US08574196B2
The invention relates to a syringe, particularly an anesthetic syringe, having a longitudinally displaceable feeding piston disposed over a first hydraulic chamber, and a second hydraulic chamber, wherein the first and second hydraulic chambers are connected by means of a first control element for regulating resistance, wherein the first control element can be actuated by a switch element, wherein the first control element comprises a first check valve.
US08574193B2
A retractable needle syringe having a plunger rod configured to lock in place after retraction of the needle. The plunger rod distal end has a seal configured to advance past a retaining ledge after retraction of the needle, whereby the retaining ledge restricts or inhibits the plunger from proximal movement.
US08574191B2
Medical devices including a substrate that are expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state; a coating on the substrate, the coating having a drug agent incorporated therein; and a sheath over the coating. The sheath is expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and has at least one perforation therein. The medical devices are configured such that when the substrate is in a compressed state, the sheath is also in a compressed state and the perforation is substantially closed. When the substrate is in an expanded state, the sheath is also in an expanded state and the perforation is substantially open. The invention also includes a method of using the medical devices for the controlled, localized delivery of a drug agent to a target location within a mammalian body.
US08574180B2
A compression device for the foot comprising: a wrap adapted to surround the foot, the wrap comprising at least two bladders which when inflated conform to the shape of the foot to provide compression, the bladders being positioned on the wrap so that a first bladder focuses compression on the heel of the foot and a second bladder focuses compression on the arch of the foot; a channel attached to each bladder for independently delivering fluid to each bladder; and a controller attached to the channels that generates and independently controls the flow of fluid to the bladders.
US08574176B2
A rehabilitation supporting device 1 includes a first frame 11 arranged along a first skeletal portion extending from a joint, a second frame 12 arranged along a second skeletal portion extending from the joint in a direction different from a direction of the first skeletal portion, an angle sensor 131 arranged to detect a rotational angle position between the first frame and the second frame, a flexion-side biosignal sensor 14 arranged to detect a biosignal of a flexor, an extension-side biosignal sensor 15 arranged to detect a biosignal of an extensor, a calibration unit 31 arranged to determine a flexion-side correction value and an extension-side correction value individually, and a memory unit 34 arranged to store individual correction values of the biosignals different for individuals, the flexion-side correction value, and the extension-side correction value.
US08574172B2
Apparatus for monitoring a pregnant mammal including: a sensor (11) operatively associated with a mammal to detect a condition of delivery of said mammal; a transmission circuit (15), operatively associated with said sensor (11), to generate and transmit a notification signal (100) based on the detection of said sensor (11), and a processing unit (20) operatively associated with said sensor (11) to receive said notification signal (100) and generate a corresponding communication signal (110) for an operator. The description also covers a process for monitoring a pregnant mammal.
US08574171B2
A method of manufacturing a coated medical device, such as a medical guide wire, including at least applying a first colored coating to at least a first portion of an outer surface of a medical guide wire, securing a first end of the medical guide wire, and for each a designated quantity of turns, turn a second end of the medical guide wire upon a longitudinal axis of the medical guide wire. The method of manufacturing also includes securing the second end of the medical guide wire, blocking at least a first portion of the coated surface of the medical guide wire, applying a second contrasting colored coating to at least a second, unblocked portion of the outer surface of the medical guide wire and releasing the first end and the second end of the medical guide wire to display at least one spiral marking formed along a length of the medical guide wire.
US08574169B2
The invention concerns a test device, in particular for blood sugar tests, comprising a lancing element which is provided with a lancing component for producing a skin puncture, and a protecting element shielding the lancing element at least in the area of the lancing component. According to the invention it is proposed that the lancing element has a collecting structure for collecting body fluid from the skin puncture and that the protecting element comprises a protecting foil to cover the collecting structure and a holding body for holding the protecting foil on the lancing element.
US08574166B2
Apparatus for detecting thermal radiation emanating from two different intracranial depths in a patient includes a transducer having a surface for placement against the patient's cranium. The transducer includes a first antenna with an aperture adjacent that surface the antenna being tuned to a first frequency and producing a first signal indicative of thermal radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a first distance from the surface and a second antenna having a second aperture adjacent to that surface within the first aperture. The second antenna is tuned to a second frequency and produces a second signal indicative of radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a selected second distance from the working surface, the second distance being shorter than the first distance. The two signals are coupled to a receiver/control unit which thereupon monitors and displays the temperature at the two intracranial depths.
US08574165B2
A hydration monitor includes a temperature sensor (20; 65) for measuring a subject's core body temperature and a processor (30). The processor is arranged to accept measurements from the temperature sensor (20; 65) and calculate a hydration level in dependence on changes in the measured core body temperature.
US08574163B2
Methods and apparatus for noninvasively determining a sound pressure of a source that transmits a generally periodic acoustic signal including at least one signal component to a surface of a body are provided. The signal component at the surface of the body is received and an initial phase-inverted signal component is estimated responsive to the received signal component. The phase-inverted signal component, advanced by a predetermined time increment, is transmitted toward the source via the surface. The predetermined time increment corresponds to a distance of the signal component within the body. At least one feature of the transmitted signal component is adjusted until a further received signal approximates a minimum value. The adjusted signal component corresponds to the signal component at the distance. The apparatus determines the phase-inverted signal component that corresponds to the signal component being proximate to the source.
US08574156B2
The invention relates to the determination of the clinical state of a subject. A respective adaptive transform is applied to at least one measurement signal acquired from the subject, each adaptive transform being dependent on previously acquired history data, and a diagnostic index is formed, which is dependent on the transformed measurement signal(s) and serves as a measure of the clinical state of the subject. In order to reliably evaluate the clinical state of a subject on a fixed diagnostic scale during changes in the state of the subject, some or all of the previously acquired history data on which an adaptive transform is currently dependent is replaced with other previously acquired history data when a predetermined event is detected. The predetermined event is indicative of a change in the respective measurement signal, and the introduction of the said other previously acquired history data sets the transform ready for the change.
US08574155B2
A surgical access assembly is disclosed that is configured and dimensioned for positioning within an opening in tissue providing access to and internal body cavity to facilitate the passage of a surgical instrument into an internal work site. The surgical access assembly includes first and second arms and third and fourth arms. The first and second arms and the third and fourth arms are configured and dimensioned for relative movement such that the surgical access assembly is reconfigurable between a first configuration, wherein a first transverse dimension is defined, and a second configuration wherein a second transverse dimension is defined. The first transverse dimension is smaller than the second transverse dimension.
US08574149B2
A tissue support system including an implantable tissue support member is described. The tissue support member includes a tissue support portion, a first arm having a first end joined to a first end of the tissue support portion, a second arm having a first end joined to a second end of the tissue support portion, the second arm defining a lumen, a first tissue anchor fixed to a second end of the first arm, a second tissue anchor slidably positioned over the second arm, and a locking member disposed in the lumen of the second arm between the second tissue anchor and a second end of the second arm.
US08574146B2
An implant for use in a human or animal body can include a flexible housing with an outer wall and having a chamber therein. The implant can have at least one high vapor pressure medium within the chamber. The at one high vapor pressure medium can have a combined vapor pressure equal to or greater than about the average value of the hydrostatic pressure of the implantation site plus the skin tension of the housing minus the gas tension of the dissolved gasses present at the implantation site.
US08574143B2
A horizontal solid-bowl centrifuge with cleaning-in-place jet nozzles for cleaning the bowl in a manner complying with good manufacturing procedure is provided. The bowl is cleaned by a defined arrangement of the cleaning jet nozzles, as the bowl rotates at a speed insufficient to produce a centrifugal force equal to gravitational acceleration, where gravitational acceleration is equal to 1.0 g. The cleaning liquids are then removed after the bowl stops rotating at the lowest point of the bowl.
US08574131B2
Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method of determining cadence of a user disclosed herein includes receiving output signals from a sensor generated in response to consecutive footfalls of the user impacting a deck of a treadmill during an exercise session and processing the output signals from the sensor to determine respective magnitude values of a peak or a trough value of each of the output signals. The method includes detecting whether a first output signal has a first peak or trough value and detecting whether a second output signal has a second peak or trough value, determining a time interval between the first peak or trough value detected and the second peak or trough value detected, and calculating a cadence value of the user based on the time intervals.
US08574129B2
An exercise apparatus includes a frame and a load mechanism disposed on the frame. The load mechanism has a plurality of selectable weights with each of the selectable weights having an associated indicator device. A press is mechanically coupled to the load mechanism to displace a load based on a selected weight and a sensor is disposed to measure an extent and speed of displacement of the load. A processor is in communication with the sensor, and the processor is configured to determine an indicator signal to send to the indicator device of one of the plurality of selectable weights of the load mechanism based on received performance data, the indicator signal used to indicate which one of the plural of weights to select.
US08574126B2
A vehicle including an engine coupled to a transmission via a clutch, includes a fuel feed stop controller configured to stop fuel feeding to the engine when a first fuel feed stop condition is satisfied, and a clutch state detector configured to detect whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged, wherein the fuel feed stop controller is configured to resume the fuel feeding to the engine, when a second fuel feed stop condition continues to be satisfied and the clutch continues to be disengaged for a predetermined delay time from a time point when the first fuel feed stop condition is satisfied and the clutch state detector starts to detect that the clutch is disengaged.
US08574120B2
A vehicle driving system control apparatus includes a power transmission device and a power transmission control section. The power transmission device includes an engine input shaft, a motor input shaft, an output shaft, an engine-side gear mechanism transmitting a power of the engine input shaft to the output shaft, a motor-side gear mechanism transmitting a power of the motor input shaft to the output shaft, a first clutch enables and disables a power transmission between the engine input shaft and the motor input shaft, a second clutch enables and disables a power transmission between the motor-side gear mechanism and the output shaft, and a third clutch enables and disables a power transmission between the engine-side gear mechanism and the output shaft. The power transmission control section determines statuses of the clutches and required torques of motor generators in correspondence with a rotation speed of an axle.
US08574116B2
A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device for controlling the operation of the transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing. The control device includes a one-way clutch allowing the ring roller to rotate only one direction relative to the carrier and a clutch fixing the ring roller to the housing or allowing the ring roller to rotate relative to the housing. The input shaft, the carrier, the respective planetary rollers and the sun roller cooperate to form an assembly that can move as a unit relative to the housing in the direction that is parallel to the axis.
US08574115B2
An electric power tool includes a cylindrical reducer case accommodating the speed reduction mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism includes a planetary gear train and a movable member which is axially slidable to be engaged with or disengaged from the planetary gear train. The electric power tool includes the reducer case including a slide hole formed through a sidewall of the reducer case and axially extended and a rotary plate which is rotatable around a periphery of the reducer case about the axis, the rotary plate including an operation slot formed axially obliquely and overlapped with the slide hole; a supporting member radially outwardly protruded from the movable member and extended through the slide hole and the operation slot; and a biasing unit for applying a pressing force to the supporting member in a moving direction of the supporting member when the rotary plate is rotated to a position.
US08574110B2
A transmission includes a variator including a cone secured to an input, and a second cone driveably connected to the cone, producing a variable speed ratio between the cones, a gearset including a member secured to the second cone, and second and third members, a first clutch opening and closing a connection between the input and the second member, and a second clutch opening and closing a connection between an output and the third member.
US08574106B2
A hydraulic tensioner for a traction element drive of an internal combustion engine, is provided having a tensioner housing with a hollow piston located in the housing bore. A check valve is located in the bore along a pressurized fluid path to the hollow piston, and a spring guide located in the housing in proximity to a base of the bore. A tensioning spring extends from the spring guide inside the hollow piston toward the piston head. A pressure relief valve is located within the hollow piston adjacent to the piston head, with the pressure relief valve including a valve body having a flange with a support surface that rests against an inside of the piston head and a hollow spring guide that extends from the flange toward the base of the bore. A valve seat is formed in the hollow spring guide, and a spring is located in the hollow spring guide and biases a valve ball against the valve seat. At least one of the support surface of the flange, the valve seat or the valve ball include surface indentations or irregularities that allow gas venting through the pressure relief valve.
US08574105B2
A front derailleur that includes a variable attachment to a mounting socket of a bicycle frame. The front derailleur includes a base member, a chain cage, a parallelogram and an attachment member. The base member includes first and second pivot points and at least two attachment points. The parallelogram includes two parallelogram arms, each having first and second ends. The first ends are pivotable about the first and second pivot points of the base member and the second ends support the chain cage. The attachment member connects the base member to the mounting socket of the bicycle frame through one of the at least two attachment positions. The base member also includes a contact surface for mating with the mounting socket. The different attachment positions allow the position of the front derailleur to be adapted to a standard or compact set of chainrings.
US08574104B2
An inflatable sports ball structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The inflatable sports ball structure comprises of an inner bladder, a reinforced carcass containing thread, and an exterior material layer. The reinforced carcass covers the surface of the inner bladder, and has a thread wound layer. Part of the thread wound layer is embedded in the reinforced carcass and provides a constricting force towards the inner bladder, and a small remaining part of the thread wound layer may be exposed on the outer surface of the reinforced carcass.
US08574099B2
A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.
US08574097B2
A golf ball 2 includes a spherical core 4, a mid layer 6 positioned outside the core 4, and a cover 8 positioned outside the mid layer 6. The core 4 includes a spherical center 10 and an envelope layer 12 positioned outside the center 10. The center 10 has a diameter of 1 mm or greater and 15 mm or less. The center 10 has a JIS-C hardness H1, at its central point, of 20 or greater and 50 or less. The difference (H4−H3) between the JIS-C hardness H4 of the core 4 at its surface and the JIS-C hardness H3 of the envelope layer 12 at its innermost portion is equal to or greater than 10. The cover 8 has a flexural modulus of 300 MPa or greater and 1000 MPa or less, and has a tensile modulus of 400 MPa or greater and 1500 MPa or less.
US08574095B2
A golf club head comprises has an inner surface including a back surface of the face portion that is provided with a crown-side thick-walled rib and a sole-side thick-walled rib. The crown-side thick-walled rib includes an upper face rib disposed in the face portion and extending from the central thick-walled part to a peripheral edge of the back surface of the face portion on a crown portion side, and a crown rib disposed in the crown portion and extending backwardly of the head from the upper face rib. The sole-side thick-walled rib includes a lower face rib disposed in the face portion and extending from the central thick-walled part to a peripheral edge of the back surface of the face portion on a sole portion side, and a sole rib disposed in the sole portion and extending backwardly of the head from the lower face rib.
US08574093B2
A golf club head includes: a head main body having a shaft holder inserting hole; a shaft holder which has a shaft inserting hole and is attachably and detachably installed in the shaft holder inserting hole; a bolt inserting hole which penetrates from a sole side of the head main body to the shaft holder inserting hole; and a bolt which is inserted into the bolt inserting hole, screwed into the shaft holder, and fixes the shaft holder to the head main body, an axis center of the shaft inserting hole and an axis center of the shaft holder inserting hole being non-coaxial shapes, wherein a lower end side of the shaft holder and an inner portion of the shaft holder inserting hole are polygonal sectional shape portions and are engaged with each other.
US08574092B2
A golf club head having a body, a hosel, and a bolt that connects the hosel to the body such that the hosel can rotate around the bolt is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a worm gear engages gear teeth located at an interface of the hosel and the body, and turning the worm gear causes the hosel to rotate around the bolt. In another embodiment, a circular wedge is disposed between the hosel and the body, and rotating the circular wedge around the bolt changes the orientation of the hosel with respect to the body.
US08574089B1
A billiards rack system has a rack body and at least two alignment elements. The rack body has at least two inner surfaces that together define an inner area shaped for racking the billiard balls. The at least two alignment elements of the rack body each have an alignment indicia that is shaped to be placed over and visually aligned with alignment marks on a billiards table. The rack body correctly positions billiard balls on the billiards table once the alignment indicia of the alignment elements have been placed over and visually aligned with the alignment marks of the billiards table.
US08574086B2
The disclosure relates to simulated flame effect fires which include an apertured bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, a vapour generating means such as an ultrasonic transducer and means for providing a rising current of air to carry the vapor through the apertured bed. Light sources are provided below the fuel bed to provide localized illumination.
US08574085B1
An obstacle course has the appearance of a natural cave environment. The course may include a plurality of interconnected, hollow, three-dimensional shapes through which human users can pass. The shapes may be modular to allow various different configurations of the course. The shapes may contain models of cave formations (speleothems), with which the users are expected to avoid contact and close proximity. Electronic sensing may be provided for monitoring any contact and proximity of the users to the speleothems, and additional electronic circuitry may be provided to present feedback to the users regarding their performance in the course.
US08574084B2
A vehicle-use propeller shaft includes a yoke having four arm portions to disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, each arm portion extending outward in the radial direction. One pair of arm portions and that extend in opposite directions and the other pair of arm portions and that extend in opposite directions have mutually different shapes.
US08574074B2
Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.
US08574072B2
In some embodiments, a wagering game server includes an options visualization controller configured to receive search criteria and filter information for searching wagering titles, wherein the search is based on the search criteria and filter information. The server may include a game content unit configured to store the wagering game titles. The wagering game system can also include a wagering game machine configured to present the one or more wagering games in a visual map, the visual map comprising nodes that contain summary information associated with the wagering game titles, wherein the nodes are arranged in node groups, and wherein the node groups are graphically connected by graphical connectors. The wagering game machine can present a movable filter object configured to visually depict a filter criteria, wherein the movable filter object is movable onto one or more of the nodes to provide the filtering information to the wagering game server.
US08574070B2
A gaming system includes a multi-directional display and a one-way mirror. The multi-directional display is configured to display a first visual image that is directly viewable along a central viewing axis, and to further display a second visual image that is directly viewable along a first angular viewing axis. The one-way mirror is positioned with reference to the multi-directional display for reflecting the second visual image along a second angular viewing axis while permitting direct viewing of at least a portion of the second visual image through the first one-way mirror along the first angular viewing axis.
US08574055B2
Methods for direct wagering and lottery wagering on real-world events including outcomes based on fantasy sports league performance. One method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes selecting a set of variables, each variable representing a time-varying value capable of having a fixed value at a specified time. For each variable, the method includes selecting a range of values for the fixed value of the variable at the specified time, dividing the range of values into a set of n increments, randomly assigning a lottery number from a set of lottery numbers, 1 to n, to each increment, selecting a winning lottery number from the set of lottery numbers based on correlating the fixed value of the variable at the specified time with the increment associated with the winning lottery number; and determining a set of winning lottery numbers from the winning lottery numbers selected for each variable.
US08574050B2
An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.
US08574047B2
An air-exchange device for buildings, designed to be installed between an internal environment and an external environment, comprising, a casing having a substantially flattened parallelepiped shape; a heat exchanger housed inside said casing; and a first fan and a second fan, which have respective intake and delivery sections and are arranged for generating, respectively, a first airflow directed from the inside to the outside and a second airflow directed from the outside to the inside, where the first and second airflows are in a relationship of mutual heat exchange in said heat exchanger.
US08574044B2
A belly hook attachment is provided. The belly hook attachment has a first support arm, a second support arm spaced from the first arm, the first support arm and second support arm receiving first, second and third pins. A belly hook support arm is carried by the first pin and pivotable about the first pin. A belly hook is carried by the belly hook support arm. A translational member is also carried by the belly hook support arm and is engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in pivotal movement of the belly hook support arm about the pin between the second pin forming an upper stop and third pin forming a lower stop, thereby moving the belly hook. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.
US08574040B2
An abrasive disc includes a backing layer on a first major surface, a water-impermeable abrasive layer on a second major surface, and a water-absorbable, compressible, resilient, porous foam layer sandwiched in between the backing layer and the abrasive layer. The disc further includes a plurality of perforations. The disc is used to abrade a surface. Fluid is absorbed into the abrasive disc. The fluid is then released to the surface by compressing the abrasive disc against the surface in an abrading motion. The fluid is allowed to mix with and absorb surface swarf; and compression on the abrasive disc is released, reabsorbing the fluid and trapping swarf inside the disc.
US08574039B1
A method and brush kit for cleaning and improving the roughness average of aluminum or aluminum coated valve cylinders and other open or blind bores in virtually any type of mechanical device by removing burrs and embedded particles within such cylinders and bores wherein the method provides a kit of a predetermined number of cylindrical brushes having metallic or nylon strands that are coated or impregnated with an aluminum oxide abrasive material. The method is particularly adapted for use by technicians in the automotive, marine, farm, aircraft and the like repair industries for treating transmission valve bores or cylinders and other open or blind bores and the like.
US08574036B2
An apparatus for machining a planar metal workpiece, having at least one machining unit, with which a machining belt, which is driven in circulation, can be guided in an at least approximately linear manner past the region of the workpiece to be machined in an oblique or transverse manner with respect to a feed direction of the workpiece. A movable carrier element having pressure means acts on a rear side of the machining belt in order to influence contact, necessary for machining, between the working side of the machining belt and the workpiece. A drive arrangement, by way of which the carrier element can be motor-driven, is provided such that the carrier element moves substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the machining belt, at least in the working region of the machining belt.
US08574033B2
Wafer support member, method for manufacturing the same and wafer polishing unit comprising the same
Disclosed is a wafer support member including a base substrate, a support adhered at a predetermined width to the edge of the base substrate, the support having a round outermost part, and a coating layer provided on the outermost edge of the support.
US08574030B2
A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft, mounted to the adjustment device, defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure and is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool having a counter surface is rotatably connected to the carousel. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.
US08574026B2
A clothing article such as a leotard has a built-in bra that is connected with the article only along an upper edge. The bra is thus free-floating and provides improved fit, comfort, support and appearance to the wearer, particularly during dance movements. The leotard has an open and low rear neckline and may include one or more decorative strap treatments. The bra includes front and rear wall portions which are connected with the leotard. An adjustable fastener is arranged between the front and rear wall portions of the bra which are free of the leotard so that the wearer can adjust the bra for proper fit.
US08574014B2
A datacommunication interconnection system includes (a) an extension trunk cable-connector assembly and (b) a trunk cable-connector assembly. The extension trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a first cable including a plurality of first subunits, each of the first subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a jack attached to one end of the cable; and a plug attached to an opposite end of the cable. Each of the jack and the plug includes a contact for each of the conductors of the cable. The trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a second cable including a plurality of second subunits, each of the second subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a plug attached to one end of the second cable and connected with the jack of the extension trunk cable; and a plurality of RJ-45 connectors attached to subunits at an opposite end of the second cable.
US08574012B2
A bicycle including a frame, an electrical circuit including a power source, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a first port defined by a first terminal that has a first configuration, and a second port defined by a second terminal that has a second configuration complementary to the first configuration. The electrical connector further includes a third port that is distinct from the first and second ports, a plurality of passthrough conductors extending from the first port to the second port to connect the electrical connector to the electrical circuit, and at least one lateral conductor providing an electrical connection from the first port to the third port.
US08574008B2
A battery cell connector includes a first terminal part formed for connection to a battery terminal of a first battery, a second terminal part, and a connecting part arranged between the terminal parts and electrically connecting the terminal parts to one another. The connecting part has a Z-shaped longitudinal cross-section. The Z-shaped longitudinal cross-section includes a central web which is inclined by no more than 20° such that the connecting part is elastically deformable in at least two perpendicular spatial directions. The first terminal part is formed from a first electrically conductive material and a flat piece formed from a second and different type electrically conductive material may be bonded to the second terminal part. It is often desirable for the conductive material to correspond to the battery terminal to which it is to be joined.
US08573995B2
A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.
US08573994B2
A connector handle for an electric vehicle battery charger is provided. The connector handle includes a latch that is operable to a locked position and an unlocked position. The connector handle also includes an electric circuit configured to provide an enable indication and a disable indication. The connector handle also includes an actuator button moveable to a first position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the enable indication, a second position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication, and a third position where the latch is in the unlocked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication.
US08573991B2
A lever connector includes a housing, and a lever rotatably provided on the housing to be rotated in a locking direction to be disposed at a connection locking position. The lever includes support plate portions rotatably supported by both sides of the housing, each support plate portion has a protrusion portion protruding toward a side of the housing, the both sides of the housing have groove portions with which the protrusion portions of the lever at the connection locking position are engaged, each groove portion has a tapered surface inclined in a protruding direction of a protrusion portion as extending in the locking direction of the lever, and as the protrusion portions are slid along the tapered surfaces to be engaged with the tapered surfaces, respectively, the lever is applied with a rotating force in the locking direction.
US08573984B2
Touch sensor panels can use touch sensors to detect the presence and location of a touch event. In order for the touch sensors to function reliably, the back plane of the touch sensor panel should be grounded. Supplying this ground connection can provide a uniform electrical reference point from which changes in voltage and capacitance due to a touch event can be measured. Without this ground connection, touch sensors may misrepresent the touch event. Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide different means for providing a ground connection for the back plane of a touch sensor panel. These embodiments are designed to provide a reliable ground connection even in the presence of various failure conditions.
US08573980B2
Devices, systems and methods to modify memory and/or cognitive function by delivering a sensory stimulus paired with learned material at opportune physiological periods during sleep. For example, described herein are systems, methods and devices to enhance a user's cognitive function in such areas as memorization and learning. A machine (e.g., a system or device) may be used to identify opportune periods of the sleep cycle and to deliver a stimulus during specific phases of the sleep cycle to facilitate or interrupt memory consolidation. In some variations the machine records ambient sensory inputs during awake acquisition or reinforcement/relearning and replays all or an extracted form of the ambient sensory stimuli a specified portion of the user's sleep.
US08573976B2
The invention relates to an interactive driving assistance method. This method involves selecting a desired driving style, and analyzing (F1) a driver behavior during a detected life situation. From a memory (5), a recommended driver behavior is then selected for the current life situation corresponding to the desired driving style. The behavior of the driver is then compared (F1, 16) with the recommended behavior, and those aspects of the behavior which are considered to be improvable are identified. Finally an audio and/or video information message (7) is issued (F4, F5, 27) inviting the driver to correct his or her behavior on at least the most critical point.
US08573971B2
An orthodontic bracket is provided that includes a cover and a base, wherein the cover can be rotated over an arch wire slot in the base portion. The present bracket invention operates to close when a frangible portion is severed upon initiating rotation of the cover, such that the cover rotates about a hinge, which may include a pin or axle. In one embodiment of the invention, the pin or axle can be moved laterally and/or vertically after the frangible portion is severed. Preferably, the bracket is manufactured to form one piece, such as using an injection molding, machining, or casting process. The bracket offers economical advantages because additional subsequent assembly is not required to attach a cover to a base.
US08573967B2
A candle assembly comprises a fuel element having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a channel extending through the fuel element from the first surface to the second surface. A support structure is adapted to support the first surface of the fuel element within a central portion of the support structure. A wick retainer has a flat portion with a centralized conduit extending outwardly from a top surface of the flat portion. A wick has a first end disposed within the wick retainer, wherein the wick and wick retainer are embedded in the fuel element prior to use such that a second end of the wick extends outwardly beyond the second surface of the fuel element.
US08573966B2
To provide a combustion apparatus that has a vaporizer capable of vaporizing liquid fuel completely without complicating the structure of the combustion apparatus. The combustion apparatus has an evaporating part for heating and vaporizing the liquid fuel into combustion gas, and a premixed gas spout part for spouting out premixed gas in which the combustion gas is mixed with primary air, with an inflow port of the premixed gas spout part being provided at a position higher than the evaporating part. By configuring the combustion apparatus like this, a space for accumulating unvaporized liquid fuel is formed between the evaporating part and the inflow port, and sufficient time to completely vaporize the liquid fuel can be afforded. Therefore, unevaporated fuel in a liquid state can be prevented from flowing into the premixed gas spout part.
US08573965B2
A method of operating a pyrolysis heater for reduced emissions of NOx and carbon monoxide. One or more wall burners, typically premix burners, are operated with more excess oxidant gas than one or more of the floor or hearth burners, which are typically non-premix burners. The invention takes advantage of different NOx emissions characteristics from different types of burners.
US08573952B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines an actual power consumption of the motor and compares the actual power consumption to a reference power consumption. The controller also determines that the pump is in an unprimed condition if the actual power consumption is less than the reference power consumption and that the pump is in a primed condition if the actual power consumption is at least equal to the reference power consumption.
US08573951B1
A pool recirculation pump safety system includes a power supply assembly operable to selectively supply operating power to a recirculation pump motor, an entrapment detection assembly operable to detect a change in a recirculation system parameter indicative of swimmer entrapment at a suction intake opening, and a timer assembly operable to automatically bypass the entrapment detection assembly for a predetermined time period upon energization of the system. During operation of the recirculation pump motor, the system is configured to secure operating power to the recirculation pump motor upon detection of the indicative recirculation system parameter change after the predetermined time period. The entrapment detection assembly and the timer assembly can be arranged to form a switchable neutral connection for a power relay of the power supply assembly.
US08573949B2
A method and system that includes generation of an energy beam. The energy beam may be generated from a focused energy source. Additionally, the energy beam may be directed towards a pre-sintered preform. The pre-sintered preform may be made of a braze material and may seal a hole that may be located in a turbine component.
US08573948B2
An airfoil has a hollow shell providing external airfoil surfaces, and a corrugated core within the shell. The core contacts inner surfaces of the shell to support the shell. The airfoil is formed by consolidating a hollow shell pre-form and a corrugated core pre-form. At least a part of the hollow shell has a leading edge shell portion and/or a trailing edge shell portion which, before consolidation of the pre-forms, is a unitary body having a shape which wraps around the respective edge.
US08573935B2
A rotor for a helicopter, having: a hub rotating about an axis and in turn having a number of blades; and an at least partly hollow drive shaft connectable to a drive of the helicopter and connected functionally to the hub to rotate the hub about the axis; the rotor also having vibration damping means in turn having a mass, and an elastically deformable member connected to the mass and supported by the shaft; the member extending at least partly inside the shaft, and being elongated parallel to the axis; and the mass vibrating, in use, at such a frequency as to oppose transmission to the shaft of the vibration produced by rotation of the hub and blades.
US08573933B2
Disclosed are wind turbines comprising a turbine shroud and optionally an ejector shroud. The shrouds are segmented, or in other words have longitudinal spaces between segments. Such wind turbines have reduced drag load, particularly those loads due to off-axis wind forces.
US08573929B2
A turbocharger includes an annular bypass passage to allow exhaust gas to bypass the turbine wheel. An annular bypass valve is disposed in the bypass passage. The bypass valve comprises a fixed annular valve seat and a rotary annular valve member arranged coaxially with the valve seat. The valve member is disposed against the valve seat and is rotatable about the axis for selectively varying a degree of alignment between respective orifices in the valve seat and valve member. The turbine includes a nozzle having a vane assembly. In one embodiment the vane assembly has only fixed vanes. In another embodiment the vane assembly includes both fixed vanes and variable vanes, and the variable vanes are part of a rotor that rotates together with the rotary valve member.
US08573912B2
A fastener for attaching a milling cutter body to an adaptor includes a head portion, a body portion and an undercut disposed between the head portion and the body portion. The head portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the undercut and a thread root diameter. The diameter of the undercut is equal to or less than the thread root diameter to allow the fastener to freely rotate when the fastener is threaded completely through the milling cutter body. Once threaded completely threaded the milling cutter body, the fastener is threaded into the adaptor to securely attached the milling cutter body to the adaptor.
US08573910B2
A fastener adapted to pass through aligned holes through workpieces is disclosed. The fastener includes a pin member having a transition portion wherein the diameter of the transition portion decreases radially as it extends from the smooth cylindrical shank portion to the threaded portion. The fastener may also comprise a sleeve member and a clamping means. The clamping means includes a collar, a nut, or any other possible clamping means. In exemplary embodiments, the workpieces can be formed with a plurality of materials, the materials including composite, metallic, or composite/metallic structures, any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the fastener has interference capability of 0.0005 to 0.0100 inches in composite structures without risk of composite delamination or damage. As a result of the fastener interference, gaps between the fastener and the structure are eliminated thereby providing good electrical conductivity between components. As a result, the potential for electrical sparks is reduced, providing a safer fastener for use with aerospace applications.
US08573899B2
A tool holder has an apparatus for clamping a cutting insert thereto. The tool holder has a cutting insert pocket and a mounting bore; a clamp lever including a clamp portion and a lever portion placed in the mounting bore; and a fixing screw. The fixing screw is fastened through a hole which extends downwardly from a side wall of the tool holder to the mounting bore. One end of the fixing screw further includes a pressure-applying surface substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the fixing screw, and the side surface of the lever portion of the clamp lever has an inclined surface which makes contact with the pressure-applying surface of the fixing screw. According to the clamping apparatus, the cutting insert can be firmly clamped to the tool holder.
US08573898B2
A method of manufacturing a multi-tooth fir-tree or bulbous form milling cutter, by the grinding of a blank with a grinding wheel, wherein, a flat clearance angle Θ of between 0° and 20° is generated on each tooth (13) by the path (14) of the grinding wheel (10), with each tooth (13) having a width (X) from tip to point of maximum clearance (see FIG. 5), calculated as follows: —X={[(R tan Θ)cos Θ] cos Θ}±0.25% (being calculation (A)) where R=radius of cutter, and where Θ=clearance angle measured from a tangent to the tooth tip, and furthermore, wherein, each tooth (13) has a variable depth (Y) around the cutter, calculated as follows: —Y={[πD]/[180/Θ]}0.5±0.2. (being calculation (B)) where D=maximum diameter of the form at any given point along the form. The invention also includes fir tree and bulbous milling cutters produced by the above defined method.
US08573890B2
An offshore structure for deploying and retrieving underwater electrical power generators that converts energy derived from water currents into electrical energy. The offshore structural platform includes a pair of vertical guide rails to guide a propulsion device lowering said generator underwater onto a seabed propulsion device. The seabed propulsion device is engaged on an underwater seabed rail system and transports the generator onto one of many unique frames specifically designed to support underwater generators. Securing devices are utilized to ensure the generators remain anchored to each propulsion device and to the unique frame. Rail transferring elements are also utilized for a smooth and safe transition during the transport process.
US08573889B2
A milling robot used to process the internal walls of inaccessible pipelines with a milling robot arm. The milling robot arm supports a milling head that is deflectable via remote control in the direction of the inner wall of the pipe. The milling robot arm stiffens and bends more or less depending on the controlled pressure feed; the eccentric, torsionally rigid, fixed-length core that can only be deflected in one plane provides a high level of torsional rigidity and the outer casing that is stiffened by the controlled internal pressure provides for a high level of stiffness in the longitudinal and bending directions. The milling robot arm can be swiveled all the way around in the inner pipe to be processed with the aid of a supply hose that is rigid in terms of shear or a pneumatically controllable slew ring.
US08573887B2
A surface gravity wave generator and wave pool is disclosed. A wave pool is formed of opposing side walls and a center channel of water. The channel includes a bottom contour with a depth that runs from a deep end to a shoal or beach. One or more three-dimensional foils are vertically arranged along at least one side wall, and moved against the water in the channel. Each foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that defines a leading surface that is adapted to generate a wave in water moving past the leading surface, and a trailing surface configured for flow recovery to avoid separation of the flow of water in the wave and to mitigate drag from the foil from the water moving past the leading surface.
US08573885B2
A road surface planner having a coupling mechanism coupled between a working tool attachment and a transporter to permit independent movement (i.e., rotation and/or pivoting) between the transporter and the attachment is provided. The attachment can have a rotary driven element such as a grinding element for modifying an irregular surface of existing pavement. The rotary element can be supported by a rear frame with a rear wheel assembly, a boom at the front of the grinding element, and a front wheel assembly coupled to the boom. The coupling mechanism can include a first member pivotably coupled to the transporter, and a second member fixed to the rear frame. The first member has a central opening defined by an inner edge for slidably contacting along a hub that extends from the second member for rotation there along.
US08573882B2
The present disclosure describes preformed pre-bonded thermoplastic sections comprising smaller articles where the articles and sections have planar top surfaces and planar bottom surfaces that are coplanar to each other. There is also an adhesive backing layer on the coplanar bottom surfaces so that the adhesive backing layer bridges and bonds coplanar bottom surfaces to form unified pre-bonded thermoplastic signage thereby preventing dislodging or separation of the signage during handling, movement, and/or transportation before or during application of the pre-bonded signage. The articles when properly sequenced, matched, and combined, together makeup the sections such that when the sections are also sequenced and matched the sections combine to form thermoplastic signage with a final pattern wherein the planar top surfaces include sequential features necessary to visibly aid in quick assembly of one or more unified thermoplastic signages.
US08573866B2
The present invention provides head-mounted systems and devices for capturing an image of a user's face. In particular, the present invention provides systems and devices comprising: a) a head-mounted frame component configured to be mounted on the head of a user (e.g., hat, head band, glasses, goggles, etc.) and b) an extending component that is moveable between a first position in or adjacent to the head-mounted frame component and a second position non-adjacent to the head-mounted frame component that allows a camera (or mirror) on the extending component to capture an image (e.g., picture or video) of the user's face.
US08573838B2
A thermometer includes a protective structure and a tip member with a thermal contact surface secured to the protective structure. A heat conductive layer includes a sensing portion disposed in the tip member and a temperature indication portion disposed in the protective structure. A structure with temperature indication markings is laid out along the temperature indication portion. A reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer is formed on the temperature indication portion to overlap the structure of the temperature indication markings, in which the sensing portion is adapted for sensing the thermal contact surface to conduct heat flow to the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer, producing a sensed temperature and a color changing zone of the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer in response to the sensed temperature thereby exhibiting a corresponding temperature value.
US08573812B2
There is provided an illuminating device. The illuminating device includes a light source unit including a substrate and one or more light emitting devices mounted on the substrate, and a heat radiating unit including a sealed inner space into which a working fluid is injected, the working fluid being evaporated and condensed within the inner space due to heat of the light source unit, and emitting the heat of the light source unit to the outside through repeated phase changes according to evaporation and condensation of the working fluid.
US08573806B1
The present invention relates a LED bulb structure, including: a base, a screw connector which is integrated with the end of the base, and a LED driver; a lamp body is mounted on the base, the top portion of lamp body is a platform on which an PCB substrate is arranged, LED lights are located on the PCB substrate, a lampshade which is engaged with a ring-shape groove of the platform. A reflector assembly includes a reflecting cover support which is inserted in the ring-shape groove located at the edge of the platform, and a reflecting cover which is loaded from the bottom of the reflecting cover support. The reflector assembly further can include a horn-shape reflector which is located above the LED lights inside the lampshade, and has a big small shape with two openings shaped by mean of complete revolving a parabola.
US08573801B2
Disclosed is an exemplary illumination device for enhancing the brightness and chromaticity of an illuminator employing light emitting diodes (LED). The illumination device may include a first light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength range. A first dichroic optical element associated with the first light source may be configured to optically block less than the entire wavelength range of the light emitted from the first light source. The illumination device may also include a second light source configured to emit light at second wavelength range substantially corresponding to the wavelength range optically blocked by the first dichroic optical element.
US08573799B2
A lighting device may be provided that includes a light emitter including a plurality of LEDs; a reflective plate disposed on the light emitter; a diffuser plate disposed in a direction in which light emitted from the LED is irradiated; a case including the light emitter disposed therein and including a bottom plate and a side wall extending from both side ends of the bottom plate; and a connecting member extending from the side wall of the case and including a bracket coupler on at least one side thereof. The light emitter is disposed between the bottom plate of the case and the diffuser plate.
US08573797B2
A lighting device is mounted onto a support structure, e.g., helmet. The lighting device includes a light body having forward facing light sources including a visible white light source, visible colored light source, an infrared light source and a side facing IFF light source. The light body includes switches for activating the visible light sources and a three-position switch for activating the IR and light sources. The light body mounts onto a mount assembly and includes a connector arrangement for slidably connecting to a platform of the mount assembly. A base member of the mount assembly includes a clamp that connects to a support structure. The light body and platform member may be swivelly moved relative to the base member by forcing the light body and platform member away from the base member and rotating the same. Also disclosed is boost circuitry, battery chemistry detection and control modes.
US08573796B2
A flashlight has a casing extending along an axis and having axially opposite front and rear ends, a collar fittable on the front end, a support disk engaged and gripped axially between the collar and the front end, a light source on a front face of the disk, thermally conductive regions on the disk, and a lamp head secured to the collar.
US08573794B2
A backlight module includes a heat-dissipating element, at least one light-emitting element disposed on a first side of the heat-dissipating element, a back plate, and a heat-insulation element. The back plate has at least one opening and is disposed on the first side of the heat-dissipating element, and the back plate is not overlapped with the light-emitting element. The heat-insulation element is disposed between the back plate and the heat-dissipating element for reducing heat conduction between the back plate and the heat-dissipating element so as to prevent the heat generated by the light-emitting element from being conducted to the back plate.
US08573789B2
The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
US08573787B2
In a projection type display apparatus for enabling to display an image, by projecting an image on an image display element(s), enlargedly, upon a nearly horizontal surface, such as, a table, a reflection mirror for reflecting a light from a light source is so disposed that an optical axis of the light source is nearly perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens group having a plural number of lens elements, which are disposed symmetric with respect to the optical axis.
US08573784B2
A projection apparatus is provided. The projection apparatus includes a light-emitting unit array, an optical sensor, and a control unit. The light-emitting unit array is for emitting an image beam. The optical sensor is for detecting electromagnetic waves so as to generate a signal. The control unit is electrically coupled to the light-emitting unit array and the optical sensor for controlling emission of the light-emitting unit array according to the signal from the optical sensor.
US08573783B2
A scanned projector and illumination system includes an energy-emitting source that is disposed in a projector and that emits energy beams out of the projector through an aperture. A scanning mirror is disposed in the projector and redirects energy beams therein. The scanning mirror moves such that the redirected energy beams form a scanning pattern with a scanning rate. A safety feature is disposed in the projector. The safety feature includes a fuse material. The energy beams move along the fuse material at the scanning rate. The safety feature modulates emission of the energy beams out of the projector through the aperture such that the energy beams are only emitted out of the projector through the aperture when the scanning rate of the energy beams is high enough to prevent the fuse material from reaching a threshold energy level at any location along the fuse material.
US08573772B2
The instant disclosure relates to a pair of eyeglasses, which includes an eyeglass frame and two temple arms pivotally connected thereto. Two shoulder portions are arranged on opposite ends of the eyeglass frame. Each one of the shoulder portions has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a shaft member. A receiving space is defined for each one of the shoulder portions. An inner flap is extended from the eyeglass frame toward the receiving space for each one of the shoulder portions. Each one of the temple arms has an anchoring section and an ear-resting section. Each one of the anchoring section has an engaging portion and an abutting portion. Each one of the temple arms can be at a closed position or an open position. At the open position, each one of the abutting portions is abutted to the corresponding flap.
US08573756B2
According to one embodiment, an ink-jet head includes a piezoelectric member which forms an ink pressure chamber, an electrode disposed on a side surface of the piezoelectric member, a nozzle plate attached to the piezoelectric member and including a nozzle hole communicating with the ink pressure chamber, a surface of the nozzle plate including a top surface of the nozzle plate, and a protection film which covers the surface of the nozzle plate, a peripheral portion of an adhesion part between the piezoelectric member and the nozzle plate, and the electrode. A recess is formed in a part of the protection film covering the top surface of the nozzle plate. The part of the protection film corresponds to a peripheral area of the nozzle hole.
US08573755B2
A piezoelectric element comprising a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer which includes bismuth, lanthanum iron, and manganese and which formed above the first electrode and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer. The integrated intensity of a diffraction peak observed at 20°<2θ<25° is 90% or more of the sum of the integrated intensities of diffraction peaks observed at 20°<2θ<50° in an X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the piezoelectric layer measured at φ=Φ=0°.
US08573749B2
A printhead (10) for use in an inkjet printing process includes a substrate (12) having at least one ink feed opening (14) defined therein, an ink chamber (16) in operative and fluid communication with the ink feed opening(s) (14), and a nozzle plate (18) disposed on a portion (P1) of the substrate (12). The nozzle plate (18) has a plurality of orifices (20) defined therein. The printhead (10) further includes a firing resistor (22) disposed on another portion (P2) of the substrate (12) and proximate to the ink feed opening(s) (14) and a barrier structure (24) disposed on the other portion (P2) of the substrate (12) and positioned adjacent to the firing resistor (22).
US08573746B2
A wiring member for a liquid ejection head enables reducing the size of the liquid ejection head. A flexible printed circuit has on one end a plurality of individual electrode wiring terminals corresponding to individual element electrode terminals of piezoelectric elements; individual electrode wires corresponding to the individual electrode wiring terminals; a common electrode wiring terminal corresponding to a common electrode terminal of the piezoelectric elements; and a common electrode wire corresponding to the common electrode wiring terminal. The individual electrode wiring terminals, common electrode wiring terminal, and individual electrode wires are disposed on one side of the flexible printed circuit, and the common electrode wire is disposed on the other side of the flexible printed circuit.
US08573743B2
A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. A drain is located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
US08573735B2
The invention prevents and suppresses wasteful expenditure of ink which occurs when recovering nozzles. In greater detail, a plurality of head units arranged in a direction which intersects a transportation direction of a printing medium is provided, a plurality of cleaning units is disposed to face the plurality of head units, and at least one of the plurality of cleaning units is selected and moved so as to be in close contact with the corresponding cleaning unit. By such a method, only the cleaning head unit which faces the head unit of which nozzles need to be recovered is selected and is brought into contact with the head unit, and liquid is sucked in from the nozzles of the head unit.
US08573734B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods of handling ink using a movable spittoon platform. A frame defines at least a reservoir portion and a side wall protrusion adjacent the reservoir portion. A shuttle includes a platform slidably movable between a first position, in which the platform is biased to extend outwardly from an end portion of the shuttle, and a second position, in which the platform becomes retracted relative to the end portion of the shuttle. The shuttle is slidably movable relative to the frame toward the spittoon portion wherein, upon releasable contact of the platform against the protrusion, the platform moves from the first portion into the second portion to scrape ink off the platform into the reservoir portion below the shuttle.
US08573715B1
A dispenser cabinet for holding and dispensing paper toweling or other paper sheet material includes a front dispenser cabinet portion and a rear dispenser cabinet portion. Hinge receptacles are attached to both left and right side walls of the dispenser cabinet portions and hinges are selectively alternatively positionable in the hinge receptacles to allow the hinge connection between the dispenser cabinet portions to be changed between left and right side walls.
US08573706B2
A cutting tool has a holder block and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange at an end of the shank. The sleeve shank is received in a hole in the holder block, with the flange against a surface of the holder block and the sleeve shank facing the holder hole wall. A first fillet extending between the holder bore wall and a second fillet extending between the sleeve shank and sleeve flange cooperatively form an annular flow passage for flow of water from the holder into the sleeve.
US08573701B2
A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat has a head restraint post adapted to be mounted to the vehicle seat. A support member is coupled to the head restraint post. The support member having a plurality of attachment receptacles to mount the head restraint post to one of the plurality of attachment receptacles. A compressible pad member is mounted to the support member. A convex outer surface provides support for a head of an occupant. The support member is mounted to head restraint post at one of the plurality of attachment receptacles positions the compressible pad at a distance from the convex outer surface.
US08573694B2
A method and apparatus for assembling restraint anchorage for use in child seat restraint anchorage by forming a portion of a bracket to engage a tubular rail that supports a plurality of latch wires. A portion of the bracket extends longitudinally along the tube. The extended portion is connected to the tube by mechanical engagement, preferably with a fastener. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener is formed by portions of the latch wire by cold heading shoulders on leg portions of the latch wires.
US08573693B2
A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The child restraint also includes a headrest mounted for up-and-down movement relative to a seat back included in the juvenile seat.
US08573675B2
A vehicle including a seat base having a first slide assembly disposed on each of first and second sides of the seat base. A first support column is disposed below the seat base and is positioned between the first and second sides of the seat base. A second support column is disposed below the second side of the seat base. A brace connects the second support column to a transmission hump of the vehicle.
US08573670B2
A passenger seating system (26) for a vehicle (5) comprising a seat back (12), a seat cushion (14), and a seat base (16). The passenger seating system (26) may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (12), the seat cushion (14), and/or the seat base (16). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system (26) in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.
US08573667B2
To easily prevent flapping of a cover attached to a vehicle such as a motor cycle. A storage box is provided on a lateral side of a vehicle frame. The storage box includes a storage box main body having an opening facing an outside of a vehicle, and a lid member which is openable and closable to cover the opening. A side cover which covers a lateral side of the vehicle is provided in front of the storage box. A rear edge portion of the side cover extends to an outside edge portion of the storage box main body, and is fixed to the outside edge portion.
US08573666B2
A slide-out or retractable room for a mobile living quarters, such as a recreational vehicle, is provided with actuating assemblies mounted on opposite side walls of the slide-out room and the adjacent wall of the main living area. The actuating assemblies include a pair of parallel gear racks mounted on the side wall, which are engaged by pinions rotated by torque shafts mounted on the main living quarters. Each torque shaft is rotated by a separate motor. A roller engages a bearing surface on the lower portion of the gear racks. Accordingly, the slide-out room is extended and retracted by rotating the torque shafts to cause the gear racks and the attached slide-out room to extend and retract. The weight of the slide-out room is supported by the rollers, thereby supporting the slide-out room off of the floor of the main living quarters as it extends and retracts. A synchronizing control operates the motors.
US08573663B1
A finger-gesticulation hand device includes a base frame representing a metacarpal part of the human hand, and at least three digits mounted on the base frame and appearing to be a thumb and at least two fingers. Each digit has at least two phalange portions respectively linked by two joints which permit a flexing movement of the phalange portions between extended and flexed positions. An actuating cord passes through each digit and is actuated by a solenoid actuator unit to pull the phalange portions of the respective digit to the flexed position. The hand device is simple in construction and capable of making hand gestures in a simple manner.
US08573660B2
A safety apparatus of a rear bumper storage box for a vehicle includes a storage box that does not rotate upward but rotates downward toward a ground surface when a rear low-speed collision accident occurs.
US08573655B2
An apparatus for sealing an open end of a pipe includes a clamp for frictionally being secured to the exterior of the pipe, a sealing plate for covering the open end of the pipe and being connectable to the clamp, and an urging mechanism for urging the sealing plate towards the clamp and for forming a seal between the sealing plate and the open end of the pipe. In one aspect, the clamp comprises an annular body formed by at least two sections that are radially tightened over the pipe exterior. In another aspect, the clamp comprises cooperating annular bodies, one capable of radially narrowing the other for frictionally engaging the pipe outer surface. In another aspect the method provides a method of sealing an end of a pipe. According to the invention, once the open end is sealed, the interior of the pipe may be pressurized, for example for testing the integrity thereof.
US08573649B2
A passenger automobile without B-column is provided that has front side doors and rear side doors. Two front individual seats are arranged in the area of the front side doors and a rear seat arrangement is arranged in the area of the rear side doors. A column for accommodating three-point safety belts for the individual seats is mounted between the individual seats in the area of backrests of the individual seats. This column is mounted in the floor of the vehicle. The shoulder belt of the respective safety belt is mounted in the area of the upper end of the column and the lap belt of the respective safety belt is mounted in the area of the lower end of the column. In a passenger automobile without B-column, a structurally simple safety belt arrangement is provided that has a favorable design for the front individual seats.
US08573648B2
An apparatus for rotating a webbing guide of a seat belt for a vehicle may include a drive unit for moving a cable connected at one end thereof by controlling driving of a motor in response to an actuating signal or a stop signal, the webbing guide connected to the other end of the cable, and hingedly rotated to a first direction of a vehicular body as the cable moves in a second direction, and a return unit provided on the webbing guide, and providing an elastic force to the webbing guide so that the webbing guide hingedly rotated to the first direction of the vehicular body returns to the second direction of the vehicular body when the motor stops driving.
US08573644B1
A gas generating system includes a housing and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle includes at least one bi-directional gas exit passage configured to provide a thrust-neutral release of gases from the nozzle.
US08573634B2
A center curtain air bag apparatus for a vehicle efficiently protects a rear seat passenger with an air bag cushion that is deployed during a car collision accident.
US08573627B2
A fifth wheel hitch support assembly includes a support bracket adapted to pivotally support a fifth wheel hitch plate, a mounting member adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame rail to create a gap therebetween and above the frame rail, wherein the gap extends longitudinally along the mounting member, and wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of irregularities spaced longitudinally along the length thereof, and an engagement assembly operably coupled to the support bracket wherein the engagement assembly is operable between an engaged position locking the support bracket with respect to the mounting member at a select position along the length of the mounting member, and a disengaged position wherein the engagement assembly does not engage the plurality of irregularities, thereby allowing the support bracket to be slidably repositioned with respect to the support bracket.
US08573624B2
A bicycle saddle and handlebar height adjustment device including a tubular element provided with elements for its connection to the saddle, and presenting a portion cooperating with a support element for the tubular element. The support element is associated with a ring nut rotating thereon and presenting a first thread cooperating with a corresponding first counter-thread provided on the tubular element. An alignment element is present to maintain the angular position between the tubular element and the support element. The ring nut is associated with the support element by way of a second thread cooperating with a corresponding second counter-thread provided on the support element. The first and second threads are counter-rotating.
US08573623B2
A front fork includes a damper that generates a damping force, a cylinder body that houses the damper, a reservoir formed on an exterior of the cylinder body, a rod body that is inserted into the cylinder body to be capable of advancing and retreating, a piston portion that defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the cylinder body, a through hole allows a working fluid to flow from the cylinder body into the reservoir, a flow rate control mechanism that is disposed in the vehicle body side tube to face an upper end opening of the through hole, and applies a resistance to a flow of the working fluid flowing toward the reservoir from the rod body, and a driving mechanism that drives the flow rate control mechanism to adjust an expansion side damping force and a contraction side damping force generated by the damper.
US08573620B2
A suspension system suspends an axle from a vehicle undercarriage. A mounting mounts a trailing arm for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis passing through a proximal end of the trailing arm perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel while the vehicle is being steered in a straight line. An air spring is disposed between the undercarriage and a distal end of the trailing arm. A fastening holds fast together the middle of a resiliently flexible locating strap, the middle of the trailing arm, and the axle. A front locating bracket and a rear locating bracket fastened to the undercarriage respectively locate the front end of the locating strap horizontally in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis about which the trailing arm pivots and the rear end of the locating strap horizontally in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis about which the trailing arm pivots.
US08573616B2
A suspension system with inclination stabilization, in particular for use on heavy work vehicles, such as a dumper, where the front pair of wheels is mounted on a transverse rigid axle, has an axle (5) firmly connected with a Y-shaped frame (1) extending in the longitudinal direction along the central line (M) of the vehicle. The frame is suspended from the chassis of the vehicle, partly from a spherical bearing (4) disposed in the central line of the vehicle, partly via two spring units (2, 3) arranged symmetrically around the central line and a rod connection (7). The frame is additionally equipped with one or more laterally directed stabilization arms (6) which are confined by the chassis. This provides a suspension system which contains a very small number of components, which is stable, sturdy and resistant to wear, and which contains both springing, level adjustment and inclination stabilization.
US08573613B2
There is provided a foldable walker apparatus with a wheel fork and a frame portion having a first end facing the wheel fork, a first bore extending from the first end towards a second end opposite thereof, an exterior disposed between the first end of the frame portion and the second end of the frame portion, and a second bore disposed between the first end of the frame portion and the second end of the frame portion. The second bore extends from the exterior of the frame portion to the first bore in a direction generally perpendicular to the first bore. A shaft couples with the first bore and includes a recess facing the second bore. A bearing outer race couples to the wheel fork and a bearing inner race couples to the shaft. A securing member extends through the second bore and engages with the recess of the shaft.
US08573590B2
In a sheet finisher which receives a sheet from an image forming apparatus, conducts a sheet finishing onto the sheet and feeds out the sheet, the sheet finisher includes: a stacking section which stores temporarily one or more sheets; and a sheet finishing section which conducts the sheet finishing onto the sheet stored in the stacking section. The stacking section having a first guide member which forms a stacking surface to guide the sheet, and a second guide member which faces the first guide member and is spaced apart from the first guide member by a predetermined distance, and is provided obliquely from a horizontal direction, and the stacking surface formed by at least a part of the first guide member, is formed to be curved in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction.
US08573586B2
A sheet feeder includes: an attraction separation unit including an attraction belt stretched between rollers and facing the upper surface of a sheet bundle to attract an uppermost sheet thereof, rotatably supported by a support member at a position upstream of the attraction belt in a sheet feeding direction, and supporting the rollers to be released from the support upon contact of the rollers with the uppermost sheet via the attraction belt; and a swing device for swinging the attraction separation unit around the support member as a pivot to move the attraction belt between an attraction position and a feed position more distant from the sheet bundle than the attraction position, and swinging, after the uppermost sheet has been attracted to the attraction belt at the attraction position, the attraction belt to the feed position to be rotated to feed the uppermost sheet.
US08573585B1
A non-transitory storage medium is disclosed herein. An example of the non-transitory storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to actuate a pick assembly of a media handling system to select a sheet of medium from a media stack and lower the media stack a predetermined amount and subsequently raise the media stack the predetermined amount upon failure to pick the sheet of medium from the media stack. The non-transitory storage medium may include additional instructions as disclosed herein. A media handling system and method of media handling are also disclosed herein.
US08573583B2
In an embodiment, a booklet conveying device includes: a pair of conveying units; a positioning unit; a pressing unit; and a conveying-force changing unit. The pair of conveying units convey a booklet made of a stack of folded sheets, and change a distance therebetween. The positioning unit positions the booklet by making a leading-end portion of the booklet abut thereto. The pressing unit presses the booklet positioned by the positioning unit onto one of the conveying units in order to fix. The conveying-force changing unit changes the conveying force exerted by the conveying units.
US08573582B2
A sheet buffer apparatus which retains a sheet to be conveyed to a post-processing unit configured to perform post-processing for a sheet, the apparatus comprises: a buffer unit configured to perform buffer processing to retain a sheet to be conveyed to the post-processing unit and overlay the sheet to be retained and a succeeding sheet; a determination unit configured to determine whether a sheet is inhibited from the buffer processing by the buffer unit; and a control unit configured, when the determination unit determines that the sheet succeeding the sheet to be retained is a sheet for which the buffer processing is inhibited, to control the buffer unit not to perform the retaining of the sheet to be retained.
US08573580B2
A first folding portion includes: a first folding roller pair consisting of a common roller and a first roller; and a blade member that feeds a sheet to a first nip, thereby forming a first fold on the sheet in the first nip. A second folding portion includes a second folding roller pair consisting of the common roller and a second roller, thereby forming a second fold on the sheet in a second nip. The common roller and the first roller are parallel in a conveying direction in a case where the sheet is guided toward the first folding portion. A feeding portion evacuates the sheet to the evacuation guiding portion for evacuating the sheet that on which the first fold is formed, switches back the sheet, and then feeds the sheet into the second nip.
US08573575B2
A reference tool for assembly jigs for aircraft structures includes a constraint pin (1), for being inserted into holes purposely provided on the assembly jig for aircraft structures and a reference support (2), associated with the pin, for generating a gap between the parts of the aircraft structure, during assemblage, of a known and standardized amount.
US08573574B1
A automatic truss jig setting system is disclosed that includes a table including a plurality of segments with a side edge of adjacent segments defining a slot. At least one pin assembly, and optionally a pair of pin assemblies, is movable independently of each other along the slot. Movement apparatus is provided for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot. Each of the side edges of the segments associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, and the movement apparatus is located substantially outside of the zone of the slot. The invention may optionally include a system for handling the obstruction of pin assembly movement, and a system for keeping track of the position of the pin assembly when the pin assembly has encountered an obstruction.
US08573558B2
A pneumatic actuator air flow control system includes a pneumatic rotary actuator (PRA) and a solenoid air flow control valve (SAFCV). The PRA contains an air reservoir and a vane housing allowing pressurized air to rotate an air-driven vane. The SAFCV includes a flow control valve body (FCVB), a pilot solenoid valve (PSV) and a switch system, wherein the FCVB and the PRA can be connected to direct the pressurized air into the air reservoir, and the PSV is used to control the pressurized air in and out of the PRA to change the vane's rotation movement in the vane housing. Additionally, the switch system allows users to switch between a double-acting and fail-safe operation. When there is no pressurized air and/or electrical power and if an emergent need to open or close the valve, a manual override in the PSV can be used without further installation of a declutchable manual gear operator or external piping when there is no pressurized air and/or electrical power.
US08573555B2
The present invention provides capability to instantaneously adjust a height of an operation panel to an optimal height in accordance with a height of an operator with extremely easy operation and slight operating force. The operation panel is attached to a housing side wall of a machine tool in a vertically movable manner, supporting a load of the operation panel by the housing through a gas spring with a hydraulic lock. The operation panel is set to be capable of being vertically adjusted in position by disposing a handling unit which releases the hydraulic lock of the gas spring at the vicinity of the lower side of the operation panel.
US08573552B2
A cup holder assembly includes a base and a pair of lid assemblies. The lid assemblies are respectively supported on the base for movement between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the lid assemblies are separately biased in the opened position. A pair of locking tabs is supported on the base for movement relative to the lid assemblies, wherein the locking tabs are configured to respectively engage and secure the lid assemblies in the closed position. A release member is supported on the base for movement relative to the locking tabs, wherein the release member is configured to disengage the locking tabs from the lid assemblies when the release member is moved from a first position to a second position.
US08573545B2
A mounting bracket arrangement for fastening a solar array to a vertical support pipe, including a generally horizontal support disk seated transversely across the pipe end to close the interior thereof, and a pair of parallel vertical bracket plates having corresponding lower edge portions each containing pairs of parallel vertical slots that define a center section and a pair of side sections. The vertical bracket plates are arranged normal to the horizontal support plate such that the center sections extend into the pipe interior via horizontal linear openings contained in the horizontal plate, and the side sections extend longitudinally externally of the horizontal support plate for connection by external fastener devices. The solar array is pivotally connected between the upper portions of the vertical bracket plates for angular adjustment relative to the support pipe.
US08573544B2
An adaptive support is provided for a flexible hose sprinkler head on an elevated irrigation supply line that includes a sprinkler support body and a hanger body. The sprinkler support body has a first inter-fitting contact surface. The body is disposed to support a downwardly extending flexible sprinkler hose. The hanger body has a second inter-fitting contact surface configured to mate with the first inter-fitting contact surface. The hanger body is disposed to support the sprinkler body at an elevated position. A method is also provided for changing elevation of a sprinkler head.
US08573541B2
This invention uses a novel shape of airfoil to achieve an improved lift to drag ratio and to improve performance at higher angles of attack. The airfoil has a three dimensional wave pattern that modifies the shape of a traditional airfoil to coordinate the airflow through channels on both the top and bottom sides. The uniquely shaped airfoil of this invention could have many uses including a wind turbine blade. This invention not only provides for a more efficient device by improving the effective angle of attack and lift/drag ratio, but also provides for a quiet airflow thus greatly reducing nuisance noise over conventional devices.
US08573519B2
A method for producing nanoscale organic solid particles is proposed, starting from the corresponding sublimable organic solid as raw material, in the form of particles having an average particle diameter in the range of from 1 μm to 10 mm, which are dispersed in a carrier gas so as to obtain a dispersion, which is relaxed in a convergent nozzle, which is followed by an expansion chamber, and wherein openings are provided rotationally symmetrically about the midaxis of the expansion chamber in the wall of the expansion chamber which comprises the product outlet opening, through which openings a secondary gas flow is injected comprising an inert gas carrier and molecules, ions or nanoscale particles contained in molecularly disperse form therein, which are different from the raw material and which have an average particle diameter that is less than the average particle diameter of the product.
US08573516B2
A method of designing a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine to reduce fretting thereof during use, including establishing an initial nozzle design, determining a first natural frequency of that design and a running frequency range of the gas turbine engine, and increasing a first transverse dimension of the stem member of the nozzle across a length of a portion thereof adjacent the inlet end until the first natural frequency of the nozzle is outside the running range, while a second transverse dimension of the portion remains at least substantially unchanged across the length thereof.
US08573501B2
A housing for a mine marker that houses RFID electronics. The RFID electronics is surrounded by a resiliently deformable tube that fits inside the housing, which may be an impact resistant plastic. The housing is filled with a first strengthening material and the tube may be filled with a second strengthening material. There is an impedance mismatch (a change in properties between adjacent layers so that shock waves are deflected) at the boundary between adjacent materials, (casing and first strengthening material, first strengthening material and tube, tube and second strengthening material, or casing and tube if they abut) which inhibits shock propagation.
US08573498B2
A printed cash letter includes a machine-readable identifier, such as a barcode, identifying the cash letter. Upon printing, information from the identifier is read and stored in a first record. To determine whether the cash letter is a duplicate, a check presentment module compares information from the identifier with information in the first record. If information identifying the cash letter already exists in the first record, the cash letter is a duplicate. To verify cash letter printing, information identifying multiple cash letters to be printed is stored in a second record. Upon printing a portion of the cash letters, information read from identifiers on the printed cash letters is compared with information in the second record. If the second record includes information regarding a cash letter not identified in the information scanned from the barcodes, then the check presentment module identifies the cash letter as having not been printed.
US08573492B2
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
US08573488B2
The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.
US08573485B2
An information processing apparatus is capable of being connected to an IC card via a reader/writer. The information processing apparatus includes a middleware and a device driver provided so as to correspond to the reader/writer. The middleware provides a plurality of applications for the IC card with basic functions shared by the applications. The device driver sequentially processes a plurality of commands received from the plurality of applications via the middleware in the order in which the commands are received so as to control the corresponding reader/writer. In this way, the applications concurrently access the reader/writer.
US08573482B1
An apparatus including an automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data usable to identify at least one of a user of the machine and a financial account. A computer associated with the machine is operative to cause card data to be read through operation of the card reader, and to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to a financial account authorized to conduct a transaction through the machine. The computer is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the financial account to be at least one of assessed and credited with a value associated with a financial transaction.
US08573471B2
A reusable foldable box is disclosed that has a first flat configuration and a second three dimensional configuration. The box consists of a first set and a set of panels that are assembled to form the foldable box. The first set of panels includes at least six panels that are foldably coupled in a predefined sequence. The first set includes a top panel, bottom panel, a pair of side panels, a lip panel and a securing panel. The first set of panels forms a single piece construction to which the side panels of the second set of panels are coupled with triangular inward connectors.
US08573463B2
A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.
US08573462B2
A surgical instrument includes an end effector having an actuator effecting a surgical procedure when actuated, an electric motor operating the actuator, and a power supply actuating the actuator when power is supplied to the motor. The power supply has a battery cell with a given rated power for an operating period of over 15 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of over 300 seconds. The motor and power supply are configured to utilize the battery cell at a power greater than the given rated power. The motor characteristics are selected to utilize the battery cell for periods of operation of less than 16 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of less than 300 seconds. A one-handed handle contains all of the power supply, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly.
US08573449B2
A dispensing device for dispensing a preferably cosmetic fluid is proposed. The dispensing device has an elastically deformable section for pumping a fluid. Simple and easy actuation is made possible by the section having a concave region in the initial position and/or by the thickness of the section varying.
US08573447B2
A dispensing system includes a container securing mechanism configured to secure a container in a fully engaged position suitable for dispensing a substance held within the container and further configured to release the container from the fully engaged position upon the actuation of a container release actuator. The system can further include a container stop mechanism configured to stop the container in a disengaged position upon release of the container from the container securing mechanism, the disengaged position being between the fully engaged position and a position in which the container is fully released from the system. The system can include a movable multiple use hammer assembly that functions to automatically release the container from the system under predetermined conditions.
US08573445B2
A flexible pouch having a removable cap for use with the tube spout fitment and a method of filling the flexible pouch is provided. The removable cap is formed from a tube of pliable material, and has a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each have a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the first opening is configured to engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. The peripheral edge of the second opening is pressed onto itself and sealed so as to form a flattened edge. The method includes the steps mounting the removable cap onto the tube spout fitment. Filling the pouch, and sealing the second opening of the removable cap so as to form a flattened edge.
US08573438B1
This application relates to the field of removable handles for cookware. The use of a single interchangeable and removable handle with different pieces of cookware has several advantages. One advantage is that the overall assembly is much smaller to store, as the handle may be removed and stored in a separate location, reducing the overall size of the assembly. In addition, a single handle may be utilized for multiple cooking vessels as it is common for only one handle to be utilized at a single time. Even though multiple cooking vessels may be used simultaneously, the handle is only utilized for repositioning or stabilizing the cooking vessel. In this way, when no cooking vessel is in use, only one handle need be stored, rather than separate (possibly attached) handles for each article of cookware.
US08573426B2
A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) includes a receiver body (19), a receiver guide (62), a fluid absorber (70) and a fluid distributor (64). The receiver body (19) receives fluid pharmaceutical waste. The receiver guide (62) guides the fluid pharmaceutical waste into the receiver body (19). The fluid absorber (70) is positioned within the receiver body (19), and is adapted to absorb at least a portion of the fluid pharmaceutical waste that is received by the receiver body (19). The fluid distributor (64) is coupled to the receiver guide (62), and extends at least partially into the fluid absorber (70) so that the fluid distributor (64) distributes the fluid pharmaceutical waste within the fluid absorber (70). The fluid distributor (64) includes a plurality of distributor apertures (278) that allow the fluid pharmaceutical waste to flow from the receiver guide (62) to the fluid absorber (70).
US08573423B2
A closure comprising a solid colour spout and a transparent overcap is adapted to be sealed to a container neck by means of a double-sided foil. The overcap has a depending valve, which engages with the spout to hold these components together prior to assembly to the container. The spout has a flange adapted to seat on a rim of the container neck and an annular wall that is received within the container neck. The foil is welded to the flange and is also used to weld the closure to a rim of a container neck of standard threaded design. The overcap can screw to an external thread on the container neck. The primary ex-factory seal is provided by welding the assembled closure to the neck. The secondary seal is provided by the engagement of the overcap valve with the spout. The invention discloses an improved method of assembly.
US08573420B2
The invention relates to a crawler crane comprising two crawler supports (9) with rotating crawlers (8). Both crawler supports (9) are connected by a transversal bridge (10). A superstructure (3) of the crawler crane comprises at least one crane jib that can pivot about a vertical axis and is connected to the transversal bridge (10). A pivotable articulation connects the transversal bridge (19) in a pivotable manner to the crane superstructure (3). At least one of the crawler supports (9) is connected to the transversal bridge (10) by means of a double link (11). A lower link (12) of the double link (11) is articulated on the crawler support (9) by means of a crawler support lower pivotable axis (13) and on the transversal bridge (10) by means of a transversal bridge lower pivotable axis (14). An upper link (15) of the double link (11) is articulated on the crawler support (9) by means of a crawler support upper pivotable axis (16) and on the transversal bridge (10) by means of a transversal bridge upper pivotable axis (17). A drive (20), in particular motorised drive, is used to pivot at least one of the two links (12, 15) about the pivotable axis (13) associated therewith, the result being a level-controllable crawler crane, in which the expenditure for adjusting a base-work position is reduced.
US08573417B1
A mobile clothesline provides mobility and is easy to set up and break down, making it ideal for areas with limited space, for example, while not requiring tools for assembly. The mobile clothesline offers an energy efficient alternative to using an electric or gas dryer. The mobile clothesline includes first and second wheeled bases having a receptacle for holding a retractable clothesline post. The post may include a plurality of arms that may extend outward from the post or may be folded in against the post. A retractable line may extend from the arms on one of the posts to interconnect with a receptacle on the arm on the other post.
US08573415B2
In one aspect, a storage system is disclosed. The storage system may include a base having a lower or accessory portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion has at least one lower projection extending outward from a front surface and wherein the upper portion has at least two upper projections extending outward from the front surface and spaced from the lower projection. The system may also include at least one accessory configured to engage the lower portion. The system further may include at least one shelf or cover configured to engage the two upper projections. In a further aspect, another storage system is disclosed, wherein the storage system may include a base having an upper ledge portion, wherein a portion of the upper ledge portion is spaced a predetermined distance from a wall. The base further may include a lower portion and an accessory portion between the upper ledge portion and the lower portion. The system further may include at least one accessory configured to engage the accessory portion. The system also may include at least one shelf or cover configured to couple to the base.
US08573412B2
A retail display apparatus includes a mounting frame, a product support portion, and a fastening element. The mounting frame has a mounting surface that is mounted to a shelf and at least two sidewalls that extend from the mounting surface. The product support portion is positioned between the side walls of the mounting frame and has a top surface at an angle to the mounting surface. The fastening element is attached to a bottom surface of the product support portion and is adapted to engage a second fastening element attached to a product.
US08573406B2
A device for sieving foreign bodies out of a material stream, wherein the device comprises a roller sieve comprising a plurality of rollers disposed in parallel to one another and discs disposed on the plurality of rollers such that they are perpendicular to the axial extension of the rollers, wherein the discs of adjacent rollers are engaged so as form slot areas between the discs and the adjacent rollers, and the discs comprise impulse discs for disaggregating a material stream disposed on the roller sieve, and conveyor discs for conveying the material stream in a transport direction and through the slot area. A corresponding process and an apparatus or system for the production of composite boards with such a device.
US08573404B2
In one general aspect, an instrument for measuring characteristics of particles suspended in a fluid is disclosed. It includes a closed wall surface defining a fractionation channel having a input opening, an output opening, and a flow axis that spans downstream from the input opening for the channel to the output opening. A force application subsystem has a force application output oriented perpendicular to at least part of the flow axis of the fractionation channel. A particle characteristic measurement subsystem is located hydraulically downstream from at least a portion of the closed wall surface defining the fractionation channel, and includes a sensor positioned to sense a property of the suspended particles in the potential measurement subsystem as well as a signal output responsive to the sensor. A result processor has a signal input responsive to the signal output of the particle characteristic measurement subsystem, zeta potential processing logic responsive to the particle characteristic measurement subsystem, and a particle characteristic signal output responsive to the particle characteristic processing logic.
US08573399B2
A material handling device includes a base, a side, a support member, and a resilient biasing member. The side extends from the base and defines a device interior with the base. The support member is disposed within the device interior proximate the side. The support member includes a cam and is rotatable between a material handling device stacking position and a material handling device nesting position. The biasing member is coupled to the side and is configured to engage the cam and thereby urge the support member into one of the stacking and nesting positions. The resilient biasing member is also configured to effect a translation of the support member towards the side as the support member rotates from a position intermediate the stacking and nesting positions to the one of the stacking position and nesting positions.
US08573397B1
A thermoformed package that is specially adapted to allow a cell phone (or similar product) to be partially packaged at one time and place, and then at a later time adapted for sale as a finished product with a particular brand (from a variety of brands or trademarks), and/or with a particular service plan (from a variety of rate plans or payment terms and/or languages) and/or with a particular language (or other localization) at a second time and place.
US08573394B2
The present invention relates to improved protective cases for hand-held electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to cases that protect and modify the functionality of an electronic device.
US08573391B2
A suture package includes a first part or base having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plurality of openings extending between the outer and inner surfaces, and a second part or lid having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plurality of posts projecting from the inner surface. The suture package has a closed configuration in which the inner surface of the lid opposes the inner surface of the base with distal ends of the posts engaging the inner surface of the base at locations that are offset from and adjacent the plurality of openings extending through the base. The package includes a hinge interconnecting the lid and the base for opening and closing the suture package. Suture winding posts on a fixture are passable through the base openings for winding at least one suture around the suture winding posts for positioning the at least one suture on the base.
US08573386B2
System of devices for transporting rod shaped elements in production arrangement of tobacco industry
System having a transitory store (S), in the inlet zone (5) of which, there are disposed fillers (4) for compartment trays, to which rod shaped elements are delivered by in-feed conveyors (3) in form of mass flow from making machines (1), and each machine is assigned with a separate filler (4). In the outlet zone (9) of the store (S) there are disposed unloaders (8) for said trays, and rod shaped elements are delivered by out-feed conveyors (10) in form of mass flow to processing machines (2), and each machine (2) is assigned with a separate unloader (8). On the trajectory of each out-feed conveyor (10) there is situated an emptying hopper (11) co-operating with a mobile filler (12) for compartment trays. Moreover in the inlet zone (5) of the store (S) there is situated a filler (4′) for compartment trays, connected to an unloader (6) for one chamber trays with an in-feed conveyor (3′), and an in-feed conveyor (14), and in the outlet zone (9) there is situated an out-feed conveyor (15).
US08573382B2
An apparatus for conveying and arranging bakery products such as hot dog buns or breadsticks. The products are delivered with their length dimensions at a variety of angular orientations and some products inverted. An aligning conveyor receives misaligned products on adjacent belts or other drive members which are driven at differential speeds to rotate the products to the proper orientation. Inverted products are conveyed against guide rails which are arranged to interact with the curved edges on the tops of the buns to roll the inverted products over. The products are conveyed in discrete lanes to properly organize them for packaging.
US08573373B2
Apparatuses convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration. One apparatus includes a circular lid, a circular base, and at least one zipper pull that zips the lid and base to a wall. When zippered, the apparatus has a generally cylindrical shape. A carrying handle is provided on the lid. When unzippered, the apparatus becomes an activity mat and lies flat. Another apparatus includes two sides, a base, a flap, and at least one zipper pull that zips the sides to the flap. The sides resemble the outline of a car, such that the apparatus when zipped up resembles a car and when unzipped becomes an activity mat and lies flat. Backpack straps on the back allow the apparatus to be worn as a backpack.
US08573367B2
This elevator car (10) is characterized by a car roof (9), which is designed to be non-load bearing, so that in the uppermost position of the car (10) the required free space F in the form of a cuboid lying on one of the sides thereof and having the minimum dimensions of 0.5 m×0.6 m×0.8 m is located completely inside the car (10) and extends down to the car floor (8). When a potential load is applied onto the car roof (9), it yields or is lowered due to deformation. In this way, the required free space F of 0.6 m×0.5 m×0.8 m above the surface on which a maintenance technician can stand is ensured in any case as a safety space against the danger of crushing, even if the elevator car moves very close to the ceiling of the shaft.
US08573366B2
In a method for controlling an elevator system, hints relating to potential elevator passengers are received from at least one observation point connected to the elevator system. Based on the hints, forecasts relating to potential elevator passengers are prepared, on the basis of which forecasts one or more anticipatory control actions are executed.
US08573365B2
An emergency brake apparatus for an elevator system is installed on an elevator cage or a balance weight of the elevator system and includes a grip member with slant surfaces and a pressing surface sandwiching a guide rail, a pressing member disposed movably between the slant surfaces of the grip member and the guide rail, and an electric solenoid connected to the pressing member and actuated by an electric signal. The electric solenoid positions the pressing member away from the guide rail in a non-braking operation while pushing the pressing member between the slant surfaces and the guide rail in a braking operation.
US08573364B2
An exemplary method of automatically addressing a plurality of fixtures in an elevator system includes establishing a shared communication link between a central controller and the plurality of fixtures. The method includes determining whether a selected elevator device operation is performed at a location of a fixture and enabling the corresponding fixture to receive initializing information, such as addressing information. The central controller broadcasts the initializing information over the communication link for automatically providing the initializing information to the enabled, corresponding fixture. By enabling only one fixture at a time, based on the selected elevator device operation, the central controller is able to accurately address each of the fixtures individually even though the initializing information is broadcast over the shared link.
US08573357B1
An acoustical door comprising an inner core assembly includes a spacer frame having a first set of spacer strips extending along a first direction and a second set of spacer strips extending along a second direction. The inner core assembly further includes first and second core layers positioned within the spacer frame. The second core layer is constructed of a material dissimilar from the first core layer. The acoustical door further comprises a multi-layer skin spaced apart from the inner core assembly. The multi-layer skin includes a sheet constructed of lead. The acoustical door also includes a spacer coupling the multi-layer skin and the inner core assembly around a mutual periphery. An air space is defined within the mutual periphery and between the multi-layer skin and the inner core assembly such that the multi-layer skin is configured to flex independent of the inner core assembly.
US08573354B1
A method and apparatus for controlling noise. An apparatus may comprise a structure configured to be positioned at an opening for a channel. The channel may be formed at least partially within a fastener. The structure may be configured to change a movement of air within the channel to reduce noise generated by the movement of air within the channel.
US08573353B2
Embodiments typically relate to ear tips for sound transmission devices, designed to fit snuggly in the user's ear canal and block external noise from the environment while being sufficiently comfortable for long-wearing and/or deep insertion. Embodiments may comprise a stem and a foam body, with the hollow stem lying on the centerline of the foam body. The foam body may comprise a concave opening in its nose, a rear extension flange projecting rearward to extend its length without significantly impacting perceived comfort, and/or a plurality of indentations about the periphery of the nose of the foam body. The foam body may be formed of polyurethane foam, and the stem may be formed of elastomeric polyurethane.
US08573352B2
As a quotient, which is produced when the value of an assistive current for causing an electric motor to generate an assistive torque is divided by the value of a steering torque detected by a steering torque sensor, becomes greater, a greater phase-lag compensation (smaller phase-lead compensation) is performed on the steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor. Within a region in which the steering sensation is reduced, a greater phase-lead compensation is performed.
US08573345B2
A work vehicle includes a chassis, an engine compartment and an engine. The engine compartment is carried by the chassis and defined by a plurality of upstanding walls, one of which includes an openable access panel. The engine is carried by the chassis and includes a plurality of service points positioned inside and adjacent to the access panel for servicing the engine by a person positioned outside the access panel.
US08573339B2
A hybrid industrial vehicle performs steering operation and the like during idling stop, without using a complicated mechanism. The hybrid industrial vehicle configured to transmit power of a first electric motor (23) and power of an engine (21) to a drive wheel (34) through a first gear train (32) comprises: a second electric motor (24) actuated when supplied with electric power from a battery (22); a first hydraulic pump (26) supplying pressure oil to a cargo handling hydraulic system; a second gear train (28) interposed among the engine and the second electric motor and the first hydraulic pump and capable of mutual power transmission among the engine, the second electric motor and the first hydraulic pump; a second hydraulic pump (27) supplying pressure oil to a steering hydraulic system; and a third electric motor (25) actuated to drive the second hydraulic pump when supplied with electric power from the battery.
US08573336B2
A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
US08573328B1
The present apparatus and method of use allows a blow out preventer to be installed as a unit with a section of casing, and does not require the blow out preventer to be removed as subsequent strings of casing are installed, thus efficiently utilizing drilling rig time. The present invention further allows a casing string to be landed and cemented in place, and then the drilling rig may move off the location, without a permanent wellhead housing attached to the well. The primary apparatus utilized in the invention is a tubular connector which suspends a string of casing during cementing, and which receives a casing plug for sealing the well when drilling operations have been completed. When completion operations commence, a permanent wellhead housing is attached to the tubular connector utilizing a unique metal to metal seal.
US08573320B2
A turf edger is attached to a traction unit in the form of a self-propelled turf grooming or working vehicle. The turf edger has a narrow U-shaped edging blade carried on an edger frame. The edging blade oscillates to cut and free a strip of material along a boundary between a turf surface and a non-turf surface. When this strip of material is brushed away, a clean edge is provided along the boundary without the need for any manual hoeing. Side walls of the edging blade at least partially nest around a ground engaging roller on the edger frame to more easily cut horizontal grass runners in the turf surface. The edger frame is selectively movable between a lowered edging position and a raised transport position by the operator. Limited ground following action is provided for the edger frame when the edger frame is in the edging position.
US08573312B2
An apparatus for gripping a string of well pipe being lowered into or retrieved from a well includes pipe slips defining a central bore opening having an axis. The pipe slips are configured to abut and grip a surface of a pipe passing through the central bore opening while the pipe slips are in a first position. The pipe slips are further configured to allow axial movement of the pipe when moved to a second position. The apparatus includes at least one hydraulic ram device configured to exert an axial force on the pipe slips while the pipe slips are in the first position to enhance gripping of the pipe.
US08573298B2
A method for evaluating an earth formation from a well bore, that includes: collecting at least one of geochemical data, petrophysical data and geomechanical data from a wellbore; and identifying depositional facies of the earth surrounding the wellbore. A computer program product and a system are provided.
US08573296B2
A limit collar includes a limit component coupled to a surface of a wellbore tubular; and an interface component engaging the limit component. The interface component may include an extension, and wherein at least one surface of the extension is coupled to the limit component. The extension may also include a side extension.
US08573292B2
A method for producing hydrocarbons from a reservoir. The method includes positioning a burner having a combustion chamber in a first well, supplying a fuel, an oxidant, and one of water or steam from the surface to the burner in the first well, supplying a viscosity-reducing gas from the surface to the reservoir in a conduit separate from the fuel, igniting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustion chamber to generate heat and steam in the burner, injecting the viscosity-reducing gas and steam into the reservoir to reduce the viscosity of and heat hydrocarbons within the reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.
US08573287B2
The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger with a plate packet including a plurality of heat exchanger plates, which are stacked onto each other. The heat exchanger plates form first plate interspaces for a first medium and second plate interspaces for a second medium. The plate package has a space which is disposed inside a first inlet and a first outlet. Structure is arranged for creating, for each of the first plate interspaces, an inlet opening for the first medium from the space into the first plate interspaces and an outlet opening for the first medium from the first plate interspaces to the space.
US08573285B2
A variety of methods of forming polymer manifolds and the resulting manifold structures are described. The described manifolds are well suited for use in heat exchangers and a variety of other applications. In one aspect a polymer manifold includes a multiplicity of tubes having first ends that are received by a manifold housing. A polymer film is secured to the manifold housing and to the ends of each of the tubes. The film is arranged to seal the housing while leaving the openings of the tubes exposed to thereby create a manifold. In some embodiments, a potting material is used to reinforce the film. In a method aspect, a manifold may be formed by positioning first ends of the tubes in a manifold housing and welding a polymer film to the manifold housing and to distal tips of the tubes. Openings for the tubes are then formed in the film by directing heat towards the film which melts or vaporizes the film in the regions of the tube openings. A liquid coolant or potting material is placed inside of the chamber within the manifold housing that is sealed by the film during the heating to help prevent the heat from damaging the seals between the film and the tube tips or the film in the interstitial spaces between the tubes.
US08573283B2
To produce at least two bonded-together layers (11, 13; 11′, 13), it is proposed that the material of at least one of the layers (13) is melted and subsequently, by spray compacting with a spray cone (10, 10′), is applied to the other layer, which is moved in relation to the spray cone (10, 10′), in such a way that the material composite is thereby produced.
US08573281B2
Cord tensioning systems are provided for top down/bottom up coverings to prevent entanglement of lift cords about associated wrap spools by correlating rotation of the wrap spools with translating threaded nuts mounted on threaded shafts rotating in unison with the wrap spools whereby abutment of nuts associated with lift spools prevent over movement of rails associated with the spools and thus entanglement of the lift cords associated therewith.
US08573275B2
A method and apparatus for detecting exposed and partially separated metal cords 17 in a cut end of a metallic cord reinforced strip 17 includes the steps of conveying and cutting the strip 17 and separating the cut ends and passing the conveyed cut strip 17 past a sensor means 40 for detecting any exposed partially separated metal cords or filaments. The preferred sensor means 40 includes a pair of closely spaced electrically conductive rollers 41, 42, a power source connected to one of the other rollers 41 or 42. When an exposed wire 26 touches both rollers 41 and 42 a circuit is closed giving indication of an exposed wire cord condition.
US08573268B2
A distribution apparatus for media and, in particular, for beverages may include a vessel suitable for holding the media, a first supply line which supplies the vessel with a first, liquid medium, and a second supply line which supplies the vessel with a second, gaseous medium. The first supply line and the second supply line are arranged in a stationary manner with respect to one another and the vessel is arranged such that it can rotate with respect to the first supply line and the second supply line. The first supply line and the second supply line open into the vessel in a region of the vessel which is above a filling level of the first, liquid medium.
US08573266B2
An apparatus for filling containers, in particular bottles, has at least one transport device for transporting the containers, at least one filling device for filling the containers and a tempering device for tempering a bottom area of the container. The tempering device is located at least at times at least partially in or below the bottom area of the transported containers and the filling device is arranged at least at times at least partially in or above a mouth area of the transported containers. The tempering device is mounted on the apparatus in such a way that tempering during or after filling becomes possible.
US08573253B2
There is disclosed a valve assembly for a gas container capable of appropriately discharging a gas from the gas container, even if a valve of a discharge passage has a failure or the like. The valve assembly for the gas container disposed at the gas container has, as passages which allow the inside of the gas container to communicate with the outside, a filling passage which fills the gas container with the gas and a discharge passage which discharges the gas. Furthermore, the valve assembly has a filling-side valve disposed at the filling passage and configured to close this passage, a discharge-side valve disposed at the discharge passage and configured to close this passage, a communication path which connects a downstream side of the discharge-side valve to a downstream side of the filling-side valve, and a shut-off valve disposed at the communication path. When the discharge-side valve does not open due to the failure or the like, the shut-off valve is opened to allow the gas to flow through the filling passage, the communication path and the discharge passage in this order.
US08573249B2
A relief valve for an oil pump, may include a housing defining a relief space, a plunger slidably disposed in the relief space and dividing the relief space into a housing chamber and a plunger chamber, an elastic member elastically supporting the plunger and being compressed by oil pressure of the main gallery, wherein the oil pressure of the main gallery may be relatively lower than an oil pressure under a warm-up state of the engine, a locator disposed under the plunger and supporting the elastic member, a plug coupled to a lower portion of the housing under the relief space and supporting the locator such that a modulus of elasticity in the elastic member may be changed by a change in seat position of the elastic member, and a negative pressure supplier selectively generating negative vacuum pressure in the locator such that a height of the locator changes.
US08573248B2
A gas flow valve having pneumatic vibration dampening device to reduce the vibrations created by the flow of gas through the gas valve. The gas valve includes a gas flow conduit that terminates at a discharge opening. A valve member is movably positioned relative to the discharge opening and allows gas flow in a flow condition and prevents the flow of gas in a seated position. The valve member includes a gas passage formed within the valve member. At least one flexible membrane is mounted to the valve member and surrounds an outlet opening of the gas passage. The flexible membrane is inflated as the flow of gas within the gas flow conduit increases such that the flexible membrane contacts an inner surface of a stabilizing conduit. The interaction between the flexible membrane and the stabilizing conduit reduces the vibrations created by the flow of gas past the valve member.
US08573241B2
Systems and processes may provide field-initiated testing and/or control of fluid regulatory systems. In one aspect, a fluid regulatory testing system may include a field test initiator and a fluid regulator control system. The field test initiator may alter control signal delivered to the fluid regulator control system upon activation of a user input device. The fluid regulator control system may receive control signals from the field test initiator and generate fluid regulator control signals. The fluid regulator control system may also detect whether a control signal has been altered, and initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence, if the control signal has been altered. The fluid regulator control system may include a latch mode. When a latch mode is commenced, generation of fluid regulator control signals based on received control signals and/or alteration of a position of a fluid regulator may be inhibited.
US08573240B2
A collapsible truss assembly is described herein. One component includes a layered u-bracket including a first u-bracket connected to the collapsible truss assembly, having a first channel, a first surface opposing the channel, and a first aperture that spans from the first surface to the first channel and is of a particular diameter. The layered u-bracket also includes a second u-bracket having a second channel, a second surface opposing the second channel, and a second aperture that spans from the second surface to the second channel and is of the particular diameter. For the layered u-bracket, the second channel is flush with the first surface, and the first and second apertures are aligned.
US08573236B2
Disclosed is a method and a respective apparatus for ultrasonic wet treatment of a plate-like article, which comprises: bringing a solid element, which is connected to a transducer in close proximity to a surface of a plate-like article so that a gap is formed between the solid element and the plate-like article, the gap having a distance d2 between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, dispensing liquid for filling the gap between the solid element and the plate-like article, and detecting ultrasonic waves and/or controlling the distance d2, by measuring the distance d2, comparing the measured distance with a desired distance d0 and adjusting the distance accordingly.
US08573234B2
Process and system for removing printing in metallic packages used in drinks, food and other applications in general, comprising the removal of ink before the cure thereof, by means of spray with ink remover liquid and non abrasive friction. Preferably, said liquid is an alkaline aqueous solution, which is sprayed onto the package surface simultaneously with the friction thereof with a soft and non abrasive element. In a preferred embodiment, said friction results in the rotation of the package around the longitudinal axis thereof, which is mounted on a rotative support, and the soft non abrasive element in contact with the surface thereof keeps motionless.
US08573233B2
A cosmetic container with a transparent window has a main base, a cover with the transparent window and mounted on the main base, a lateral movement base mounted between the main base and the cover, a longitudinal movement base mounted on the main base and a transmission element connecting to the lateral and longitudinal movement bases. The transparent window allows a user to recognize kinds and colors of cosmetics that are mounted on the lateral movement base therethrough. When the transmission element is driven by the longitudinal movement base, the transmission element drives the lateral movement base consequently to push the lateral and longitudinal movement bases outwardly. Thus, it is easy to open or close the cosmetic container with only one hand.
US08573231B2
A hair styling tool having a plurality of bristles and one or more movable members extending radially outward from the core and movable between opposing positions is provided. The movable members move between a retracted position where the divider is fitted between and even with or slightly above or slightly below the bristles to engage the hair and an extended position where the divider is moved out beyond the bristles to disengage the hair from the bristles. The hair styling tool having the movable member which engages and disengages the hair with the bristles minimizes tangling of the hair while brushing. The hair styling tool may be a rotating brush optionally equipped with a motor.
US08573228B2
A system includes (i) a needle for insertion into a port of an implantable infusion device, and (ii) a receiver apparatus having a port location signal receiver module capable of receiving a signal from the implantable infusion device regarding spatial orientation of the port. The system further includes a processor operably coupled to the receiver apparatus and capable of determining the orientation of the needle relative to the port based on the received signal. The system also includes a display operably coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the display to graphically render trajectory of the needle relative to the port. The port is graphically rendered as a target structure having a reference area. The needle is graphically rendered as an object moveable relative to the target structure. Occupation of the reference area by the object indicates trajectory alignment of the port and the needle.
US08573222B2
An inserter for placing a T-shaped intrauterine device inside a patient's uterus and a T-shaped intrauterine device are disclosed. The inserter includes a sleeve part and a plunger part, the sleeve part includes a tube and a first engaging member and the plunger part includes a rod, a handle attached to the rod and a second engaging member. The first and the second engaging members are configured for reversibly engaging the sleeve part and the plunger part to temporarily lock the relative position between the tube and the rod. The T-shaped intrauterine device includes a pair of wings having a relaxed extended configuration and a contracted folded configuration and an elongated contraceptive body suspended from a junction between the wings.
US08573221B2
A device for occluding a cervix has an elongated conduit sized and shaped to extend from a proximal end outside the vagina to a distal end near the cervix. A loop sized to fit around an exocervix is provided at the distal end. The loop is sufficiently flexible to be tightened and loosened around the exocervix. The device has a rod inside the conduit. The rod has a distal end and a proximal end, and the loop is joined to the distal end of the rod. Moving the rod longitudinally relative to the conduit tightens or loosens the loop.
US08573220B2
A device (11) for facilitating tracheotomy. The device comprises a first branch (92), which is adapted to be introduced down the trachea of a patient, such that the end thereof is located below the larynx, and a second branch (114), adapted to be arranged on the outside of the neck with the end thereof located adjacent to the site intended for the tracheostoma. The end of the second branch comprises a guiding tube for a needle, and the end of the first branch comprises a protection plate. When the needle is moved towards the skin through the guiding tube and penetrates the skin and tracheal wall in order to provide said tracheostoma, the needle is directed towards the protection plate, and may engage it after passage through the tracheal wall. In such a manner the other side of the tracheal wall is protected. Furthermore, the tracheostoma will automatically be located at the best position.
US08573219B2
A nasal ventilation interface including a pair of tubes configured to deliver a ventilation gas. The tubes are attachable at a first end to a ventilation gas supply hose and engageable at a second end with a person's nostril. A coupler is configured to align the pair of tubes with the person's nostrils, wherein each tube has an absence of pneumatic interconnection with the other tube.
US08573216B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for storing breathing masks in a tall and narrow space and deploying the masks from that space. The apparatus may be embodied as a removable cartridge containing a breathing mask assembly housed within a frame. The cartridge is comprised of a first side and second side which can move relative to the frame. The first side includes a hinge. In operation, the cartridge slides relative to the frame and rotatably opens via the hinge after the cartridge substantially exits the frame. A breathing mask is released to a user after the first and second halves rotatably separate.
US08573214B2
A cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a base wall structured to be connected to a frame, an underlying support cushion extending away from the base wall towards the patient's face in use, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The membrane is adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face. The underlying cushion has a spring-like connection with the base wall. The underlying cushion and/or base wall define a spring constant that varies along a length of the seal.
US08573210B2
A nitric oxide delivery device including a valve assembly, a control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and a transceiver in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gases containing nitric oxide are also described.
US08573209B2
A gas delivery system including a gas delivery device (100), a control module (200) and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve (107) assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory (134), a processor (122) and a transceiver (120) in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator (400) and a breathing circuit (410). Methods of administering gas are also described.
US08573205B2
The invention provides an improved ventilation method and method for controlling a ventilator apparatus in accordance with same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), monitoring expiratory gas flow, analyzing the expiratory gas flow over time (T) to establish an expiratory gas flow pattern, and setting and/or adjusting a low time (T2) based on the expiratory gas flow pattern. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), and setting a low airway pressure (P2) of substantially zero cmH2O.
US08573204B2
A dosing device can be activated by a vacuum air stream of a user for the inhalation of a powder substance, particularly medicine, which is arranged in a supply chamber and which can be brought out of the same into an open emptying-ready position by a dosing chamber of a dosing rod when the mouthpiece-closure cap is removed. In particular, in order to improve dispensing, the provision of two air paths, of which one serves to open and empty the dosing chamber, and/or the second air path penetrates directly into a ring chamber in order to mix with the air flow containing the substance.
US08573203B2
In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
US08573184B2
An engine control apparatus having a unit for calculating the mean value of the angular acceleration with respect to each cylinder; a unit for calculating the variance of the angular acceleration with respect to each cylinder; a unit for estimating the torque and the air/fuel ratio with respect to each cylinder on the basis of the mean value and the variance; and a unit for controlling at least one of the intake air amount, the fuel injection amount and the ignition timing with respect to each cylinder on the basis of the estimated torque and air/fuel ratio.
US08573182B2
A method for improving starting of an engine that may be automatically started is provided. In one example, spark timing of an automatically started engine is in advance of spark timing for an operator requested engine start. The approach may reduce vehicle driveline disturbances.
US08573181B2
Throttle control systems and methods for internal combustion engines to reduce throttle oscillations
A throttle control system includes a pressure comparison module and a throttle plate control module. The pressure comparison module determines an inlet pressure upstream from a throttle body and an outlet pressure downstream from the throttle body. The throttle plate control module controls a position of a throttle plate based on the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure.
US08573177B2
The present invention provides reduced fatigue stress levels in a stressed area of an engine crankcase by lowering the outer edges of the crankshaft bearing cap fracture-split lines without changing the central axis location of the crankshaft in the crankcase. This is accomplished by causing the fracture-split lines of the bearing caps to angle downward from the horizontal plane of the crankshaft axis to a slightly lower position at the outer edges of the bearing caps. This lowers the outer edges of the bearing caps sufficiently to allow larger radii to be formed on the lateral connectors of the crankcase support webs with the adjacent sidewalls of the crankcase. Accordingly, the fatigue stress levels in the crankcase web members are reduced without requiring a significant change in the crankcase dimensions.
US08573174B2
An ECU executes a program including the steps of carrying out fluctuation suppression control in a case where a request to start an engine has been made, a rotation mode has been selected, and a motor is being driven and canceling fluctuation suppression control in a case where a full drive mode has been selected and engagement between a pinion gear and a ring gear has been completed.
US08573171B2
A valve control device for an internal combustion engine with an engine valve and a camshaft having a cam profile including a first lift profile is disclosed. The device includes a first body and second body. The device is configurable in first and second configurations. When in the first configuration, relative movement between the first and second body, caused when said first lift profile engages a cam engagement surface, inhibits a valve actuating linkage from actuating said engine valve. Embodiments of the device include a means which, when in the second configuration, prevents relative movement between the first and second bodies when the first lift profile engages the cam engagement surface to enable the valve actuating linkage to actuate said engine valve, and when the device is in the second configuration, the means may be arranged so substantially all of the force exerted as the valve is actuated is compressive.
US08573165B2
Actuating device for a recirculation pump of a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine comprising a pulley suitable for being rotationally driven by the engine, a driven shaft for driving the pump and an electromagnetically controlled coupling interposed between the pulley and the driven shaft, in which the electromagnetic coupling comprises an electromagnet, coupling mechanism controlled by the electromagnet and mobile between an engagement position in which the pulley is connected to the driven shaft and a disengagement position, and an elastic member for maintaining an engagement member in the engaged position when the electromagnet is not energized.
US08573163B2
When the temperature of coolant in an engine is greater than or equal to a half-warm-up determination value, an engine cooling control section opens a valve to mix the coolant in two coolant circuits. Accordingly, even if the temperature of the coolant in the engine fluctuates due to mixing coolants at different temperatures, such fluctuation occurs in a temperature range lower than the determination value for the warm-up completion of the engine. This prevents a control procedure for the time before the warm-up completion and a control procedure for the time after such completion from being performed in a repeating, alternating manner. As a result, when the coolant circulating in the first coolant circuit and the coolant circulating in the second coolant circuit are mixed together, control that should be performed based on the coolant temperature in the engine is carried out without hindrance.
US08573143B2
An emissions recycling system is used on a vehicle towing an agricultural implement to enrich the fertility of the soil. The system includes an exhaust collector for collecting exhaust emissions from the internal combustion engine of the towing vehicle and an exhaust distribution system for injecting at least a portion of the exhaust emissions collected by the exhaust collector into the ground worked by the ground working tools of the agricultural implement. Fertility of the soil is enriched by bioactivity within the soil's micro flora which consumes the greenhouse gas and emissions.
US08573138B2
A portable table includes a pedestal arranged to be penetrated into the ground and a tray member arranged to be selectively supported on a top end of the pedestal so as to remain readily separable for transport or storage. A beverage holder arranged to be slidably supported on an upper portion of the pedestal. The pedestal has an offset portion arranged to prevent downwardly sliding of the beverage holder below the upper portion of the pedestal. The tray member includes an upper supporting surface and stiffening ribs therebelow having a matching profile for nested stacking of a plurality of tray members separated from their respective pedestals.
US08573137B2
A hollow upper deck panel for a plastic pallet has a solid top surface and is produced by forming a tubular hot plastic parison and directing the parison between blow mold sections to form upper and lower sheets for the deck panel. The lower sheet is blow molded by pressured air within the parison into a mold section to form spaced inverted U-shaped open ribs projecting upwardly and with top portions fused to the upper sheet. The upper sheet is blow molded by the air around retractable blades to form spaced closed double wall ribs projecting downwardly between the open ribs and have bottom portions fused to the lower sheet. The closed double wall ribs extend transversely to the open ribs and have end portions fused to the open ribs. The support structure for the upper deck panel defines spaces for receiving parallel spaced forks of a forklift truck.
US08573134B2
A shelf guard 20 comprises at least one protective member 22 having at least an inner-facing (i.e. towards a support structure 40) surface 23 and at least one mounting member 24 having at least an inner-facing surface 27 that are preferably both made from a transparent and substantially rigid material, such as plastic or acrylic. An attachment element 30 (such as an adhesive strip or double sided tape) is included on the inner-facing surface 27 of at least one mounting member 24 to secure the shelf guard 20 to a shelf 40 by adhering to the shelf's underside surface 44 with the inner-facing surface 23 of the at least one protective member 22 extending upwardly from the edge of the support structure 40 to define an upwardly extending protective wall along the edge, thereby preventing objects stored on a surface of the support structure 40 from falling off the edge of the support structure 40. The attachment element 30 is preferably an adhesive having a peel-away protective film 32 that is removed immediately prior to installation.
US08573122B1
A switch device having a base, a first electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a first electrically conductive projection and a second electrically conductive projection. The second electrically conductive pad is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive pad by a first predetermined distance. The first electrically conductive projection is coupled to the first electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is coupled to the second electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive projection by a second predetermined distance. The first and second electrically conductive projections form an electrical interface.
US08573121B2
A digital offset inking system includes an ink chamber that contains ink, and deposits ink onto an inking member. The ink is transferred to an ink transfer member, which is then transferred to an image transfer member. An ink removal member removes leftover or excess ink from the ink removal member. A cleaning member cleans the ink removal member.
US08573116B2
An in-line heating device for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine in which liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber. This heating device includes a thermoblock with a metal mass that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the mass, with the mass arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid; and one or more electric components that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to a printed circuit board or a flex-print arranged to control the thermoblock. The electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board or flex-print, in particular via rigid connector pins or blades or rigid plug and socket members.
US08573114B2
A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. A brewer may be operated so that when water or other beverage precursor is detected to be heated to a desired temperature, the liquid may be provided to a brew chamber to form a beverage. In one embodiment, detection of the water temperature may be performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature. Opening of the TCO may cause delivery of the liquid to the brew chamber, e.g., by causing pressurization of a reservoir containing the liquid. In another embodiment, control of delivery of water from the reservoir may be made based on power interruption to the heater. For example, an air pump may be controlled to deliver air to the reservoir in response to power to the heater being cut off.
US08573113B2
A piston and cylinder assembly includes a housing defining a bore. A piston is sized to reciprocate in the bore. A first sealing member provides a sealing engagement between the piston and a wall of the bore. A first bushing, of a first material, is around a first portion of the piston toward a first end of the piston. A second bushing, of a second material, is around a second portion of the piston toward a second end of the piston. The first and second bushings guide the piston within the bore. The first material is different than the second material.
US08573111B2
A load sense connection is provided between the implement rockshaft cylinders and the load-sensed power source. However, to avoid tractor starting difficulty, a valve structure is provided in the power beyond fluid line to keep the fluid line closed when starting the tractor. This valve structure provides a hydraulic latching function that allows the load-sensed power source to be activated and deactivated depending on the SCV function. The load-sensed power source is activated when the rockshaft cylinder(s) is fully extended and remains activated or latched when the SCV is returned to neutral. The load-sensed power source is deactivated or unlatched when the rockshaft cylinder is retracted.
US08573100B2
The present invention relates to a loading magazine for guiding bar material on an automatic lathe with at least one spindle head that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the channel system of a loading magazine of this type is guided on a linear axis and coupled to at least one spindle head, which can be moved in a longitudinal manner, of the automatic lathe such that the bar-guiding channel system can be moved synchronously with the spindle head in drag operation. The formation zones for vibrations in the transition region between the loading magazine and automatic lathe are thus reduced.
US08573089B2
A speed change operation apparatus includes a pivotal body operatively connected to a trunnion shaft to be pivotally displaced in response to an operational displacement by an operational tool, a positioning body operatively coupled with the pivotal body so as to be pivotally displaced in response to a pivotal displacement of the pivotal body, a main urging mechanism for applying an urging force to the pivotal body via the positioning body for returning the pivotal body from an operational position to the neutral position, and an auxiliary urging mechanism for applying an auxiliary urging force to the pivotal body for returning the pivotal body from the operational position to the neutral position.
US08573085B2
A power unit for a vehicle includes first and second clutches, that transmit/interrupt rotary power from a primary reduction gear mechanism to first and second main shafts, arranged at respective ends of the first and second main shafts with selectively established multispeed gears provided among a countershaft, and the first and second main shafts. The primary reduction gear mechanism includes: a single driving gear provided on a crankshaft; a first driven gear supported by a first main shaft for relative rotation therewith at a position adjacent to the first clutch and meshes with the driving gear; an intermediate driving gear rotating with the first driven gear; an idle gear that meshes with the intermediate driving gear, and supported by the countershaft for relative rotation therewith; and a second driven gear, that meshes with the idle gear, and supported by the second main shaft for relative rotation therewith.
US08573080B2
An actuator comprising a body in which a rod is mounted to slide, the actuator including a screw extending inside the rod to co-operate with a nut secured to the rod, the screw being driven in rotation by a motor. The rod is associated with a piston that slides in a cavity of the body so as to define two chambers therein, the chambers being filled with hydraulic fluid and being put into communication via fluid transfer means fitted with at least one regulator member adapted to throttle the fluid expelled from one of the chambers, in at least one travel direction of the rod.
US08573079B2
Disclosed is a combination of six substantially identical interconnected rotating masses, with a pair each of the rotating masses being configured to rotate in one of each of the three planes (X, Y, and Z). Regardless of the orientation of the six masses, each pair of the six interconnected rotating masses may share substantially the same center of gravity and generate a separate yet interactive kinetic energy and angular momentum in each of the three planes, thereby providing resistance to rotational forces from external sources. This is known as “equal force presence.” In one embodiment, the rotating masses are ring-like masses. In alternative embodiment, the rotating masses are solid masses, similar to flywheels.
US08573077B2
A method for inspecting a wafer and a system. The system includes: a chuck; and a robot that includes a movable element connected to a detachable adaptor selected from a group of diced wafer detachable adaptors and non-diced wafer detachable adaptors; wherein a diced wafer detachable adaptor is shaped such to partially surround the diced wafer and comprises at least one vacuum groove adapted to apply vacuum on a tape that supports the diced wafer; and wherein the robot is adapted to fetch the wafer from a cassette and to place the wafer on the chuck.
US08573076B2
A non-destructive inspection (NDI) device is described that includes a robotic arm, a storage device proximate the robotic arm, and a plurality of NDI probe assemblies disposed within the storage device. Each NDI probe assembly includes at least one transducer operable for NDI of a part and a tool operable as a mechanical interface between the robotic arm and the corresponding NDI probe assembly. Each NDI probe assembly is configured for a specific NDI task, for NDI of a part, and the robotic arm is operable for selectively engaging the tools and movement of the probe assemblies for the NDI of at least a portion of a part.
US08573072B2
A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when the cap is penetrated by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between penetrating the cap and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap has been penetrated.
US08573070B2
A robotic system comprises an end effector including an electromagnetic clamp, a force sensor attached to the end effector for measuring force exerted by the clamp against a work piece surface, and a plurality of normality sensors. The normality sensors are positioned about the force sensor to determine whether the clamp is normal to the surface before the force sensor makes contact with the surface.
US08573069B2
A stress sensing device senses a shear force and a pressing force. The stress sensing device includes a support body, a support film, first and second piezoelectric parts and an elastic layer. The support body has an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a sensing direction of the shear force and parallel to each other. The support film having flexibility closes off the opening. The first piezoelectric part is disposed over the support film and straddling an inside portion and an outside portion of the opening along at least one of the straight parts of the opening as seen in plan view. The second piezoelectric part is disposed to the inside portion of the opening and set apart from the first piezoelectric part as seen in the plan view. The elastic layer covers the first piezoelectric part, the second piezoelectric part, and the support film.
US08573053B2
A container (20) to receive liquids to aid in the volumetric measuring and mixing thereof, said container (20) including a hollow body (21); a bottom wall providing a base (22); a first chamber (27) at least partly enclosed by said base (21) and to receive a first liquid; a top (24) via which the first liquid is delivered to said first chamber (27); a second chamber (28), the second chamber (28) being provided to receive a second liquid and being partitioned from the first chamber (27) but communicating therewith to provide for the flow of at least part of said second liquid to said first chamber; graduations (33) associated with said second chamber (28), said graduations (33) extending in a predetermined direction (34), with said second chamber (28) having a cross section transverse of said direction (34); and wherein said first chamber (27) has a cross section generally parallel to said base (22) that is greater than said cross section of said second chamber (27).
US08573047B2
A passive RFID transponder sensor system includes a sensor assembly having a focused field transponder antenna with a highly magnetically permeable transponder antenna stem, and a reader antenna with an electrical reader coil generating a magnetic field having magnetic flux extending between the reader antenna and a sensor assembly. The electrical transponder coil and the electrical reader coil are coupled by the magnetic field, so that information can be transferred to and from the sensor assembly through the magnetic field by which the electrical transponder coil and the electrical reader coil are coupled.
US08573046B1
A combined tread depth measurement tool and pressure gauge for treaded pneumatic tires includes a housing, an abutment surface, and a pneumatic pressure sensor. The pneumatic pressure sensor includes a measurement element with a graduated numerical indication of pneumatic pressure on at least one side and a colored indication of tire depth on at least one side. The colored indication includes at least three distinct colors, the three distinct colors each having widths corresponding to ranges of tread depths in reference to a terminal end of the measurement element. A combined tread depth measurement tool and pressure gauge for treaded pneumatic tires includes a body assembly and a spring clip. The body assembly includes a housing with three color bands having distinct colors, a pneumatic pressure sensor, and a measurement element. The spring clip includes a sliding portion and a clip portion with a tire engagement end.
US08573038B1
A test rig that reproduces high temperature and high pressure conditions found in a gas turbine engine for testing materials under these conditions. The test rig includes a combustor surrounded by an upper plenum chamber and an exhaust plenum that receives a hot gas stream from the combustor. A transparent channeling vessel guides the hot gas stream from the combustor over a test specimen on which a material to be tested is mounted. The hot gas stream exits the clear channeling vessel and into the exhaust plenum where the stream is cooled by diluting the stream with cooling air. A viewing portal is located in the exhaust plenum so that the material can be observed through the clear vessel.
US08573032B2
A leak detecting apparatus for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid is provided that includes a vacuum head for contacting the surface and forming a vacuum chamber filled with liquid between the surface and the vacuum head, the vacuum head including a multi-surface elastomer seal for contacting the surface; and a vacuum generator for pulling gas through a flaw in the surface into the vacuum head and to the gas separation chamber so as to displace the liquid from the gas separation chamber. A method for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid is also provided.
US08573026B2
A method for ascertaining volume- or mass-flow of a medium in a pipeline, or measuring tube, of radius (r) via a sound entrainment method, wherein ultrasonic measuring signals are transmitted and/or received along a plurality of defined sound paths (m). During a calibration phase, successive, different flow profiles (v(r)) of a measured medium are established in the pipeline, or in the measuring tube, and wherein, for each flow profile (v(r)), a defined volume flow, or a defined mass flow, is ascertained, wherein, on the basis of measured values (vx(r1) . . . vx(rm)) ascertained in the separate measuring paths (m), each flow profile (v(r)) established in the pipeline, or in the measuring tube, is described by a characteristic parameter set (a1, . . . , an with nεN) and wherein, for each flow profile (V(r)), on the basis of the defined volume- or mass-flow and on the basis of the measured volume- or mass-flow, a flow-profile-dependent correction factor MF(a1, . . . , an) is calculated, and wherein, subsequently in measurement operation, a volume- or mass-flow ascertained via the parameter set (a1, . . . , an, with nεN) is corrected with the flow-profile-dependent correction factor MF(a1, . . . , an) determined during the calibration phase.
US08573020B2
Can shells are produced with tooling installed on a mechanical press, and the tooling includes an upper retainer supporting a blank and draw die enclosing an outer pressure sleeve and an inner pressure sleeve surrounding a die center punch, all having pistons. An air chamber is connected by air spring passages to the inner pressure sleeve piston, and the outer pressure sleeve receives the same air as the air chamber or lower pressure air. The die center punch has an insert which initiates the drawing of a cup, and the inner pressure sleeve and die center punch have contoured surfaces which mate with opposing surfaces on a die core ring to form and clamp the chuckwall of the shell during downstroke of the press. A panel punch has peripheral surfaces which form the panel wall and countersink of the shell during upstroke of the press.
US08573011B2
An antitheft device designed to be attached to an off-the-shelf commodity item, preferably a piece of clothing, in particular in close proximity to the edge of the item, including a first so-called fastening part, provided with a nail-type pinning element, a second so-called attachment part, including a recess capable of receiving the said pinning element, a locking system designed to retain the pinning element in the said recess, the two parts being connected to one another so as to be movable relative to one another when the pinning element is outside the recess, and a spring providing the elastic mobility of the fastening part in relation to the attachment part.
US08573008B2
An optical fiber production system and method are provided for producing optical fiber. An optical fiber is drawn from a preform in a furnace and passes through a treatment device under a reduced pressure in the range of 0.01 to 0.80 atm. The treatment device cools the bare optical fiber as it cools to a temperature in the range of at least 1,600° C. to 1,300° C. A non-contact fiber centering device is located near an exit of the treatment device to provide centering of the optical fiber as it exits the treatment device.
US08572998B2
A machine for making ice-cream products includes a whipping and freezing unit with a horizontal axis, and an inspection door connected to one end of the whipping and freezing unit to allow access to the inside of the unit. The inspection door has a dispensing hole so that the whipping and freezing unit can be put in fluid communication with the outside environment and a dispensing door for selectively opening and closing the dispensing hole. The dispensing door includes a separator, having an opening, able to rotate relative to the inspection door so that the dispensing hole is selectively opposite the opening and allows controlled dispensing of ice-cream products from the whipping and freezing unit.
US08572995B2
An air conditioner (10) includes a refrigerant circuit (20) including a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (27). A controller (1) for controlling operation of the air conditioner (10) includes a change unit (5) configured to change a set temperature Tem to a value larger than a current value when the minimum target superheat degree SHsm of target superheat degrees SHs determined for the respective indoor heat exchangers (27) is higher than a predetermined value SHt.
US08572985B2
A gas turbine engine pneumatic system for controlling an air bleed valve includes a variable orifice device for controllably discharging air from the pneumatic system in order to reduce a maximum air pressure applied to the air bleed valve, to a predetermined level. A filter device is provided to filter the air discharged from the variable orifice.
US08572983B2
A gas turbine engine component includes a gas path wall having a first surface and second surface and an impingement baffle having impingement holes for directing cooling fluid onto the first surface of the gas path wall. A cooling hole extends through the gas path wall. The cooling hole continuously diverges from an inlet in the first surface to an outlet in the second surface such that cross-sectional area of the cooling hole increases continuously from the inlet to the outlet. A longitudinal ridge divides the cooling hole into lobes.
US08572980B2
A burner for a combustion chamber of a turbine, with an injection device for the introduction of at least one gaseous and/or liquid fuel into the burner is proposed. The injection device has at least one body arranged in the burner with at least two nozzles for introducing the at least one fuel into the burner, the body being configured with a streamlined cross-sectional profile which extends with a longitudinal direction perpendicularly or at an inclination to a main flow direction prevailing in the burner. The carrier air plenum is provided with holes such that carrier air exiting through the holes impinges an inner side of a leading edge portion of the body.
US08572977B2
The present combustor of gas turbine engine includes: a fuel injection unit including a fuel spray part to spray a fuel so that a diffusion combustion region is formed in a combustion chamber, and a pre-mixture supply part to supply a pre-mixture of a fuel and an air so that a pre-mixture combustion region is formed in the combustion chamber; and a fuel supply unit to supply the fuel to the fuel spray part and pre-mixture supply part. The fuel supply unit includes: a pilot fuel passage and a main fuel passage to supply the fuel to the fuel spray part and the pre-mixture supply part, respectively; an assembled fuel passage to supply the fuel to the pilot and main fuel passages; and a fuel distributor disposed at a branch point where the assembled fuel passage is connected to both the pilot and main fuel passages. The fuel distributor is configured to automatically control amounts of the fuel to be distributed to the pilot fuel passage and to the main fuel passage in accordance with the fuel pressure.
US08572974B2
A fluid delivery system in a gas turbine engine includes an electric motor, a first fluid pump system and a second fluid pump system. The electric motor operates at a variable speed. The first pump system includes a first pump driven by the motor to deliver a first fluid to the gas turbine engine. The second pump system includes a second pump driven by the motor to deliver a second fluid to the gas turbine engine, the second pump having a variable displacement.
US08572968B2
A solar thermal power plant is provided comprising a solar collection system and a steam-electric power plant. The solar collection system comprises one or more tube radiation absorbers containing a thermal fluid therewithin, the system being configured to heat the thermal fluid by passing the thermal fluid through the one or more tube radiation absorbers while the absorbers are irradiated with solar radiation. The steam-electric power plant comprises an intermediate-pressure steam turbine, a low-pressure steam turbine, at least one additional steam turbine having an inlet pressure higher than that of the intermediate-pressure steam turbine, and piping containing a working fluid. Each turbine is associated with a heat exchange system adapted to transfer heat from the thermal fluid to the working fluid.
US08572966B2
A heat engine apparatus for use in association with a borehole and a method of operating a heat engine in association with a borehole. The apparatus includes a first heat exchanger assembly in fluid communication with a proximal segment of the borehole, a second heat exchanger assembly in fluid communication with a distal segment of the borehole, a circulation barrier for providing a seal between the apparatus and the borehole in order to isolate the proximal segment of the borehole and the distal segment of the borehole from each other, and a heat engine associated with the first heat exchanger assembly and the second heat exchanger assembly, wherein the heat engine is a gas phase closed cycle thermodynamic heat engine. The first heat exchanger assembly, the second heat exchanger assembly, the circulation barrier and the heat engine are all adapted to be inserted in the borehole.
US08572965B2
A chimney has a lower portion substantially in the shape of a pyramid and an upper portion forming a cylindrical portion that extends with a predetermined dimension upwardly and is provided in a ceiling portion of a building of a coil yard that is used for temporary storage of the hot-rolled coil which is an intermediate iron and steel product acting as a high-temperature heat radiator that is manufactured using the hot-rolling equipment of an iron and steel mill. A power generating turbine is provided at a predetermined position in the cylindrical portion. An intake duct is provided on a lower end portion of the side walls of the building. Hot-rolled coils that are in a high-temperature condition after manufacture are successively imported into the coil yard and accumulated and stored until transfer to a subsequent processing step. An ascending airflow is generated by sequential heating of air introduced into the building from the intake duct using heat retained in the hot-rolled coils. The power generating turbines are rotated by the ascending airflow passing through the cylindrical portion of the chimney to thereby execute wind power generation. As a result, the heat retained in the high-temperature heat radiator manufactured by introduction of heat can be efficiently used.
US08572960B2
A method for operating a compressor, which supplies an internal combustion engine that is assigned to the compressor at its output end with air compressed to a boost pressure, in which the boost pressure is reducible by releasing the compressed air at least partially via a pressure release valve. The air released via the pressure release valve is used for driving a compressor wheel of the compressor.
US08572954B2
A work machine powered by an internal combustion engine having an exhaust aftertreatment device and air cleaner positioned over the top portion of the engine, which is mounted in the work machine chassis. A frame is releasably connected to the chassis through an adjustable mounting with three axis adjustment and the air cleaner is mounted to the frame. A carriage is releasably mounted to the frame and carries the exhaust aftertreatment device to enable independent removal for servicing and/or replacement.
US08572952B2
Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
US08572950B2
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage in order from an upstream side, a hydrocarbon feed valve, oxidation catalyst, and exhaust purification catalyst are arranged. On the exhaust purification catalyst, platinum and rhodium are carried and a basic layer is formed. Hydrocarbons are intermittently fed from the hydrocarbon feed valve while maintaining the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst lean. At this time, the feed of hydrocarbons is controlled so as to ensure the continued presence of the reducing intermediate on the basic layer.
US08572949B2
A flow guide (8) is provided for an exhaust system (3) of an internal combustion engine (1), especially in a motor vehicle. The flow guide (8) has at least one U-shaped guide plate body (13), which can be mounted with its U-base (14) on a pipe section (4′) of the exhaust system (3) and whose U-legs (15) form in the mounted state a flow guide plate (15) each. The flow guide plate cooperates with an exhaust gas stream (19) being guided in the pipe section (4′) during the operation of the exhaust system (3).
US08572947B2
The present inventions include a boundary layer ejector fluidically connecting boundary layer bleed slots from an external surface of an aircraft to reduce aircraft/nacelle/pylon drag, reduce jet noise and decrease thrust specific fuel consumption. In one embodiment a boundary layer withdrawn through the boundary layer bleed slots is entrained with an exhaust flow of a gas turbine engine. In another embodiment a boundary layer withdrawn through the boundary layer bleed slots is entrained with a flow stream internal to the gas turbine engine, such as a fan stream of a turbofan. Members can be provided near an outlet of a passageway conveying the withdrawn boundary layer air to locally reduce the pressure of the fluid in which the withdrawn boundary layer air is to be entrained. A lobed mixer can be used in some embodiments to effect mixing between the boundary layer and a primary fluid of the ejector.
US08572942B2
A seed pan apparatus has an elongated seed pan plate with parallel right and left edges, a curved configuration and a pointed front end. An engagement mechanism attaches the plate to a harvester cutting header such that the plate is above two adjacent guard fingers, such that an open slot is defined between the right edge of one plate and the left edge of an adjacent plate and the edges of the slot are in proximity to the outer edges of the guard fingers under the adjacent plates. The point is offset to make one front tapering edge forming the point longer than the other. The inclination, height, and fore and aft position of the seed pan plate can be adjusted.
US08572931B2
A bale wrapping mechanism for feeding bale surface wrapping material to an inlet of a baling chamber containing a bale to be wrapped includes a support arrangement for supporting a plurality of wrapping material supply rolls disposed with their adjacent ends either overlapping each other or disposed in axially aligned or end-to-end relationship with each other. In the case of overlapping ends, the adjacent runs of material respectively emanating from the plurality of supply rolls overlap each other and are applied to the circumference of a bale being wrapped in an overlapped arrangement. In the case of axially aligned supply rolls and when the wrapping material is a spreadable net material, a material spreading arrangement is located between the supply rolls and an inlet to the baling chamber and acts to spread the net so that adjacent runs of wrapping material respectively emanating from the plurality of material supply rolls overlap each other and remain overlapped as they are applied to the bale.
US08572925B2
A frame assembly supports an article. The frame assembly comprises a frame member having a plurality of walls extending between a first end and a second end. The walls define an interior of the frame member. The frame assembly also comprises at least one foldable cornerlock. The foldable cornerlock has first and second body portions movable relative to each other. A method of manufacturing the frame assembly comprises the steps of forming at least one notch in the frame member spaced from the ends of the frame member, inserting the foldable cornerlock into the notch, and bending the frame member about the notch of the frame member.
US08572919B1
A flooring system and a divider for use therewith. The divider transitions between a first and second flooring and includes a first member and a second member that are snap-fittingly engageable with each other. A protrusion from the first member is received in a recess in the second member. The protrusion has a curved terminal end which enables the first member to pivot relative to the second member. In a first position a lower surface of the first member is parallel to a lower surface of the second member. In a second position, the lower surface of the first member is angled relative to the lower surface of the second member. A second protrusion extends outwardly from the first member and into a second recess in the second member. The first member includes a flange which extends laterally outwardly beyond a side surface of the second member.
US08572912B2
A cover profile (1) for floors for adaptation to different applications is described, having at least one cover flange (10), having a fastening attachment (9), which divides the cover flange (10) into two legs (12, 13), on the bottom side of the cover flange (10), and having at least one bending groove (14), which is parallel to the profile axis, on the bottom side of at least one of the legs (12, 13), which are preferably of different widths. In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the cover flange (10) carry a coating (11), which forms a film hinge (16), on its outer side opposite to the fastening attachment (9) in the area of the bending groove (14), and the two leg sections on both sides of the bending groove (14) be supported against one another by a hinge block (19).
US08572909B2
A flat roof racking system configured for receiving solar panels having electrically conductive frames, the racking system comprising substantially parallelly disposed panel support structures, spacer bars and retaining and grounding clips pairs, each panel support structure comprises a first end, a second end, a top member having a first channel section connected to a second channel section and two ends, and a bottom member having a channel section and two ends. The first and second channel sections are disposed in a plane but at an angle from one another and each end of the bottom member is fixedly connected to an end of the top member such that the top member is configured to make a first tilt angle at the first end with the bottom member and a second tilt angle at the second end with the bottom member.
US08572902B2
A method for installing roof insulation includes adhering the insulation to a covering membrane material or retaining the insulation by an overlapping cross-bar, track or joint. Elongate cables stretch across the insulation and membrane material to secure the insulation and membrane material to roof deck.
US08572878B2
A cocking/de-cocking mechanism for semi-automatic striker-fired pistols having a multi-function cocking lever for controlling, by rotational movement, the cocking or arming of the tiring pin, while effecting de-cocking by the lateral displacement of the cocking lever on its support pin.
US08572877B2
A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall.
US08572870B2
A dragline bucket includes a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall that collectively define a cavity. The sidewalls each have a large downward taper of at least about 7 degrees in at least its forward area. In an alternative embodiment, the sidewalls each have an upward taper in its rearward area which alleviates the need for a spreader bar. The dragline bucket collects earthen material with minimal disruption of the material.
US08572860B2
An instrument for measuring a depth of a hole in bone can comprise an instrument body having a cannulated sleeve that extends between a first end and a second end. A first reference portion can be disposed at the first end and a second reference portion can be disposed at the second end. A probe can selectively and alternatively translate in first and second opposite directions through the cannulated sleeve between a first measuring position and a second measuring position. The probe extends outwardly a distance spaced from the first reference portion in the first measuring position and extends outwardly a distance spaced from the second reference portion in the second measuring position.
US08572853B2
A garden shears has a first shear, a second shear and two joined pressing arms. The first shear has a handle portion, and a positioned first pivot hole and an first eccentric pivot hole. The second shear has an elliptical second pivot hole, and a sidewall of the second pivot hole has a limiting surface. A sliding slot is disposed on the second shear, and a limiting indentation is disposed along an outer sidewall between the second pivot hole and the sliding slot, with a second cutting portion extending from an upper section of the second shear. The two joined pressing arms respectively have a connecting rod at a lower section and an Z-shaped upper section; an elliptical engaging pivot hole is disposed on each arm, and a third pivot hole is disposed at the upper section and used to be engaged with a first spacer.
US08572852B1
A safety cutting device comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a housing, a longitudinally movable blade positioned within the housing, and a longitudinally movable guard positioned substantially adjacent the blade. Additionally, the device provides a means for substantially preventing the blade from extending through a first end of the housing when the guard is in a retracted position, such that the blade is incapable of extending out of the housing without first extending the guard. In further embodiments, the device provides a pair of longitudinally movable guards flanking the blade and configured for selectively moving independent of one another, thereby allowing both right- and left-handed users to operate the device without having to change any settings or reconfigure the orientation of the guards or blade. In such further embodiments, the blade is substantially prevented from extending without at least one of the guards first being moved out of the retracted position.
US08572851B2
A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. A torsion spring is retained axially on the blade axis pin and within a bushing that is stationary relative to the knife handle. One leg of the spring is fixed relative to the handle. The opposite leg of the spring extends through and rides in a partial annular groove in the bushing and acts on the blade as it is moved between the open and closed positions.
US08572847B2
Method and apparatus in a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication, with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is then imposed on one or more tube support plates, as the steam generator heats up. Displacement to produce misalignment is produced only when the steam generator is heated. The tube support plate displacement system has only one part, a push rod, which is internal to the steam generator shroud, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, in the same or varying amounts and directions, and with one or more apparatus being provided for any individual tube support plate.
US08572845B2
A mold system for manufacturing wind turbine blades includes two mold halves shaped for molding respective mold halves. A first mold is supported by a hinge system which is capable of moving the mold from a first position wherein the mold faces upwards to a position wherein the first mold faces the second mold. A final linear displacement of the first mold is carried out by actuators which may be integrated with the first or the second mold. The actuators are engaged with the hinge system so that the first mold is displaceable or the hinge system holding the first mold is displaceable. In both alternatives the actuators merely transfer the load of the first mold to a support via the hinge system.
US08572844B2
A turbine engine airfoil includes an airfoil structure having an exterior surface that provides a leading edge. A first cooling passage includes radially spaced legs extending laterally from one side of the leading edge toward another side of the leading edge and interconnecting to form a loop with one another. A trench extends radially in the exterior surface along the leading edge. The trench intersects one of the first and second legs to provide at least one first cooling hole in the trench.
US08572840B2
Power may be supplied to an electronic module according to various techniques. In one general implementation, for example, a system for supplying power to an electronic module may include a printed circuit board, the electronic module, and a conductive foil. The board may include a number of contact locations on a first side, with at least one of the contact locations electrically coupled to a via to a second side of the board. The electronic module may be electrically coupled to the contact locations on the first side of the board and receive electrical power through the at least one contact location electrically coupled to a via. The foil may be adapted to convey electrical power for the electronic module and electrically coupled on the second side of circuit board to at least the via electrically coupled to a contact location that receives electrical power for the electronic module.
US08572828B2
The present invention includes a mounting structure for mounting a component between a first member and a second member. According to the mounting structure, the component is first placed on a surface of the first member. Then, the second member is fitted with the component by a fitting device, so that the component is positioned relative to the second member. Thereafter, the component is fixed in position relative to the first member by a joint device.
US08572823B1
A process and apparatus for tracking a deceased body. The apparatus includes a processor and at least one remote computer system adapted to read and store a unique biometric input from a deceased body. The biometric input is catalogued with a unique identifier. Prior to cremation of a deceased body at a crematorium, the biometric input is scanned and matched to stored data to verify the identity of the deceased body. The deceased body is cremated in a retort furnace, processed in cremains processor and stored in a locking urn with the unique identifier such that the identity of the remains is shown.
US08572815B1
A universal tie down assembly includes first and second longitudinal belts comprising reinforced webbing made from a flexible fabric material. Each belt includes a buckle end and an anchor end. The anchor end is a loop of the reinforced webbing. At least one longitudinal slot is woven into an edge of at least one of the belts. The length of the slot is at least as great as the width of the belts. The assembly includes a novel open under load buckle having a receiving part (female part) and an insertion part (male part). The buckle end of one of the belts is adjustably disposed in a belt opening of one of the insertion part and the receiving part and the buckle end of the other of the belts forms a sewn loop that loops through a belt opening of the other of the insertion part and the receiving part.
US08572814B2
Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for bag cutting and closure.
US08572813B2
A fixed-loop key ring having an elongated filament with a barrel-shaped head at one end and a locking element at the opposite. Engagement of the locking element in the head forms a nearly circular loop for retaining one or more objects through their eyelets. The barrel-shaped head has a longitudinal bore of decreasing width that intersects a lateral channel entering from the top of the barrel, creating a step at the bore-channel interface. The locking element may be a bifurcated tip with a tapered distal end defined by opposing steps flanking a notch, the notch/steps compressing when inserted into the bore to permit the tapered portion to pass through and into the lateral channel, yet inhibiting withdrawal when engaged to the step inside the barrel-shaped head. A flat-bladed tool may plastically deform the locking element for permanent engagement via insertion between the bifurcations through the lateral channel.
US08572812B2
A foldable portable information terminal includes an upper unit having a display unit on its one side, a lower unit having operation keys on its one side, and a movable connecting mechanism connecting the upper unit and the lower unit allowing the upper unit to be opened, closed, and freely rotated with respect to a longitudinal direction of the lower unit. The displaying mode of the display unit whose direction varies depending on a position of the upper unit is changed depending on a positional relationship of the upper unit and the lower unit.
US08572811B2
A furniture hinge for a hinged lid is arranged in a horizontally swiveling manner on a body of a piece of furniture includes a fastening plate and a swivel plate that is arranged in a swiveling manner on the fastening plate by two lever arms that are arranged as parallel linkages. The hinge includes a damping device that can be fixed on the fastening plate. The damping, device includes a damping cylinder and a piston rod that can be displaced in a dampened manner inside the damping cylinder, whereby the piston rod is mechanically linked with a lever arm.
US08572810B2
A furniture hinge, comprising a fitting part, a hinge cup that is articulated thereto for fastening to furniture parts, and a cushioning apparatus for cushioning a relative movement between the fitting part and the hinge cup, wherein the cushioning apparatus is disposed in or on the hinge cup, wherein the cushioning apparatus comprises a housing having first fastening means, and second fastening means are disposed on the hinge cup, wherein the housing of the cushioning apparatus can be inserted from above into the hinge cup and in the installed position is disposed substantially completely inside the hinge cup, wherein the housing of the cushioning apparatus and the hinge cup can be connected to each other in said installed position by the first and second fastening means.
US08572802B2
A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance.
US08572800B2
A floor cleaner has a base assembly which comprises a body composed of an upper casing and a lower casing, a sweeping member mounted on the front side of the body, a steam generating member mounted at the rear side of the body, a pad tray with protrusions formed thereon to which a pad is attached, the protrusions made of a material that is softer than the material of the pad tray, and an attachment/detachment member that attaches and detaches the pad tray to and from the bottom face of the lower casing.
US08572799B2
A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.
US08572798B2
A scratch-off card surface remover comprised of a single body assembly. The single body assembly contains a forward extruded scraping tip wherein the tip is a half sphere shape that contains a flat plane scraping edge and of which this shape is directly centered on and extending from the forward area of an elliptical mount formed directly to a middle obtruded hollow barrel hand grip further directly formed to an aft hollow barrel section containing two oppositely correlated perforations for the insertion of a means by which to carry and store the assembly. The horizontal movement of the single body assembly as applied to the surface of a scratch-off card empowers the scraping characteristic of the scraping tip portion of the assembly.
US08572789B2
The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage including at least one cyclone, and an electrostatic filter located downstream of and in fluid communication with the at least one cyclone, wherein at least a portion of the electrostatic filter is located longitudinally through the separating apparatus, at least a portion of the first cyclonic cleaning stage being arranged around the electrostatic filter.
US08572787B2
A bridge deck suspended from a support beam where the deck describes a laterally curved shape, for example an arch having an apex between two deck ends. The support beam describes a laterally curved shape similar to that of the deck, for example an arch having an apex and two ends opposite to the apex that are secured in a base (foundation) in the ground. The support beam is generally inclined from the support's base foundations to the apex at an angle sufficient to position the support above the deck. The support's relative position, dimensions and shape are such that the majority of the supporting beam is above and approximately horizontally aligned with corresponding points of the deck, thereby allowing suspension cables to extend near vertically between attachment points on the support beam and corresponding attachment points on the aligned portions of the deck.
US08572781B2
A device and method for elevating and supporting a patient's extremity to facilitate convenient examination and treatment of the extremity. The device includes a base, longitudinally-spaced upstanding support members extending upwardly from the base, and extremity securing mechanisms mounted to the upstanding support members upon which a patient's extremity can be positioned. The method generally includes extending a patient's extremity longitudinally across the extremity securing mechanisms and bringing the extremity to rest thereon. Caregivers and surgical teams are thus provided with access to the full circumference of the portion of the patient's extremity that extends between the extremity securing mechanisms. Several embodiments of the device incorporate means for assisting in the lifting of a patient's extremity to a desired height, including hydraulic rams, levers, and inflatable bladders.
US08572777B1
An adjustable bed base is disclosed in which the adjustable bed base comprises a pair of opposed side members, an adjustable foot assembly and an adjustable head assembly with each assembly comprising a first panel adapted to be connected to one of the opposed side members, a second panel adapted to be connected to the other one of the opposed side members, and a central panel adapted to receive the first panel and the second panel with the first panel and the second panel being movable relative to the central panel to adjust a length of each of the assemblies.
US08572775B1
A crib is provided that includes a drop gate that pivots relative to a stationary portion of a wall from an open position to a closed position. The crib may include a hinge that in the closed position of the drop gate forms a cavity therein that has a height that is sufficiently large to enable a finger of a child to extend into the cavity to be adjacent a pivot axis of the hinge, without being pinched by the hinge. Also, the crib may include a stop surface of a latch device that contacts a projection in a cavity of a striker plate to prevent pivoting of the drop gate into an interior space of the crib. The cavity in the striker plate may include sufficiently large spaces above and below the projection to receive a finger of a child therein without the finger being pinched.
US08572764B2
One or more gloves are disclosed herein. A glove body comprises a glove body internal surface that defines a palm compartment enveloping at least part of a user's palm, a glove body external surface, and a wrist aperture that provides an opening for the user's hand. Digit appendages comprise a digit appendage internal surface that extends the palm compartment to envelop all/part of the user's digit, and a digit appendage external surface. One or more sensors are attached to the glove body to detect one or more hand exercise events that involve a user hand exercise. A memory component, powered by a battery, stores the hand exercise event, upon receiving a hand exercise event detected by a sensor. A device interface delivers the one or more hand exercise events from the memory to a device, upon connection to the device.
US08572762B2
A load bearing weight distribution device is provided. The device comprises a flexible, yet rigid, back brace, a waist belt, wherein the waist belt is connected through a housing to back brace, and a vertical and circumferential tensioning mechanism. The back brace comprises flexible body with arms. The vertical and circumferential tensioning mechanism comprises a first securement strap and a second securement strap. The load bearing weight distribution device is designed for use with armor vests and other similar devices. First and second securement straps connect upper front portion of the armor vest through first and second channels and first and second rings, respectively, of the back portion and through first and second passages of the armor vest, respectively, for attachment to a securement device positioned on a lower front portion of the armor vest.
US08578509B2
A packaging film which contains pigment particles randomly distributed in a low surface-area density is used for the authentication of products. An imaging device is used to record a first digital image of a packaged product. The positional coordinates, and optionally the color values, of the pigment particles contained in the packaging film are determined from the digital image by means of a computer program and an identification code is calculated from the coordinate or color values and stored in a database. To authenticate the product at a later time, a second digital image is recorded and a test code is determined and compared with the recorded identification code.
US08578506B2
A method of controlling access to content comprises receiving, at a domain gateway (3) of a domain (4), a request from a device (5) in the domain for access to the content. It is determined at the domain gateway whether the number of devices in the domain currently accessing the content is equal to a specified maximum number of devices that may simultaneously access the content. The maximum number of devices that may simultaneously access the content is independent of the number of devices in the domain. If the determination is that the number of devices in the domain currently accessing the content is less than the specified maximum number the request is allowed, otherwise it is refused.
US08578505B2
The present invention concerns a method for controlling the use of a conditional access content (C0), said content being sent to a plurality of multimedia units (STB) connected to a management center (CG). The method comprises the steps of defining controlled content usage types; defining a set of usage rules (UR) for at least two controlled content usage types by setting condition values for these controlled content usage types; defining at least two content profiles (CP) by associating one usage rule of said at least two controlled content usage types; sending management messages containing the content profiles (CP) to at least a set of multimedia units (STB) linked to said management center; storing the content profiles (CP) in the concerned multimedia units; sending the conditional access content (C0), and joined sending of a control message (ECM) containing at least a means for determining the content profile (CP) that is to be linked to the content (C0); further to the reception by a multimedia unit of the encrypted content (C0) and of the corresponding control message (ECM), extracting the means for determining the content profile that is to be linked to the content; searching in the multimedia unit, the content profile corresponding to the means for determining the content profile that is to be linked to the content; and of using the content (C0) by the multimedia unit according to the usage rules contained in the content profile that is to be linked to the content. The invention further concerns a multimedia unit for implementing said method.
US08578489B1
A method and an apparatus to perform multiple packet payload analysis have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of data packets, each of the plurality of data packets containing a portion of a data pattern, determining whether each of the plurality of data packets is out of order, and making and storing a local copy of the corresponding data packet if the corresponding data packet is out of order. Other embodiments have been claimed and described.
US08578481B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for determining a probability that a suspected domain name of a domain accessed using a universal resource locator (URL), which can be entered as a character string into a browser associated with a client in a net environment, is a counterfeit of a legitimate domain name. Characters in the suspected domain name can be identified as known as likely to be deceptively substituted for corresponding legitimate characters of a legitimate domain name. An alternate domain name is generated by substituting predetermined characters with the corresponding legitimate characters. An attempt can be made to resolve alternate domains of the alternate domain names. If the names are successfully resolved, a non-zero probability is assigned to the suspected domain name as being counterfeit.
US08578476B2
A system and method is provided for determining a risk associated with a login transaction. A password received during the login attempt and determination is made regarding whether the received password is derived form user information. A risk is determined based on a determination that the received password is derived from the user information.
US08578475B2
An image forming apparatus extracts, from image data, authentication data by which a user is identified, sends the extracted authentication data to a control terminal that recognizes a function available to the user identified by the extracted authentication data, and then receives, from the control terminal, available-function data indicative of a result of the recognition. Then, the image forming apparatus chooses, in accordance with the available-function data thus received, a function that is available in the image forming apparatus. This enables the image forming apparatus to validate or invalidate each function in accordance with a user on the basis of the extracted authentication data.
US08578459B2
Methods and apparatus to control network access from a user device, are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request from a user device for access to a network, receiving a first password from the user device, determining that the first password is invalid, and sending a second password and a command to the user device to cause the user device to execute an application to store the second password on a network access device associated with the user device.
US08578458B2
In at least one implementation a method includes receiving an identifier associated with a device, entering the identifier into a network controller device, inviting the device associated with the identifier to join a network, admitting the device associated with the identifier to the network, sending the device associated with the identifier a name of the network, and confirming that the device has joined the network as a device recognized by the network controller device.
US08578453B2
The invention describes a system, method and computer product to regulate user access to websites. The system receives a URL request by a user corresponding to a website that the user wishes to access. Thereafter, the system determines the associated group of the user and the associated category of the website. Subsequently, a message to be displayed to the user is determined based on the associated group of the user and the associated category of the website. The message is included in a block page and then displayed to the user.
US08578450B2
A method for providing access to secure peer-to-peer communications to a device can include receiving a request to join an interest group. The request can include a device identification number of the device. The method can further include determining access rights for the device. The access rights can include permission to access shared messages of the interest group. Additionally, the method can include providing an access key to the device. The access key can enable the device to access shared messages of the interest group.
US08578445B2
A method and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes calculating a trust level of a first entity. The first entity has a plurality of components. Each component in the first entity has at least the trust level of the first entity.
US08578443B2
Some embodiments relate to mobile application management. An example embodiment includes a method of mobile device management. The method includes installing a client-side engine of an enforcement engine on a mobile device. The enforcement engine further includes a runtime engine. The method also includes routing communications between the mobile device and a network/cloud or an enterprise network through the enforcement engine. In addition, the method includes generating a policy regarding the mobile applications from a signature database (“SigDB”). The SigDB includes signatures pertaining to mobile applications. Compliance of the mobile device with the policy is enforced in real time.
US08578441B2
A secured network is disclosed configured to carry data, comprising a plurality of network bubbles and a plurality of network control points, wherein each network bubble comprises one or more bubble partitions and each bubble partition comprises at least one networked device configured to transmit and receive data, and all of the network devices corresponding to at least one of the plurality of network bubbles have a common network security policy. At least one network control point, such as a router, is provided with a marker module arranged to mark outgoing packets with a label corresponding to the network bubble from which the packets originate that can be used to enforce the network security policy of the at least one network bubble.
US08578440B2
A video processing apparatus includes a conversion unit and a transmission unit, and an external device includes a reception unit and a restoration unit. The conversion unit converts one or a plurality of elementary streams complying with ISO/IEC 14496-1:1999 into one data stream. The data stream includes a plurality of multiplexed packets, each multiplexed packet including both a Synchronization Layer (SL) packet and an elementary stream identifier of the SL packet. The transmission unit transmits the data stream to the external device using an isochronous or bulk transfer. The reception unit receives, from the external device, the data stream that is transmitted using the isochronous or bulk transfer. The restoration unit restores the data stream to one or a plurality of elementary streams complying with ISO/IEC 14496-1:1999.
US08578436B2
A method for two time-scales video stream transmission control is proposed, which mainly includes the following three steps. Firstly, a model-based long time-scale bandwidth trend extraction step is proposed to calculate a current bandwidth through a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput model, and predict a trend of network bandwidth by using an Exponential Smooth Model (ESM) according to the calculated current bandwidth. Secondly, a short time-scale bandwidth fluctuation detection step is proposed to divide a network status into three categories and according to different network statuses, additively increase or multiplicatively decrease the estimated bandwidth. Thirdly, a target bit rate adjustment step based on two asymmetrical thresholds is proposed to set an up-threshold and a down-threshold of bandwidth to avoid frequently adjusting a target bit rate of an encoder. The method can satisfy the requirements of TCP-friendliness, real-time, and smoothness for the video transmission.
US08578433B2
There are provided methods and apparatus for measuring a received quality of at least one of a video multicast and a video broadcast for a plurality of users. A method includes receiving data from the plurality of users regarding the received quality, and increasing a weight of the data for any of the plurality of users having the received quality greater than a threshold.
US08578432B2
A method is described that includes receiving a program request from a transceiver that includes a program request to receive a video program at the transceiver. The method also includes determining an amount of bandwidth on a channel available to the transceiver. The method further includes determining whether to provide a unicast stream or a multicast stream to deliver the requested video program to the transceiver in response to the program request based on a result obtained after implementing a policy control function that considers an amount of bandwidth on the channel to the transceiver. The method further includes formatting and selecting an incoming media stream in accordance with the result of the policy control function to provide a corresponding formatted unicast or multicast media stream that includes video data for the requested video program. The method further includes outputting the associated formatted unicast or multicast media stream on the channel.
US08578427B2
A method of swapping channels in a broadcast system includes a broadcast operation channel management system receiving broadcast operation channel swap data for a first station and a second station. The channel swap data comprises an effective date, a first station identifier and a first position and a second station identifier and a second position. A traffic scheduling system database communicates a first channel mapping data for a first channel to the broadcast operation channel management system. The traffic scheduling system database communicates a second channel mapping for a second channel to the broadcast operation channel management system. The broadcast operation channel updates the first channel mapping to form a first updated first channel mapping by setting a first end date of the first channel mapping to the effective date for the first station and communicating the first updated first channel mapping to the traffic scheduling database. The broadcast operation channel updating the second channel mapping to form a first updated second channel mapping by setting a second end date of the second channel mapping to the effective date for the first station and communicating the first updated second channel mapping to the traffic scheduling database. The broadcast operation channel forms a first new channel mapping for the first station with the effective date as the first start date and forms a second new channel mapping for the second station with the effective date as the second start date.
US08578424B2
Disclosed are a digital broadcasting system and a method for transmitting and receiving electronic service guide data in a digital broadcasting system, which communicates applications capable of executing content files downloaded through a file download service. The digital broadcasting system includes a digital broadcasting transmitter for broadcasting Electronic Service Guide (ESG) data which includes application information corresponding to respective content files, and a digital broadcasting receiver for receiving the broadcasted ESG data and executing applications corresponding to the respective content files by using the application information included in the ESG data.
US08578414B2
An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.
US08578412B2
A method includes displaying a second user interface while a subscriber is interacting with a first user interface during playback of at least a portion of a first content segment. The second user interface includes one or more selectable transition options associated with performing a transition with respect to a second content segment. The first user interface includes one or more selectable options associated with the first content segment. The method includes receiving input indicating a selection of a particular transition option of the one or more transition options via the second user interface.
US08578407B1
A computerized process for REAL TIME AUTOMATED UNOBTRUSIVE ANCILLIARY INFORMATION INSERTION INTO A VIDEO is described that requires no manual operations by the Source advertising business entity. A USER who has access to any computer hardware device chooses his Selected Video but sees on his Monitor that Selected Video with an Advertising Segment or a User clickable Logo inserted at some position in the video that does not distract from the dynamic content.
US08578405B2
A system includes a receiver to receive content and an advertisement. The system further includes a cache, coupled to the receiver, to store the content and the advertisement. An interface in the receiver receives an updated advertisement and updating instructions, the updating instructions to enable the receiver to replace the stored advertisement with the updated advertisement. The receiver detects a starting point of the advertisement and creates a marker and inserts it into the content to indicate said starting point, and stores the advertisement from the content to a memory storage location separate from the content, and creates and stores a pointer to the memory location. The interface detects a user-initiated pause in the viewing of content, retrieves the updated advertisement from storage, and provides a user interface that enables the user to view the retrieved advertisement for as long as the viewing of the content remains paused. The receiver is configured to overlay the retrieved advertisement with material descriptive of upcoming content in the received content.
US08578398B2
A system for application management. A plurality of applications, each having an associated precedence, an include data string and an exclude data string. A plurality of daemons, each for monitoring a data port and extracting a data stream received at the data port. A system manager for receiving the precedence, the include data string and the exclude data string for each application and an extracted data stream from one of the daemons and selecting one of the plurality of applications as a function of the precedence, the include data string and the exclude data string for each application.
US08578394B2
Only a particular number of applications on a computing device are active at any given time, with applications that are not active being suspended. A policy is applied to determine when an application is to be suspended. However, an operating system component can have a particular application be exempted from being suspended (e.g., due to an operation being performed by the application). Additionally, an operating system component can have an application that has been suspended resumed (e.g., due to a desire of another application to communicate with the suspended application).
US08578391B2
A group of IT devices is divided into zones according to a predetermined condition. An IT managing server that manages the group of IT devices sends a control request for changing the state of IT devices included in one of the zones according to the state of those IT devices under its management. The control request specifies the zone as a control target. A facility managing server that manages a group of facility devices receives the control request and controls a facility device that exerts effect on the zone, which is specified as the control target in the control request.
US08578387B1
An embodiment of a computing system is configured to process data using a multithreaded SIMD architecture that includes heterogeneous processing engines to execute a program. The program is constructed of various program instructions. A first type of the program instructions can only be executed by a first type of processing engine and a third type of program instructions can only be executed by a second type of processing engine. A second type of program instructions can be executed by the first and the second type of processing engines. An assignment unit may be configured to dynamically determine which of the two processing engines executes any program instructions of the second type in order to balance the workload between the heterogeneous processing engines.
US08578383B2
A method, apparatus, and program product select a pre-started job from among a plurality of pre-started jobs in which to perform a task in a computer system with a NUMA configuration. An attempt to perform a task is received as a connection. Information associated with the connection is compared to information associated with a plurality of pre-started jobs. In response to comparing the information, it is determined either that a pre-started job was previously used to perform the task or that no pre-started job was previously used to perform the task. In response to either determination, another pre-started job is determined in which to perform the task. The other pre-started job is determined based on affinity with the task, and may be reallocated to perform the task.
US08578375B2
Virtual machine administration for data center resource managers including discovering resources of the datacenter to be managed by a resource manager; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources, processing capabilities of the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, memory capabilities of the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources, minimum memory requirements for managing the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, minimum processing requirements for managing the discovered resources; deploying, in dependence upon the determined processing capabilities and memory capabilities upon one or more of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, a virtual machine having at least the minimum memory requirements and the minimum processing requirements; and deploying the resource manager on the virtual machine.
US08578370B2
Virtual machines are managed by obtaining software hierarchy information of a current virtual machine to be installed. Then logical memory assigned to the current virtual machine is divided into a private part and a shared part based at least in part upon existing software hierarchy information of at least one virtual machine already installed and the software hierarchy information of the current virtual machine. Then, the shared part of the logical memory is mapped to shared segments of a physical memory, wherein the shared segments are used by at least one installed virtual machine.
US08578368B2
Techniques for the BIOS to install a file into the runtime environment of an operating system of a computer. A system management interrupt (SMI) handler, resident within the BIOS, receives a first request. The SMI handler identifies an address in memory at which a first file is to be stored, and determines how to access a function provided by a kernel of the operating system. The SMI handler calls the function using the address as an argument to create a thread in the runtime environment of the operating system. Upon the SMI handler receiving a request from the thread, the SMI handler stores a second file in the memory of the runtime environment of the operating system. The thread may, but need not, store the second file to a file system provided by the operating system. In this way, the BIOS need not include a driver to the file system.
US08578365B2
A method in a computer system for performing a data transfer between a first data processing device (1) and a second data processing device (2) comprises providing a downloading process (10) configured for downloading of data (120) from the first data processing device (1) to the second data processing device (2) via a connection between the first data processing device (1) and the second data processing device (2) Further, the method comprises providing at least one download parameter (101-111) for the downloading of the data (120), the down load parameter containing information for indicating a downloading destination (8, 81) on the second data processing device (2), and providing a loader data file (5) as an input to the downloading process (10), the loader data file including the at least one download parameter (101-111) and the data (120) to be downloaded.
US08578359B2
Method and apparatus for in-place updating an old version of a file stored on a storage device to form a new version, wherein the old version includes blocks. The form of the old version is determined for indicating at which end of the old version free space is located, as well as determining whether an update package is a corresponding update package for the form. If the update package is a corresponding update package, blocks in the old version are updated according to the update package, giving rise to a new version having an alternative form, where free space in the new version is at an opposite end to the old version.
US08578357B2
In one embodiment of the invention code (e.g., compiler, tool) may generate information so a first code portion, which includes a pointer value in a first endian format (e.g., big endian), can be properly initialized and executed on a platform having a second endian format (e.g., little endian). Also, various embodiments of the invention may identify problematic regions of code (e.g., source code) where a particular byte order is cast away through void pointers.
US08578353B2
A method, system and computer program product for enabling automated analysis of an extracted eScript to identify one or more problems within a configuration and script. The eScript is extracted from a Siebel repository and received in a DAVID (Development Application Verification Information on Demand for Siebel application where the VB.NET application, called SiebelParser, is utilized to conduct the analysis of the eScript. Occurrences of issues within an eScript are detected by SiebelParser. Issues within the eScript may include one or more of: empty event handlers, explicit object release, setting field values utilizing hard coded values, unnecessarily activated fields, call to next record after a call to delete record, and functions containing unnecessary code. Results from the analysis are reported to one log file document. The results of SiebelParser's log file are later incorporated to a spreadsheet by DAVID, to provide a more readable output format.
US08578351B2
In a host system, a method for using instruction scheduling to efficiently emulate the operation of a target computing system includes preparing, on the host system, an instruction sequence to interpret an instruction written for execution on the target computing system. An instruction scheduling on the instruction sequence is performed, to achieve an efficient instruction level parallelism, for the host system. A separate and independent instruction sequence is inserted, which, when executed simultaneously with the instruction sequence, performs to copy to a separate location a minimum instruction sequence necessary to execute an intent of an interpreted target instruction, the interpreted target instruction being a translation; and modifies the interpreter code such that a next interpretation of the target instruction results in execution of the translated version, thereby removing execution of interpreter overhead.
US08578350B2
A system controls operation of a business system having a processor, memory, and a hard drive. The system comprises a specification language file stored on a hard drive, the file containing specification language statements defining a state machine implementation of a business system, a parser for extracting specification language statements from the specification language file and interpreting the extracted specification language statements, a business logic application program comprised of business logic modules, the business logic modules including executable compiled program statements, and the parser calls at least one of the business logic modules to process a message extracted by the parser from the specification language file.
US08578349B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium for integrating an original language application with a target language application comprises receiving properties related to a source file in the original language application, parsing the source file based on the received properties into a common format for the original language application and the target language application, receiving the parsed source file by a repository module, and placing contents of the received parsed source file on an interface.
US08578344B2
Concepts and technologies are described herein for incremental compositional dynamic test generation. The concepts and technologies described herein are used to increase the code coverage and security vulnerability identification abilities of testing applications and devices, without significantly increasing, and in some cases decreasing, computational and time costs associated with the testing. Test summaries that describe how code is tested by a test engine are generated and stored during testing of code. These test summaries can be evaluated when additional iterations or versions of the code are tested. If functions corresponding to the test summaries are unchanged from, or logically equivalent to, a version of the function previously tested, the test summary may be used when testing the new version of the code.
US08578340B1
A computer program execution record and replay system providing recorded execution event breakpoints is described. In one embodiment, for example, in the record and replay system, a method for providing recorded execution event breakpoints, the method comprising: recording information about one or more execution events that occur during a recorded execution of a computer program; during a replay execution of the computer program in which a particular execution event of the one or more execution events is faithfully reproduced, determining whether a breakpoint is to be set in the replay execution of the computer program based on the recorded information about the particular execution event; and if the breakpoint is to be set, then setting a breakpoint in the replay execution of the computer program such that the replay execution breaks at a point corresponding to the faithful reproduction of the particular execution event.
US08578338B2
Methods and systems for creating, producing, and submitting new wager game packages for approval from regulatory bodies. A game development system includes a creative environment, a production environment, and a submission environment. In the creative environment, new wager game code is developed using pre-approved game components and other components provided by the game provider/publisher. In the production environment, the game code is tested and converted to operate in multiple platforms, to meet the requirements of various jurisdictions, and the like. In the submission environment, the game code and various submission documents are bundled into a game package for submission to a regulatory body.
US08578337B2
Embodiments pertain generally to a method of providing a quality assurance subscription service for a customer. The method includes determining a new software configuration for the customer and instantiating a test virtual machine based on state information of the customer in a secure location. The method also includes executing the new software configuration on the test virtual machine to verify operational stability of the new software configuration.
US08578333B2
A system for integrating and interoperating multiple heterogeneous applications, the system comprising: an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to enable human users to define the integration and interoperation points of the multiple applications; a configuration file format based on which the IDE generates specific configuration instances; and a runtime engine that understands configuration files adhering to the file format and performs the necessary integration and interoperation actions on the various constituent applications that have been referred to in the configuration file.
US08578330B2
An enhanced widget composition platform, in which code is automatically generated based on receiving a selection of at least a first service and a widget engine via the web-based widget composition platform, the code, when invoked by the selected widget engine, implementing a widget that is operable to communicate with the first service.
US08578316B1
A method of automatically generating structure files employing a full structure generator automated program is provided. An annotated device layout file is generated from a design layout by annotating the codes for design shapes with additional text representing the functionality of a physical structure associated with each design shape. Functioning individual semiconductor devices are identified from the annotated device layout file, and a circuit area including multiple interconnected semiconductor devices are identified. A front-end-of-line (FEOL) device structure file and a back-end-of-line (BEOL) device structure file are generated from layer by layer analysis of the components of the annotated device layout within the circuit area. Finite element meshes (FEMs) are generated for the FEOL and BEOL structure files and merged to provide a structure file that can be employed for simulation of semiconductor devices therein.
US08578308B2
A variable is allocated to a statement that designates an event associated with a function call in an assertion. Generation of the event at an arbitrary time on a continuous time series is detected, and a value corresponding to a meaning of the statement is assigned to the variable. Whether or not a condition corresponding to the meaning of the statement is satisfied is determined based on the value of the variable at each time on a discrete time series.
US08578307B2
Systems and methods for automated control/monitoring code development for ASICs and PLDs are provided. Control/monitor structures associated with a module may be inputted into a standard specification file. One or more default configurations for each control/monitor structure may also be inputted into the specification file. Fields of the specification file may be automatically populated or updated in response to user input in another field, and input and consistency errors may be automatically detected and/or corrected. After a request to build a module is received, one or more source or header output files may be automatically generated using information from the specification file. Automatically generated documentation may also be inserted into the output files, and links may be generated to and from hardware specifications and programmer's manuals.
US08578305B2
A semiconductor device having a tensile and/or compressive strain applied thereto and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices and design structure to enhance channel strain. The method includes forming a gate structure for an NFET and a PFET and forming sidewalls on the gate structure for the NFET and the PFET using a same deposition and etching process. The method also includes providing stress materials in the source and drain regions of the NFET and the PFET.
US08578298B2
There is provided a display control apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to designate a position on a display screen; a display control unit configured to control to identifiably display a set region set on the display screen; and a control unit configured to control to, when a trajectory of the designated position after a start of designating the position by the input unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition while the set region is set on the display screen, change a portion occupied by the set region on the display screen in accordance with the trajectory, and when the trajectory satisfies the predetermined condition, set a new set region different from the set region on the display screen in accordance with the trajectory.
US08578290B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying information or a part within a second application, such as a sidebar application. The part can be docked in the sidebar application or undocked from the sidebar application and can send corresponding docking messages in a docking protocol to the sidebar application based on the docking status of the part or the location of the part in relation to the sidebar application. Graphically depicted animations indicate to a user the docking and/or undocking processes.
US08578284B2
A hardness tester includes a monitor capable of displaying a main screen and an assistant screen; a first test location setter setting an indentation formation location on a test specimen for an initial test; and a second test location setter setting an indentation formation location on the test specimen for a retest. The second test location setter judges whether a new indentation formation location is suitable for a test based on a surface image of the test specimen and a setting condition obtained during the initial test, and, in a case where it is judged that the new indentation formation location is unsuitable for a test, sets again a coordinate point different from the coordinate point of the new indentation formation location as another new indentation formation location.
US08578271B2
Systems and methods for nested roadmap information navigation in a graphical user interface (GUI) where a sequence of items is generated and stored in a memory of a computer system. The sequence of items includes at least one compound item. A number of user interface (UI) elements are displayed in a GUI screen, wherein each UI element represents an item of the sequence of items, and wherein the UI elements are ordered according to the sequence of items. The displayed UI elements include a UI element representing a compound item of the sequence of items. The compound item could be selected as a currently active item. The UI element representing the selected compound item can gradually expand to display one or more new UI elements representing component items subordinate to the compound item. The first of the component items is automatically selected as a currently active item.
US08578270B2
A method and module for a mobile terminal that enable A user to freely create an offset clock and reset the time on the offset clock are disclosed. The clock operation method includes: generating a time offset value using a reference time signal from an internal clock and using a time gap value input by a user while at least one offset clock created in advance is in operation on the basis of the reference time signal; creating a new offset clock using the generated time offset value; and displaying the time of the created new offset clock. As a result, the user can operate a plurality of personalized offset clocks, each of which keeps time relative to a reference clock.
US08578265B2
A dynamic document generator system and method provides a web-based visual editor which includes a drag-and-drop mechanism structured to facilitate generation of a markup language version of a dynamic document including data indicative of a dynamic field. The markup language version of the dynamic document is then converted to a stylesheet version of the dynamic document. The stylesheet version of the dynamic document is deployed via a wide area network, wherein a plurality of different users are able to execute the deployed stylesheet version of the dynamic document. When one user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic field takes on one value. When another user executes the dynamic document, the dynamic filed takes on another value.
US08578261B1
In one embodiment, a method is illustrated as including receiving a digital content request relating to digital content accessible using a resource identifier, retrieving the digital content using the resource identifier, converting the digital content into formatted digital content having a file format different from that of the digital content, and compatible to be displayed in a preview frame, and transmitting the formatted digital content. Further, in some embodiments, a method is illustrated as including receiving a search result containing a resource identifier, extracting the resource identifier from the search result, and associating a file format description with the resource identifier, and displaying the search result and the file format description.
US08578241B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes: a data detector circuit, a low density parity check data decoder circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to: reconstitute a second encoded sub-codeword from a combination of data including the first encoded sub-codeword and the composite sub-codeword; and correct an error in one of the first encoded sub-codeword and the second encoded sub-codeword based at least in part on a combination of the first encoded sub-codeword, the second encoded sub-codeword, and the composite sub-codeword.
US08578235B2
Disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for an iterative LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use a structured irregular LDPC code in conjunction with a belief propagation algorithm. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for a structured irregular LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use an iterative Recursive Least Squares-based data detection and channel estimation technique. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also disclosed.
US08578233B2
A method and device for handling hybrid automatic repeat request (‘HARQ’) operations during transmission mode changes, the method detecting a transmission mode change; and manipulating an HARQ process buffer based on the detecting. Further, a method and network element for handling hybrid automatic repeat request (‘HARQ’) operations during transmission mode changes, the method checking when a user equipment is in a transmission mode uncertainty window; and blocking communications to the user equipment or utilizing a downlink control information format 1A for communications to the user equipment.
US08578230B2
Embodiments disclosed herein address the need in the art for enhanced block acknowledgement. In one embodiment, a receiver indicates a decoding delay for a maximum size aggregate frame in Block Ack negotiation, which may be used by a transmitter to determine to which Block Ack Request a Block Acknowledgement is responsive. In another embodiment, a Transmission Sequence Number (TSN) may be included in a Block Ack Request. The receiver includes the TSN in the corresponding Block Ack response. This allows the transmitter to determine which frames are “in transit.” The TSN may be used to identify blocks. In another embodiment, a TSN may be associated with one or more transmitted frames. While, the TSN is not transmitted with the Block Ack Request, the transmitter may determine which TSN corresponds with a Block Ack response in accordance with acknowledgements contained therein. Combinations of these techniques may be deployed. Various other aspects are also presented.
US08578219B2
A mechanism is provided for monitoring and verifying a clock state of a chip that does not write out clock state information. Responsive to identifying an access to the chip, the access is scanned to identify a chip register and a clock domain that will be accessed. A determination is made as to whether a bit of a clock trust unit associated with the chip register and the clock domain indicates whether to trust a clock state associated with the bit in a logical clock state unit. Responsive to the bit of the clock trust unit indicating that the clock state associated with the bit in the logical clock state unit is trusted, the clock state from the logical clock state unit is identified. Responsive to the clock state matching the clock state required by the access, the access is forwarded to the chip for execution.
US08578210B2
A supporting apparatus includes a configuration-information storage unit having stored therein dependencies among devices in association with a list of the devices. When information about a device where a failure has occurred is input, a dependency among devices including the faulty device is obtained from the configuration-information storage unit. Based on the obtained dependency among devices including the faulty device and information about the faulty device, learning data with the dependency and a cause of failure being associated with each other is created. Then, based on the created learning data, a solution procedure indicative of a procedure for specifying the cause of failure is generated by using, for example, algorithm ID3.
US08578194B2
Embodiments provide improved modes of control of banked data buffer architectures. Embodiments provide modes of control of a central buffer pool (CBP) of a memory management unit (MMU). Embodiments are enabled by a cell free address pool (CFAP) module. The CFAP module may be implemented according to a banked structure. The CFAP module provides CBP/CFAP bank arbitration for selecting enqueue data cells. The CFAP module includes a green mode control module for controlling the power up/down of CBP banks according to expected data traffic through the MMU.
US08578192B2
Some embodiments describe techniques that relate to power efficient, high frequency displays with motion blur mitigation. In one embodiment, the refresh rate of a display device may be dynamically modified, e.g., to reduce power consumption and/or reduce motion blur. Other embodiments are also described.
US08578191B2
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a first utilization value, accessing a second utilization value, defining a third utilization value, and sending to a first switching portion of a distributed network switch a deactivate signal in response to the third utilization value. The first utilization value is associated with the first switching portion of the distributed network switch. The second utilization value is associated with a second switching portion of the distributed network switch. The third utilization value is associated with the second switching portion of the distributed network switch and is based on the first utilization parameter and the second utilization parameter. The first switching portion of the distributed network switch ceases communication within the distributed network switch in response to the deactivate signal.
US08578190B2
According to one embodiment, an information processor, includes: a storage module which stores a plurality of charging modes associated with a plurality of external devices to be charged when an operating system is not in operation; an input module which receives a charging mode selection request; and a test module which receives the charging mode in the received selection request from the storage module, and tests the charging mode on at least one of the external devices connected to the information processor.
US08578189B2
Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system, includes: one or more first components capable of being dynamically throttled to a plurality of different performance level settings; one or more second components; and one or more power usage sensors. The one or more power usage sensors are to determine information on power usage during a first time period of operation of the data processing system. The one or more first components and the one or more second components may include a computing element to determine one of the performance level settings of the one or more first components of the data processing system for a second time period subsequent to the first time period using the information on the power usage during the first time period.
US08578176B2
A method and system for secure handling of sensitive sets of characters in a distributed hierarchical system are disclosed, comprising at least one local server on a lower hierarchic level and at least one central server at a higher hierarchic level. The method comprises the steps: receiving a sensitive set of characters in said local server; replacing a part of said sensitive set of characters with a token to form a tokenized set of characters, said token belonging to a subset of possible tokens assigned to the local server by the central server; transferring at least one of said sensitive set of characters and said tokenized set of characters to the central server; and canceling said sensitive set of characters from said local server within a limited time from said transferring, while maintaining said tokenized set of characters in a local database connected to said local server.
US08578172B2
One embodiment is an information processing device for obtaining an HMAC, including a padding circuit for generating first key data by adding a first constant with respect to secret key data, setting the secret key data as second key data when the secret key length is equal to the block length, generating third key data by adding the first constant with respect to a first digest value; a hash calculation circuit for obtaining the first digest value; and a control unit for managing a processing state for calculating the HMAC, wherein the hash calculation circuit outputs a first midway progress value when interrupting a calculation process of the first digest value, and resumes the calculation process of the first digest using the first midway progress value when a signal indicating resuming instruction of the calculation process of the first digest value is input to the control unit.
US08578158B2
An information processing apparatus includes a memory that stores command execution right information including execution right information indicating whether a command is executable, and a command determination unit that determines whether an entered command is a target of a command execution determination where it is determined that whether a command is executable based on whether the entered command is invoked by a user command or a system command, and determines whether the entered command is executable with reference to the command execution right information stored in the memory when the entered command is determined as the target of the command execution determination.
US08578151B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for making efficient trust management decisions. A trust management engine is provided that processes requests for system resources, authorizations or certificates, and the identity of one or more root authorities that are ultimately responsible for granting or denying the requests. To determine whether a request should be granted, the trust management engine identifies a set principals from whom authorization may flow, and interprets each of the certificates as a function of the state of one or more of the principals. The processing logic iteratively evaluates the functions represented by the certificates, updates the states of the principals, and repeats this process until a reliable determination can be made as to whether the request should be granted or denied. The certificates may be evaluated until the state of the root authority indicates that the request should be granted, or until further evaluation of the certificates is ineffective in changing the state of the principals.
US08578149B2
A TCP communication scheme which ensures safe communication up to the communication path near a terminal and eliminates direct attacks from hackers, etc. A terminal (A) and terminal (B) are connected to a relay apparatus (X) and relay apparatus (Y), where the terminal (A) and the terminal (B) are the endpoint terminals positioned at the two ends of a TCP communication connection. The relay apparatuses (X, Y) are each connected to a network (NET). The relay apparatuses (X and Y) are provided so as to be between the terminals (A and B) which had been performing conventional TCP communication, and neither of the relay apparatuses (X and Y) have IP addresses. The relay apparatuses (X and Y) take over the TCP connection between the terminal (A) and the terminal (B), divide the connection into three TCP connections, and establish TCP communication.
US08578147B2
A computing device boot-up method begins by a processing module detecting a boot-up of the computing device. The method continues with the processing module addressing a distributed basic input/output system (BIOS) memory to retrieve a plurality of error coded BIOS data slices. The method continues with the processing module reconstructing BIOS data from the plurality of error coded BIOS data slices using an error coding dispersal function. The method continues with the computing device booting up in accordance with the BIOS data.
US08578138B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor that has an on-die storage such as a static random access memory to store an architectural state of one or more threads that are swapped out of architectural state storage of the processor on entry to a system management mode (SMM). In this way communication of this state information to a system management memory can be avoided, reducing latency associated with entry into SMM. Embodiments may also enable the processor to update a status of executing agents that are either in a long instruction flow or in a system management interrupt (SMI) blocked state, in order to provide an indication to agents inside the SMM. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08578135B2
A high-performance information processing technique permitting updating of an instruction buffer ready for effective prefetching to branch instructions and returning to the subroutine with a small volume of hardware is to be provided at low cost. It is an information processing apparatus equipped with a CPU, a memory, prefetch means and the like, wherein a prefetch address generator unit in the prefetch means decodes a branching series of instructions including at least one branched address calculating instruction and branching instruction to a branched address out of a current instruction buffer storing the series of instructions currently accessed by the CPU, and thereby looks ahead to the branching destination address. The information processing apparatus further comprises a RTS instruction buffer for storing a series of instructions of the return destinations of RTS instructions, and series of instructions stored in the current instruction buffer are saved into the RTS instruction buffer.
US08578133B2
Direct injection of a data to be transferred in a hybrid computing environment that includes a host computer and a plurality of accelerators, the host computer and the accelerators adapted to one another for data communications by a system level message passing module. Each accelerator includes a Power Processing Element (‘PPE’) and a plurality of Synergistic Processing Elements (‘SPEs’). Direct injection includes reserving, by each SPE, a slot in a shared memory region accessible by the host computer; loading, by each SPE into local memory of the SPE, a portion of data to be transferred to the host computer; executing, by each SPE in parallel, a data processing operation on the portion of the data loaded in local memory of each SPE; and writing, by each SPE, the processed data to the SPE's reserved slot in the shared memory region accessible by the host computer.
US08578106B1
A method for writing data to submission queues in a storage controller including receiving an input/output (I/O) request from a client application, where the client application is associated with a virtual port and where the virtual port is associated with a physical port. The method further includes determining a size of the I/O request, identifying a queue group based on the size of the I/O request and the virtual port, where the queue group includes submission queues and is associated with the virtual port. The method further includes identifying a submission queue, sending the I/O request to a storage controller over the physical port, where the queue group is located in memory operatively connected to the storage controller and where the storage controller is configured to place the I/O request in the submission queue.
US08578099B2
The present invention is directed towards integrating cache managing and application firewall processing in a networked system. An integrated cache/firewall system comprises an application firewall operating in conjunction with a cache managing system in operation on an intermediary device. The application firewall processes a received HTTP response to a request by a networked entity serviced by the intermediary device. The application firewall generates metadata from the HTTP response and stores the metadata in cache with the HTTP response. When a subsequent request hits in the cache, the metadata is identified to a user session associated with the subsequent request. The application firewall can modify a cache-control header of the received HTTP response, and can alter the cookie-setting header of the cached HTTP response.
US08578098B2
A system and method for increasing cache size is provided. Generally, the system contains a memory and a processor. The processor is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: categorizing storage blocks within a storage device as within a first category of storage blocks if the storage blocks that are available to the system for storing data when needed; categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a second category of storage blocks if the storage blocks contain application data therein; and categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a third category of storage blocks if the storage blocks are storing cached data and are available for storing application data if no first category of storage blocks are available to the system.
US08578093B1
A method is used in managing indications in data storage systems. A threshold value is associated with a storage object. A client subscribes to a server for receiving an indication indicating a change in a property of the storage object. A determination is made as to whether a number of indications processed by the server exceeds the threshold value. A bulk status is associated with the indication based on the determination. The indication is send to the client. The client performs an action based on the bulk status associated with the indication.
US08578091B2
A computer includes an enclosure, an internal mass storage device within the enclosure, and a redundancy controller within the enclosure. At least one port enables direct connection of the computer to at least one external mass storage device. The redundancy controller is configured to provide data redundancy using the internal mass storage device and the at least one external storage device if the at least one external mass storage device is connected to the at least one port.
US08578089B2
Implementations described and claimed herein provide a method and system for comparing a storage location related to a new write command on a storage device with storage locations of a predetermined number of write commands stored in a first table to determine frequency of write commands to the storage location. If the frequency is determined to be higher than a first threshold, the data related to the write command is stored in a write cache.
US08578088B2
A method for writing and reading data memory cells, comprising: defining in a first memory zone erasable data pages and programmable data blocks; and, in response to write commands of data, writing data in erased blocks of the first memory zone, and writing, in a second memory zone, metadata structures associated with data pages and comprising, for each data page, a wear counter containing a value representative of the number of times that the page has been erased.
US08578076B2
Methods and systems for establishing a cloud bridge between two virtual storage resources and for transmitting data from one first virtual storage resource to the other virtual storage resource. The system can include a first virtual storage resource or cloud, and a storage delivery management service that executes on a computer and within the first virtual storage resource. The storage delivery management service can receive user credentials of a user that identify a storage adapter. Upon receiving the user credentials, the storage delivery management service can invoke the storage adapter which executes an interface that identifies a second virtual storage resource and includes an interface translation file. The storage delivery management service accesses the second virtual storage resource and establishes a cloud bridge with the second virtual storage resource using information obtained from the second virtual storage resource and information translated by the storage adapter using the interface translation file.
US08578071B2
An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of processors configured to form a pipeline, a plurality of communication units configured to transfer communication data between a processor in an upstream stage of the pipeline and another processor in a downstream stage and to temporarily store the communication data output from the processor in the upstream stage to the processor in the downstream stage into an internal FIFO buffer, and a memory configured to be accessible from each of the processors and each of the communication units.
US08578070B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for controlling a memory device. One method for controlling a memory device embodiment includes storing device class dependent information and a command in one or more of host system memory and host controller memory, setting a pointer to the command in a register in a host controller, directing access to the one or more of host system memory and host controller memory with the memory device via the host controller; and executing the command with the memory device.
US08578066B2
A device has a consumable device component. A supply status indicator indicates a status of the consumable device component to at least one of a first host computer and the device. The supply status indicator includes a suppressed state.
US08578065B2
A communication speed control apparatus for controlling communication between a host device and an external device in accordance with a high-speed communication mode or a low-speed communication mode includes a list storage unit configured to store a list of specification information of external devices that are incompatible with the host device when data communication is carried out using the high-speed communication mode and a specification information obtainment unit configured to obtain external device specification information from the external device. A device determination unit is configured to determine if the external device specification information obtained from the external device corresponds to an incompatible external device based on the stored specification information and a communication speed control unit sets a data communication speed to the low-speed communication mode if the device determination unit determines that the external device in incompatible with the host device.
US08578064B2
One embodiment provides a system that processes an input/output (I/O) operation associated with a portable storage device. During operation, the system loads a virtual computing environment stored on the portable storage device into a host computer system coupled to the portable storage device. Next, the system intercepts the I/O operation from the virtual computing environment to the portable storage device. Finally, the system decouples the I/O operation from the virtual computing environment by processing the I/O operation independently of a representation of the I/O operation in the virtual computing environment.
US08578060B2
Connecting USB devices with USB hosts over distinct network paths, including the following steps: Connecting USB hosts with respective USB host adaptors (USBHs), essentially according to USB specification timings. Connecting USB devices with respective USB device adaptors (USBDs). Enabling the USBDs and the USBHs to communicate over a network that can connect each USBD with each USBH. Initiating USB connections over the network between the USB devices and the USB hosts. And operating at least two of the USB connections over the network essentially simultaneously and without any common network node.
US08578042B2
A method for playing streaming media is disclosed, which includes: determining at least two storages storing a media file according to information of the media file (400); obtaining media streaming data corresponding to the media file from at least one of the determined storages and playing the obtained media streaming data (401), thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the bandwidth pressure on the streaming media server is excessively heavy if the same streaming media server is accessed when the same media file is obtained when a large number of users perform the data transmission service at the same time in the present streaming media system. A system and a device for playing streaming media are also disclosed.
US08578040B2
A dynamically-enforceable application-controlled quasi-reliable extension to TCP permits a client application to dynamically set a percent loss tolerance for data transmission reliability through network input/output system calls to the TCP, thereby programming the transport layer to optimistically acknowledge non-critical missing frames. The reliability requirement can be dynamically set within TCP to the level of reliability required for specific data frames within the data stream during the data transfer. Based on this loss tolerance specified, the TCP layer makes a determination whether to trigger a retransmission or continue delivering out-of-order frames to the application. A forced acknowledgement frame is sent for each missing packet until the number missing packets causing forced acknowledgments within the current receive buffer frame exceeds the loss tolerance. This process avoids needless retransmissions and permits the TCP data flow and sliding window to advance uninterrupted, thereby providing substantial performance benefits to network throughput.
US08578038B2
An apparatus for providing access to social content may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least receiving information providing corresponding identities of a plurality of members of a group, receiving an indication of group content including at least one content item stored in association with the group, and enabling access to the group content by the members based on presence information related to the members indicating that a presence threshold associated with the group content is met. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.
US08578030B2
A method, system and apparatus for autonomic buffer configuration. In accordance with the present invention, an autonomic buffer configuration method can include monitoring data flowing through buffers in a communications system and recording in at least one buffer profile different data sizes for different ones of the data flowing through the buffers during an established interval of time. An optimal buffer size can be computed based upon a specification of a required percentage of times a buffer must be able to accommodate data of a particular size. Subsequently, at least one of the buffers can be re-sized without re-initializing the at least one resized buffer.
US08578024B1
A method for profiling network traffic of a network, including defining a set of features each corresponding to a set of pre-determined bit positions for selecting a pre-determined number of data bits from each flow in a flow set generated by a network application to form a feature value assigned to the feature for the each flow, identifying the feature as a deterministic feature based on a frequency of occurrence of the feature value, extracting a set of paths from the flow set based on a number of deterministic features, generating a state machine based on the set of paths, and analyzing a new flow associated with a server in the network to determine the server as executing the network application.
US08578021B2
A performance measurement and service quality monitoring server capable of collecting performance information within a set of equipment over a communication network, the server integrating a generic performance model comprising high-level indicators, a performance model dedicated to each type of equipment and provided with equipment-oriented indicators and an SNMP model to sample equipment as well as an interfacing model, known as a CLI model to sample equipment according to a CLI (Command Line Interface) mechanism.
US08578011B2
A system for dynamically provisioning a remote device with an Internet Protocol (IP) stack using a custom IP agent is disclosed. The system includes a Master Catalog storing a profile identifying an operating system and a native protocol of the device. The system also includes a Provisioning Master in communication with the Master Catalog. The Provisioning Master is configured to receive the device profile from the Master Catalog and generate the custom IP agent based on at least the device profile to allow communication of IP services to/from the remote device. The Provisioning Master is also configured to establish a data link to the remote device using the native protocol of the remote device, and install the IP agent onto the remote device, using the native protocol of the remote device, to form the IP stack for the remote device, thereby enabling communication of IP services to/from the remote device.
US08578007B1
A software reload is executed. The hardware associated with the network device continues to forward network traffic during the software reload. Also, a kernel of the network device operates unaffected in a protected address space throughout the software reload. Further, the kernel preserves local checkpointed and shared memory data. Application processes running on the network node are shut down gracefully. The reloaded software is brought up and the network device is resynchronized.
US08578005B1
The present invention provides systems and methods for notifying mobile devices of the presence of software and/or firmware updates using Mobile-IP extensions. When a mobile device seeks to engage in a Mobile-IP session, it sends a Mobile-IP registration request message. When it receives a reply to the registration request, the reply includes a Mobile-IP extension that indicates whether an update is available for the mobile device. If the extension indicates that an update is available, the mobile device responsively obtains the update.
US08577989B2
A method of optimizing the delivery of a set of data elements from a first device to a second device. The method includes retrieving from a data source the set of data elements, including a first subset of the set of data elements, a second subset of the set of data elements, and a third subset of the set of data elements. The method also includes transferring the first subset of the set of data elements to the second device. The method further includes selecting a fourth subset of the set of data elements, wherein the fourth subset can be comprised of data elements from the first subset and the second subset, or wherein the fourth subset can be comprised of data elements from the second subset and the third subset. The method also includes transferring a fourth subset of the set of data elements to the second device.
US08577987B2
An index ranking optimization system and method are provided herein.
US08577970B2
A method for identifying discrepancies in an email distribution list is provided in various embodiments of this present invention. The method includes receiving from an originating client an email addressed to a list of recipients; examining the list of recipients to identify one or more possible amendments to the list of recipients; and informing the originating client of any identified amendments. In other embodiments, examining the list of recipients further includes comparing the recipient list with one or more trusted lists or a directory to identify one or more possible amendments to the list of recipients to identify those recipients missing or sharing a common attribute. In other embodiments it is determined if other names in the directory, but no in the recipient list, also share the common attribute. Subsequently, one or more amendments may be made to the recipient list based on such absent names.
US08577966B2
A content sharing system and a content sharing method of sharing contents following a free will of a user through belonging to a plurality of groups are disclosed. Identification information on each of one or more groups to which respective users belong is stored while associating it with identification information on the users. A download history of a content via user terminals by respective users is stored while associating it with the identification information on the users. A group or groups to which a user accessing via a user terminal belongs is/are determined. Whether a content already primarily downloaded by another user belonging to the determined group(s) exists is determined based on the download history and identification information. If the content already primarily downloaded by the another user exists, secondary download to the user terminal accessing the above-mentioned content is permitted.
US08577960B2
In a distributed landscape, different levels of data caches, such as a memory cache and prefetch tables, are provided for storing status and other information about a remote system to a client. Status information may be provided to the client from a memory cache if available and up to date. The memory cache may be updated using information stored in the one or more prefetch tables or by reading the data from the remote system(s). The prefetch tables may be updated by reading information from the remote systems. The data caches are dynamically updated to store the most up-to-date status information available. The data stored in each data cache level may be updated at predetermined intervals or upon a request by the client. Status messages for the one or more remote systems selected are displayed, providing the client with a status overview of the distributed landscape.
US08577957B2
Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use, for example from easel to laptop modes. Further the elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content, in order to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some example display only certain ones of the modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate to accomplish an objective. According to another aspect, methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are provided. In some embodiments, streamlining includes pre-configuring a user device based on received information. Other embodiments include presenting consistent visual representations used to navigated to views that present computer content.
US08577943B2
A method and apparatus for generating a plurality of unique configurations of indicia is provided. A first set of indicia is provided, including a plurality of first groups of indicia. Then a second set of indicia is provided that has a plurality of second groups of indicia. The first set of indicia is then combined with the second set of indicia in a pairwise fashion, wherein a number of the first groups of indicia is relatively prime in relation to an number of the second groups of indicia.
US08577937B1
Systems and methods of executing and/or provisioning an application in an application specific runtime environment or general runtime environment are disclosed. The application specific runtime environment or general runtime environment are optionally defined by an application environment specification to include a minimal or reduced set of software resources required for execution of the application. These software resources are optionally stored in a resource repository that includes resources associated with a plurality of operating systems and/or executable applications. Various embodiments of the invention include the development of hierarchical resource metadata configured to characterize the various files, packages and file families included in the resource repository. In some embodiments this metadata is used to select between files when provisioning an application specific runtime environment. Various embodiments of the invention include use of an exclusion list to manage conflicts between same named files.
US08577934B2
Provided is a system and method for a storage system response. The system includes a first storage system adapted to be linked in communication with at least one client and with a second storage system, the second storage system retaining a plurality of digital assets. An asset map is adapted to track where in the first storage system or the second storage system each of the plurality of digital assets is retained. A migrator is also provided and structured and arranged to migrate each of the plurality of digital assets from the second storage system to the first storage system, the migrator further adapted to update the asset map regarding a status of migration for each of the plurality of digital assets. A server structured and arranged to fulfill digital asset requests received by the first storage system from the at least one client, the server structured and arranged to consult the asset map to determine where the requested digital assets resides. An associated method is also provided.
US08577930B2
Methods and apparatus are described for measuring the topical coherence of a keyword set while simultaneously partitioning the set into contextually related clusters.
US08577927B2
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to define an individual publication schema for each heterogeneous source of a set of heterogeneous sources. Each individual publication schema specifies mapping rules between data from a heterogeneous source and a non-permanent structured instance of data. A non-permanent structured instance of data as defined by an individual publication schema is generated. An integration schema defining a set of integration rules for combining data from each non-permanent structured instance of data as defined by individual publication schema is established. A target non-permanent structured instance of data to include data from the plurality of heterogeneous sources based on at least one integration schema is formed.
US08577926B1
In an embodiment, a technique for changing a parent model based on changes made to a referenced model. The technique may include receiving one or more changes for the referenced model. The referenced model may be changed based on the received one or more changes. Change information about the one or more changes to the referenced model is maintained. A reference to the referenced model from the parent model is processed. Processing may include changing the parent model based on the maintained change information for the referenced model.
US08577920B2
A method executed by a computer includes searching a design subject having similar attribute information from attribute information on a design subject designed in the past and histories of descriptions of improvements based on input information on a design subject; obtaining a description of an improvement on the searched design subject having similar attribute information from the histories, obtaining a design subject the description of an improvement of which has an effect of the improvement, and outputting improved input information, wherein the attribute information contributing to the improvement of the design subject is obtained and reflected in the input information, and the history of the improved input information is stored.
US08577919B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for retrieving multimedia contents represented in a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) 7 by transforming a user query into an MPEG-7 query format. The method for retrieving multimedia contents includes: representing a user query by using an indicator indicating a specific region of a Moving Picture Experts Group 7 (MPEG-7) document and a reference for referring to the indicator; analyzing a meaning of the user query represented by using the indicator and the reference to thereby produce an analysis result; and retrieving multimedia contents according to the analysis result. The present research can satisfy more than two retrieval conditions within the same structure in an MPEG-7 query format and it can also clearly represent that two different MPEG-7 documents are referred to. Since the meaning of a user query is analyzed accurately during retrieval process, it is possible to precisely retrieve multimedia contents.
US08577905B2
A method may include subscribing each of a plurality of users to receive native-format geospatial information from a data source. The method may also include receiving native-format geospatial information from the data source. The method may further include analyzing native-format geospatial information and previously-rendered geospatial data file fragments to determine whether to update one or more previously-rendered geospatial data file fragments. The method may additionally include translating native-format geospatial information into geospatial data file fragments in response to a determination to update one or more previously-rendered geospatial data file fragments, and storing such geospatial data file fragments.
US08577896B2
Genres and associated digital items are recommended to a user based on the interests of the user. Genres that are of interest to the user are determined based on user preferences gathered implicitly or explicitly. The genres are then scored and sorted based on different scoring and sorting techniques. A subset of the scored and sorted genres is then selected for recommending to the user.
US08577893B1
A system ranks documents based on contexts associated with the documents. The system identifies a reference in a first document, where the reference is associated with a second document. The system analyzes a portion of the first document associated with the reference, identifies a rare word (or words) from the portion, creates a context identifier based on the rare word(s), and ranks the second document based on the context identifier.
US08577891B2
In response to a search query having a search term received from a client, a current language locale is determined. A state machine is built based on the current language locale, where the state machine includes one or more nodes to represent variance of the search term having identical meaning of the search term. Each node of the state machine is traversed to identify one or more postings lists of an inverted index corresponding to each node of the state machine. One or more item identifiers obtained from the one or more postings list are returned to the client, where the item identifiers identify one or more files that contain the variance of the search term represented by the state machine.
US08577887B2
A method of grouping a plurality of media content is provided. The method includes converting at least a portion of the media content into at least one document object model (“DOM”) using a processor. The DOM can include a plurality of block elements, each comprising at least one content object. The method includes apportioning the content objects into a relevant portion and an irrelevant portion and extracting a set of keywords, the set comprising at least one keyword, within the relevant portion of the content objects. The method includes apportioning the relevant portion of the content objects into a related portion and an unrelated portion using at least a portion of the set of keywords and grouping the related portion of the content to provide a group of related content.
US08577884B2
Technologies are described herein for providing automated analysis and summarization of free-form comments in survey response data. A number of topic words are identified from the survey response comments, and a numeric weight is calculated for each topic word that reflects the relevance of the topic word to each comment. Each topic word is associated with one or more topics and the comments relevant to each topic is then determined based on the weights of the associated topic words in each comment. A report is generated which summarizes the topics and their relative importance in the survey response comments based upon the number of comments relevant to each.
US08577883B2
Methods and systems for collaborative, incremental specification of identities are provided. Users of an information processing system collaborate to define and refine identities of entities, and users can create references for those identities. Relationships among the identifiers imply related keywords that can be used to improve search, navigation, and integration. Relationship factoring can be used to maintain efficient logical and physical representations.
US08577881B2
Content searching and configuration of search results are described. In an implementation, a method includes in response to a search query, selecting a keyword based on heuristic data which describes a plurality of previously performed searches. A search is performed utilizing the search query and the selected keyword to locate content.
US08577876B2
A system and method of the present invention present a web based music station. The system includes a website having at least two engine components such as a table of a playlist and a table of a content references. A system includes a controller with an algorithm incorporated therein. The algorithm is configured to retrieve various images and music pre-stored in the controller and presents these images and the music to the users. The system tries to reconstruct the “logical priority chains” of user perception as it relates to both the music and the images. The system then clusterizes picks of the music and the images and the users. The system then binds both music and images together using non-linear mapping to determine preference of each user.
US08577871B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring database queries and executions is disclosed. The query syntax may conform to the structured query language (SQL). The approach supports various performance statistics to be monitored at each step of the query statement's execution plan and for each row processed in order to meet requirements of a near real-time query monitoring solution. Such statistics include timing information plus some miscellaneous statistics like the number of rows processed, the amount of memory used, the amount of data spilled to disk, etc.
US08577865B2
Searching for documents using different sources includes receiving a search statement containing information for the documents, and determining a search strategy based on the search statement. The search strategy includes first and second search activities for searching first and second sources, respectively, where the first and second search activities are weighted. The first and second sources are searched using the first and second search activities, respectively, where an order in which the first and second search activities are performed is dictated by weightings of the first and second search activities.
US08577859B2
There is disclosed a method and system for presenting indexed search results from a social network, concurrently with customary search results returned by a search engine hosted on a website, to a user performing a search from a user interface of a user device using the search engine. The user is registered on the social network and has connections thereon. The method comprises: indexing data related to users registered on the social network to produce indexed data, the data obtained from the social network hosted on a website different from the website hosting the search engine; receiving a search query along with a user identifier; performing a search on the indexed data specific to the user's connections to obtain indexed search results specific to the user's connections on the social network; and returning to the user device the indexed search results for presentation on the user interface.
US08577839B2
Content management on web portals has become complex and sometime tedious. There are needs for efficient and cost-effective methods to manage large volumes of contents for web portals. Posting and withdrawing contents on a web portal, if carried out in parallel, can improve the efficiency of updating and managing the web portal.
US08577837B2
Systems, methods, and software for generic extraction of business object data are provided. One computerized method includes retrieving multiple identifiers of sub-nodes. The sub-nodes are associated with a root node of a business object. The method further includes generating a tree data structure. The tree includes multiple tree nodes and multiple tree edges. The multiple nodes correspond to the root node of the business object and the retrieved multiple identifiers. The method also includes traversing the tree to retrieve data associated with the root business object and the retrieved multiple identifiers. The method further includes storing the retrieved data.
US08577825B2
System, method and device for reducing the time required for solution of problems in the NP complexity class to polynomial time. Within satisfaction problems or problems reducible to a satisfaction problem, the invention tracks the sources of implications and identifies proximal parameterizations of conditional contradictions and subsequently avoids those contradictory conditions. The action is completed in less time than is incurred by existing methods and thus provides a performance improvement to the devices, software, or processes which address such problems.
US08577821B1
A method and apparatus for encoding the amplitude of frequency signals, into a temporal electrical spike pattern and a method for decoding the generated pattern by recognizing and classifying it with a correlating (associative pattern recognition) neuron like device. The first part of the system takes signals and converts their amplitude into a set of timed pulses. The timing of that pulse is a function of the amplitude of the incoming signal. Once a series of timed pulses have been created, they can be sent to a decoder. The decoder circuit uses bandpass filters and delays/gains a low pass summation. The recognition portion compares the timed input spikes with a known sample. Only when the input signals match the sample signals will the amplitudes be sufficient to meet the trigger threshold. When the output spike is generated, a pattern match has been found.
US08577814B1
Embodiments may generate a population of candidate rules including multiple rule conditions for detecting duplicates, each duplicate representing different sets of item description information that describe a common item. For each candidate rule of the population, embodiments may apply that rule to a reference data set including known duplicates and non-duplicates. Embodiments may assign each candidate rule a fitness score generated with a fitness function based on the performance of that candidate rule. Embodiments may, based on the fitness scores, select a subset of the population of candidate rules as parents for the new generation of candidate rules. Embodiments may perform crossover and/or mutation operations on the parent candidate rules to generate the new generation of candidate rules. Embodiments may select from the new generation of candidate rules (or from subsequent generations of candidate rules), rules for inclusion within a rule set for detecting duplicates within item description information.
US08577809B2
Systems and methods for protecting digital assets associated with a computing device are described herein. An example of a method according to the disclosure includes assigning at least one asset worth value to respective digital assets associated with a device, computing at least one device worth value using the at least one asset worth value assigned to the digital assets associated with the device, identifying at least one device worth value threshold, performing a comparison of the at least one device worth value to the at least one worth value threshold, and initiating at least one action with respect to the digital assets associated with the device based on the comparison.
US08577805B1
Mechanisms for virtual banking are disclosed herein that provide experiences to users as if they were actually interacting with a branch office bank. For instance, virtual lockboxes are provided to users, and users can fill these lockboxes with the type of digital data that would traditionally be placed in a branch office bank lockbox. Birth certificates, social security numbers, wills, etc., can be uploaded from a user's remote computing device to a server associated with a bank. In another aspect, currency cards are disclosed that mimic cash withdrawal (or deposit) transactions users might engage in at typical branch offices. For example, users can download money from a bank server onto a currency card located at some remote location (or, alternatively, upload money from the card to the server, which would amount to a deposit being made to the bank).
US08577804B1
A method for facilitating the widespread use of the PIN-Debit payment method for Internet “eCommerce” and mobile payments sales which requires little or no change for the cardholders, merchants, debit networks and card issuers based primarily on the introduction of a layer of middleware and wherein the Debit Networks and Issuing Banks may customize the implementation of the services based on individual strategy and cardholder preferences.
US08577801B2
Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.
US08577798B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of implementing electronic transfers with government consulates. The method may include receiving, via the interface terminal, a selection of a country's consulate and a location of the consulate comprising a city in which the consulate has an office. The method may also include receiving, via the interface terminal, a consulate service selection. The method may further include receiving, at an input device, documentation necessary to complete the selected service type. The method may moreover include receiving, via the interface terminal, a payment for the selected service. The method may additionally include transmitting the service type selection, the documents, and the payment to the selected consulate.
US08577771B2
An electronic trading system utilizes a Match Engine that receives orders, stores them internally, calculates tradable combinations and advertises the availability of real and implied orders in the form of market data. New tradable items defined as combinations of other tradable items may be included in the calculation of tradable combinations. A technique is disclosed for transforming a combination or strategy contract with an arbitrary number of buy and sell legs with an arbitrary volume ratio for each leg into a form that can be used for rapid implied order calculations.
US08577752B2
A computer system for creating a design for an image product includes servers that can identify a blog page that includes an image, text, or designs, automatically incorporate at least one of the image, text, or the design object in the blog page into the design of an image product, and allow a user to review the design of the image product. The servers communicate with a printing finishing facility that makes a physical image product according to the design of the image product.
US08577750B2
There is disclosed a method for custom hair coloring formula supplemental identification. The method includes accepting a user login associated with previously entered user characteristics. Accepting user input of new user characteristics including natural hair color, current hair coloring, hair treatments, hair coloring characteristics and hair treatment characteristics. The method further includes identifying available hair coloring, accepting user input of desired hair coloring and identifying a hair colorant suitable to create the desired hair coloring in view of the user characteristics. An order is then generated for the hair colorant.
US08577740B1
Combining fulfillment of customer orders from merchants in computer-facilitated marketplaces. An order management system may include a virtual shopping cart interface that may be used with a number of merchants. Each merchant may be registered to receive fulfillment services from a fulfillment services provider for inventory items the merchant offers in commerce. The virtual shopping cart interface may be configured to receive requests to indicate various items within a virtual shopping cart corresponding to a customer. Different inventory items offered by different merchants may be placed within the virtual shopping cart. In response to the customer's request to finalize an order, the order management system may instruct the fulfillment services provider to ship the items in the virtual shopping cart to the customer. A single shipment may include items offered by several different merchants, and each of the merchants may be the merchant of record for its respective inventory item.
US08577735B2
A method and system for gifting using interactive multimedia and a gifting system. The gifting system can include a gift card, a website for redeeming the gift card, a plurality of gift representations corresponding to actual gift items, and means for advertising additional retail products or services to consumers. The gift card can also include a greeting card and a unique card identifier associated with the user. The methods and systems can be used to advertise products to consumers, which can be purchased for personal use or for gifting. The system can be used to direct consumers to a card issuer's website. The system can include a customizable avatar to read aloud text converted to an audio speech file that relates to the gift item. The system can also include a game in which points redeemable for gift items are awarded to the website's users for answering advertisement-related questions correctly.
US08577733B2
A system and method to enable dynamic partner selection and subsequent order fulfillment by a service provider is presented. The system and method has an order entry device for obtaining an order, a service specification corresponding to the order, a flow execution engine, a partner selector mechanism, at least one partner, and at least one component obtained from the service specification, the component being broadcast from the partner selector mechanism to the partner, who responds to the broadcast, such that all of the partner responses are optimized by the partner selector mechanism for execution by said flow execution engine to fulfill the order.
US08577726B1
A calculate bid system calculates bid amounts based on category-specific conversion information and category-specific advertising expense factors. The calculate bid system collects conversion information for keywords used in advertisements for categories of items purchased during converting sessions. The calculate bid system uses collected category-specific conversion information along with category-specific advertising expense factors to calculate a bid amount for a keyword. The calculate bid system may calculate a bid amount by generating a product for each category of the financial benefit for the category multiplied by the advertising expense factor for that category. The calculate bid system may then aggregate the products and normalize the aggregated product by dividing by a collected number of conversions. The calculate bid system may then multiply the normalized aggregated product by a forecast conversion rate to give the bid amount.
US08577725B2
A telecommunication and advertising business model and method of utilizing same (10) that permits users to make telephone calls for a predetermined amount of time according to the destination of the call. The telecommunication and advertising business model is controlled by an on-line database system and comprises customers, and companies that pay for advertising through a system.
US08577722B2
A method, system and computer program for enabling a loyalty system to be linked to one or more card issuers, cardholders, merchants, and thereby their cardholders. A system operable to create, implement and manage one or more loyalty programs that provide benefits to members of the loyalty programs in connection with transactions between the members and one or more merchants associated with the loyalty system. The method includes registering on the loyalty system one or more card issuers; one or more merchant acquirers associated with the one or more card issuers; a plurality of cardholders as members of the loyalty program. Establishing and applying rules for accrual and processing of benefits from the merchants to cardholders associated with the one or more card issuers in connection with transactions between the cardholders and the merchants with the loyalty system. Defining a rule based survey utility operable to issue surveys to members of the loyalty system on a transaction and non-transaction basis.
US08577721B2
There is provided a communication device which has a first communication system that communicates with an external telephone device and a second communication system that communicates with an external computer. The communication device comprises a call unit and a data acquisition unit. The call unit makes a call to a telephone device designated by a user using the first communication system. If a destination of the call unit is decided by the user's designation, a data acquisition unit obtains data corresponding to the destination telephone device using the second communication system. By only making a call operation, the user can obtain the data corresponding to the destination telephone device from the communication device through the computer network which is a different kind of network from the telephone line network. That is, the communication device can reduce user's operations to access related devices over various kinds of networks.
US08577720B2
Techniques, for automatically determining frequent traveler award redemptions by rule are disclosed. The frequent travel award redemption program is encoded in rules using predefined data structures based on fare by rule data structures. The techniques automatically determine a travel itinerary based on a query and the rules. Also included is a graphical user interface that displays a plurality of possible travel options for redemption using a frequent travel award. The rules include fields to determine co-pay options and for calculating mileage purchase options.
US08577718B2
A method and system for optimizing the level of engagement of components within a defined ecosystem or context includes defining an initial ecosystem or context ‘A’ in structural, functional, operational, and conceptual terms. One or more components are identified in the defined ecosystem or context ‘A’. It is determined whether all identified components account for all of the structural, functional, operational, and conceptual terms of the initial ecosystem or context ‘A’. If so, levels of disengagement and engagement are quantified for each of the identified components. For each of the identified components, one or more gaps are measured between a current component engagement level and a potential component engagement level. A report associated with the one or more identified components and the one or more measured gaps is produced and output. The report includes an organizational structure of the one or more components within a new ecosystem or context ‘B’.
US08577716B2
A research and development system that gathers feedback from patients and healthcare providers with respect to the their experience with various aspects of a supplier's products in order to tabulate, consolidate, compare and analyze the data received rapidly and efficiently, and which can be used on successive iterations to determine future products and services.
US08577713B2
Disclosed herein is an integrated method and system for managing human resources. Specifically, the method and system integrates several processes (e.g., a process for developing a strategy and particularly for developing a set of rules on how human resources will be managed and sourced, a process for developing a long-term strategic plan for sourcing human resources to satisfy demands, a process for developing a near-term operational plan recommending individual human resources be used to satisfy selected demands, a process for selecting and assigning individual resources to specific engagements, etc.). Thus, the method operates through a spectrum of time horizons from the strategic to real time, providing a coherent and cohesive system for matching supply to demand based on the priorities of the business as represented through the set of rules.
US08577712B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus, including software tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, involve a future deadline for completion of a project milestone. An estimate of an amount of time slippage associated with the future deadline is received. A probability of missing the future deadline is calculated based on the estimated amount of time slippage and an amount of time remaining until the future deadline.
US08577703B2
System and method for monitoring and mentoring driver behavior and vehicle operation and for categorizing or grading a driver's performance. The driver's classification or grade is used to determine or adjust insurance rates, premiums or coverages for the driver. The driver may receive discounted insurance rates for using monitoring and/or mentoring equipment in the vehicle. Insurance companies may use the driver classifications or grades to bid for coverage of groups of drivers having similar classifications or grades.
US08577696B2
A system for transferring medical records from one or more source locations to a destination location is described. The system includes a plurality of medical site clients, each of which has access to medical records at a corresponding medical site, and an exam distribution server connected to each of the plurality of medical site clients via a network. The exam distribution server configured to receive an exam transfer request that specifies exam criteria and the destination location to which medical exams that have the criteria should be transferred. When the exam distribution server receives an exam transfer request, the server forwards the request to the medical site clients. When one of the medical site clients receives an exam transfer request, the medical site client sends all exam records meeting the criteria of the exam transfer request to the exam distribution server, and the exam distribution server forwards received exam records to the destination specified in the exam transfer request.
US08577695B2
A method for adjudicating and reimbursing a care provider for services provided for a clinical event is provided. The method includes referencing a transaction including a number of clinical event details electronically documented by a care provider at a point of care for a clinical event for which reimbursement is sought. A first knowledge base comprising a number of quality criterion for assessing quality of health care provided to patients is accessed. Quality criterion are selected based on the clinical event details, and an analysis of the clinical event details against the selected quality criterion is performed to determine the quality of health care provided to a patient. A level of reimbursement is determined based on the quality of health care provided to the patient using electronic health record data elements associated with the patient and using corresponding clinical event details electronically documented by the care provider at the point of care for the clinical event for which reimbursement is sought. The provider is reimbursed in real-time.
US08577694B2
A system includes a Healthcare Advisory System (HAS) module and a server. The HAS module may send user location information to the server. Based on user information and environment information stored on the server, an alert may be generated and sent to a user via the HAS module.
US08577689B1
A jewelry registration, verification and recovery system is disclosed, which includes a coding system that summarizes the physical characteristics of any piece of jewelry. The code includes various positions, with each position corresponding to a physical characteristic, such as the type of jewelry, the weight, the color of the metal, and so forth. Each position (or category) has a predetermined number of alphanumeric digits (or values) in the code, such as one, two, and so forth. A database is established to house the codes and locations of as many pieces of jewelry as possible, with nationwide, or even worldwide entries. In the event of a loss or theft of a particular piece of jewelry, the code (and optionally the location) of the lost piece is supplied to the database, which returns each database entry having the same code as the lost piece, along with its location and an indication if it has been reported stolen or missing, optionally within a particular time window. In this manner, a pawn shop may easily and quickly verify that a particular jewelry item brought in for sale is not stolen, prior to purchasing it.
US08577683B2
Disclosed are Multipurpose Media Players that enable users to create transcriptions, closed captions, and/or logs of digitized recordings, that enable the presentation of transcripts, closed captions, logs, and digitized recordings in a correlated manner to users, that enable users to compose one or more scenes of a production, and that enable users to compose storyboards for a production. The multipurpose media players can be embodied within Internet browser environments; thereby providing high availability of the multipurpose players across software platforms, networks, and physical locations.
US08577676B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of improving audibility of speech in a multi-channel audio signal. The method includes comparing a first characteristic and a second characteristic of the multi-channel audio signal to generate an attenuation factor. The first characteristic corresponds to a first channel of the multi-channel audio signal that contains speech and non-speech audio, and the second characteristic corresponds to a second channel of the multi-channel audio signal that contains predominantly non-speech audio. The method further includes adjusting the attenuation factor according to a speech likelihood value to generate an adjusted attenuation factor. The method further includes attenuating the second channel using the adjusted attenuation factor.
US08577660B2
A technique includes receiving a first dataset that is indicative of seismic data acquired in a seismic survey of a field of wells and receiving a second dataset that is indicative of wellbore data acquired in a wellbore survey conducted in at least one of the wells. The technique includes determining a mechanical earth model for the field based at least in part on the seismic data and the wellbore data.
US08577659B2
A simple and efficient method for simulating dispersed bubble flow is provided. Instead of modeling the complex hydrodynamics of numerous small bubbles explicitly, the method approximates the average motion of these bubbles using a continuum multiphase solver. The subgrid interactions among bubbles are computed using a new stochastic solver. Using the proposed scheme, complex scenes with millions of bubbles can be simulated efficiently.
US08577658B2
A computational “toolbox” can be used for the a priori design of optimized fluidic components. These components include a channel under low-Reynolds number, pressure-driven flow, with an arrangement of grooves cut into the top and/or bottom to generate a tailored cross-channel flow. An advection map for each feature (i.e., groove of a particular shape and orientation) predicts the lateral transport of fluid within the channel due to that feature. Applying the advection maps in sequence generates a representation of the outflow distribution for complex designs that combine one or more features. Therefore, the effect of the complex three-dimensional flow field can be predicted without solving the governing flow equations through the composite geometry, and the resulting distribution of fluids in the channel is used to evaluate how well a component performs a specified task. The toolbox is applied to determine optimal combinations of features for specified mixer sizes and mixing metrics.
US08577656B1
Systems and methods for numerically simulating inflation of an airbag configured with more than one connected flexible-boundary volumes (i.e., primary and secondary pouches) are disclosed. A finite element analysis model of such airbag is defined in the airbag's folded configuration. Numerical simulation of inflating the primary pouch is based on corpuscular particle theory by interacting simulated corpuscular or gas particles with one another and with the shell elements representing the primary pouch. The simulated corpuscular particles are created by flow characteristics generated by an explosive blast. Numerical simulation of inflating the secondary pouch is based on control volume theory by converting kinetic energy of those of the simulated corpuscular particles having flowed through the interconnected opening from the primary to the secondary pouch to a uniform pressure. The uniform pressure is then applied onto the shell elements representing the secondary pouch.
US08577651B2
In an embodiment, one or more computer-readable media holding executable instructions is provided. The instructions may be executed on a processing device to project a specification to a platform environment that includes a system model. The media may hold one or more instructions for accessing an algorithm model, the algorithm model being associated with the specification. The media may further hold one or more instructions for projecting the specification to the system model via a forward projection. The media may hold one or more instructions for receiving a reverse projection that includes specification changes, the specification changes identifying suggested changes to the specification. The media may further hold one or more instructions for modifying the algorithm model based on the specification changes, and the media may hold one or more instructions for storing the modified algorithm model.
US08577642B2
A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data.
US08577634B2
A magnetic field sensor including a bidirectional node is configured to perform at least one of generating sensor data, storing sensor data, or communicating sensor data in a serial data signal in response to a trigger signal received at the bidirectional node. An alternative sensor having a node that may or may not be a bidirectional node is configured to reset at least one of a sensor data signal, a clock, a register, or a counter in response to a trigger signal received at the node and is further configured to communicate the sensor data signal in response to the trigger signal.
US08577629B2
A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.
US08577626B2
Methods and systems for assessing fluid dynamics aspects of corrosion and shear stress in piping networks are provided. Shear stress hot spots of a piping network may be identified using non-dimensional transfer functions that have been developed for identifying the magnitude and location of these local maxima depending upon the geometrical parameters of commonly used components of piping networks, the fluid properties of the flow, and the operating conditions of the piping network. Upon identification of potential shear stress local maxima, piping network operators may monitor these locations for corrosion or other damage to prevent loss of integrity of the pipes.
US08577618B2
The present invention relates to a method for quantitatively measuring the muscular relaxing activity of a neurotoxin. Specifically, based on an extent of the activity of muscular relaxation of a neurotoxin from bacteria of Clostridium, the present invention relates to a method for quantification of the efficacy (potential and/or diffusion reaction) of a neurotoxin comprising the following steps of: (a) administering a neurotoxin to the hind leg muscle of one of hind legs of a non-human mammal; (b) applying electric stimulus to said non-human mammal; (c) measuring a compound muscle action potential (CMAP) by contraction of said hind leg muscle to which the neurotoxin is administered and/or of the hind leg muscle of the other hind leg to which the neurotoxin is not administered; and (d) taking amplitude data from the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) obtained by the measurement in step (c) and analyzing an extent of a decrease in amplitude to thereby quantify the efficacy of the muscular relaxing activity by the neurotoxin. In contrast to the mouse LD50 currently used as a potential unit of a botulinum toxin which is measurable at a level of only several units, the quantification method of the efficacy of a neurotoxin of the present invention allows for measurement at a level of as low as 0.01 to 1 unit and hence is a method with a high sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy.
US08577616B2
Methods of compiling a database of images of plant species and the use of the database to identify unknown plant species are described. Images of the apical complexes of the plant are obtained and stored in a database to allow a comparison of the apical complexes with unknown plant species. The invention provides a facile method for the identification of unknown or unidentified plant species.
US08577611B2
A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the local view at a defined angle are considered to be in a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are in a central part of a tree canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each tree canopy detected. The central part of the tree canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree.
US08577610B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating an extraction job including a crawl task based on a location of a point of interest and a web form type of a website for harvesting the point of interest from the website; receiving a heartbeat from a distributed cache for determining when a client device is available to execute the extraction job; generating an assignment schedule of the extraction job based on the heartbeat for distributing the extraction job to the client device to retrieve a location-based field; and receiving the location-based field associated with the point of interest for displaying on a monitor device.
US08577603B2
Disclosed is a navigation device including a guidance route calculation unit 3 for calculating a guidance route by using point information about a destination, point information about a current position, and map information, a guidance map generating unit 5 for generating a guidance route map by using the calculated guidance route and the map information, a guidance route surrounding facility icon arrangement unit 6 for extracting a facility icon required for the calculated guidance route according to a facility icon extraction rule, and for determining an offset arrangement position of this facility icon, and a display unit 11 for attaching the facility icon at the above-mentioned determined offset arrangement position on the above-mentioned guidance route map to display the facility icon.
US08577600B1
Navigation systems and vehicles for providing traffic information pertaining to pre-defined locations of interest are provided. A navigation system or a vehicle may present a traffic location input control on a display of the navigation system or vehicle, detect a tactile input indicative of a selection of a traffic location icon shown on the display, and automatically provide traffic information pertaining to a location of interest associated with the selected traffic location icon. A navigation system or a vehicle may determine a route between a current position and the farther of a first pre-defined location of interest and a second pre-defined location of interest, provide traffic information pertaining to the determined route, and deactivate turn-by-turn navigation.
US08577597B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating position location of a mobile device.
US08577578B2
A method of controlling torque on a vehicle wheel axle includes comparing a torque intervention request to a predetermined minimum axle torque for a current vehicle speed and a current direction of motion of the vehicle. The predetermined minimum axle torque decreases as vehicle speed in an operator-selected direction of motion increases. An arbitrated axle torque is calculated based on an operator-requested torque, the current vehicle speed, the current direction of motion, and the greater of the torque intervention request and the predetermined minimum torque. Axle torque is applied to the vehicle's wheel axle based at least partially on the arbitrated axle torque.
US08577566B2
A driving instability determination device is provided to improve the precision in detecting the driving instability. The driving state determination section determines whether the state is a prescribed driving state by determining whether the information of the operation state of the driving operation unit and the vehicle state as the running state data is disturbed. Based on the running state data for detecting the unstable state of the driver, the running state distribution computing section excludes the running state data when the state is determined to be the prescribed driving state, and the running state distribution computing section computes the first and second running state distributions in different time ranges. The driving instability determination section determines the instability of the driving from the difference between the two computed running state distributions.
US08577564B2
A system for automated movement of a reference point along a three dimensional path stores a three dimensional path including a plurality of spaced apart points. A velocity vector of the reference point and a look ahead vector extending from the reference point define a plane of travel. A directional vector of the reference point is determined along the plane of travel, and a command vector directs movement of the reference point at least in part based upon the directional vector. The velocity vector and the look ahead vector may be used to determine the directional vector. A method is also provided.
US08577557B2
A system for determining when one or more jacks on a vehicle have contacted the ground. The system includes at least one of a pitch sensor that senses a pitch angle of the vehicle and a roll sensor that senses a roll angle of the vehicle. A jack extension system operatively associated with the vehicle jacks extends and retracts the one or more jacks on the vehicle. A control system operatively associated with the pitch sensor, the roll sensor, and the jack extension system monitors the pitch and roll sensors to determine the pitch and roll angles of the vehicle. The control system operates the jack extension system to lower the jacks to the ground and determines that the jacks have contacted the ground based on detected changes in the pitch and roll angles of the vehicle.
US08577544B2
In a method for examining a state of a circuit of a motor vehicle, a state for the circuit is requested, whereafter it is checked whether the requested state is actually set. An actual value for a quantity related to the circuit is measured by a measuring unit of the motor vehicle and is compared by a control unit of the motor vehicle with values for the quantity specified for the requested state of the circuit. In parallel, corresponding steps are initiated or performed by a control unit disposed outside the motor vehicle. A message is outputted when the control unit determines that the requested state for the circuit is set. A motor vehicle using the method is also disclosed.
US08577539B1
A micro air vehicle having a navigation system with a single camera to determine position and attitude of the vehicle using changes the direction to the observed features. The difference between the expected directions to the observed features versus the measured direction to the observed features is used to correct a navigation solution.
US08577531B2
A system and method for the automatic control of wheel brake-slip in a motor vehicle with an electric drive (2), including the following steps: detecting a brake signal (14) by means of a slip control device (9), at which point the slip control device (9) generates an electric drive signal (15) and a friction brake signal (16) for the automatic control of a predetermined slip value of a wheel (1) of the motor vehicle, transmitting the electric drive signal (15) to an electric drive control device (6) and transmitting the friction brake signal (16) to a friction brake control device (12), at which point a friction brake control device (12) activates a friction brake (10) of the wheel (1) according to the friction brake control signal (16) to generate friction brake signal (16) to generate friction brake torque and an electric drive control device (6) activates electric drive (2) according to electric drive signal (15) to generate electric drive torque. A wheel brake-slip control system for a motor vehicle with an electric drive and to a computer program which are capable of implementing the above described method.
US08577526B2
In a hybrid vehicle 20, when the ECO switch 88 is turned on, Step S140 determines whether or not a driving state is an economy driving state based on an ECO mode driving state determination map having a tendency not to regard the driving state as the economy driving state in comparison with a normal driving state determination map. A determination result of Step S140 is displayed on a meter display unit 90 in the form of an illumination or an extinction of an ECO mark 95 so as to inform the driving state is the economy driving state or not (Step S180).
US08577521B2
The present invention relates to an on-board aeronautic system intended to be dynamically reconfigured, especially an on-board information system, and to an associated method as well as to an aircraft comprising such a system. In particular, the system comprises a plurality of heterogeneous equipment items, at least part of the said equipment items being reconfigurable, and comprises a reconfiguration management center set up to receive state messages from the said plurality of equipment items and to emit reconfiguration messages destined for the said reconfigurable equipment items as a function of at least the said received messages, the said state messages being emitted according to the same format by monitoring means encompassed in each of the said equipment items, the reconfigurable equipment items encompassing reconfiguration means capable of processing at least one of the said reconfiguration messages in order to reconfigure the said associated equipment item.
US08577517B2
A method of operating a remote vehicle configured to communicate with an operator control unit (OCU) includes executing a click-to-drive behavior, a cruise control behavior, and a retro-traverse behavior on a computing processor. The click-to-drive behavior includes receiving a picture or a video feed and determining a drive destination in the received picture or video feed. The cruise control behavior includes receiving an absolute heading and velocity commands from the OCU and computing a drive heading and a drive velocity. The a retro-traverse behavior includes generating a return path interconnecting at least two previously-traversed waypoints of a list of time-stamped waypoints, and executing a retro-traverse of the return path by navigating the remote vehicle successively to previous time-stamped waypoints in the waypoints list until a control signal is received from the operator control unit.
US08577511B2
An energy supply system includes: an energy supply device (1a) configured to supply electric power and/or heat; and a controller (6) configured to set a first maximum operation time of a first specified period including a plurality of second specified periods, the first maximum operation time being an upper limit of an operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period; calculate and set a second target maximum operation time of each of the second specified periods of the first specified period such that the operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period does not exceed the first maximum operation time, the second target maximum operation time being a target value of an upper limit of the operation time of the energy supply device in the second specified period; and reconfigure the second target maximum operation time of a future second specified period of a certain first specified period based on a time in which the energy supply device has been actually operated in a past second specified period of the certain first specified period.
US08577505B2
A system and approach for diagnostic visualizations of, for example, building control systems data. A focus may be on a similarity metric for comparing operations among sites relative to energy consumption. Normalizing factors may be used across sites with varying equipment consumption levels to be compared automatically. There may also be a high level overview of an enterprise of sites. For instance, consumption totals of the sites may be normalized by site size and length of time of a billing period to identify such things as outlier sites. One may use a main view of geographic distribution dynamically linked to subviews showing distribution by size, by aggregated climate, and so on. With these views, one may quickly drill through the enterprise and identify sites of interest for further investigation. A key metric may be intensity which invokes viewing virtually all sites by normalized consumption for a unit amount of time.
US08577498B2
A transfer robot for accommodating and transferring a transferred object has a transfer route storage section, a movement mechanism section, and a security level setting section. The transfer route storage section stores a transfer route having been set up at least on the basis of transfer destination information for the transferred object. The movement mechanism section causes the transfer robot to move toward a transfer destination on the basis of the transfer route. The security level setting section switches a security level of the transfer robot under movement on the basis of a zone level defined beforehand by each region in the transfer route, present position information of the transfer robot, and type information of the transferred object.
US08577491B2
Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.
US08577489B2
Solutions for diagnosing in-line critical dimension control adjustments in a lithographic process are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: locating a control structure in a data set representing one of a chip or a kerf; simulating component dimensions within a region proximate to the control structure; determining a difference between the simulated component dimensions within the region and target component dimensions within the region; determining whether the difference exceeds a predetermined tolerance threshold; adjusting a simulation condition in response to determining the difference exceeds the predetermined tolerance threshold; and repeating the simulating of the component dimensions within the region, the determining of the difference, and the determining of whether the difference exceeds the predetermined tolerance threshold in response to the adjusting of the simulation condition.
US08577482B2
A transient detector is provided for generating an ambience signal suitable for being emitted via loudspeakers for which there is no special loudspeaker signal to detect a transient period. A synthesis signal generator produces a synthesis signal which fulfills the transient condition on the one hand and the continuity condition for the synthesis signal on the other hand. A signal substituter will then substitute a portion of the examination signal by the synthesis signal to obtain an ambience signal for the surround channels.
US08577475B2
A Wireless Monitoring Apparatus is used in conjunction with an automated external defibrillator (AED) system for patient rescue in mass-casualty incidents. The rescuer applies the device on each patient. The wireless monitoring apparatus automatically analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and communicates with the AED system. The AED system is therefore is able to display information with regard to each patient, notifies the rescuer on actions to take and can deliver defibrillation therapy if needed.
US08577471B2
An apparatus for the cardio-synchronized stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscle, but excluding the heart muscles, in a counterpulsation mode of a patient. The apparatus comprises an active and a passive electrode for attachment to said patient, a signal processor having a configuration input for varying a time delay associated with counterpulsation mode stimulation, and a sensing system for sensing information relating to the performance of the patient's heart and for transmission of information signals to said signal processor, said signal processor producing control signal information relating to stimulation signals to be applied to said active electrode in a counterpulsation mode, a stimulation signal generator associated with said active electrode for generating stimulation signals, wireless transmission means for transmitting said control signal information from said signal processor to said stimulation signal generator whereby said stimulation signal generator applies stimulation signals to said active electrode in accordance with said signal information.
US08577460B2
An implantable stimulation system comprises an implantable stimulator and a control device. The control device is configured to transmit acoustic waves to the implantable stimulator, and the implantable stimulator is configured to transform the acoustic waves into electrical current, and generate stimulation energy based on the electrical current. For example, the electrical current can be transformed into electrical energy that can be used to generate the stimulation energy. Or the electrical current can contain signals used to directly or indirectly control the generation of the stimulation energy.
US08577452B2
A method for acquiring a physiological response from a test subject, particularly an auditory brainstem response, by presenting a plurality of stimuli, such as a Maximum Length Sequence, detecting electrophysiological signals in response to the stimuli, generating a recover signal based on the stimuli and determining the physiological response from the electrophysiological signals and the recovery signal.
US08577449B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for automatically determining ST windows for ischemia detection. An IEGM signal is obtained over a period of time a derivative signal of the IEGM signal is calculated. The R-wave is identified in the derivative signal and the derivative signal data following the identified R-wave is analyzed to find portions of the derivative signal comprising samples having lower values than a predetermined threshold. Further, a portion of the derivative signal including samples having lower values than the threshold is determined to correspond to a ST window for that cardiac cycle if that portion fulfills predetermined requirements. A reference ST window based on a number of determined ST windows is determined. Using the reference ST window, ischemia can be detected by comparing IEGM data in the reference ST window with current IEGM data from a segment of the IEGM signal corresponding to the reference ST window.
US08577447B2
The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly and related system used to determine contact between a catheter and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas.
US08577444B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for making correction information for correcting a guidance direction of an instrument. Based on a current position of the tip of the instrument and the current guidance direction of the instrument and the position of a target point in an object, a first straight line indicating the current guidance direction and a second straight line defined by the tip of the instrument and the target point in the object are determined. The second straight line intersects the first straight line and indicates the desired guidance direction. Based on the position of the first and second straight lines relative to one another, a digital item of correction information is specified, wherein the correction image has a correction diagram located in a plane in the perspective of the current guidance direction of the instrument.
US08577441B2
A method for real time monitoring of cardiac function includes defining a plurality of planes through a heart from which to acquire heart imaging data, acquiring a sequence of 2-dimensional images from said selected planes, wherein each said image comprises a plurality of intensities defined on a domain of points on a 2D grid, selecting one or more of said sequence of images to provide imaging data for monitoring heart function, wherein said remaining unselected images are adapted for diagnostic purposes, and repeating said steps of acquiring a sequence of 2-dimensional images from said selected planes and selecting one or more of said sequence of images for monitoring heart function, wherein a time sequence of images is obtained, alternating between images for monitoring heart function and images for diagnostic purposes.
US08577437B2
Human or animal body fluids can be measured in-vivo to determine analyte concentrations, such as glucose. The measurement system comprises an exchangeable sensor for in-vivo placement, a data carrier with calibration data for the sensor, a housing having a first chamber for receiving a sterile sensor and a second chamber for receiving a data carrier, and a base station that couples to the housing for transmitting measurement signals to an evaluation unit. Replacement sterile sensors can be packaged in a sterile package and the data carrier associated with the replacement sensor can be packaged in a non-sterile package.
US08577436B2
A sensor may be adapted to reduce signal artifacts by deflecting the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a rigid annular structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of deflecting or minimizing outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.
US08577433B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to patient monitors with alarm modeling features that may be employed to set alarm limits. According to certain embodiments, the patient monitors may include a user interface for setting alarm limits that may be displayed on the patient monitors and/or on an external device, such as a central monitoring station. The user interface may allow a user to vary alarm limit settings and view how the settings change the alarm history for a representative data trend.
US08577431B2
A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.
