a USB device connected to a remote USB bridge from the remote USB bridge and managing the received information; a virtual machine information manager receiving information of a user's virtual machine from a virtual machine host server and managing the received information; a user request processor, in accordance with a request of a user who wants to access a predetermined USB device on the remote USB bridge, extracting information on the corresponding USB device from the remote USB information manager and extracting the information on the user's virtual machine from the virtual machine information manager; and a remote USB connection controller connecting the user's virtual machine to the predetermined USB device by using the information extracted by the user request processor.
US08499038B1
Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing participatory interaction at events using mobile devices. One approach is to utilize distributed display screens for the mobile devices in an audience to display a much larger collective image. Another approach is to utilize the distributed cameras of mobile devices in an audience to form a massive capture device from the different locations and perspectives of the audience members. Yet another approach is directed to the use of mobile devices in the audience to capture motion events among the audience, which are then used to synthesize new media items and types for the event.
US08499030B1
Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated data sources via a non-proprietary network instantiates a user interface function that enables a user at the user station to select one of a plurality of available network communications service providers, a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and a selected one of the multiplicity of independently-operated data sources using the selected one of the network communications service providers, and a data transport function that effectuates data transfers between the user station and the selected one of the data sources via the established communication link. Corresponding methods and a dedicated user station providing corresponding functions are also described.
US08499028B2
A Generic Mobile Web Services (GMWS) manager provides mobile clients with access to Web Services. The GMWS manager provides an interface between Web Services and mobile clients (hand held PDAs for example). The GMWS manager maintains a registry of supported Web Services and metadata attributes about the Web Services and the mobile client. Information is transferred between a client and a registered web service by way of the GMWS manager based on attributes available to the GMWS manager.
US08499023B1
A method for providing a lightweight grid computing environment. The method includes providing a web server running on a computer device and a grid engine on the web server that is adapted for processing grid compute requests from user programs. The grid engine receives a grid compute request from a user program that is processed by the grid engine to identify a client program available in the grid and a path in the grid to the client program. The method includes loading and running the client program with the grid engine to generate a client program output for transmittal to the user program. The grid compute request includes a URL request string including a name of the client program and the path to the client program and may also include a name of the computer device hosting the web server and a path to the grid engine.
US08499016B2
An object ranging system operates by transmitting pulses derived from a frequency-swept signal and determining the beat frequency of a combination of the frequency-swept signal and its reflection from an object. To determine the range of close objects the beat frequency is determined in the time domain by integrating samples of the beat frequency signal to obtain a value representing the integral of a half cycle of the sine wave, establishing integration thresholds representing when, according to the integration value, the sine wave would have reached predetermined stages in its cycle, and measuring the time taken for the integral of the sine wave to change from one threshold to another, this time thereby indicating the period of the beat frequency.
US08499014B2
A handheld calculator with disable/re-enable capability. The calculator includes a keypad, a display screen, and circuitry internal to the calculator. The circuitry includes a microprocessor, a storage unit for storing data and programs for execution by the microprocessor to implement calculator functions. The storage unit has stored therein a disable/re-enable program that recognizes a first predetermined calculator event and in response thereto disables one or more programs, and that recognizes a second predetermined calculator event and in response thereto re-enables the disabled program. The invention allows Apps, programs and additional information that may be embedded within the Apps and programs in a calculator or other handheld calculating device to be rendered temporarily inaccessible within a relatively short period of time, and then to be restored to the calculator, again, in a relatively short period of time.
US08499009B2
A system and method for transferring digital goods facilitates bulk upload of file images to a central repository. The software gets a File ID and a path to each file image to be uploaded from a list, typically an XML file, of input attributes. After successful verification, the file image is uploaded to the central repository and linked with a corresponding metadata object. Each metadata object contains attributes that describe the corresponding file image. Although file attributes may be defined when the metadata object is created, the software determines file image attributes as the file image is being uploaded and records them in the metadata object. File images are either uploaded from a server, typically an FTP server, having been placed there by the goods vendor; or the file images can be uploaded directly from a computer operated by the vendor.
US08499005B2
A computer implemented method of developing computer applications, the method comprising providing to multiple users access, over a network, to information on a data center, with a subgroup of the users having access to a sub-portion of the information that is different from the sub-portion accessible by the remaining tenants of the subgroup; and communicating with the data center over the network employing a computer system associated with a user of the sub-group to establish application functionality with the sub-portion that may be accessed, over the network, by additional parties authorized by the user. Also disclosed is a machine-readable medium and a data center, both of which facilitate carrying-out the steps of the method.
US08498999B1
Delivering a search result is disclosed. A query is received. A term in the query that is a first portion of an abbreviation pair is identified. A second portion of the abbreviation pair is determined. A search result for the query is determined based at least in part on the second portion of the abbreviation pair and the search result is returned.
US08498991B2
A neighborhood guide system, related method and associated database for providing information about businesses and other locations to a vehicle driver, or other user, in a more natural and informative manner than traditional IVR systems. When interacting with the user, the neighborhood guide system typically will only provide choices for the user to select from based on a user request that are in the particular vicinity of the user. Further, the neighborhood guide system provides usable information about the selected business by the user, such as hours of operation, cost, ratings, parking, etc.
US08498986B1
Techniques for data classification include receiving, at a local computing system, a query from a remote computing system, the query comprising data associated with a commodity, the data comprising one or more attributes of the commodity; matching the one or more attributes of the commodity with one or more terms of a plurality of terms in a word matrix that includes a plurality of nodes that each include a term of the plurality of terms and a plurality of links that each connect two or more nodes and define a similarity between the two or more nodes; generating, based on the matching, a numerical vector for the business enterprise commodity; identifying one or more classification regions that each define a classification of the commodity; and preparing the classifications for display at the remote computing system.
US08498985B2
Data elevation architecture for automatically and dynamically surfacing to a user interface (UI) context-specific data based on specific workflow or content currently being worked on by a user. Data is broken down into data elements and stored at a data element level in a data catalog using metadata, attributes, and relationships. Data elements are automatically selected from a comprehensive collection of the data catalogs based on relevancy and correlation to the current user task. The data catalog stores and relates the data elements and metadata based on criteria specified by content matching based on business terms or specified in a business process in predefined relationships between forms or specified by the user as correlated. The UI displays the data automatically in forms dynamically selected, populated, and presented at the point of focus or user activity so that the user can interact or take action immediately.
US08498983B1
A computer-assisted method for assisting a user to search for documents or other file objects includes receiving a query comprising a queried term from a user, wherein the queried term comprises a sequence of characters entered by the user, obtaining a first context term list comprising a first context term semantically related to the queried term, obtaining and displaying a first search result, dynamically displaying the first context term list in response to each character being entered in the query, allowing the user to select the first context term in the first context term list, obtaining a second context term list comprising a second context term semantically related to the queried term and the first context term, and displaying a second search result and the second context term list in a user interface in response to the selection of the first context term in the first context term list.
US08498976B1
A pre-audit system, apparatus, and method is provided to perform a pre-audit of form data. Form data is received from a supplier prior to the form data being delivered to one or more purchasers. The form data is compared with rules or conditions set by the one or more purchasers. A response message is transmitted to the supplier, where the response message includes one or more results and one or more descriptions related to the one or more results.
US08498975B2
Providing search results is disclosed. A search query is received and a plurality of preprocessing functions to be performed on the search query is determined based at least in part on a search label corresponding to the search query. The plurality of preprocessing functions is performed on the search query to obtain a plurality of preprocessed search queries. Based at least in part on precision levels associated with the plurality of preprocessed search queries, a search plan comprising a selected preprocessed search query is generated. The search plan is input to the search engine to obtain the search results.
US08498974B1
A computer-implemented method for processing query information includes receiving data representative of a search query from a user search session. The method also includes identifying a plurality of search results based upon the search query. Each search result is associated with a plurality of user characteristics and data that represents requestor behavior relative to previously submitted queries associated with the respective search result. The method also includes ordering the plurality of user characteristics based upon the data that represents requestor behavior relative to previously submitted queries and the respective search result. The method also includes adjusting the ordered plurality of user characteristics based upon at least one predefined compatibility associated with the user characteristics. The method also includes ranking the search results based upon the adjusted plurality of user characteristics.
US08498969B2
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method use a symmetric, transitive and reflexive function to allow for linking records and entity representations whose field values differ. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.
US08498962B1
A method and apparatus for providing single instance restoration of data files is provided. In one embodiment, a method for using a signature database to provide a single instance data restoration solution includes processing a restore request for a data file, wherein the data file is associated with a signature and examining a signature database using the signature to identify at least one locally available data file having at least one signature that matches the signature associated with the data file.
US08498961B2
The system and method of the present invention provide for automatic on-demand replication in a replication cluster of content management servers. A replication manager of a content management server receives newly created, modified, and deleted application item types along with their associated physical tables and automatically forwards the received application item types on-demand to the replication managers of other content management servers of the replication cluster.
US08498956B2
Techniques for detecting patterns in data streams. A pattern to be detected may be specified using a regular expression. Events received in data streams are then processed during runtime to detect occurrences of the pattern specified by the regular expression in the data stream. If the pattern to be matched belongs to a certain predetermined class of patterns, then a pattern matching technique that is customized for that class of patterns is used during the runtime events processing.
US08498954B2
A computer-implemented method for managing operations of a system includes deriving a nonlinear modeling function from a nonlinear response function, defining an allowed range for output values of the nonlinear modeling function, determining a range of a first set of input values of the nonlinear modeling function based on the allowed range of the output values, deriving a nonlinear probability function from the nonlinear response function, receiving the first set of input values, calculating the output values by processing each input value in the first set of input values through the nonlinear modeling function, determining, using the probability function, a relative probability of performing a first future system operation for each input value of the first set of input values and displaying, for each input value in the first set of input values, the corresponding output value and the corresponding probability.
US08498951B1
A method including training a plurality of learning systems, each learning system implementing a learning function and having an input and producing an output, initializing one or more data structures, and evaluating a target sample is described. Also described are methods that include initializing one or more data structures and evaluating a target sample for a best match.
US08498944B2
A computer-implemented method and system for negotiating the purchase of goods and/or services by customers utilizes a simulated human merchant having predefined behavioral attributes. An algorithm representing behavioral attributes of a simulated human merchant is used to receive customer input data relating to particular goods and/or services desired to be purchased. The customer input data is processed to generate merchant responses to the customer input data, and the sale of goods and/or services are agreed to at a particular price as a result of processing of customer replies to merchant responses according to the algorithm.
US08498943B2
An on-line value bearing item (VBI) printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a secure database is disclosed. The secure database includes account balances and other information for all of the on-line value-bearing item system customers and is capable of preventing access by unauthorized users. Also, a secure communication network is in operation to prevent unauthorized access to the users' data stored in the database.A plurality of subsystems located on the server system side of the on-line VBI system provide services related to purchasing, accounting, and printing of VBI. In addition to the secure database, the server system includes one or more cryptographic modules for authenticating, processing value for the VBI, and generating indicia data for the plurality of users.
US08498939B1
A deferred payment authorization system that allows users to exercise an instant purchase, deferred payment option for online payment without providing payment information. multiple transaction costs for frequent or recurring purchases can be reduced to a singe transaction that can be processed offline at the user's convenience, particularly for small, online purchases made on a frequent or reoccurring basis.
US08498935B2
A system and method for automated adjustment processing using pre-configured sets of business rules is provided. The seller pre-configures a set of business rules for use in processing an adjustment for a specific buyer. The set of business rules may be variable for each buyer and/or globally set. When a payment is received from a seller and an adjustment is required, an adjustment management application retrieves the buyer's set of business rules from the seller. The set of business rules are then applied to attempt to match the received payment to one of the buyer's outstanding invoices. If the match is successful, the buyer's payment is processed.
US08498934B2
A multi-account payment consolidation system and process, comprising a payment terminal at a point-of-sale. A central computer system is operatively coupled to the payment terminal through a network connection, the central computer system including at least a processor, and memory comprising program instructions. The program instructions are executable by the processor to register a plurality of external financial accounts and associate them with a user, register at least one customized rule-set for processing a payment associated with the user, authenticate the user when the user logs in at the payment terminal, automatically process the payment in accordance with the customized rule-set by accessing the external financial accounts, and receive a payment confirmation from the external financial accounts for display to the user on the payment terminal.
US08498930B2
Disclosed is a system and method for the automated summarizing and reporting of key credit data elements of a consumer's multiple credit reports into an electronic, condensed, human-readable summary report including those key credit data elements most of interest to a loan originator. The generated electronic summary document displays the consumer's current credit mid-score, a credit mid-score forecast 30 days in the future, a mid-score projection based upon increases in the consumer's revolving debt, and an indication of the presence of negative credit information in the consumer's native credit reports.
US08498920B2
A method and system to report the environmental benefits of consumers' purchases of alternative fuels. The system tracks and stores the purchases of customers from a vendor of alternative fuels. The system calculates the environmental savings that a customer generates by using alternative fuel in place of standard fuels. Environmental savings may be calculated in terms of various metrics, including reduced carbon emissions, gasoline not consumed, or other environmental benefits. The system provides a marketplace that allows consumers to receive the benefit of the calculated environmental savings by selling, trading, or retiring the generated savings.
US08498919B2
Computer-implemented trading of financial products can include using a first communication channel to stream offering data for a plurality of different financial products from a server to a trading terminal. A second communication channel can be used to receive request for offers about ones of the financial products from the trading terminal. Such request can include user-specified parameters that modify or further specify characteristics of the desired products. Offers may then be determined for the product in accordance with the user-specified parameters and transmitted (over the second communication channel) back to the trading terminal. Each communication channel can be allocated a different priority and/or different level of system processing resources to optimize the allocation of system resources based on the criticality of data on each channel.
US08498914B2
In a network-based bill pay service including a navigating software for emulating a client in network navigation, a software application for collecting and normalizing client data, and a network interface for presenting the information to the client, a method for increasing the level of client participation in the service includes steps (a) navigating to a client site; (b) accessing and mining client data for payee account data; (c) analyzing the mined payee account data for fullness of information and if required searching and adding new relevant information to the payee account data; (d) formatting the payee account data into an interactive bill pay account module; and (e) presenting the bill-pay service option and the bill pay account module relative to the payee account data to the client as an opportunity.
US08498912B2
A charge managing system including an image forming apparatus and a charge managing server is provided. The image forming apparatus includes plural applications each configured for executing a specific process on input data, a counter unit that counts a number of result items output as a result of executing at least one of the applications, a count value storage unit that stores a count value corresponding to the number of result items counted by the counter unit, and a storage area setting unit that secures a plurality of storage areas within the count value storage unit each of which storage areas is configured for storing a corresponding count value obtained for each of the applications. The charge managing server manages charging a fee for using the image forming apparatus based on the corresponding count value stored in each of the storage areas secured for each of the applications.
US08498911B2
Provided is a charging method capable of offering a user an incentive to use a particle generation factor determining system. In the particle generation factor determining system including a user interface device 11 through which a user inputs a particle map and a server 13, the server 13 calculates accuracy of each of multiple particle generation factors based on the particle map; the user interface device 11 displays the calculated accuracy or a title of generation-factor-relevant information 27 on each particle generation factor corresponding to this accuracy; the server 13 provides the generation-factor-relevant information 27 to the user interface device 11; a charged fee for providing particle generation-factor-relevant information 27 is determined based on accuracy of a particle generation factor corresponding to the provided generation-factor-relevant information 27.
US08498886B2
A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
US08498875B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding an enhancement layer to reduce quantization error in a G.711 codec. Exponent indices of additional mantissa information of each sample are calculated based upon exponent information of each sample in a frame. A process of allocating 1 bit to each sample with a current exponent index is repeated, the exponent index starting from the maximum value while decreasing by 1 at every repetition until the total number of bits allocated to the samples is equal to the total number of available bits in the frame. And the most significant bits, as many as the number of bits allocated to each sample, are extracted from the additional mantissa information of each sample in the frame.
US08498874B2
A method of encoding a time-domain audio signal is presented. A device transforms the time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal including a sequence of sample blocks, wherein each block includes a coefficient for each of multiple frequencies. The coefficients of each block are grouped into frequency bands. For each frequency band of each block, a scale factor is estimated for the band, and the energy of the band for the block is compared with the energy of the band of an adjacent sample block, wherein the blocks may be adjacent to each other in either or both of an interchannel and a temporal sense. If the ratio of the band energy for the first block to the band energy for the adjacent block is less than some value, the scale factor of the band for the first block is increased. The coefficients of the band for each block are quantized based on the resulting scale factor. The encoded audio signal is generated based on the quantized coefficients and the scale factors.
US08498869B2
A method including: obtaining, via a plurality of communication devices, a plurality of speech signals respectively associated with human speakers, the speech signals including verbal components and non-verbal components; identifying a plurality of geographical locations, each geographic location associated with a respective one of the plurality of the communication devices; extracting the non-verbal components from the obtained speech signals; deducing physiological or psychological conditions of the human speakers by analyzing, over a specified period, the extracted non-verbal components, using predefined relations between characteristics of the non-verbal components and physiological or psychological conditions of the human speakers; and providing a geographical distribution of the deduced physiological or psychological conditions of the human speakers by associating the deduced physiological or psychological conditions of the human speakers with geographical locations thereof.
US08498855B2
A circuit simulation apparatus is provided with a parameter calculating tool and a circuit simulator. The parameter calculating tool is configured to extract gate spacings between gates of a target MOS transistor and adjacent MOS transistors integrated in an integrated circuit from layout data of the integrated circuit, and to calculate a transistor model parameter corresponding to a threshold voltage of the target MOS transistor based on the extracted gate spacings. The circuit simulator is configured to perform circuit simulation of the integrated circuit by using the calculated transistor model parameter.
US08498848B2
A method of upscaling for reservoir simulation is disclosed, comprising: inverting a set of deep reading measurements constrained by upscaled multi-well data, and, in response to the inverting step, upscaling for reservoir simulation.
US08498836B2
A thermographic analysis method and apparatus is provided. The method includes obtaining base-line and operational thermographic profiles of a subject area, calculating a difference profile from the base-line and operational thermographic profiles, and providing an indication from the difference profile. The indication may be also based on thermographic differences in portions of the subject area that are defined as thermographic zones.
US08498834B2
Radio frequency energy deposition analysis can include receiving information defining one or more radio frequency sources. Information defining one or more objects interacting with energy from the radio frequency sources may also be received. Ray traces of radio frequency energy from the radio frequency source to the object may be calculated. Ray traces of radio frequency energy reflected off of the object can also be calculated. Finally, the radio frequency energy deposited onto the object from the ray traces can be determined. The deposited energy may be graphically displayed and queried.
US08498813B2
Devices, methods, and programs identify a leading candidate point by calculating a cost for candidate points on a road, and match a vehicle position to the identified leading candidate point. The devices, methods, and programs acquire an estimated vehicle position based on dead reckoning navigation, acquire a GPS position of the vehicle, and set the candidate points for the vehicle position on nearby roads. The devices, methods, and programs calculate for each candidate point a normal cost of the candidate point with respect to the estimated position and a correction cost that corresponds to a value L1 (the value L1 being found by subtracting a width W of a road having the candidate point from a distance d between the GPS position and the candidate point), and identify the leading candidate point based on a total cost of the normal cost and the correction cost for each candidate point.
US08498802B2
In a vehicle drive control apparatus, a behavior determination unit determines whether a vehicle behavior is in a stable state or an unstable state based on a vehicle turning behavior. An engine stop control unit avoids stopping the engine as automatic stop conditions are not satisfied when the vehicle behavior is determined to be in an unstable state during operation of the engine. When the vehicle behavior is in a stable state and other automatic stop conditions are satisfied during operation of the engine, the engine stop control unit stops the engine. During stability control performed by a stability ECU, the engine stop control unit avoids stopping the engine as the automatic stop conditions are not satisfied.
US08498799B2
A first control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines first and second fuel masses for first and second fuel injection systems of the engine, respectively, and that controls the first fuel injection system to inject a first fuel based on the first fuel mass. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel based on the second fuel mass. A second control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module controls a first fuel injection system of the engine to inject a first fuel and selectively disables at least one of a plurality of components of a second fuel injection system of the engine. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel.
US08498785B2
An apparatus determines a position of a tire on a vehicle including a tire-based sensing unit, each tire on the vehicle having an associated tire-based sensing unit. Each tire-based sensing unit includes a first sensor mounted for rotation with the tire and for generating a first sensor signal indicative of such rotation, a second sensor mounted for rotation with the tire and for generating a second sensor signal indicative of such rotation, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of a phase relationship between the first and second sensor signals. An axle position sensor is provided for determining each tire-based sensing unit position relative to a front and rear axle of the vehicle and provides an axle position signal for each tire-based sensing unit. A controller monitors the transmitted phase signals of each tire-based sensing unit and the determines axle position signals. The controller compares the tire-based sensing unit phase relationships for possible tire locations considering the determined axle positions of the tire-based sensing units, determines a confidence value by weighting the compared phase relationships, compares the phase difference of each tire-based sensing unit relative to the phase difference of other tire-based sensing units for each possible vehicle tire location, and associates each tire-based sensing unit with a vehicle location in response to the confidence values.
US08498777B2
System for monitoring the status and driving of a vehicle that consists of at least the following: (i) a first adjustable means for detecting vibrations (2) and a first element for adjusting the sensitivity of the vibrating means (5), where this first adjusting element (5) is configured for adapting the system to different types of vibrations, controlling the operation of the first adjustment means (2); (ii) a second adjustable means for timing (3) and a second element for adjusting the sensitivity of the timing means (4), where this second adjusting element (4) is configured for determining the system waiting period between vibrations and lack of vibrations, controlling the operation of the second adjustment means (2); and (iii) a third means for detecting the type of driving (10) that has been configured, at least, to know the nominal status of the vehicle and the status of the vehicle in motion.
US08498772B2
In an idle stop vehicle, a starter has separately an electromagnetic switch for energizing a motor and a pinion control solenoid for engaging a pinion gear with a ring gear. A coil of the solenoid is energized by a battery through a relay. For starting an engine, an ECU turns on the relay and the electromagnetic switch so that the starter cranks an engine. During engine operation, the ECU turns on only the relay while maintaining turn-off of the electromagnetic switch. If a voltage of a current supply path between the relay and the coil is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the ECU prohibits automatic idle stop by determining that the current supply path to the coil has abnormality.
US08498768B2
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a generator motor, a capacitor, and a driving force assisting unit. Further, the control device includes a switching unit that selects an appropriate traveling range from a plurality of traveling ranges including at least a normal traveling range and a charging priority range for preferentially charging the capacitor and switches the range, and a threshold value increasing unit that increases, when the charging priority range is selected by the switching unit, the predetermined determination threshold value as compared to when the normal traveling range is selected by the switching unit.
US08498761B2
A system allows conventional, unprepared fixed-wing aircraft to land safely on very small, unprepared areas, enabling an aerodynamic capacitance in which the airplanes can fly in a controlled manner against coherent air current, being assisted by a combined system including both the air current control mechanisms and the automatic flight control system of the aircraft.
US08498756B1
A reusable space flight launch system is configured to eliminate complex descent and landing systems from the space flight hardware and move them to maneuverable ground based systems. Precision landing of the reusable space flight hardware is enabled using a simple, light weight aerodynamic device on board the flight hardware such as a parachute, and one or more translating ground based vehicles such as a hovercraft that include active speed, orientation and directional control. The ground based vehicle maneuvers itself into position beneath the descending flight hardware, matching its speed and direction and captures the flight hardware. The ground based vehicle will contain propulsion, command and GN&C functionality as well as space flight hardware landing cushioning and retaining hardware. The ground based vehicle propulsion system enables longitudinal and transverse maneuverability independent of its physical heading.
US08498751B2
A method for early detection and anticipatory control of consumer-end load shedding in a single-phase or polyphase electrical grid supplied with single phase or polyphase by at least one generator driven by at least one rotating machine includes measuring a current and a voltage between the at least one generator and the electrical grid and/or a current and a voltage in the electrical grid, deriving at least one signal from the measured current and voltage and using the at least one derived signal to act on the at least one rotating machine.
US08498746B2
A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.
US08498743B2
A finite state machine (FSM)-based biped robot, to which a limit cycle is applied to balance the robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, and a method of controlling balance of the robot. In order to balance an FSM-based biped robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based biped robot are set. The range of the control angles is restricted to reduce the maximum right and left moving distance of the biped robot and thus to reduce the maximum right and left moving velocity of the biped robot, thereby reducing the sum total of the moments of the biped robot and thus allowing the ankles of the biped robot to balance the biped robot to be controlled, and causing the soles of the feet of the biped robot to parallel contact the ground.
US08498742B2
An finite state machine (FSM)-based biped walking robot, to which a limit cycle is applied to balance the robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, and a method of controlling balance of the robot. In order to balance an FSM-based biped walking robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based biped walking robot are set, and the control angles are controlled using a sinusoidal function to allow relations between the control angles and control angular velocities to form a stable closed loop within a limit cycle, thereby allowing the biped walking robot to balance itself while changing its supporting foot and thus to safely walk without falling down.
US08498740B2
Arrangement for the maintenance of a sliding closure mounted on the spout of a container for molten metal. The arrangement includes at least one tool magazine, at least one replacement part magazine and a system for opening and closing the sliding closure. The robot includes an automatic grip changing system and is operationally connected to a control unit to enable it to automatically detect the exact position of the container or of the sliding closure. Thereafter, the robot can control opening and closing of the sliding closure and, depending on the condition of the individual components to be replaced, it can grip tools or replacement parts from the magazines surrounding the robot and can perform cleaning operations, dismantle components and replace or reinstall the same. In this way, personnel can be saved and the occupational safety is thus increased.
US08498730B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for creating customized products using a product identification device. In some embodiments, the process involves receiving an aggregate order for yearbooks, creating a master list associated with the aggregate order and including single orders, associating at least one number with each single order, manufacturing a first portion of a yearbook for each single order with a first identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, manufacturing a second portion of the yearbook for the single order with a second identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, and combining the first portion with the second portion.
US08498727B1
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production, control and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an understanding of how the multiple characteristics of a given process output are related to each other and to process inputs. It also facilitates an understanding of the sometimes complex interrelationships between design targets, design tolerances, process inputs, process control variables, average process output and variation in the process output. In one implementation, the present invention enables or facilitates the implementation of static and dynamic control systems in connection with manufacturing or other process. For example, in one implementation, the present invention provides a dynamic control system for manufacturing processes that is responsive to the observed output of a process.
US08498725B2
Distributed conferencing systems and methods provide local meeting contents to remote participants. In accordance with various example embodiments, a plurality of authorized source units generate media content responsive to and representative of respective content for a meeting. In response to the generated media content, one or more data streams are developed at each authorized source, each stream being a separately-decodable real-time representation of at least a portion of the media content generated at the respective authorized source. The separate data streams are transmitted by each authorized source to a common multicast IP group address for retrieval/access by remote participants.
US08498724B2
In a digital mixer that processes audio signals in a plurality of channels, layer data which indicates a channel to be assigned to each channel strip in a channel strip section can be set to indicate retainment of assignment status for any of the channel strips. When the layer is selected, the digital mixer assigns the channel indicated by the layer data corresponding to the selected layer to each channel strip for which assignment of some channel is indicated, and leaves the assignment of the channel unchanged regarding the channel strip for which retainment of assignment status is indicated in the layer data.
US08498720B2
The implantable electrode system of the preferred embodiments includes a conductor, an interconnect coupled to the conductor, an insulator that insulates the interconnect, and an anchor that is connected to both the conductor and the insulating element. The anchor is mechanically interlocked with at least one of the conductor and the insulator.
US08498719B2
An implantable medical device lead includes an inner conductor coil comprising one or more generally cylindrically wound filars. The inner conductor coil is configured to have a first inductance value greater than or equal to 0.2 μH/inch when the inner conductor coil is subjected to a range of radio frequencies. The implantable medical device lead also includes a multi-filar outer coil comprising two or more generally cylindrically wound filars. The multi-filar outer coil is configured to have a second inductance value greater than or equal to 0.1 μH/inch when the multi-filar outer coil is subjected to the range of radio frequencies.
US08498718B2
A device for brain stimulation that includes a lead having a longitudinal surface; at least one stimulation electrode disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead; and at least one recording electrode, separate from the at least one stimulation electrode, disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead.
US08498714B2
An exemplary method of conveying fine structure information to a cochlear implant patient includes dividing an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, generating electrical stimulation in accordance with the information contained within each of the analysis channels, applying the electrical stimulation to at least one stimulation site within a patient via a plurality of stimulation channels, and at least partially isolating one of the stimulation channels from a rest of the stimulation channels, wherein fine structure information is conveyed to the patient via the isolated stimulation channel. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08498711B2
A post-operative pain inhibitor system comprises a controller and leads. Neuro-stimulator circuitry may be included within the patient controller or within one or more prosthetic components for generating a signal. In one example, an electrode is configured to be attached to skin in proximity to an operative field of an implanted joint. Topical leads, percutaneous leads, subcutaneous leads, intraosseous leads, or leads can also be placed in proximity to the operative field corresponding to the prosthetic component installation. The lead or electrodes can be coupled to neuro-stimulation circuitry to stimulate peripheral nerve fibers to affect body generated action potentials. A transmitter or power source can be housed in a prosthetic component. The controller can modify the pulse width, pulse shape, pulse repetition rate, and pulse amplitude of the signal thereby allowing the patient to adapt the signal to minimize their perceived pain.
US08498709B2
A system for planning implantation of a neurostimulation probe is provided. The system comprises an input for receiving anatomical data comprising information regarding a position and an orientation of at least one fiber bundle in a target region, an input for receiving therapeutic information comprising information regarding a stimulation preferability of the at least one fiber bundle, an optimization module for based on the position, the orientation and the stimulation preferability of the at least one fiber bundle calculating at least one optimal position and at least one optimal orientation for implantation of the neurostimulation probe at which optimal position and orientation the probe is capable of generating an electric field gradient substantially parallel to at least one fiber bundle with a high stimulation preferability and/or substantially perpendicular to at least one fiber bundle with a low stimulation preferability and an output for providing the optimal position and orientation.
US08498706B2
An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08498699B2
An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.
US08498696B2
A health monitoring device is provided and includes a detecting unit for detecting a first electric signal from a human body and a processing unit for performing the following steps: receiving the first electric signal; performing wavelet transform on the first electric signal, to filter frequency bands thereof which include undesired noises, and then perform a reverse wavelet transform to obtain a second electric signal; combining frequency bands of the first electric signal which include primary characteristics and then perform a reverse wavelet transform on the combined frequency bands to obtain a fourth electric signal; and comparing the fourth electric signal with a plurality of electric signal patterns of a database to determine whether the fourth electric signal is an electric signal for healthiness.
US08498695B2
An endoscopic video system and method using a camera with a single color image sensor, for example a CCD color image sensor, for fluorescence and color imaging and for simultaneously displaying the images acquired in these imaging modes at video rates in real time is disclosed. The tissue under investigation is illuminated continuously with fluorescence excitation light and is further illuminated periodically using visible light outside of the fluorescence excitation wavelength range. The illumination sources may be conventional lamps using filters and shutters, or may include light-emitting diodes mounted at the distal tip of the endoscope.
US08498691B2
A robotically controlled guide instrument system, comprising an elongate flexible guide instrument; a drive assembly coupled to a proximal portion of the guide instrument and configured to maneuver a distal portion of the guide instrument; a master controller including a user interface that may be manipulated to actuate the drive assembly and thereby maneuver the distal portion the guide instrument; and a closure device detachably coupled to a delivery member carried by the guide instrument, the guide instrument maneuverable to position the closure device proximate an opening of a left atrial appendage of a person's heart such that the prosthesis may be detached from the delivery member and implanted to substantially close off the left atrial appendage.
US08498687B2
A body fat measurement device includes: hand electrodes that make contact with both hands; back area electrodes that makes contact with the surface of the back area side of the trunk area; foot electrodes that make contact with both feet; a body impedance measurement unit that measures a body impedance in a body using these multiple electrodes; and a body fat mass calculation unit that calculates a body fat mass based on the body impedance measured by the body impedance measurement unit. The foot electrodes that make contact with both feet are provided on a platform unit in an exposed state, and the hand electrodes that make contact with both hands and the back area electrodes that make contact with the surface of the back area side of the trunk area are all provided on a fitting unit in an exposed state.
US08498682B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an optical sensor capable of measuring two analytes simultaneously with a single indicator system. In preferred embodiments, the sensor comprises a fluorescent dye having acid and base forms that facilitate ratiometric pH sensing, wherein the dye is further associated with a glucose binding moiety and configured to generate a signal that varies in intensity with the concentration of glucose.
US08498679B2
An electronic device includes a main body and a BLUETOOTH earphone that can be detachably attached to the main body. The earphone includes a keyboard capable of generating signals to control the electronic device in response to user input. The main body includes a detecting unit, a processing unit, and a touch-sensitive screen. The detecting unit generates a signal when the earphone is attached to the main body. The processing unit controls to display information without specific information or with specific information on the touch-sensitive screen upon receiving the signal from the detecting unit.
US08498668B2
In a radio access network, novel systems and methods reduce processing delay, and improve integration with IP networks, by separating user data from connection management and control data at a Node B or at a base station. The user data are routed to an IP (Internet Protocol) switch, whereas the connection management and control data are routed to a centralized radio network controller (RNC). Pursuant to a second embodiment of the invention, a centralized RNC provides improved radio resource management (RRM) functionality by handing all connection management and control data for a plurality of Node B's, thereby simplifying the switching of user data throughout the radio access network. Pursuant to a third embodiment of the invention, a smart IP switch is equipped to switch user data without core network (CN) involvement. Downlink user data are switched independently of uplink user data.
US08498667B2
A method and system for played a mixed audio in a communications device during an active communication session is disclosed. One configuration allows for ringtone audio to be heard simultaneously with voice audio received during an on-going phone call. In one configuration, the device comprises a transceiver a transceiver configured to receiver a first audio signal, an event handler configured to receive a notification, a storage configured to store at least one audio file, a processor configured to initiate a conversion of an audio file stored in the storage into a second audio signal, based on the received notification, a mixer configured to mix the first audio signal and the second audio signal to create a mixed audio signal, and an output device to output the mixed audio signal.
US08498663B2
A base station includes: means that derives a transmission power of a mobile station based on receive quality of an uplink pilot channel; means that reports the derived transmission power to the mobile station; and means that receives a control channel transmitted by the mobile station according to the reported information. Accordingly, irrespective of transmission power history over a past continuous time, the mobile station receives an instruction on the transmission power from the base station each time when transmitting a packet so as to be able to adjust the transmission power.
US08498654B2
A method and system for location-based communication. A selection of a source transceiver from a plurality of available transceivers associated with a source may be received. A telephony session may be initiated with the selected source transceiver. A mobile target transceiver may be geographically located. A result of the geographic location regarding the located mobile target transceiver may be provided. The located mobile target transceiver may be connected to the telephony session.
US08498636B2
It is disclosed to operate a generating/updating process that comprises generating and/or updating at least one model for a coverage area of a communication node and/or at least one process associated with said generating/updating process in dependence on at least one state of a state machine.
US08498627B2
The present disclosure relates generally to mobile devices and content recognition. One claim recites a method employing a mobile device having a processor configured to perform one or more acts of the method, the mobile device including at least one sensor. The method includes: obtaining information from the sensor; and selecting a user profile from among a plurality of different user profiles based on the information. Other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US08498625B2
In one embodiment, a communication request from a remote requester is intercepted at the computing device. Based on the intercepted communication request, one or more voicemail features are enabled at the computing device, independent of carrier voicemail support. The remote requester may be, for example, a caller or a voicemail server, and the intercepted communication request may be a phone call or a voicemail notification, respectively. In another embodiment, a system at a computing device coupled to a network includes a communication request handler and a voicemail manager. The communication request handler intercepts a communication request from a remote requester at the computing device. The intercepted communication request may be a voicemail notification from a network server or a phone call from a caller. The voicemail manager enables one or more voicemail features at the computing device, independent of carrier voicemail support, based on the intercepted communication request.
US08498618B2
A method and apparatus for intelligent authentication based on proximity and using a short wireless device.The method checks if the user captured a PIN code recently and if no signal drop was detected since the last PIN capture. It obtains user data from a unitary short wireless device and authenticates it.If the user PIN was not captured recently, or if a signal drop was recently detected, the user is asked to enter a PIN code.
US08498614B1
A wireless transmission security apparatus includes a wireless device (WD) adaptor, wherein the WD adaptor is configured to contain a portion of radio frequency (RF) radiation emanating from an antenna of an associated wireless communication device, wherein the WD adaptor is selectively communicatively couplable to the wireless communication device at a selected antenna coupling point of the wireless communication device, and a base transceiver station (BTS) adaptor, wherein the WD adaptor and the BTS adaptor are communicatively coupled via uplink and downlink signals, wherein the frequency of the uplink signal is different from a frequency of a native RF uplink signal emanating from the wireless communication device and the downlink signal is different from a frequency of a native RF downlink signal emanating from the BTS.
US08498612B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an accounting management architecture for an operational support system for a wireless network comprises an accounting client capable of retrieving the accounting information from a base station and forwarding the accounting information to an accounting server of a connectivity service network (CSN) which may be the home CSN of the mobile station or a visited connectivity service network when the mobile station is roaming. If the mobile station is roaming, the visited CSN may function as a proxy/server between the visited accounting client and the home accounting server. An element management system may retrieve the accounting records and forward the accounting records to a billing processing system.
US08498602B2
This invention relates to an open wireless architecture (OWA) radio frequency (RF) transceiver architecture including RF front-end system. Specifically, the invention relates to an OWA RF front-end utilizing non-broadband RF hardware to support wide range frequency bands and broad transmission bandwidth for future wireless communications.
US08498573B2
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and program product for dynamic changes to a user profile based on external service integration. The method, system and program product comprise establishing a direct two-way communication between a first mobile device and a second mobile device when a first mobile device direct transceiver and a second mobile device direct transceiver are within a range of each other. A number of data is gathered from a number of internal sources or a number of external sources. An analysis of the number of data to determine a modification to a first list stored in the first device is performed. A modified first list is generated based on the analysis. The modified first list is automatically sent from the first mobile device to the number of second devices responsive to establishing the direct two-way communication between the first mobile device and a number of second devices.
US08498569B2
A communication system is provided that allows the use of low-cost, low-power remote terminal units that communicate substantially asynchronously and independently to a base station. To minimize cost and complexity, the remote terminal units are configured similarly, including the use of substantially identical transmission schemes, such as a common Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) code. To minimize collisions among transmissions, the communication system is designed to use a high-gain antenna with a limited field of view, to limit the number of cotemporaneous, or overlapping transmissions that are received at the base station. To cover a wide area, the limited field of view is swept across the area of coverage. To overcome potential losses caused by collisions, the remote terminal units are configured to repeat transmissions; to minimize repeated collisions, the repeat interval and/or duration is randomized.
US08498564B2
A fixing roller/fixing belt having an elastic layer and a surface layer formed on a substrate material in the enumerated order, wherein the surface layer is a layer formed by thermally shrinking a PFA tube, and the surface layer and the elastic layer are bonded together through a PFA-containing adhesive material. In particular, a fixing roller/fixing belt in which the ratio of heat shrinkage of the PFA tube forming the surface layer is 3 to 20%. Also, a fixing roller/fixing belt, in which the quantity of PFA contained in the PFA-containing adhesive material is 20 to 30 wt %.
US08498563B2
A fixing device includes a fixing member that has a conductive layer capable of being heated by electromagnetic induction and fixes an image to the recording material; a magnetic-field generator that generates an alternating magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; a heating member that is at least partly separated from the fixing member and is heated; and a deformable member that is deformed when receiving heat and moves the heating member toward the fixing member.
US08498552B2
An image forming device includes a support member and a plurality of operation members supported on the support member. The support member is movable relative to a main casing. A plurality of toner cartridges is detachably mounted on the support member, and each includes a casing formed with an opening for supplying toner to a corresponding developing unit and a shutter movable relative to the casing to selectively open and close the opening. Each operation member is operated in a direction substantially parallel to an axial direction of photosensitive drums to press one of the casing and the shutter, thereby moving the shutter relative to the casing in the direction to open the opening.
US08498546B2
A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner supply container including a rotatable container body for containing toner; and a sensor, rotatable integrally with the container body, for detecting a remaining toner amount in the container body.
US08498532B2
A digital camera equipped with a projector, includes a photographing device; a projector device that projects an optical image; a mode switching operation member that outputs a switching operation signal indicating a changeover to one of a photographing operation mode in which image data photographed by the photographing device are saved as a photographic image file in a recording medium and a projection operation mode in which a reproduced image is projected by the projector device; a top surface operation member disposed at an upper surface of a casing; and a projection control device that controls the projector device based upon an operation signal provided by the top surface operation member upon receiving a switching operation signal indicating a changeover to the projection operation mode from the mode switching operation member.
US08498529B2
An interchangeable lens includes an image stabilizing unit, a position detector configured to detect a position of the correction lens, and a controller configured to set a movable range of the correction lens, when the interchangeable lens is mounted on a first camera body having a function of correcting at least one of a peripheral brightness and an aberration of a picked-up image according to position information of the correction lens, the controller sets the movable range of the correction lens to a first movable range, and when the interchangeable lens is mounted on a second camera body not having a function of correcting the peripheral brightness or the aberration of the picked-up image according to the position information of the correction lens, the controller sets the movable range of the correction lens to a second movable range that is narrower than the first movable range.
US08498517B2
A method of implementing multimedia recording, comprises the following steps of: (1) establishing a multimedia channel between a media resource handling device and a recording data source; (2) a media resource controller including media controlling parameters, and indicating the media resource handling device to start a multimedia recording operation via said multimedia channel; (3) depending on the parameters indicated by the media resource controlling device, the media resource handling device saving the received media data as a multimedia data file according to a format indicated by the parameters. A system of implementing multimedia recording and media resource handling device. Using this method, system and the media resource handling device of present invention can make the media resource controller indicate the media resource handling device to implement the multimedia recording operation.
US08498508B2
An optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber connector includes a housing, a coupler and an resilient member received in the housing. The coupler received in the housing and couples optical signals between optical fibers. The coupler includes a main portion and a flat positioning portion integrally connected to the main portion. The resilient member includes a first arm and a second arm forming a subtantially V-shaped profile, an inner surface of the resilient member is flat. The positioning portion is inserted between the V-shaped profile resilient member, and the distal end of the positioning portion is in contact to the resilient member. The resilient member is configured to apply a spring force on the coupler.
US08498505B2
A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer further including light injection elements and respective light bypass elements disposed optically upstream of the light injection elements. The light injection elements and/or the bypass elements can take the form of injection facets (air prisms), surface diffraction elements, volume diffraction elements, and gradient index profiles. A light collection and concentration system comprises a single light guide apparatus, a light-transmitting medium layer disposed immediately adjacent the single light guide apparatus, and a primary light concentrator component disposed adjacent the light-transmitting medium layer, including a plurality of primary concentrator elements each of which is in optical registration with a respective one of the light injection elements of the single light guide apparatus.
US08498503B2
An integrated optical coupler including in the medium separating a first integrated waveguide from a second substantially parallel integrated waveguide, a succession of strips parallel to one another and orthogonal to the general direction of the waveguides, said strips being made of a material having an absorption preventing the propagation of an electromagnetic wave across its volume, and having: a length H equal to kλ/2nmedium, where k is an integer, λ is the central wavelength used, and nmedium is the optical index of the medium between the waveguides; a period P smaller than λ/2nmedium; and ends at a distance shorter than λ/10 from the waveguides.
US08498501B2
Provided are a semiconductor optical modulator and a semiconductor Mach-Zehnder optical modulator of high efficiency and high reliability.The semiconductor optical modulator 10 of the present invention includes a substrate 11; a first n-type cladding layer 12; a semiconductor optical modulation layer 13; a p-type cladding layer 14; a second n-type cladding layer 15; a passivation film 19; and an electric field-relaxing layer 16, wherein the first n-type cladding layer 12, the semiconductor optical modulation layer 13, the p-type cladding layer 14, and the second n-type cladding layer 15 are laminated on the substrate 11 in this order to form a waveguide structure, the passivation film 19 is arranged at the side surfaces of the waveguide structure, the electric field-relaxing layer 16 is interposed between the p-type cladding layer 14 and the second n-type cladding layer 15, and an impurity concentration of the electric field-relaxing layer 16 is lower than that of the p-type cladding layer 14 and that of the second n-type cladding layer 15.
US08498490B1
Implementations consistent with the principles described herein relate to ranking a set of images based on features of the images determine the most representative and/or highest quality images in the set. In one implementation, an initial set of images is obtained and ranked based on a comparison of each image in the set of images to other images in the set of images. The comparison is performed using at least one predetermined feature of the images.
US08498486B2
A system and method to respond to detection of blurry regions of interest in an image are disclosed. One embodiment includes a region locator to locate one or more regions of interest in an image captured by a digital image capturing device. The embodiment also includes a blurry region detector for detecting whether a region of interest is blurry. A blurry region indicator indicates to a user when a blurry region has been detected. When a blurry region is detected, a display interface provides an enlarged image of the detected blurry region. Some embodiments provide recommendations on how to capture the scene again with improved results.
US08498484B2
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US08498472B2
An image-based localization feature point registration apparatus includes a camera to capture an image, a feature point extractor to extract a feature point from the captured image, a calculator to calculate depth information about the feature point according to whether the feature point is one of two-dimensional (2D) and a three-dimensional (3D) corner, and a feature point register to register 3D coordinates of the feature point based on the depth information about the feature point and image coordinates of the feature point.
US08498471B2
A method of identifying a wafer serial number is provided. First, a wafer having a wafer serial number is provided. Second, an identification procedure is carried out to identify the wafer serial number by means of multiple identification recipes thereby obtaining multiple digit results which correspond to the multiple identification recipes and a specific digit in the wafer serial number. The multiple digit results include at least two of a successful result and an unsuccessful result. Then, the wafer serial number is determined in accordance with the multiple digit results.
US08498468B1
A method of inspecting a mask, where a structure on the mask is optically imaged at a resolution specified by a criteria set including at least one of a method by which the structure was formed, a tolerance, and a structure type, to produce an optical image. The optical image is compared to a baseline image, and the differences between the optical image and the baseline image are identified. The differences are compared to a threshold value, and any differences that exceed the threshold value are flagged as defects.
US08498463B2
To provide an improved method for achieving DSA images where the effect of residual motions in cardiac DSA during the perfusion phase is reduced and in order to display subtracted images containing less motion artefacts, a method of performing digital subtraction angiography DSA in an imaging apparatus comprises the steps of generating a first image sequence of mask images (10) of a subject to be examined, generating at least one first contrast image (22) at a first phase (16) whereby in the first contrast image part of the subject has a different contrast than in said first image sequence, subtracting the mask images (10) from the at least one first contrast image (22) generating a first DSA image sequence (24), subtracting the DSA images of the first DSA image sequence (24) from the first contrast image (22) within the first phase (16) generating a sequence of extended mask images (32); generating a second contrast image (34) with the imaging system at a second phase (18), said second phase (18) being separated from the first phase (16) by a predetermined phase dividing time limit (20), subtracting the images of the sequence of the extended mask images (32) from the second contrast image (34) generating a second DSA image sequence (38), displaying the second DSA image sequence (38) on a display (28).
US08498458B2
Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for fingerprint liveness detection. In one embodiment, a method for determining fingerprint liveness is provided that comprises receiving a plurality of image analysis data of a fingerprint image; condensing the plurality of image analysis data; and determining liveness of the fingerprint image based upon the condensed data.
US08498457B2
A data collation apparatus has: a collation unit which calculates a similarity between input data measured by a measurement apparatus and each of registered data; and a calculation unit which adjusts, if a similarity of first registered data of which similarity with the input data is highest is lower than a first threshold, and a difference between the similarities of the first registered data and second registered data of which similarity with the input data is second highest is smaller than a predetermined value, or if a degree of separation to indicate a distance between the similarity of the first registered data and a similarity distribution of a group of registered data items of which similarities with the input data are second highest or lower is smaller than a predetermined value, the parameters of the measurement apparatus, and instructs the measurement apparatus to remeasure the measurement subject.
US08498455B2
A system for identifying individuals in digital images and for providing matching digital images is provided. A set of images that include faces of known individuals is received. Faces are detected in the images and facial components are identified in each face. Visual words corresponding to the facial components are generated, stored, and associated with identifiers of the individuals. At a later time, a user may provide an image that includes the face of one of the known individuals. Visual words are determined from the face of the individual in the provided image and matched against the stored visual words. Images associated with matching visual words are ranked and presented to the user.
US08498449B2
An eye part detecting device has an image input section (21) for acquiring a face image, an eyelid edge labeling section (24) for detecting upper eyelid candidates and lower eyelid candidates which satisfy predetermined conditions for upper eyelids or lower eyelids in the face image, and an eyelid determination section (27) for comparing combinations of the upper and lower eyelid candidates to determine the combination of the upper and lower eyelid candidates whose relation best satisfies a predetermined condition as the upper and lower eyelids. The eyelid edge labeling section (24) classifies the horizontal edges and vertical edges calculated by an edge calculating section (23) into the upper eyelid candidates and the lower eyelid candidates according to a degree of how well the predetermined conditions are satisfied. A lower eyelid candidate evaluating section (26) may be provided for excluding a lower eyelid candidate when it has at least one horizontal edge present in a lateral direction of the lower eyelid candidate. A lower eyelid candidate discriminating section (25) may be provided for discriminating that of the lower eyelid candidates whose vertical edge does not satisfy the predetermined condition as a lower eyelid preliminary candidate.
US08498448B2
View-specific object detectors are learned as a function of scene geometry and object motion patterns. Motion directions are determined for object images extracted from a training dataset and collected from different camera scene viewpoints. The object images are categorized into clusters as a function of similarities of their determined motion directions, the object images in each cluster are acquired from the same camera scene viewpoint. Zenith angles are estimated for object image poses in the clusters relative to a position of a horizon in the cluster camera scene viewpoint, and azimuth angles of the poses as a function of a relation of the determined motion directions of the clustered images to the cluster camera scene viewpoint. Detectors are thus built for recognizing objects in input video, one for each of the clusters, and associated with the estimated zenith angles and azimuth angles of the poses of the respective clusters.
US08498447B2
The method operates by estimating the differential movement of the scene picked up by a vertically-oriented camera. Estimation includes periodically and continuously updating a multiresolution representation of the pyramid of images type modeling a given picked-up image of the scene at different, successively-decreasing resolutions. For each new picked-up image, an iterative algorithm of the optical flow type is applied to said representation. The method also provides responding to the data produced by the optical-flow algorithm to obtain at least one texturing parameter representative of the level of microcontrasts in the picked-up scene and obtaining an approximation of the speed, to which parameters a battery of predetermined criteria are subsequently applied. If the battery of criteria is satisfied, then the system switches from the optical-flow algorithm to an algorithm of the corner detector type.
US08498446B2
Method of improving orientation and color balance of digital images using face detection information
A method of generating one or more new spatial and chromatic variation digital images uses an original digitally-acquired image which including a face or portions of a face. A group of pixels that correspond to a face within the original digitally-acquired image is identified. A portion of the original image is selected to include the group of pixels. Values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion are automatically generated, or an option to generate them is provided, in a manner which always includes the face within the one or more new images. Such method may be implemented to automatically establish the correct orientation and color balance of an image. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.
US08498445B2
An object of the invention is to provide a material determining apparatus for a steel product and a material determining method for a steel product which can stably and precisely determine a carbon content of the steel product. The invention provides a material determining apparatus for a steel product, which is provided with an imaging device for continuously imaging a spark generated during rubbing the steel product at a plurality of times, a detecting part for detecting spark regions and bursting spark regions from each of the imaged pictures imaged by the imaging device, a calculating part for calculating a total of the spark regions and a total of the bursting spark regions by summing up the numbers of the spark regions and the bursting spark regions detected by the detecting part with regard to each of all the imaged pictures, so as to calculate a rate of the total of the bursting spark regions with respect to the total of the spark regions, and a determining part for determining a carbon content of the steel product based on the rate, and a material determining method for the steel product.
US08498441B2
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electronic device that includes an sound signal generating unit, and that can be placed on a cradle including a sound producing unit, in which a sound signal generated by the sound signal generating unit is output to the cradle such that the difference between the sound quality of sound produced from the electronic device and that of sound produced from the cradle is reduced.
US08498439B2
Provided are a headset for a user specific audio service and a method for a user specific audio service using the same. The headset for a user specific audio service includes: a sensing unit sensing whether or not the headset is put on; an information collecting unit determining whether or not the headset is put on by the sensing unit and collecting current situation information of a user when the headset is put on; and an information processing unit generating a user profile based on the current situation information of the user, and controlling an audio signal output of a digital audio device based on the generated user profile.
US08498438B2
There is provided a gooseneck condenser microphone that is further strengthened the shield structure of a support pipe and is less prone to causing a trouble. This condenser microphone has a support pipe 30 for supporting a condenser microphone unit 10 and an output module part 20, a microphone cable 40 in which a shielding wire 44 is exposed is inserted in the support pipe 30, and a conductive sealant agent 50 is filled in a void between the microphone cable 40 and the support pipe 30.
US08498436B2
In a hearing aid provision can be made for a housing that is worn outside of an auditory canal of a user. Then, sound or electrical signals are conducted into the auditory canal from the housing. To this end, provision can be made for a conducting element such as a sound tube or a cable. The conducting element is then connected to the housing via a coupling element. This connection must be embodied such that the coupling element does not detach from the housing on its own accord. The user must be able to remove the coupling element and the conducting element from the housing in a simple fashion in order e.g. to be able to clean the former two parts. Accordingly, a coupling element and a housing can be interconnected in a detachable fashion, with this connection containing a dovetail joint for the hearing aid.
US08498431B2
A capacitor microphone includes: a capacitor microphone unit including a diaphragm that vibrates upon receiving sound waves and a fixed electrode arranged opposite to the diaphragm with a space therebetween; and a polarization voltage generating circuit that generates polarization voltage to be applied across the diaphragm and the fixed electrode. The polarization voltage generating circuit includes an oscillating circuit that alternately turns on and off DC power, coils to boost the voltage of the power alternately turned on and off, and a DC boosting circuit including a rectifying circuit that rectifies the boosted voltage. The coils are formed of two inductors that are electromagnetically coupled and are provided with an electromagnetic coupling adjusting unit with which the level of electromagnetic coupling between the two inductors is adjusted to adjust the polarization voltage.
US08498427B2
The present disclosure provides an electronic device with a remote control earphone electrically connected to the main body of the device. The remote control earphone includes seven sensing units, which are substantially arranged in a “8” shape. Sensing signal generated by each sensing unit in response to a touch from the user includes an identification code for identifying itself. The remote control earphone transmits the generated sensing signal to the main body. The main body includes a cache unit to store at least one identification code corresponding to the sensing signal, a storage unit to store the relationship between the identification codes and numbers the identification codes corresponding to, and a processing unit to determine which one of the numbers is input according to the at least one identification code and the relationship.
US08498419B2
A Radio Frequency based security system for providing security for wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) that allows the creation and maintenance of arbitrarily shaped secure wireless access areas with boundaries around said wireless Local Area Network and prevents access to the said wireless LAN from outside the perimeter of the secure area. The system includes a plurality of perimeter Radio Frequency Sentry Devices (RFSDs) that are employed to establish the boundaries of said secure area around said wireless LAN. The wireless LAN being secured may be an industry standard IEEE 802.11a, 801.11b or 802.11g based wireless LAN or any other wireless LAN that uses packet based communication protocols. The said RFSDs may be stand-alone devices or they may be connected to a wired or wireless Local Area Network.
US08498413B2
An image processing device includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains original images one by one from an original document on which image processing is to be performed by the image processing device; an output unit that outputs each of the original images obtained by the image obtaining unit; an information acquiring unit that acquires control information for controlling operations to be performed by the image processing device, the control information being extracted from a control image represented by a specific image in the original image obtained by the image obtaining unit; and a control unit that determines whether the control information acquired by the information acquiring unit requires an authentication, determines whether an output of the original image having the control information is restricted on the basis of a result of the authentication when the control information requires an authentication, restricts the output of the original image when the output is determined to be restricted, and controls the output unit to output the original image when the original image does not require an authentication or when the output of the original image is determined not to be restricted.
US08498409B2
Systems and methods for providing access to wireline communication equipment are disclosed. Exemplary methods include positioning the wireline communication equipment at least partly below ground level, positioning an electric-powered lifting device near the wireline communication equipment and at least partly below the ground level, connecting the electric-powered lifting device to the wireline communication equipment, and configuring the lifting device to lift the wireline communication equipment above the ground level when access to the wireline communication equipment is desired.
US08498404B2
A console for monitoring contact center operations is provided. The console comprises a camera for capturing a field of view of a contact center environment and a screen for displaying the captured field of view. The camera further comprises an identifier recognition module for determining an identifier from an element in the captured field of view displayed on the screen; and an interface for transmitting a request including the identifier to a contact center server and receiving from the contact center server, information associated with the identifier; wherein the screen is further arranged to display an overlay of the information on the captured field of view, to create an augmented reality of the contact center environment on the screen.
US08498400B2
A method for implementing a number portability (NP) service includes: by a local NP database, receiving a called user number from a switching device; determining an NP database storing NP data of the callee according to a preset correspondence between the called number and identifiers (IDs) of NP databases storing the NP data of the callee; and obtaining the NP data of the callee from the determined NP database and returning the obtained NP data to the switching device so that the switching device routes a call to the callee according to the returned NP data. In addition, a system for implementing an NP service is provided, including an NP database and a switching device. Two types of NP databases are also provided. With the present invention, each NP database only needs to store partial NP data, which lessens the load of each NP database in storing and updating NP data.
US08498399B2
A computing system of an answering service answers an incoming call from a calling party on behalf of a called party, and allows an agent to converse with the calling party. Contact with the called party is established while the incoming call from the calling party is still in progress, and a signal is received from the called party for the called party to monitor the incoming call without joining in. Upon detecting a disconnection of the monitored incoming call between the agent and the calling party, the called party is notified that the incoming call has ended and the agent and the called party are allowed to converse with each other over the called party call regarding the incoming call from the calling party.
US08498398B2
The invention concerns a method of managing a telephone call from a caller (B) to a person being called, in which the non-reply of the person being called (A) to the telephone call during a predetermined length of time is detected, a communication is established between the caller and a non-reply server (130) for transferring at least one message intended for the caller while maintaining the telephone call from the caller to the person being called, the response of the person being called (A) to the telephone call from the caller is detected and, if the response of the person being called to the telephone call is detected, the communication between the caller and the non-reply server is interrupted and communication is established between the caller and the person being called. The invention also concerns the associated system.
US08498397B2
Provided is a method for handling telephone calls directed to a telephony connection associated with a plurality of telephone numbers, wherein incoming calls made to the plurality of telephone numbers are announced by different ring tones. The method comprises receiving over the telephony connection a signal carrying ring tone information indicative of an incoming call. The method further comprises processing the ring tone information to differentiate the ring tone currently conveyed in the telephony connection from other possible ring tones that the telephony connection can carry. The method still further comprises handling the incoming call on the basis of the differentiated ring tone. Also provided are a telephone system and a computer readable storage medium holding a program element.
US08498387B2
A messaging system for selectively performing an action on information, for remote retrieval of messages, for performing action on information at different times, for selective paging, for providing a user interface for message access and having integrated audio visual messaging.
US08498384B2
A system, method and software for facilitating a speech-enabled call routing application using an action-object matrix is disclosed. In operation, a natural language user utterance may be evaluated to identify an action and object available in an action-object matrix indicating transactions or operations available to a user. Depending upon the contents of the natural language user utterance, additional prompts and/or a disambiguation dialogue may be effected to elicit an available action-object combination selection from the user. Following identification of an action-object combination from the natural language user utterance, the action-object matrix may cooperate with a look-up table to identify an appropriate use routing destination. Following identification of an appropriate routing destination, the user connection may be routed to a service agent or module configured to facilitate the user selected transaction as indicated by the action-object combination.
US08498378B2
A method for controlling emission of a beam of electrons in an X-ray imaging tube. The X-ray imaging tube has an anode and a cathode. The method comprises a step in which at least one emission device included in the cathode emits an accelerated incident beam of electrons onto an impact focal spot on the anode to generate X-rays. An emission device is associated firstly with an assembly of polarizing plates and secondly with a focusing cup. An electric generator simultaneously applies a beam focusing voltage to the assembly and/or to the cup to control a characteristic dimension of the focal spot, and a cut-off voltage to the cup to control the emission of the beam by the device. The invention also concerns a corresponding cathode, tube and imaging system.
US08498373B2
A count value generator includes an input for receiving a synchronizing count value, a counter configured to increment at a local frequency, the local frequency being faster than the synchronizing frequency, and an interpolator for determining a frequency ratio between the local frequency and the synchronizing frequency and for determining an increment value for the counter dependent on a relative amount of a maximum value of the counter with respect to the frequency ratio is disclosed. The counter generates a count value including a predetermined number of bits representing integer values and output as the lower order bits of the output count value and additional lower order bits that represent fractional portions of the integer values. The counter includes output circuitry for outputting the synchronizing count value and the predetermined number of bits representing integer values generated by the counter as the lower order bits of the count value.
US08498362B2
Techniques and devices for antenna selection in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system, in which communication is between a transmitter having a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas and a receiver having a second plurality of RF chains coupled to a second plurality of antennas, are provided. Techniques include receiving consecutive sounding packets each have a training symbol and that collectively sound a full-size channel for the MIMO system. A sub-channel estimate for each sounding packet can then be determined based on various factors, such as a known power level rule and gain factor. Scaling factors may be applied to each of these sub-channel estimates to produce a scaled sub-channel estimates.
US08498361B1
An estimate of a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) channel is computed, and an equalizer to be applied to signals received via the MIMO channel is computed. The equalizer is initialized based on the estimate of the MIMO channel. The equalizer is applied to a received signal, and the received signal is demodulated to generate a demodulated signal. The demodulated signal is decoded according to an error correction code to generate decoded data, and the decoded data is re-encoded according to the error correction code to generate re-encoded data. The re-encoded data is re-modulated to generate a re-modulated signal. The received signal is compared to the re-modulated signal, and the equalizer is updated based on the comparison. After updating the equalizer, the equalizer is applied to the received signal.
US08498359B2
Transmission acknowledgement within multi-user wireless communication systems. Within multi-access wireless communication systems such as those operating in accordance with multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and/or MU-MIMO/OFDMA, acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., using ACKs) is provided back to the sending or transmitting wireless communication device from each (or a subset) of the intended recipient wireless communication devices. Appropriate coordination of these ACKs from the respective, receiving wireless communication devices may be performed using instructions embedded within a multi-user packet that is provided to the receiving wireless communication devices. Alternatively, polling as effectuated by the sending or transmitting wireless communication device may be used to give explicit direction to the respective, receiving wireless communication devices of the manner by which their respective ACKs should be provided to the transmitting wireless communication device.
US08498352B2
A digital communications receiver includes an input configured to receive, via a communications channel, a received first signal representing a sequence of symbols, each symbol being encoded to be representative of a plurality of data bits. A processor adjusts a magnitude and filters the received signal. An equalizer applies a cyclic prefix restoration to the adjusted and filtered signal, producing a second signal, converts the second signal from time domain to frequency domain to produce a frequency domain signal, and determines a first quantity of values representing a first portion of the symbols by evaluating a relationship of channel values representing characteristics of the communications channel and a second quantity of values representing a portion of the frequency domain signal, the first quantity being smaller than the second quantity.
US08498348B2
A radio base station 10 communicates with a mobile station by use of an OFDM scheme while using a signal as a transmission unit, the signal including an effective period for transmitting a data signal and a redundancy period for transmitting redundancy data based on the data signal transmitted during the effective period. The radio base station 10 measures an interference level of a signal transmitted from the mobile station and then changes the length of the redundancy period of the signal transmitted via a communication channel used for communications with the mobile station.
US08498346B2
Multicarrier receivers and methods for carrier frequency offset correction and channel estimation for receipt of simultaneous transmissions over a multi-user uplink are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08498342B1
This disclosure describes tools capable of generating messages for use in deblocking filtering a video stream, the messages based on prediction parameters extracted from the video stream.
US08498336B2
There are provided a method and apparatus for adaptive weight selection for motion compensated prediction. The apparatus includes an encoder for encoding a picture by deriving a set of weighting parameters, selecting at least one weighting parameter in the set based upon a selection criteria, and applying the selected at least one weighting parameter to a reference picture used to encode the picture.
US08498332B2
Apparatus are provided including an image signal carrier, a luminance information evaluator, and a chrominance information modifier. The image signal carrier is encoded with an image signal including luminance information and chrominance information. The luminance information evaluator evaluates the luminance information in the image signal for a given region within the image to identify when the given region is one of substantially white and substantially dark. The chrominance information modifier is provided to modify the chrominance information corresponding to the given region when the given region is one of substantially white and substantially dark.
US08498325B2
The teachings presented herein improve the processing of individual signals of interest included in a received composite signal by computing combining weights and/or signal quality estimates for each signal of interest, e.g., for linear equalization, based on either shared or non-shared correlation estimates. As a non-limiting advantage, the use of shared correlation estimates reduces computational loading as compared to the processing load that would be needed for computing non-shared correlation estimates for all signals of interest. As a further non-limiting advantage, the conditional use of shared and non-shared correlation estimates provides for the use of non-shared correlation estimates where signal characteristic(s) of one or more of the signals of interest warrant such usage, e.g., for one or more high-rate signals of interest.
US08498323B2
A novel ultra-wide bandwidth receiver structure dubbed the “zonal” receiver is proposed to detect time-hopping ultra-wide bandwidth signals in multiple access interference channels. The zonal receiver outperforms the conventional matched filter ultra-wide bandwidth receiver and the recently proposed soft-limiting ultra-wide bandwidth receiver when only MAI is present, or AWGN is negligible compared to MAI. In more practical mixed MAI-plus-AWGN environments, the zonal ultra-wide bandwidth receiver achieves better performance than the conventional matched filter ultra-wide bandwidth receiver, the recently proposed soft-limiting ultra-wide bandwidth receiver, and the recently proposed adaptive threshold soft-limiting ultra-wide bandwidth receiver. In multipath fading UWB channels, a new Rake receiver based on the zonal UWB receiver design has been proposed, this new Rake receiver can achieve better BER performance than the conventional matched filter based Rake receiver.
US08498313B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate communicating user plane data over common control resources by specifying a user equipment (UE) radio network temporary identifier (U-RNTI). In this regard, a Node B or radio network controller (RNC) receiving the user plane data can associate the data to the UE based on the U-RNTI. The user plane data can be transmitted in a control message with the associated U-RNTI, such as a CELL UPDATE message or another message having the U-RNTI specified in a media access control (MAC)-i header or other header in the message. The control message can also include parameters regarding the existence and specifications of the user plane data. The UE can thereby communicate the user plane data while in a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) registration area paging channel (URA_PCH) or other relatively inactive state despite not having received an enhanced radio network temporary identifier (E-RNTI).
US08498312B2
Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, computer media, and methods for supporting the broadcast of signaling data over a network. Signaling data is encoded, partitioned into M signaling segments, and distributed over M corresponding data frames. A data stream with the partitioned signaling data is transmitted through a digital terrestrial television broadcasting system, where the partitioned signaling data may include physical layer configurable data. The number of distributed signaling segments may be determined from a predetermined value or from a parameter contained in pre-signaling data. The number of physical layer pipes supported by signaling data may be increased by separating the static signaling part and the dynamic signaling part, dividing static signaling part into signaling segments, and interleaving the signaling segments over the data frames. The number of physical layer pipes can be further increased by adding at least one P2 symbol.
US08498310B2
A system, method and computer program product that facilitates communication between devices that implement at least one proprietary feature in a DOCSIS-compliant broadband communication system. A logical channel is established for communication between a first device, such as a cable modem termination system (CMTS), that implements at least one proprietary feature, and other devices that also implement the at least one proprietary feature. Registration information is then received from a second device, such as a cable modem, wherein the registration information indicates that the second device also implements the at least one proprietary feature. In response to receiving the registration information, the second device is assigned to the logical channel.
US08498309B2
A data transport module includes a connector to be received and coupled to a backplane within a modular platform. The data transport module also includes another connector to be received and coupled in a slot resident on a board such that the data transport module is coplanar to the board when received and coupled in the slot. The data transport module further includes one or more data transport interfaces to forward data between the board and the backplane via the connectors.
US08498305B1
An apparatus including an input circuit, a control circuit, a queue, an aggregation circuit, and an output circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive packets. The control circuit is configured to enable aggregation when a rate at which the input circuit receives the packets is greater than a predetermined rate. The queue is configured to store the packets from the input circuit when aggregation is enabled. The aggregation circuit is configured to generate aggregate packets when aggregation is enabled. The aggregation circuit is configured to generate each of the aggregate packets by aggregating at least one of the packets stored in the queue. The output circuit is configured to receive (i) the aggregate packets when aggregation is enabled and (ii) the packets from the input circuit when aggregation is disabled.
US08498302B2
Systems and methods are described for exposing the third party call control functionality of a telecom signaling network as a web services interface. An intelligent network application part (INAP) plug-in is used to provide the translation logic of simple web service interface calls received from a client application, into the lower-level signaling protocol invocations needed to provide the third party call functionality at the network level. The INAP plug-in is deployed in a service access gateway positioned between the telecommunications signaling-based network and a multitude of service provider applications that seek to access various functions in the network. By implementing the INAP plug-in, applications are provided with access to third party call control (3PCC) within the network, without the necessity of invoking low-level signaling needed to establish calls, terminate or cancel calls, as well as obtain various call information.
US08498300B2
Virtual machine environments are provided in the switches that form a network, with the virtual machines executing network services previously performed by dedicated appliances. The virtual machines can be executed on a single multi-core processor in combination with normal switch functions or on dedicated services processor boards. Packet processors analyze incoming packets and add a services tag containing services entries to any packets. Each switch reviews the services tag and performs any network services resident on that switch. This allows services to be deployed at the optimal locations in the network. The network services may be deployed by use of drag and drop operations. A topology view is presented, along with network services that may be deployed. Services may be selected and dragged to a single switch or multiple switches. The management tool deploys the network services software, with virtual machines being instantiated on the switches as needed.
US08498296B2
A network device receives a label-switched-path (LSP) labeled data packet, maps the LSP labeled data packet to an input queue, maps a data packet in the input queue to an output queue based on a received LSP label value and a received exp label value, and transmits the LSP labeled data packet from the output queue.
US08498295B1
An example network system includes network interfaces, a data repository, a forwarding structure, a service element, and a forwarding element. The forwarding element is configured to receive a first packet having header information via a tunnel over the first network with one of the networking interfaces, pass the first packet to the service element, receive a second packet from the service element, and forward the second packet via the network interfaces to the second network, wherein the first packet conforms to the first network-layer protocol, and wherein the second packet conforms to the second network-layer protocol. The service element is configured to transform the first packet from a format conforming with the first network-layer protocol into the second packet having a format conforming with the second network-layer protocol, and direct the second packet to the forwarding element.
US08498287B2
A method and apparatus for routing a packet implemented in a mesh point (MP) of a wireless network are described. According to the method, a plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes are compared. One of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes is selected for transmission of the packet based on at least one criterion. The packet is transmitted over the selected one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.
US08498286B2
Radius gateway on policy charging and rules function (PCRF) for wireline/wireless converged solution
A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a single platform to recognize and process both Diameter messages and Radius messages. A gateway is provided for translating Radius messages received from a wireline device into NASReq messages. A Diameter Proxy Agent receives both Diameter messages from a wireless device and the NASReq messages from the gateway. The Diameter Proxy Agent selects a PCRF to which to pass a NASReq message, and upon receipt of a NASReq message the PCRF either creates or updates a NASReq session object. By recognizing and processing Radius messages, wireline services can be offered at the same time as wireless services without requiring the use of a second platform. In addition, use of the PCRF server to support wireline services offers much better scalability than that offered by traditional AAA servers.
US08498277B2
An apparatus and method of transmitting/receiving a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is disclosed. The present invention enables ARQ and HARQ to be applied to the MBMS transmission, thereby enabling more efficient data transmissions at a greater rate.
US08498276B2
A cluster comprises a plurality of end nodes that communicate with one another over at least one communication channel. Each end node is assigned a time slot for transmission of frames; wherein each node comprises a local guardian configured to prevent transmission of timing-related frames sourced from the respective end node. The cluster also comprises a special node that communicates with the plurality of end nodes, wherein the special node establishes a time base and sources timing-related frames to the plurality of end nodes. The transmission schedule includes at least one common scrubbing time slot during which each of the plurality of end nodes is configured to generate a timing-related frame. The special node is configured to determine if the local guardian in any of the plurality of nodes failed to prevent transmission of the respective generated timing-related frame during the common scrubbing time slot.
US08498275B2
Certain aspects provide techniques for conveying transmit opportunity (TXOP) scheduling information that can be used by a plurality of wireless nodes to determine TXOPs for sending transmissions.
US08498274B2
A method of transmitting packet in a mobile station is provided. The method includes determining whether a resource reserved for a special purpose is overlapped with a resource for transmitting a packet by the mobile station, on the basis of resource allocation information on the mobile station, and delaying the transmission of the packet if the reserved resource is overlapped with the resource for transmitting the packet. Accordingly, it is possible to increase uplink packet transmission efficiency without increasing downlink overhead, by avoiding or adjusting collision of an uplink packet transmission with a time-frequency resource reserved for another purpose.
US08498267B2
System(s) and method(s) are provided to control access to a femtocell as part of handover of a mobile device from macrocell to femtocell. Macro network platform issues a handover (HO) request towards femto network platform and a single virtual femto node, which represents a plurality of femto access points (APs). Location estimate(s) for the mobile device drives selection of a target femto AP. Selection of the target AP results in acceptance of the HO request. The mobile device also can request macro-to-femto (MTF) handover. HO neighbor list(s) is generated by decoding a network-issued identifier for each femto APs in a set of femtocells, and selectively ranking each femto AP based at least on channel quality; access privileges of the mobile device to each of the identified femto APs determines selectivity. Validation of mobile device's access right(s) drives acceptance of the MTF HO request to a top ranked femto AP.
US08498265B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber station to start a settings provisioning process in a WiMAX system. The method includes receiving a request from a subscriber station, the request requesting information for enabling the subscriber station to begin a settings provisioning process. A bootstrap document is then fetched, and a response is transmitted to the subscriber station. The response includes the bootstrap document and the bootstrap document includes the information for enabling the subscriber station to begin the settings provisioning process.
US08498262B2
Embodiments are directed to transmitting receiver-capacity-signalling data that specifies a plurality of receiver capacities to be used for receiving a service. The signalled receiver capacities may include: a type of time interleaver being used and a minimum burst interval between two consequent bursts. The signaled receiver capacities may also specify: how often a physical layer pipe appears in frames, and/or a number of a frame in which a physical layer pipe appears for a first time during a super frame. Embodiments are directed to receiving the receiver-capacity-signalling data and if, based on the received receiver-capacity-signalling data, receiver capacity is sufficient for one or more selected services, performing service discovery and decoding the one or more services. Otherwise, decoding the one or more services may not be performed.
US08498256B2
A method for allocating fractional frequency reuse (FER) resources to perform cooperative MIMO in a multi-cell environment is disclosed. A cell which requests FER resources decides a band for cooperative MIMO with its neighboring cell, and requests the neighboring cell to allocate the decided band for cooperative MIMO. A cell which receives FER resource request receives a request from a neighboring cell to allocate some or all of FER bands allocated to the neighboring cell as a band for cooperative MIMO, decides whether to grant the request, and allocates some or all of the requested FER bands as the band for cooperative MIMO with the neighboring cell if the request is granted.
US08498252B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a midamble for a downlink subframe is generated by rotating an order of midamble tones per antenna between two or more subbands. A Golay sequence may be utilized in the modulation of one or more subcarriers of the midamble via a reuse-3 arrangement. Alternatively, a reuse-1 arrangement may be applied to the midamble.
US08498251B2
Provided a method for generating/allocating a temporary address in a wireless broadband access network, a method for allocating radio resource based on the same, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for realizing the methods. The method for generating the temporary address in the wireless broadband access network, includes the steps of: receiving a router advertisement message in a portable subscriber station; acquiring service flow identification (ID) based on a temporary address allocation guidance parameter of the router advertisement message in the portable subscriber station; and generating a wireless broadband Internet (WiMAX/Mobile WiMAX) temporary address based on the service flow ID in the portable subscriber station.
US08498247B2
An adaptable decision parameter is used to determine whether to react to resource utilization messages. The decision parameter may comprise a decision threshold that is adapted based on received resource utilization messages. The decision parameter may comprise a probability that is used to determine whether to react to a received resource utilization message. Such a probability may be based on, for example, one or more channel conditions, the number of interferers seen by a node, the number of received resource utilization messages, or some other form of resource utilization message-related information.
US08498230B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the invocation of active states and power conservation states in accordance with the standard or diluted beacon periods defined in beacon frames. Active periods, or “awake windows,” may be defined by additional information (e.g., information elements) that is included in the beacon. Awake windows may establish periods of time during which apparatuses may contend for access to a wireless communication medium. A methodology may further be employed to help determine which apparatuses will have priority when accessing the communication medium. This criteria may be used alone or in combination with the corresponding standard channel access rules (e.g., contention) that govern operation of the particular wireless communication medium in order to control how apparatuses communicate and interact in the wireless network.
US08498226B2
The present invention provides a method for determining the number of random access channels which is applied to a time division duplex system. The method comprises: a terminal determining configuration parameters related to the number of the random access channels in an UpPTS based on system configuration, said configuration parameters including the number of downlink-to-uplink switch-points in one radio frame NSP, the density of PRACHs in a random access configuration DRA, a system frame number of a system frame in which said UpPTS is located nf, and a version index corresponding to a PRACH configuration index rRA; and said terminal then calculating directly the number of the PRACHs in said UpPTS based on the configuration parameters. The present invention also provides a method for sending a SRS of a time division duplex system using the method for determining the number of the random access channels.
US08498225B2
This invention discloses a control method of a single-frequency network and a control entity of a single-frequency network. The control method of the single-frequency network provided by this invention comprises: obtaining the service request information sent by a user terminal; changing the single-frequency network according to the service request information. The control entity of the single-frequency network provided by this invention comprises: an obtaining unit, used for obtaining the service request information sent by a user terminal; a controlling unit, used for changing the single-frequency network according to the service request information. This invention realizes the dynamic control of a single-frequency network by changing the single-frequency network according to the service request information sent by a user terminal. Consequently, the service provider can dynamically change a single-frequency network according to the requirement of users and implement the optimization configuration of wireless network resources.
US08498221B2
A method is described including determining if a downlink data packet needs to be transmitted, transmitting the downlink data packet, determining if an uplink data packet has been received, determining if the received uplink data packet was transmitted by a protected station and performing scheduling. An apparatus is described including a scheduling module which controls access opportunities of protected uplinks and protected downlinks, the scheduling module is in communication with an uplink profiler and a medium access module, the uplink profiler module maintains statistics regarding the protected uplinks and the uplink profiler is in communication with the scheduling module and the medium access module performs actual transmission of data and the medium access module is in communication with the scheduling module.
US08498220B2
Aspects of the invention are directed to service discovery in a digital broadcast network. A service discovery descriptor, which may be electronic service guide-provider and cell specific, provides mapping between a service identifier, a logical channel identifier, and a physical channel, which may be characterized by a frame identifier and a slot identifier, that is, each physical channel may have one or more slots within one or more frames. A neighboring service discovery descriptor provides mapping for the service available within neighboring cells. Aspects of the invention are directed to an encapsulation protocol that encapsulates variable length data, including, but not limited to, the service discovery descriptor and the neighboring service discovery descriptor, into fixed length data stream packets.
US08498206B2
Network interface circuitry for a secure one-way data transfer from a sender's computer (“Send Node”) to a receiver's computer (“Receive Node”) over a data link, such as an optical fiber or shielded twisted pair copper wire communication cable, comprising send-only network interface circuitry for transmitting data from the Send Node to the data link, and receive-only network interface circuitry for receiving the data from the data link and transmitting the received data to the Receive Node, wherein the send-only network interface circuitry is configured not to receive any data from the data link, and the receive-only network interface circuitry is configured not to send any data to the data link. The network interface circuitry may use various interface means such as PCI interface, USB connection, FireWire connection, or serial port connection for coupling to the Send Node and the Receive Node.
US08498204B2
It is provided a data transmission system comprising a transmitter, a repeater and a receiver. The transmitter and the repeater are coupled through a first transmission path and the receiver and the repeater are coupled through a second transmission path. The transmitter, the repeater and the receiver have virtual lanes. The transmitter demultiplexes the transmission data into as many data streams as a number of useable virtual lanes based on useable lane information. The repeater monitors failures of the transmission lanes of the first transmission path and the virtual lanes. The receiver monitors failures of the transmission lanes of the second transmission path and the virtual lanes, selects the useable virtual lanes, sends to the transmitter the useable lane information, corrects a wrong order of the received data streams and a shift of reception point in the virtual lanes, and restores the demultiplexed data streams into the transmission data.
US08498198B2
A method and an apparatus of transmitting scheduling request (SR) in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes configuring a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for a SR in a subframe, the subframe comprising a plurality of single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols, wherein one SC-FDMA symbol on the PUCCH is punctured and transmitting the SR on the PUCCH in the subframe.
US08498197B2
Aspects of a method and system for a reference signal (RS) timing loop for OFDM symbol synchronization and tracking may include tracking symbol timing in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal based on at least a reference symbol set. A receiver timing may be adjusted based on at least the symbol timing. The symbol timing may be tracked by generating an output signal as a function of a guard time Δtg in a phase discrimination feedback loop. The reference symbol (RS) set may be generated in an RS extraction module or circuit, from at least a fast Fourier transform of the received OFDM signal. The receiver timing may be coarsely adjusted and then finely adjusted. The coarse receiver timing adjustment may be based on processing at least a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal.
US08498189B2
In an optical pickup device for both CD and DVD disk media using a two-wavelength laser diode (1), a diffraction grating (11) is commonly used for both laser beams (L1, L2) for CD and DVD to diffract each laser beam into a main beam and a pair of side beams. The diffraction grating includes a first diffraction grating region (11a) and a second diffraction grating region (11b) having a same pitch as the first diffraction grating region and being laterally offset from the first diffraction grating region, and at least one of the first and a second laser beams are diffracted by both of the first and second diffraction grating regions.
US08498185B2
Address information that has been error correction encoded is recorded on a second version of a recording medium after being transformed such that such that the address decoding cannot be performed by a playback device that is not compatible with the second version of the recording medium. The address decoding for the second version of the recording medium cannot be performed by the incompatible playback device (for example, a playback device that was manufactured to be compatible only with a first version of the recording medium). In other words, in the playback device that is not compatible with the second version of the recording medium, a state is created in which address errors cannot be corrected, so access is impossible (recording and playback are impossible).
US08498180B2
Clockwork movement for a wristwatch, comprising a kinematic chain including at least one belt (20, 21) for transmitting the movements and/or couples between at least two pulleys. The pulleys are held on the bottom plate or the bridges by ball bearings (151, 161, 171, 181). The movement is rewound by means of linear oscillating mass (14) charging four barrels (15, 16, 17, 18) through a couple distributor (40). The barrels are non-parallel to one another. The back cover is covered by inclined glasses (110, 120, 130) allowing the barrels, the linear oscillating mass and at least certain pulleys to be seen. The regulating organ (51) is removable.
US08498176B2
A method and apparatus for carrying out a seismic exploration. A seismic event is applied to the earth's surface, particles at the earth's surface move in response to the event and the response to the event is detected using an interferometer. The earth's surface and the interferometer move with respect to each other. The detectors of the interferometer may be arranged in an array. The detected response may be analyze.
US08498169B2
A circuit includes a plurality of capacitors responsive to a plurality of latches that store a test code. A first bit line is coupled to a bit cell and coupled to a sense amplifier. A second bit line is coupled to the bit cell and coupled to the sense amplifier. A differential charge from a set of the plurality of capacitors is applied to the first bit line and to the second bit line. The set of the plurality of capacitors is determined based on the test code and the test code is independent of an output of the sense amplifier.
US08498156B2
Memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more memory cells include a transistor having a charge storage node, a dielectric material positioned between the charge storage node and a channel region of the transistor, the channel region positioned between a source region and a drain region, and a first electrode of a diode coupled to the charge storage node.
US08498152B2
A non-volatile memory has its cells' thresholds programmed within any one of a first set of voltage bands partitioned by a first set of reference thresholds across a threshold window. Hard bits are obtained when read relative to the first set of reference thresholds. The cells are read at a higher resolution relative to a second set of reference thresholds so as to provide additional soft bits for error correction. The soft bits are generated by a combination of a first modulation of voltage on a current word line WLn and a second modulation of voltage on an adjacent word line WLn+1, as in a reading scheme known as “Direct-Lookahead (DLA)”.
US08498148B2
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a number of layers one of which is a free layer which is graded. The graded free layer may include various elements with each element having a different anisotropy or it may include nonmagnetic compounds and magnetic regions with the non-magnetic compounds forming graded contents forming a unique shape such as cone shaped, diamond shaped or other shapes and whose thickness is based on the reactivity of the magnetic compound.
US08498147B2
A nonvolatile memory cell is able to reduce the size per the unit area by employing a dual gate structure where the chalcogenide compound is used for a channel. The nonvolatile memory cell includes a phase-change layer, a first and a second gate that are in contact with sides of the phase-change layer to face each other across the phase-change layer and control a current flowing through the phase-change layer by each gate being arranged to induce the phase transition of the phase-change layer independently of the other.
US08498143B2
A solid-state memory in which stability assist circuitry is implemented within each memory cell. Each memory cell includes a storage element, such as a pair of cross-coupled inverters, and an isolation gate connected between one of the storage nodes and the input of the opposite inverter. The isolation gate may be realized by complementary MOS transistors connected in parallel, and receiving complementary isolation control signals. In read cycles, or in unselected columns during write cycles, the isolation gate is turned off slightly before the word line is energized, and turned on at or after the word line is de-energized. By isolating the input of one inverted from the opposite storage node, the feedback loop of the cross-coupled inverters is broken, reducing the likelihood of a cell stability failure.
US08498140B2
Embodiments relate to a two-transistor (2T) floating-body cell (FBC) for embedded-DRAM applications. Further embodiments pertain to a floating-body/gate cell (FBGC), which yields reduction in power dissipation, in addition to better signal margin, longer data retention, and higher memory density.
US08498137B2
A boost inverter includes a first capacitor for connection in parallel with a dc supply voltage; a second capacitor connected in series with the first capacitor; an energy transfer path including a transfer capacitor and switches connected to the transfer capacitor for cyclically transferring energy from the first capacitor to the transfer capacitor and then from the transfer capacitor to the second capacitor; a multilevel inverter circuit connected in parallel with the series combination of the first and second capacitors, the inverter having at least one phase output for connection to an electric motor; and a PWM controller that activates the energy transfer path when a desired peak-to-peak output voltage exceeds the dc supply voltage and deactivates the energy transfer means when the desired peak-to-peak output voltage is less than the dc supply voltage.
US08498132B2
A power converter control method and apparatus is disclosed. An example control circuit includes a clock signal generator coupled to generate a clock signal to control switching of a power switch to be coupled to the control circuit. A feedback circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal which is representative of an output of a power converter during a duration of a feedback portion of an off time of the power switch. The feedback circuit is coupled to respond to the feedback signal to control the clock signal generator to regulate a ratio of the duration of the feedback portion of the off time of the power switch divided by a duration of a total power switch switching cycle period.
US08498123B2
In a unit holding mechanism, a first slide lever 31 and a second slide lever 32 are slidable in directions different from those of a third slide lever 41. Thus, it is possible to prevent an erroneous removal of battery units 21 and 22 and an HDD unit 23. More specifically, since the sliding directions of the slide switches vary with the type of unit to be loaded/unloaded, a user can identify the unit to be loaded/unloaded by examining only the sliding directions of the slide switches by the touch. Thus, even if the user attempts to remove the unit without viewing a bottom surface 1b of a first housing 1, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a misoperation in which a unit other than the intended unit is removed erroneously.
US08498121B2
Printed circuit assembly with determination of storage configuration based on installed paddle board
A printed circuit assembly, along with a server and method incorporating such printed circuit assembly, are disclosed for determining a storage configuration for use in a computer system via a simple hardware change. The printed circuit assembly may comprise a paddle board slot for connection to a paddle board for determining a storage configuration; a bus coupled to the paddle board; and a southbridge coupled to the bus, the southbridge comprising signal lines coupled to the paddle board slot through the bus. The storage configuration of the printed circuit assembly may be determined via the paddle board when the paddle board is connected to the paddle board slot.
US08498120B2
A locking structure for a draw-type electronic device includes a handle member, two connecting rod members, and two linked members. The handle member and the linked members are pivotally connected on a case of the electronic device respectively in a rotatable relation. The connecting rod members are connected to the handle member and the linked members. A first fastening groove and a second fastening groove are disposed on each of the linked members and the handle member respectively. The handle member is rotated to enable the connecting rod members to actuate the linked members to rotate together, so as to enable the first fastening groove and the second fastening grooves to apply forces on two corresponding positioning pins together, so that an action of electrical connection is accomplished.
US08498114B2
A system and method of reducing consumption of electricity used to cool electronic computer data center, networking, and telecommunications equipment, and to reduce the incidence of thermal failure of electronic components, includes provision of one or more partitions to reduce the volume of the cooled environment supplying coldest possible cooled air from air conditioning systems to a chamber adjacent to the cooling air intake side of electronic components, preventing dilution of the supplied cooling airflow by warmer air from outside of the reduced volume environment, and controlling the delivery of cooling air flow through the reduced volume of the cooled environment.
US08498106B2
A disk drive mounting apparatus includes a tray for receiving a disk drive, and a flexible retaining member. The retaining member has two ends mounted to the tray. The flexible retaining member is to sandwich the disk drive together with the tray.
US08498103B2
A cover for a screen of a portable computing device having a physical button recessed into the screen is provided. The cover comprises a transparent member, a protrusion, and a tactile feature. The transparent member has a first surface positioned adjacent the screen of the device and an opposing second surface. The protrusion is adjacent the first surface of the transparent member in a position such that the protrusion engages the physical button. The protrusion has a shape such that it is in registry with the physical button. The tactile feature is formed in the second surface of the transparent member opposite the protrusion. The transparent member can be formed from a material which limits the viewing angle of the screen of the portable computing device and displays images such as company logos, slogans, advertising, or photographs to users viewing the screen at angles greater than the viewing angle.
US08498087B2
Connectors for cables such as a 30-pin connector are provided. The connectors may have thermal protection circuits and may carry a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. The thermal protection circuits may disable the power supply voltage when the temperature of the connector exceeds a threshold value. The thermal protection circuits may disable the power supply voltage when liquid is detected in the connector. The thermal protection circuits may disable the power supply voltage permanently or temporarily. In one example, when a cable is reset, the thermal protection circuits may use a record of previous fault events and measurements from thermal and liquid sensors to determine whether to enable or disable the power supply voltage.
US08498081B2
According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium characterized by includes: a substrate; an undercoat layer formed on the substrate and made of a soft magnetic material; a recording layer formed on the undercoat layer and having an easy axis of magnetization in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to a surface of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium; and a protective layer which is formed on the recording layer and in which soft magnetic particles are mixed.
US08498073B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing low frequency loss in a magnetic storage device. For example, some embodiments provide data processing circuits that include: an input circuit, a processing circuit, a data detection circuit, and a baseline compensation circuit. The input circuit receives a first data input and provides a second data input. The input circuit excludes low frequency energy exhibited in the first data input from the second data input. The processing circuit generates a representation of the second data input, and the data detection circuit generates a representation of the first data input based at least in part on the representation of the second data input. The baseline compensation circuit calculates an accumulated difference between the representation of the first data input and the representation of the second data input across a number of bit periods, and calculates a compensation factor based at least in part on the accumulated difference.
US08498070B2
A voice coil motor includes an outer shell, a fastening member, magnetic members, a base, first and second elastic members, and a movable assembly. The outer shell has a through hole defined therein and includes sidewalls surrounding the through hole. The first elastic member includes a ring-shaped first elastic portion. The fastening member fastens the first elastic member on the outer shell. The magnetic members are mounted on the inside of the sidewalls, respectively. The second elastic member is fixed on the base and includes a ring-shaped second elastic portion. The movable assembly includes a retainer wrapped in a coil of wire, the retainer is connected to the first and second elastic portions, and is movable in the outer shell under an interaction between the magnetic members and the coil of wire. A camera module using the voice coil motor is also provided.
US08498065B2
A lens system comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group G1; and a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power; the first lens group G1 including a sub-lens group GS11 having positive refractive power, and a sub-lens group GS12 having negative refractive power, the sub-lens group GS12 having negative refractive power including a meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object side, given conditions being satisfied, thereby providing a lens system having high optical performance with excellently correcting various aberrations, and an optical apparatus equipped therewith.
US08498063B2
A telephoto lens system including a first lens group having a positive refractive power and including at least three positive lenses and one negative lens; a second lens group having a negative refractive power and for performing focusing by moving along an optical axis; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power and including a 3a sub-lens group with positive refractive power and a 3b sub-lens group), wherein the 3a sub-lens group includes a negative lens and a positive lens sequentially arranged from an object side d, the 3b sub-lens group includes a positive lens and a negative lens sequentially arranged from the object side, and the telephoto lens system satisfies a condition, 0.17
US08498056B2
The present invention provides a synthetic silica glass for an optical member in which not only a fast axis direction in an optical axis direction is controlled, and a birefringence in an off-axis direction is reduced, but a magnitude of a birefringence in the optical axis direction is controlled to an arbitrary value, such that an average value of a value BR cos2θxy defined from a birefringence BR and a fast axis direction θxy as measured from a parallel direction to the principal optical axis direction is defined as an average birefringence AveBR cos2θxy, and when a maximum value of a birefringence measured from a vertical direction to the principal optical axis direction of the optical member is defined as a maximum birefringence BRmax in an off-axis direction, the following expression (1-1) and expression (2-1) are established: −1.0≦AveBR cos2θxy<0.0 (1-1) 0.0≦BRmax≦1.0 (2-1).
US08498045B2
An optical amplifier includes a rare-earth doped optical fiber for receiving input light through one end and outputting output light through another end, the input light being input from an input port; an excitation light source for generating excitation light; an optical coupler for supplying the generated excitation light to the one end and/or the another end of the rare-earth doped optical fiber; and a reflector for reflecting an amplified spontaneous emission light out of a signal band traveling in opposite direction to the input light, the amplified spontaneous emission light being generated in the rare-earth doped optical fiber.
US08498044B2
There are provided an amplification optical fiber, and an optical fiber amplifier and a resonator using the same capable of outputting light of high beam quality even when a higher-order mode that is axially symmetric is excited in addition to LP01 mode.An amplification optical fiber 50 includes: a core 51; a clad 52 coating the core 51; and an outer clad 53 coating the clad 52, wherein the core 51 has a larger refractive index than the clad 52, the core 51 allows light having a predetermined wavelength to propagate in at least LP01 mode and LP02 mode, and in the core 51, active element that stimulates to emit light of the predetermined wavelength is doped at a higher concentration at a position where an intensity of the LP02 mode becomes zero than center of the core 51.
US08498043B2
An optical parametric oscillator including a nonlinear crystal pumped by a laser source and an optical resonator, including an optical interferometer, which determines a level of output coupling of the oscillator, allowing high stability, broad wavelength tuning, and output power level optimization.
US08498033B2
An optical device exhibiting a color shift upon rotation is disclosed. The optical device has a textured surface having a relief structure finer than a human eye resolution but large enough not to exhibit diffraction effects. The textured surface is coated with an interference thin film that exhibits a color shift with tilt. A uniform color seen at one angle of rotation changes to another uniform color when the optical device is rotated in its own plane. A method of manufacturing of such an optical device, as well as the use of the optical device as an optical security and authentication element, is also disclosed.
US08498023B2
An image scanning device includes a scanning unit configured to execute image scanning of a document and thereby generate image data, at least one processing unit configured to successively process the image data outputted from the scanning unit, a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data outputted from the processing unit, a storage unit, in which multiple buffer areas to be used for transferring the image data among the scanning unit, the at least one processing unit and the transmission unit are allocated, an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on usage status of each of the buffer areas, and a changing unit configured to change storage area allocation at least between two of the buffer areas based on the usage status acquired by the acquisition unit.
US08498018B2
Techniques for generated variable density mono-color under-print layer(s) for printing underneath an image on a substrate to improve the appearance of the printed image.
US08498016B2
Image data can be subjected to a smoothing processing to improve a color reproduction characteristic and an image free from a deteriorated gradation characteristic can be printed. Specifically, the smoothing processing improves the color reproduction characteristic. This smoothing processing may cause a color originally not having the lightness equal to or lower than blacking lightness to be converted to a color having lightness equal to or lower than the blacking lightness. To solve this, such a color is subjected to a gradation adjustment processing to convert the color to the color having the lightness higher than blacking lightness. A gamut mapping does not map such a color on a black point, thus preventing such a color from being broken by the blacking.
US08498014B2
Two identical images are printed, side by side, on an intermediate transfer-recording medium, by using image data that represents an image to be printed on a brochure. The two images thus printed are compared, thereby to determine whether they have defects. One of the images, which is found to have no defects, is transferred from the intermediate transfer-recording medium to the brochure, which is a final transfer-recording medium.
US08497995B2
A measurement apparatus includes an illumination light setting unit which sets illumination light having an optical characteristic corresponding to a microstructure which is formed on the surface of a measurement target and is to be measured, and a measurement unit which measures reflected light when the measurement target is irradiated with the illumination light. In addition, an extraction unit extracts, from the measured reflected light, information about the surface shape of the measurement target and the microstructure formed on the surface.
US08497987B2
An optical device unit includes: an optical device that has an electrical conductor and that is capable of enhancing Raman scattering light generated by receiving light from a light source; and a guide unit that guides a gaseous sample to the optical device. The guide unit has a first fluid path for rotating the gaseous sample in an area facing the optical device.
US08497983B2
An apparatus may be provided for determining a signature from an article in a reading volume of the apparatus. The apparatus can comprise a source operable to generate a coherent beam and a beam directing member operable to direct the coherent beam into the reading volume. The apparatus may also comprise a detector arrangement for collecting signals created by scatter of the coherent beam within the reading volume, wherein different ones of the signals relate to scatter from different parts of the reading volume, the detector arrangement having a numerical aperture greater than a predetermined minimum and a processor operable to determine a signature for an article in the reading volume from the collected signals. Use of such apparatus can be repeated whenever required to test authenticity of the article. Using this system, it has been discovered that it is essentially pointless to go to the effort and expense of making specially prepared tokens, since unique characteristics are measurable in a straightforward manner from a wide variety of every day articles.
US08497976B2
A method and apparatus for measurement of a characteristic of a substrate. A target is present on the substrate and a measurement is performed during a scanning movement of the substrate. The scanning movement of the substrate is a linear movement and the measurement includes obtaining a reflected image of the target using a pulsed light source, the duration of a single light pulse being less than 100 psec. A lithographic apparatus includes such a measurement apparatus, and a device manufacturing method includes such a measurement method.
US08497974B2
An exhaust apparatus includes a structural member; a vacuum pump configured to exhaust a gas via the structural member; and a regulator configured to regulate a temperature of the structural member. The structural member has first and second end faces and a columnar through hole connecting the first and second end faces to each other. The apparatus is configured such that the vacuum pump exhausts a gas via the through hole.
US08497973B2
An immersion lithography apparatus includes an optical member, a gap defined between the optical member and a surface disposed opposite the optical member being filled with an immersion liquid, and a fluid control device including a gas outlet through which a gas is supplied to prevent the immersion liquid from entering a surround area external to an exposure area. A flow velocity of the gas supplied from the gas outlet depends on a contact angle between the immersion liquid and the surface.
US08497971B2
A liquid crystal display device allows for improving the adhesion strength of a transparent substrate and reducing the size of the portion outside the display area not contributing to image display. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to the first substrate by way of liquid crystals, and a sealing material formed outside the display area where a plurality of pixels are formed. The first substrate and/or the second substrate having at least one sealing hole, the sealing hole passing through thin film layers formed over the surface of the first substrate and/or the second substrate at the side such that the base material of the substrate is exposed, the sealing holes are formed in a region on a side opposite to the side where a driving circuit is disposed, and the sealing material is formed in the region including the sealing holes.
US08497956B2
A flat panel display apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a panel configured to display an image; a glass window covering the panel; and a polarizing film attached on a surface of the glass window, wherein the polarizing film is configured to prevent the scatter of broken pieces when the glass window breaks and also prevent reflection of an external light.
US08497952B2
The invention provides a display device in which a slope portion is provided in the chassis of the backside member to be nonparallel to the display face of the display panel, and a film member is fixed along the slope portion, and the end of the film member extends beyond the slope portion to be in contact with the display panel, whereby a substantially close contact is established between the chassis and the display panel, and hence the display device can provide excellent dust-proof protection and durability.
US08497939B2
In a system and method of producing time-synchronous textual descriptions of stage directions in live or pre-recorded productions to provide assistive program descriptions to visually-impaired consumers, a processor may parse stage directions from a production script and synchronize the parsed stage directions with closed captioning streams. The method may include viewing a live or pre-recorded production, creating textual descriptions of the stage directions using a stenography system, and outputting the textual descriptions to a separate output stream than that of dialogue descriptions. In addition, the method may include creating audio descriptions of the stage directions, and converting the audio descriptions to textual descriptions of the stage directions using a voice-recognition system. Further, the method may include distributing the synchronized stage directions, and receiving and decoding the synchronized stage directions using a text-based system.
US08497937B2
To enable a progressive synthesization process suited to each video signal even in such a case that a difference between video signals based on a video transmission sequence and the video signals not based on the video transmission sequence, is fuzzy. A converting device according to the present invention detects as to whether a result of evaluation about whether or not inputted interlaced video signals are video signals based on a video transmission sequence meets a first standard and a second standard or not, converts the interlaced video signals into progressive video signals on the basis of the video transmission sequence when detecting that the interlaced signals meet the first standard, converts the interlaced video signals into the progressive video signals on a pixel selective basis when detecting that the interlaced signals do not meet the first standard but meet the second standard, and converts the interlaced signals into the progressive video signals on a pixel interpolative basis when the interlaced signals meet neither the first standard nor the second standard.
US08497929B2
When a face is detected from image signals, stability determination time is set for determining if the face is recognized in a stable manner, and a period of time for which the face is consecutively detected starts to be measured. Until the measured period of time exceeds the stability determination time, an AF evaluation value acquired from a normal frame set to include a face frame corresponding to the face is used to exercise TV-AF control. Once the measured time exceeds the stability determination time, TV-AF control is exercised based on AF evaluation values acquired from each of the face frame and the normal frame.
US08497927B2
A method of operating an imaging system comprising an imaging sensor and a processing system, the processing system having an operating frequency and the sensor having a nominal sampling rate. The method comprises using the imaging sensor with a new sampling rate that is different that the nominal sampling rate.
US08497925B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device having color pixels in which color filters are arranged for respective pixels, wherein in a color filter array in which two blocks of two pixels in a row direction×two pixels in a column direction of an X1 color are arranged on one diagonal line, and a block of two pixels in the row direction×two pixels in the column direction of an X2 color and a block of two pixels in the row direction×two pixels in the column direction of an X3 color are arranged on the other diagonal line, the pixels are shifted by one pixel in the column direction alternately in the row direction.
US08497923B2
A method of processing image signals comprises determining whether each of multiple units of input pixel data received from an image sensor is bad pixel data generated by a bad pixel of the image sensor or normal pixel data generated by a normal pixel of the image sensor, and performing interpolation to generate image data corresponding to the bad pixel using only normal pixel data and omitting bad pixel data.
US08497922B2
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.
US08497919B2
An imaging apparatus includes a first output unit configured to perform first gain processing on an analog signal corresponding to an electric charge stored in a photoelectric conversion element in a first region and output the processed signal, a second output unit configured to perform second gain processing on an analog signal corresponding to an electric charge stored in a photoelectric conversion element in a second region and output the processed signal, an instruction unit configured to instruct a gain of each gain processing in the first and second output units, a first control unit configured to control a display of an image based on an output signal from the first output unit, and a second control unit configured to control an imaging condition based on an output signal from the second output unit. The second gain processing is different from the first gain processing.
