US08992188B2
In a revolution type compressor using a balance weight for balancing a rotating mass, the effect of oil churn reduction is enhanced, and compressor input is reduced. A balance weight fixed to a drive shaft between a rotor of an electric motor 4 and a compression mechanism includes a weight portion in a substantially semicircular column shape for balancing a rotating mass, a cover portion which is substantially semi-cylindrical and has an opening in the vicinity of a top and bottom at an opposite side in a radial direction from the weight portion, and a hollow space surrounded by the weight portion and the cover portion. Further, a space for discharging oil is provided between the balance weight and the rotor. By the structure, reduction in oil churn, and reduction in input of the compressor are realized, and the compressor with less power consumption is obtained.
US08992177B2
According to an embodiment disclosed herein, an apparatus for cooling a rotating part having cooling channels therein, the rotating part attaching to a disk rotating about an axis, the disk having a conduit for feeding a cooling fluid to the cooling channel is described. The apparatus has a first impeller rotating with the disk and in register with the conduit and an outer periphery of the disk, the impeller directing the cooling flow to the conduit.
US08992172B2
A turbo engine, particularly a gas turbine aircraft engine, has compressor components, turbine components, and at least one combustion chamber. At least one support rib is in flow channel between two turbine components, connected one behind the other. Each support rib diverts a flow through the flow channel. A preferably cylindrical guide element runs within each support rib. Each support rib has a suction side with a greater thickness toward a radially inner flow channel wall as well as toward a radially outer flow channel wall, when viewed in the radial direction. Each support rib has a pressure side with a greater thickness toward a radially inner flow channel wall as well as toward a radially outer flow channel wall, when viewed in the radial direction. The front edge and the rear edge of each support rib are inclined in the meridian direction.
US08992170B2
A wind turbine having an air-conditioning system is provided. The air-conditioning system controls the climatization of the interior of the nacelle of the wind turbine. The air conditioning system includes at least one air inlet for ventilating the interior with air intake from outside of the wind turbine. The air-conditioning system also includes a heater for heating the air intake.
US08992159B2
Embodiments described herein provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for moving, loading, and/or sorting logs. A log grapple may include opposing arm assemblies and independently positionable drive wheels disposed between the arms. The log grapple may be operable in a grapple mode, in which the arms are in a closed position and the drive wheels are in an open position, and a feed mode, in which the arms and the drive wheels are in closed positions. In feed mode, the first and second drive wheels may be rotated to drive the log through the arms. The log grapple may be further configured to delimb, measure, and/or cut logs in the feed mode. A log grapple may also include a measuring wheel assembly. Optionally, the measuring wheel assembly may include a hydraulic actuator configured to retract the measuring wheel and a gas spring configured to extend the measuring wheel.
US08992144B2
A method of chip-removal machining a tooth gap of a work piece includes executing a first substantially linear plunging movement of the cutting tool along a first plunge vector and machining a region of the work piece near a tooth head of a first tooth flank of the tooth. A substantially transverse movement of the tool along a transverse vector is then executed to machine a region of the work piece near a tooth head of the second tooth flank of the tooth. A second plunging movement of the cutting tool along a vector path is then executed, to an end point of the second plunging movement that lies at a position of the work piece corresponding to the slot depth of the tooth gap to be fabricated. The cutting tool is rotated about an axis of rotation thereof during execution of these steps.
US08992138B2
A cutting tool has at least one cutting tool support pad. The cutting tool support pad includes two opposing primary surfaces, each primary surface includes an abutment surface and at least one convex contact surface. For each primary surface, the at least one contact surface extends outwardly further than the abutment surface.
US08992133B2
A method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as in a waste conveying system, said conveying system comprising at least one feed point (61) of material, particularly waste material; a material conveyor pipe (100) that is connectable to the feed point (61); and a separator device (20), where the material to be conveyed is separated from the conveyor air; as well as means (3) for creating a pressure difference in the conveyor pipe (100), at least for the duration of the process of conveying the material. In the method, material is conveyed further from the separator device (20) to the transport container (51), particularly a waste container, by employing in the conveying of material from the separator device to the transport container means (3) of the material conveying system for creating a pressure difference.
US08992130B2
An arrangement for a down-the-hole hammer drill, for use in soil consolidation by jet grouting, and comprising a cylindrical machine housing, an impact mechanism driven by pressurised fluid that impacts onto a drill bit mounted in a chuck in the machine housing that allows reciprocating motion, whereby the machine housing has a central supply line for the driving fluid to the impact mechanism in which channels in the drill bit constitute outlets for used driving fluid. The machine housing is provided with a grouting nozzle for jet grouting, that the grouting nozzle is directed in a sideways direction and arranged at the periphery of the wall of the machine housing, that a rinsing channel for conducting a grouting mixture through the machine housing to the said grouting nozzle is arranged whereby the rinsing channel for the grouting mixture is separate from the supply line for the driving fluid of the impact mechanism.
US08992124B2
The invention relates to a marine pipelaying system comprising a vessel (1) provided with a pipeline launch tower (6). The tower (6) comprises pipe laying equipment defining a tower firing line, and is adapted for launching a pipeline (20) along the firing line into the sea. The system furthermore comprises a hang off module (15) supported in the lower part of the firing line for clamping and supporting the weight of previously launched pipeline (20) as well as a stinger for guiding the launched pipeline (20). The stinger (10) is supported at its upper end in the lower part of the firing line. The stinger is displaceable from the firing line.
US08992119B2
A grader blade mounted to a support frame has an auger-grinder mounted ahead of the grader blade. The auger-grinder has a first helical vane fixed to a rotatable axle with a plurality of teeth attached to and protruding outwardly from the auger. A shroud above and partially surrounding the auger-grinder has an inner shroud end wall, an outer shroud end wall and bearings in which the axle is journaled transverse to the direction of travel. A beater is fixed to the axle between an inner end of the helical vane and the inner wall. The beater has a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the axle. An inner barrier wall is attached to the inner shroud wall and extends forward of the auger-grinder. A drive link is connected to the axle for connection to a prime mover for driving the axle in rotation.
US08992118B2
A method for repairing an aged or damaged asphalt pavement is provided. The method involves preparing a surface of the aged or damaged asphalt pavement by filling in deviations from a uniform surface plane with dry aggregate and compacting the dry aggregate; applying a reactive asphalt emulsion to the prepared surface; and passing an emitter over the prepared pavement, wherein the emitter generates electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2-5 mm that penetrates into the pavement to a depth of at least 2 inches. The asphalt pavement is repaired by disturbing voids and interstices in the damaged pavement without dehydrogenation of the asphalt, such that oligomers present in the aged asphalt are linked together into longer polymer chains to improve ductility of the aged asphalt.
US08992107B2
An oral cavity cleaning device includes a stem having a mainly longitudinal extension and a pointed profile at a first end; a fluid channel enclosed within the stem and extending along such stem; a fluid reservoir operably connected to the second end of the stem to establish a hydraulic connection with the channel; and a tip having bristles and designed to be removably associated with the first end of the stem, the tip having a plurality of through holes for the passage of fluids from the channel to the area external to the tip, at the bristles.
US08992106B1
An optics cleaning apparatus includes a buffing cloth section where the buffing cloth section includes a buffing cloth housing and a buffing cloth removal clip. A scrub pad section where the scrub pad section includes a scrub pad and a dust bush housing. And a cleaning section, where the cleaning section includes a dust brush, a reservoir section and a fluid applicator, where the fluid applicator is connected with the reservoir section and where the fluid applicator includes an air channel connected with the reservoir section and where the reservoir section includes a fluid cartridge.
US08992104B2
Fiducials having substantially continuous portions made on a substrate allow the position of the substrate to be determined. An approach for making fiducials involves moving first and second fiducial devices together back and forth across the substrate along a trajectory having a component along the lateral axis of the substrate while the substrate and the first and second fiducial devices are in relative motion along the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The first fiducial device operates to make one fiducial on the substrate during the movement along the trajectory and the relative motion. The second fiducial device operates to make another fiducial on the substrate during the movement along the trajectory and the relative motion. The fiducials may be formed so that they have a constant spatial frequency with the first fiducial being out of phase with respect to the second fiducial.
US08992097B2
There is provided an optical connector configured to receive a plurality of MT ferrules attached to terminal ends of multi-fiber cables. The optical connector includes a housing through which multiple receiving holes receiving the MT ferrules are bored. The receiving holes are arranged in the direction of the long side of front end faces of the MT ferrules. A pair of holding elements is provided in each of the receiving holes. The pair of holding elements is positioned at both ends in the direction in which the receiving holes are arranged and protrude to a side at which the MT ferrules are inserted. Both ends of a rear end flange of each of the MT ferrules placed in the receiving holes are held by the pair of holding elements. The optical connector enables easy setting-in of MT ferrules and reduction in size of optical connectors can be achieved.
US08992088B2
A tilting pad radial bearing for a single-shaft turbomachine is provided having a support ring, tilting pad, and tilting pad support with an aligning device rigidly fixed to the inner face of the support ring and which has a convex sliding surface facing inwards and concave sliding surface facing outwards, the concave sliding surface rigidly fixed to the outer lying rear face of the tilting pad. The sliding surfaces lay one above the other, and each surface is a circular arc in each sliding surface longitudinal section. The aligning device keeps the axial position of the tilting pad adjustable relative to the support ring such that an angle of attack of the sliding surface of the tilting pad is adjustable relative to the axis of the tilting pad radial bearing dependent on the axial position of the concave sliding surface relative to the axial position of the convex sliding surface.
US08992080B2
A temperature detection device includes a diode and an analog-digital converter. An output voltage signal of the diode is applicable to an input of the analog-digital converter. The temperature detection device is adapted for the purpose of coupling a reference voltage of the analog-digital converter and the diode current of the diode such that effects of variations of the reference voltage or the diode current on the digital output signal of the analog-digital converter are partially or completely suppressed.
US08992068B2
An extruder for feeding material and for removing gas from the fed material. The extruder includes a vent block positioned between a first and second auger. The vent block including a vent cavity having a feed end and an exit end, an inner feed ring that partially extends into said vent cavity at the feed end of the vent cavity, and a screw element rotatably positioned in the vent cavity. A front portion of the outer ring is longitudinally aligned with or overlapping the front end of the inner feed ring. The outer ring forms at least one gap or opening at or adjacent the feed end of the vent cavity to enable a vacuum to be pulled on the vent cavity as material is moved though the vent cavity from the feed end to the exit end by the screw element.
US08992058B2
A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes a light source, at least two plate-shaped light guide elements having at least some areas that scatter or refract light, and a framework to maintain the at least two light guide elements in close proximity such that their mid-perpendiculars lie on a common straight line. The framework is configured to at least partly surround a boundary of the light guide elements and to guide light. The framework is coupled optically to the light source so that light is projected from the light source into the framework and from the framework into the light guide elements, and is conducted from the light guide elements to the outside.
US08992056B2
A vehicle headlight and control system for a bus or large vehicle includes a headlight fixture with a center or low beam light source and side illumination light source operated independently. The side illumination light source may be activated when the vehicle is turning, as detected by the vehicle speed and steering shaft turn angle, to provide supplemental illumination. Both right and left side illumination sources may be provided, and may comprise LED light elements. The system may also include an audible sound generator to alert pedestrians when the vehicle is turning.
US08992045B2
Certain example embodiments relate to improved lighting systems and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a lighting system includes a glass substrate with one or more apertures. An LED or other light source is disposed at one end of the aperture such that light from the LED directed through the aperture of the glass substrate exits the opposite end of the aperture. Inner surfaces of the aperture have a mirroring material such as silver to reflect the emitted light from the LED. In certain example embodiments, a remote phosphor article or layer is disposed opposite the LED at the other end of the aperture. In certain example embodiment, a lens is disposed in the aperture, between the remote phosphor article and the LED.
US08992029B2
To provide an illumination device and a projection type image display device that illuminate an area to be illuminated (image formation area) under conditions where speckle noise is less noticeable.An illumination device according to the present invention includes: a light source 11 that emits coherent light; an optical scanning section 15 that scans the coherent light emitted from the light source 11; a lens array 22 including a plurality of element lenses and configured to diverge the light scanned by the optical scanning section; an optical path conversion system 23 configured to control a diverging angle of the diverging light to be emitted from respective points of the lens array 22 and to allow the diverging light whose diverging angle has been controlled to illuminate an area to be illuminated sequentially in an overlapping manner.
US08992026B2
A projector includes: a projection optical device; an exterior housing; a shutter; and a support member, the shutter and support member are provided with an engagement structure including an engagement protrusion which being provided on either one of them, protrudes along a vertical axis, and an engagement groove which being provided on the other, and extending in a direction in which the shutter moves, guides a movement of the engagement protrusion by the engagement protrusion being inserted therein, and the engagement groove is provided in such a way that a start end at which the engagement protrusion is positioned in the closed position is positioned to the projection optical device projection side of a finish end at which the engagement protrusion is positioned in the open position.
US08992021B2
An ophthalmic endoillumination system comprises a self-contained power source and a laser light source powered by the self-contained power source to produce light. The system further comprises an elongated member sized for insertion into an eye and for conducting the light produced by the laser light source.
US08992020B2
An ophthalmological device (1) for processing eye tissue includes a projection optical unit for focused projection of a laser beam (L) into the eye tissue, and a scanner system upstream of the projection optical unit for beam-deflecting scanning of the eye tissue with the laser beam (L) in a scanning movement (s') performed over a scanning angle along a scanning line(s). The ophthalmological device includes at least one optical element upstream of the projection optical unit, the optical element configured to generate a divergence—dependent on the scanning angle—of the laser beam (L), the scanning line(s) tilted in a plane running through the optical axis of the projection optical unit and the scanning line(s). Tilting of the scanning line(s)displaces—dependent on the scanning angle—the focus of the laser pulses projected into the eye tissue without vertical displacement of the projection optical unit.
US08992005B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium; a roller pair for conveying the recording medium or a tray with the recording medium mounted thereon, a cover covering an opening for replacing a component of the recording unit, a guide member supported by the cover and overlapping at least a part of the cover when in a closed state and capable of guiding the tray to an insertion port of the tray when in an open state, and a release member configured to, in conjunction with the opening of the guide member, to cause the roller pair to be separated, wherein if the cover is opened along with the tray, the release member does not cause the roller pair to be separated.
US08992000B2
A recording apparatus includes: a medium support section that supports a recording medium; and an electromagnetic wave irradiation section that dries ink present on the recording medium by irradiating electromagnetic waves to the recording medium on the medium support section, in which the medium support section has a first region including an irradiation region of the electromagnetic wave irradiation section and a second region provided adjacent to the first region, having thermal conductivity lower than that of the first region, and including a non-irradiating region of the electromagnetic wave irradiation section, and is provided with an opening section through which vapor evaporated from the ink passes.
US08991999B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head that ejects liquid to be cured by receiving irradiation of an electromagnetic wave onto a medium; a provisional-curing irradiation section that emits a first electromagnetic wave to a dot formed on the medium by the liquid; and a main-curing irradiation section that emits a second electromagnetic wave, which has irradiation intensity higher than that of the first electromagnetic wave, to the dot to which the first electromagnetic wave is emitted. When the main-curing irradiation section emits the second electromagnetic wave, a dot forming surface of the medium faces the lower side in the direction of gravity.
US08991998B2
In a printing apparatus with a unit for performing a post processing after printing, visibility and operability from the downstream side can be improved. The printing apparatus includes a first unit configured to perform printing on a sheet; and a second unit configured to perform a predetermined process for the sheet, the second unit being capable of shifting between a first position and a second position. A part of the second unit becomes a support of the sheet for printing by the first unit when the second unit is in the first position, and the part does not become the support when the second unit is in the second position.
US08991996B2
The ink composition for ink jet recording according to the invention includes a coloring material, a cyclic ester, a first organic solvent having a flash point of 70° C. or less and represented by Formula (I): R1—O—(R2—O)2—R3 (I) (wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 represents an ethylene group or a propylene group; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms), and a second organic solvent having a flash point of 90° C. or more. The cyclic ester has a content “a” (% by mass) of 6% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less. The content “a” (% by mass) of the cyclic ester, the content “b” (% by mass) of the first organic solvent, and the content “c” (% by mass) of the second organic solvent satisfy a relationship represented by Expressions (1) and (2): a
US08991994B2
An ink pack is a laminate pack which at least one layer of an aluminum layer or an aluminum alloy layer and at least one layer of a plastic layer are laminated. An ultraviolet curable type inkjet ink composition which contains a compound having a nitroxyl radical, and has 1.2×1016 to 3.0×1019 of the spin number of the nitroxyl radical in one milliliter of the ink composition, is sealed in the ink pack.
US08991991B2
A free radical radiation curable inkjet ink containing a photoinitiator and polymerizable compounds includes at least 45 wt % of a mixture of monomers consisting of: a) 10 to 35 wt % of one or more cyclic monofunctional acrylates wherein the homopolymer thereof has a Tg larger than 20° C.; b) 10 to 30 wt % of a N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinylether acrylate; c) 10 to 30 wt % of an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated polyacrylate having a molecular weight of at least 450; wherein all wt % are based on the total weight of the inkjet ink; and wherein the Tg is determined by the DSC method in ISO 11357-2:1999.
US08991978B2
A printing system comprising an electrical interface for ink pens of an inkjet printer, the electrical interface including a first group of electrical contacts; a second group of electrical contacts, the second group of electrical contacts being arranged in an identical configuration as the first group of electrical contacts; and a number of electrical interconnects, in which each electrical contact from the first and second groups of electrical contacts is connected to one of the electrical interconnects via a conductive trace; in which at least one electrical contact from the first group of electrical contacts is connected to a same electrical interconnect as at least one electrical contact from the second group of electrical contacts.
US08991967B2
An image forming apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller on which a recording medium is stretched; a head which performs image forming on the recording medium in an image forming region between the first roller and the second roller; an opening-shutting door which is provided in an external member; an opening-shutting regulation unit which regulates an opening operation of the opening-shutting door; and a control unit which transports the recording medium while applying a tension to the recording medium in the image forming region by controlling rotations of the first and second rollers, and regulates the opening operation of the opening-shutting door by the opening-shutting regulation unit while the head is performing the image forming, in which the control unit releases a regulation of the opening operation of the opening-shutting door by the opening-shutting regulation unit after performing a preparation operation for releasing the regulation which stops the recording medium in a state in which the tension is applied to the recording medium in the image forming region by controlling the rotations of the first and second rollers.
US08991966B2
An inkjet printer including a feeding device configured to feed a sheet in a feeding direction, a platen configured to support the sheet, a recording device configured to eject ink on the sheet, contacting members configured to contact the sheet, a detector configured to detect an end portion position of the sheet in a width direction, and a controller configured to control the feeding device and the recording device is provided. The contacting members are arranged at intervals in the width direction, and the controller performs a suppression process in which at least one of the feeding device and the recording device is controlled to suppress a contact of the sheet with the recording device when the end portion position detected by the detector is a position between the two adjacent contacting members.
US08991952B2
The hooking device of a drawer to a longitudinal guide, comprises a support body fixable to a front and/or a bottom of the drawer and is provided with an oscillating command lever of a hooking organ of the support body to the guide, the support body exhibiting a first part of body fixable to the drawer and at least one second part of body slidably connected with the first part of body and adjustably positioned at least in the longitudinal direction of the guide, the lever and the hooking organ being solidly constrained to said second part of body in displacement thereof in the longitudinal direction of the guide, at least first adjustment means being further provided for varying a position of said second part of body with respect to the first part of body in the longitudinal direction of the guide for adjusting the position of the drawer with respect to the guide in the longitudinal direction of the guide.
US08991944B2
To provide a crawler bushing and a crawler link device that can maintain a sealing function stably on a long-term basis and permits easy maintenance for recovery of the sealing function. The bushing includes: crawler bushing body (31) including large-diameter cylindrical part (31a) defining an intermediate section along axis (O) and small-diameter cylindrical part (31b) which defines an end section along axis (O) and is smaller in diameter than large-diameter cylindrical part (31a); elastic ring (32) mounted to an outer periphery of small-diameter cylindrical part (31b); seal ring (33) which is formed with seal contact end face (37) at its outer end and coupled to small-diameter cylindrical part (31b) through elastic ring (32); reverse tapered surface (36) and mountain-shaped projection (35) for preventing outward movement of elastic ring (32) along axis (O) of small-diameter cylindrical part (31b); and tongue-shaped projection (39) and reverse tapered surface (40) for preventing outward movement of seal ring (33) along axis (O) of small-diameter cylindrical part (31b).
US08991943B2
A system, method and device are provided which relate to an automatic parking brake for motor vehicles having multiple brake actuators and an operating element for operating the parking brake. In embodiment, the brake actuators are connected to a controller, which is able to perform a wheel-specific slip control when a critical driving situation occurs. For example, a simultaneous locking and the loss of the cornering force can be prevented by a controller. The controller is designed in such a way so that when controlling the slip on a first wheel, the slip (λ2) of a second wheel is taken into account.
US08991939B2
A brake control system has a manual fluid pressure source and a power fluid pressure source. A fluid pressure actuator forms an X-pipe having a first channel and a second channel. The power fluid pressure source supplies the operating fluid to each wheel by using the first channel and the second channel. A channel system including the first channel and a channel system including the second channel can be isolated from each other by an isolation valve. The fluid pressure actuator includes a regulation unit configured to regulate a state of supplying the operating fluid such that a difference between a state occurring when the operating fluid is supplied to one of the first channel and the second channel after passing through the isolation valve, and a state occurring when the operating fluid is supplied to the other channel without passing through the isolation valve, is reduced.
US08991938B2
A wheel construction includes a wheel rim having axially inner and outer portions and a mid-portion, and each axially inner and outer portion, a connecting surface adjoining a flange and extending towards the mid portion. The construction includes a side part between the connecting surface and the mid portion, and for at least one of the inner and outer portions, the connecting surface is a frusto-conical having an axial end of greatest radius and an axial end of least radius, the connecting surface the greatest radius, adjoining the flange and the axial end of least radius adjoining a circumferentially extending convex surface which extends beyond the end of least radius, and a selected side part including a generally frusto-conical region and a curved region including circumferentially extending concave surfaces and the curved region adjoining the end of least radius.
US08991936B2
A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.
US08991929B2
A stroller seat has a seat bottom with a calf support pivotally connected thereto and pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position. A positioning mechanism is coupled to the calf support and movable between an engaged arrangement and a released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, retains the calf support in a position selectable from among at least the lowered position and raised position. A release actuator on the calf support is coupled to the positioning mechanism. The release actuator moves the positioning mechanism to the released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, whether in the engaged or released arrangement, allows the calf support to move in the direction of the raised position. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, prevents the calf support being moved in the direction of the lowered position. The positioning mechanism, when in the released arrangement, permits the calf support to move toward the lowered position.
US08991927B2
A headrest holder includes two tension pieces defined in the body portion thereof and a head portion. The two tension pieces, each including a protrudent portion, are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of that body portion, while being in a mutually facing relation, so that a headrest stay inserted in the headrest holder is retained between the two protrudent portions against wobbling. Further, those two tension pieces and either the head portion or a support bracket of seat frame establish three supportive points. Namely, the headrest holder inserted in the support bracket is retained against wobbling because the two protrudent portions and the headrest holder's neck portion closely contact the support bracket. Also, a headrest stay inserted in the headrest holder is retained against wobbling because the two protrudent portions and headrest holder's head portion closely contact the headrest stay.
US08991920B2
A collapsible infant bouncer comprising support assembly configured with a pair of intersecting support rods pivotally articulated to one another, each support rod configured with at least a top link and a bottom link foldable about a folding joint, and a flexible seating member mounted on the support assembly.
US08991911B2
A vehicle open roof construction includes a closure element movably supported and adjusted by a driving slide. A front longitudinal guide track extends along a roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. A front support which is movably guided by said front longitudinal guide track supports the closure element, while a rear support also supports the closure element and includes a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear longitudinal track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device and the guiding device are integrated as a rotatable element. A forcing mechanism determines whether the rotatable element acts either as the lifting device or the guiding device. The rotatable element is adjustable in vertical direction with respect to and independently of the rear guide track when the movable element acts as the lifting device.
US08991910B2
A water drain valve is provided for a water box drain channel of a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to a support that can be attached to the water box drain channel, on which an elastically bent sealing lip supports itself in its middle region, which extends on both sides of the support in downstream direction and sealingly presses at least one part of a downstream sealing lip edge against a sealing surface that can be connected to the water box drain channel.
US08991903B1
A front-end assembly including a deflector and a catcher bracket. The V-shaped deflector is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear leg of the deflector has a distal end disposed adjacent to the frame rail. In a collision, the distal end of the rear leg engages the catcher bracket to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
US08991901B2
An energy-absorber device is mountable to a component of a vehicle, such as an engine cradle. The energy absorber device includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. The first member has a first pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the first member. The second member has a second pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the second member. The first member is attached to the second member with the side walls of the first member at least partially overlapping the side walls of the second member, with a base of the first member positioned opposite a base of the second member. Aligned pairs of apertures function as deformation initiation features when a predetermined force in a longitudinal direction is applied to the first ends.
US08991900B2
There is provided a vehicle skeleton member including a composite material of a thermoplastic resin and a carbon fiber, wherein the composite material is a unidirectional carbon-fiber composite material (A) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a continuous fiber aligned in one direction and/or a random carbon-fiber composite material (B) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a discontinuous fiber arranged two-dimensionally randomly.
US08991898B2
To provide an opening/closing body structure for a vehicle that can improve the fitting performance of an opening/closing body for a vehicle. A lock reinforcement is fixed to a lock mechanism mounting portion at a door inner panel. A pair of left and right hinge reinforcements are fixed to regions from left and right upper end portions to lower portions at vehicle transverse direction outer side end portions at an outer peripheral portion of the door inner panel. At wires, whose mounting portions at one end sides thereof are fixed to the lock reinforcement, mounting portions at other end sides are fixed to vertical direction intermediate portions of the hinge reinforcements, and the wires are tensed rectilinearly.
US08991897B2
A protective cover system for a trailer is provided that includes a cover and a line. The line moves relative to the trailer for moving the cover from a lowered position to a raised position. A portion of the line may be located outboard from a side surface of the trailer in a lateral direction and may be located rearward of a front surface of the trailer in a longitudinal direction.
US08991890B2
An apparatus for moving a slide-out room disposed in an aperture of a side wall of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position in a drive direction. The apparatus includes a drive assembly supported by the side wall of the vehicle and a driven assembly driven by the drive assembly. The driven assembly is connected to a wall of the slide-out room such that the slide-out room moves with the driven assembly from the retracted position to the extended position in the drive direction and the driven assembly is movable in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the drive direction relative to the wall of the slide-out room. The room is extended and retracted horizontally and moved between upper and lower positions vertically in a square Z or square h pattern.
US08991881B2
An anti-ligative ergonomic type door-knob primarily of the institutional type, essentially serving to defeat the effort of a temporarily mentally-depressed room occupant from succeeding in committing self-hanging via contrived ensnaring by which to secure a cord like hanging-noose. Generic-variant embodiments of my anti-ligative doorknob are set forth, including both a circular and semi-circular escutcheon-plate for I-shaped V-shaped Y-shaped X-shaped fin-levers, and also a non-finned hemispherical iteration. The novel critical minimum approximate 40-degree anti-ligative principle of my LIFESTAR™ doorknobs reliably prevents a person ensnaring any heretofore problematically hazardous to portion of the door-knob assembly, while my optionally cooperating door latchbolt is formed to a matching critical minimum approximate 40-degree anti-ligative tri-beveled latchbolt as well. Further suicide-deterrence is achieved by effectively submerging the doorknob into the door escutcheon-plate, thereby leaving virtually no declivity by which a suicidal-person can secure any manner of self-inflicted hanging-cord.
US08991878B2
The invention is directed to an electric swing plug door operator with a remotely powered auxiliary lock mechanism, door striker, catch and manual release system for use on light to medium duty shuttle or utility vehicles. The swing plug door system includes a door operator and base plate assembly, a shaft and arm assembly, a guide rod assembly, a lower shaft pivot, a door panel with a leading edge catch and lock striker assembly, an auxiliary lock and a manual release cable. The auxiliary lock assembly includes a lock bar engaging the lock striker mounted to the trailing edge of the door panel when the door reaches the fully closed position. The door operator includes a manual release lever and gear motor subassembly to drive the door system linkage and to manually disengage the door linkage and lock assembly to gain manual egress from the vehicle.
US08991877B2
Door lock for a door of a household appliance with a first device for detecting a closed state of the door, and a second device for locking the door, wherein the first and second devices are electrically connected in series.
US08991876B2
A connection for the fluid connection of at least one first fluid-conducting, medical-technical system to a second one, a method for connecting at least two fluid-conducting, medical-technical systems, as well as an external medical-technical apparatus and a medical-technical apparatus are described.
US08991874B2
The coupling element is characterized by the locking pieces, on the coupling element and on the nipple element, with circumferentially extending projections which viewed in cross-section are substantially serrated (or roof-shaped) and which extend around a part of the whole circumference of the locking pieces. The coupling element and the nipple element are elastically deformed during the inserting operation and lock in place one after the other. At least one circumferential section of the locking pieces, of the coupling element and of the nipple element, is free of serrated (or roof-shaped) projections and has guides for the twist-proof inserting operation.
US08991865B2
A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a mounting structure, the mounting structure comprising a first part for connecting to the body of a vehicle and a second part for connecting to part of a steering mechanism, the first and second parts being interconnected to permit relative movement therebetween as the assembly collapses, wherein: one of the first or second parts comprises a slot, the slot comprising a pocket and a channel defined by two opposing sidewalls, each sidewall being the outer edge of a deformable structure; the other of the first or second parts comprises a lug, the lug extending into the pocket when the assembly is in a non-collapsed state and being configured to be driven through the channel to cause plastic deformation of the deformable structure as the assembly collapses; and the assembly comprises a re-enforcement that limits the plastic deformation of the deformable structure during the collapsing stroke to regions of the deformable structure adjacent to regions of the channel through which the lug has passed.
US08991861B1
In order to make it possible to stably and smoothly perform the operation of position adjustment of a steering wheel 1, the electric position adjustment apparatus for a steering wheel of the present invention is such that: a concave engaging section 19a of a moving piece 16a that moves in the forward/backward direction with an electric motor 56 as a driving source has a cylindrical concave-shaped inner-circumferential surface; a cylindrical column section 65 of a transmission member 17a that transmits the movement of the moving piece 16a to a steering column 5b is inserted into the concave engaging section 19a by way of cylindrical spacer 72 and has a cylindrical convex-shaped outer-circumferential surface; and a cylindrical spacer 72 has a cylindrical convex-shaped outer-circumferential surface and a cylindrical concave-shaped inner-circumferential surface.
US08991853B2
A retractable stroller comprises a pair of push arms, a pair of second sliding mounts and a pair of foot rest mount. The pair of push arms are slidably and retractably coupling with a pair of front struts. The pair of second sliding mounts are fixedly mounted on the lower ends of the push arms in a way of slidable along the front struts; each sliding mount formed with an opening in a radial direction, and the pair of foot rest mounts are usable for connecting a foot support element therebetween for support an occupant's feet at an appropriate height. The pair of foot rest mounts are fixedly attached to the front struts in a position aligned with the opening so as to permit the second sliding mounts capable of sliding along the front struts and passing over the foot rest mount without obstacle of the foot rest mount.
US08991851B1
A towing system for efficiently and safely pulling heavy vehicles. The towing system generally includes a first member adapted to be attached to a drawbar of a towing vehicle, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, a cam unit mechanically connected to the first member and second member providing a centering force to the second member, and a third member pivotally attached to the second member wherein the third member is adapted to removably attach to a vehicle to be towed. The third member is adapted to be pivoted upwardly into a raised storage position or downwardly to a lowered position by a pivot actuator connected between the third member and the second member.
US08991850B2
A fifth wheel coupling with a pull handle, having a pull lever and a safety lever. The pull handle can move in a travel space of a guide mechanism of the fifth wheel coupling plate into a closed position and a release position. Elements are provided for blocking the pull handle, consisting of a safety mechanism with a movably disposed blocking element. The safety mechanism is arranged on the fifth wheel coupling plate. The pull handle has a device for manipulation of the safety mechanism.
US08991844B2
A wheel and hub assembly for a vehicle includes a clutch dog pivotally attached to a wheel. A toothed ratchet wheel is attached to a pedal crank and positioned adjacent to the clutch dog. A hub cover includes a protrusion. The hub cover is attached to the wheel in a sliding fashion so as to slide between an unlocked position, where the protrusion engages the clutch dog so as to prevent the clutch dog from engaging the toothed ratchet wheel when the pedals are turned in a forward direction; and a locked position, where the protrusion does not engage the clutch dog so that the clutch dog engages the toothed ratchet wheel when the pedals are turned in a forward direction.
US08991839B1
An axle suspension system for a vehicle. The axle suspension system may include a trailing arm assembly that may have a shock absorber passage. A shock absorber may extend through the shock absorber passage.
US08991834B2
A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, a relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changing the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. Compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a first spring rate for deflections of the gas spring below a threshold, compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a second spring rate for deflections of the gas spring above the threshold, and the first spring rate is greater than the second spring rate.
US08991832B2
The present disclosure relates to double acting suspension axle assemblies that can be used to facilitate mobility of a heavy load transporter and/or to adjust a deck height of the heavy load transporter. Each axle assembly includes a wheel assembly and a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The double acting suspension axle provides the ability to force the hydraulic cylinder of each axle assembly to fully retract without relying solely on gravity. The double acting suspension axle assembly may be incorporated directly into or permanently affixed to other large structures, such as mobile robots, large tooling structures, gantry cranes, or other large machinery to provide the precise control of mobility and forced lowering capabilities.
US08991819B2
A sheet conveying device includes a blocking member having a blocking surface with which a leading end of a sheet that is being conveyed comes into contact for obliquity correction. The blocking member is rotated by being pushed by the sheet against an urging force of a positioning unit that positions the blocking member to be in the standby position. The blocking member is rotatable to be in a sheet-passage-allowing orientation in which the sheet is allowed to pass. When a trailing end of the sheet that is being conveyed has passed the blocking member, the blocking member that is in the sheet-passage-allowing orientation rotates in a same direction as a sheet conveyance direction and is positioned to be in a standby position.
US08991813B2
A sheet transport device includes a sheet supporting surface which receives a plurality of sheets set thereon, a separation roller which separates the sheets set on the sheet supporting surface sheet by sheet to transport a separated sheet in a predetermined transport direction, and a first detection unit which is disposed to the supporting surface and detects whether a sheet is set on the sheet supporting surface. The separation roller and the first detection unit are disposed to be separated at least in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the predetermined transport direction, and a distance between the first detection unit and an end edge of the separation roller at a side of the first detection unit is longer than a short side of a non-allowable sheet which is smaller than a minimum sheet size within an allowable transport range set in the sheet transport device.
US08991798B2
A pneumatic spring strut for a vehicle, having a working chamber which is at least partially enclosed by a pneumatic spring bellows and having a centrally arranged telescopic damper, wherein the pneumatic spring bellows is fastened to the pneumatic spring cover and to a pneumatic spring piston connected to the damper cylinder and can roll on the outer side of the pneumatic spring piston, wherein the pneumatic spring piston is connected, at its top end and above the roll fold, to the damper cylinder by an elastic bearing, and the elastic bearing is composed of an elastomer body which is provided between a collar, which is situated on the damper cylinder, and a flange, which is arranged on the pneumatic spring piston, wherein the collar situated on the damper cylinder is arranged below the piston-rod-side end of the damper cylinder.
US08991797B2
The invention provides a self supporting isobaric structure for electrolyte aeration in an electrodeposition cell for electrolytic refining or winning of non-ferrous metals, and a method of fabrication thereof. The structure is constructed using thermoplastic material pipes the external surface of which is wrapped in a thermosetting polymer composite material and one or more successive wrapped layers of fiber glass mats, thus forming a structural monoblock. The pipes are arranged in a reticular layout having a generally rectangular frame that follows the contour of the cell, transverse structural elements that connect the longer sides of the frame and tubular elements connecting the shorter sides of the rectangular frame. The tubular element provide a means for gas diffusion and aeration in the cell. Furthermore, the invention provides pipe couplings that allow shorter elements to be connected together in order to achieve the reticular configuration.
US08991789B1
A field-installable pulling eye and a method for providing and using the same are disclosed. The pulling eye comprises a bolt, a sleeve, and a collet. The sleeve has a hollow interior defining a cavity configured to receive the collet through an open end, and an aperture passing from the exterior of the sleeve to the cavity at the opposite end. The bolt has a head portion and a threaded shaft configured to pass through the aperture and engage a complementary threaded orifice at one end of the collet. The collet has two or more jaws extending from the opposite end that are configured to exert a compression force the terminal end of a conductor inserted between the jaws as the collet is drawn into the cavity of the sleeve by tightening the bolt.
US08991787B2
A piping component for controlling the flow of high-temperature fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and 650° F. The piping body may also be sized for high-temperature fluids (e.g., steam) operating at pressures of up to approximately 400 psi, and 600 psi. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than 0.25% lead, less than 0.25% bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight).
US08991786B2
Methods and apparatus to align a seat ring in a valve are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a curved internal surface to receive a seat ring and a seat ring having a sealing surface to receive a movable control member and a curved surface opposite the sealing surface to engage the curved internal surface of the valve body.
US08991775B2
Kiosks for supporting an electronic device, where the kiosks include a stand, a swivel mechanism roratably coupled to the stand, and a frame mounted to the swivel member and configured to support the electronic device. In some examples, the swivel mechanism includes a fixed member coupled to the stand and a swivel member rotatably supported by the fixed member. The swivel member is configured to rotate relative to the fixed member between a first position, which orients the frame in a first orientation, and a second position, which orients the frame in a second orientation. In some examples, swivel mechanism includes a position selection mechanism.
US08991773B2
The present invention provides a device for mounting systems, for example an electrical or fluid-conveying line, on a structure, in particular of an aircraft or spacecraft, the device comprising a basic holder which is fastenable to the structure and a system holder for mounting the systems, the system holder being fastenable to a first interface of the basic holder, which system holder is fastenable to a first interface of the basic holder; the basic holder comprising a first part, which comprises the first interface, and a second part, one end of which is attachable to the first part so as to be pivotal about a pivot axis and the other end of which is fastenable to the structure.
US08991772B2
A multimedia assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle are provided. The multimedia assembly includes a multimedia device and an auxiliary device. The multimedia device has a faceplate which is disposed on the outer surface of the instrument panel so as to be exposed to the cabin space of the vehicle. The auxiliary device is disposed beneath the multimedia device and hidden behind the outer surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle.
US08991769B2
An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a plurality of morphing structures. One example method includes coupling a plurality of morphing structures to each other. Each morphing structure includes an anchor, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of shape-memory alloy members wherein each shape-memory alloy member extends from the anchor to a different hinge, a plurality of springs wherein each spring extends from the anchor to a different hinge, and a plurality of rigid members wherein each rigid member extends between two hinges. The method further includes actuating the plurality of shape-memory alloy members in at least some of the morphing structures wherein the shape-memory alloy members contract when actuated to pull against the hinges and anchors within the actuated morphing structures to rotate the rigid members and change the shape of the actuated morphing structure.
US08991766B1
A dozen or more orbiting solar generators stay in constant touch. They can be congregated rapidly in space at any desired secret location. Once congregated they all focus their energy to a death star. This death star is a newly launched ICBM with a microwave or laser collector. A laser generator uses this huge energy to project a non-nuclear death ray to a target. The target could be a city, a ship or a satellite. In the event of an asteroid approaching earth, this system could destroy an asteroid. In peacetime the orbiting solar generators supply electric power to an earth based power grid.
US08991764B2
A space probe including a descent module with a mobile exploration vehicle, wherein the descent module is a landing module inside which the mobile exploration vehicle is fastened, the landing module being provided with landing legs which can be deployed under the lower level of the mobile exploration vehicle.
US08991761B2
An actuating mechanism (1) for a vent door (2) in an aircraft door (3) comprising an electric motor (4) driving the vent door (2) in a closing position towards the aircraft door (3), a control unit (9), controlling said electric motor (4), and a flight lock actuator, driven by the electric motor (4). A return spring biases the vent door (2) to an open position.
US08991759B2
Rear fuselage of an aircraft comprising a tail cone end and a rest of the real fuselage whereby the tail cone end is attached to the rest of the rear fuselage by means of an attachment system comprising two upper lugs, two lower lugs and a detachable balancer fitting. The balancer fitting is an adjustable fitting, being locked in a Z and Y directions of a Cartesian axis and being movable along an X direction of the Cartesian axis providing guidance for the tail cone end and the rest of the rear fuselage.
US08991744B1
A method and apparatus for optimized crossing of natural frequencies of a rotorcraft rotor are disclosed. The method may include flying a rotorcraft comprising an airframe, a rotor, a mast extending to connect the rotor to the airframe, a tilt mechanism, and a computer system. The computer system may identify during the flying, an impending crossing of a natural frequency of the rotor. In preparation for the crossing, the computer system may issue at least one command to the tilt mechanism. In response to the command, the tilt mechanism may reorient the mast with respect to the airframe. That reorientation quickly results in a change to the rotational speed of the rotor, moving it quickly across the natural frequency. The reorientation may also prevent the rotor from experiencing any significantly deleterious flapping loads during the crossing of the natural frequency.
US08991743B1
A helicopter includes a rotor with short blades and tip thrusters. The blades extend from an annular fuel tank that rotates with the blades. Centrifugal force propels fuel from the interior compartment of the annular tank, through conduits extending through the blades from root to tip, to the tip thrusters. Valves (e.g., solenoid valves and/or a flyweight governor) regulate fuel flow to achieve and maintain a determined steady rotational speed. A fuselage covered by a canopy is mounted atop a bearing on the annular fuel tank. The pitch of each blade may be adjusted collectively and cyclically using a swash ring and hydraulic linear actuators.
US08991742B2
A single engine rotary wing aircraft is provided including a fuselage having a longitudinal first axis. A main rotor assembly is mounted to the fuselage for rotation about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. A tailboom is connected to an empennage. The tailboom is mounted to an end of the fuselage such that the tailboom is laterally offset from the first axis in a first direction. The rotary wing aircraft also includes a propulsion system. The single engine of the propulsion system is laterally offset from the first axis in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08991741B2
There is described a convertiplane comprising: a pair of semi-wings; at least two rotors which may rotate about relative first axes and tilt about relative second axes together with first axis with respect to semi-wings between a helicopter mode and an aeroplane mode; first axis being, in use, transversal to a longitudinal direction of convertiplane in helicopter mode, and being, in use, substantially parallel to longitudinal direction in aeroplane mode; convertiplane further comprises at least two through openings within which said rotor may tilt, when said convertiplane moves, in use, between said helicopter and said aeroplane mode.
US08991740B2
A combination rotor and wheel assembly for an unmanned vehicle with ground and aerial mobility has a rotor arm adapted to be attached at an inner end thereof to a vehicle body. A rotor is rotatably connected to an outer end of the rotor arm about a rotor axis, and a rotor drive mounted on the rotor arm rotates the rotor such that the rotor exerts an upward lift force on the rotor arm. An open spoked wheel is rotatably connected about the rotor axis independent of the rotor The diameter of the wheel is greater than that of the rotor, and a bottom edge of the wheel is below the rotor. A wheel drive rotates the wheel. Vehicles can have various numbers and orientations of the rotor and wheel assembly to provide aerial and ground mobility.
US08991739B2
A web winding apparatus comprises a cutter, a web pressing member and a roller which are movable together between two bobbins supported respectively by two rotational center members. The cutter cuts a web being transferred, the web pressing member presses an end portion of the web cut with the cutter on the bobbin being empty, and the roller transfers the web being transferred to come, toward the bobbins. The apparatus further comprises two peripheral covers independently turnable around the rotational center members and respectively covering parts of outer peripheral surfaces of the webs wound on the two bobbins. Each of the peripheral covers respectively having circumferential openings is turnable selectively to a first position to direct the circumferential opening toward the roller and a second position to partition the bobbin side covered thereby and the roller side.
US08991729B2
A valve for a spray gun sprays free-flowing media with the use of compressed air. The valve includes a valve housing arrangement and a valve element, wherein the valve element is disposed at least partially in the valve housing arrangement, there being formed in the valve element a mixing chamber for mixing and discharging at least one spray medium with compressed air. The valve element and the valve housing arrangement are constituted such that the valve element can be moved relative to the valve housing arrangement from a first position into a second position, and that at least one spray medium can be fed to the mixing chamber in the first position and compressed air can be fed to the same via the valve housing arrangement in the second position, wherein the valve element is disposed on the valve housing arrangement so as to be rotatable from the first position into the second position.
US08991710B2
A mobile device is provided having a smart card. The smart card is powered by the mobile device and a maximum power supply value is defined by the mobile device to control the power drawn by the smart card. Provision is made for the smart card to inform the mobile device of the processes supported by the smart card and their classes of current. Provision is also made for the smart card to inform the mobile device whether or not the smart card supports high density memory. The mobile device is operable to use the information provided by the smart card to determine the optimal or best value of electrical current that is to be made available to the smart card.
US08991705B2
A checkout system includes a clerk-operated, bi-optical workstation through which products associated with targets having target data to be electro-optically captured are passed, and a customer-operated, accessory reader having an accessory window and a data capture assembly for capturing additional target data of additional targets associated with transaction-related items. The accessory reader is supported by the workstation for movement relative to the workstation to enable the customer to readily position and aim the accessory window at the additional targets.
US08991701B2
A voting system includes an accessible voting station and a tabulation device. The accessible voting station presents an audio ballot to a voter and receives one or more voting selections entered in response to the audio ballot from the voter. The accessible voting station also prints a ballot that includes the entered voting selections and scans at least a portion of the ballot to determine the voting selections printed thereon. The accessible voting station further presents an audio representation of the scanned voting selections to the voter and receives a confirmation of the audio representation of the scanned voting selections from the voter. The tabulation device tabulates the voting selections printed on the ballot by scanning the printed ballot or receiving voting selection information extracted from the printed ballot from the accessible voting station.
US08991698B2
A method for quick connection with a network device and a controller are provided to connect the controller and the network device through a communication platform. The controller may select at least a login Account ID desired to generate a barcode pattern from the recorded login Account IDs of at least one of the network device for generating the barcode pattern corresponding to the selected at least login Account ID. Another controller may interpret the login Account ID of the network device by the barcode pattern and find out the identification information corresponding to the network device in the communication platform and perform connection.
US08991692B2
Provided are methods and systems for managing various component information during component lifecycles. The information may be collected and made available starting with fabrication of a component and throughout various operations that the component may be a part of. A component may be associated with an identifier, such as a barcode or a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag, containing identifier information. The identifier information may be used to retrieve additional component information, such as fabrication information, assembly information, installation information, maintenance information, spare part number availability, ordering/expedite systems, digital geometry files, drawings, service history, interdependencies, warranty information, available upgrades or alerts, required regulatory actions or notices for presenting on a user interface of the reader. The component information may be available in the on-board memory of the reader and/or retrieved by the reader from a server.
US08991689B2
An image forming apparatus minimizes necessary code area and reserves imaging area of suitable size for forming reduction document images. A code symbol detection unit detects first and second code symbols on first and second sheets, respectively. A code information obtaining unit obtains first and second code information from the detected first and second codes, respectively. A code symbol generation unit generates composite code symbol from the first and second code information, respectively. An area reservation unit reserves a code area in which the composite code symbol of a predetermined size more than the minimum readable size can be arranged in an image formable area of a sheet, and defines an imaging area by removing the code area from the image formable area. An arrangement unit arranges the composite code symbol in the code area, and reduces and arranges multiple images in the imaging area.
US08991686B2
The present invention provides a dispenser tray for eye shield lenses made from a single blank of material. The dispenser tray and blank each include a top panel, a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel.
US08991683B2
A method of forming a pack in a die by superplastic formation and diffusion bonding comprises applying a forming pressure within the pack to expand the pack within the die; and supplying gas between the die and the pack to apply a back pressure around an outside of the pack while the pack is being expanded to counteract the forming pressure to reduce surface mark off.
US08991681B2
A die bonder and a bonding method are disclosed which make it possible to provide high-quality products, particularly even if a die is rotated through predetermined degrees relative to an already-bonded die and then laminated.In the die bonder and bonding method in which a die is picked up from a wafer by a pick-up head which then places the die on an alignment stage, and the die is picked up from the alignment stage by a bonding head which then bond the die onto a substrate or an already-bonded die, a posture of the die is rotated through predetermined degrees on a plane parallel to a plane on which the bonding is performed, before the bonding head picks up the die from the alignment stage.
US08991671B2
A load carrier device for enabling a user to carry a load includes a belt for fastening about a waist of the user and an element of substantial vertical rigidity configured to exert a lifting force on the load when the load is attached to shoulder straps on shoulders of the user. The device further includes an adjustable elastic connection attached to the belt for supporting a lower end of the element of substantial vertical rigidity such that adjusting the adjustable elastic connection changes a distribution of a weight of the load between the shoulders and the waist of the user.
US08991667B2
A combined backpack and tent, optionally including a ground mat for sleeping on. The ground mat connects at its corners to several lightweight spars which once assembled define an arcuate skeletal frame above the ground mat. A tent fabric may then be supported on the skeletal frame. The spars and optional tethers hold the skeletal frame in shape by tension. The spars are knock-down, comprising manually connectable and separable sections which when disassembled fit into the backpack.
US08991657B2
Dispensers are provided including pumps for dispensing a foamed product out of an outlet provided in a dispensing tube. The foam is created from the mixing of a foamable liquid and air, with separate pumps being provided for each component. The dispensing tube is stationary, although the pumps themselves have parts that must move to dispense the foamed product. A single actuator operates both the liquid and air pumps. Additionally, in some embodiments, the air pump advances air before the liquid pump advances liquid. These pumps are particularly suited to the dispensing of a foamed skin care or skin sanitizing product.
US08991656B2
A weighing hopper includes a tubular main body having an upper end opening constituting a loading port and a lower end opening constituting a dispensing port and a gate provided on the main body swingably in such a way that the gate opens/closes the dispensing port, wherein the main body and the gate are formed by bending components after joining the components by diffusion.
US08991651B2
A reconfigurable applicator system for extrusive dispensing of a work material is provided. The system includes a body portion having an actuator coupled thereto. A frame portion coupled to the body portion defines a support structure for at least one cartridge unit containing the work material. A combination trigger handle portion is coupled to the body portion to be adjustable between angularly displaced first and second grip positions relative to the frame portion. The combination trigger handle portion includes at least first and second selectable triggers coupled to the actuator, which responds to each of the first and second triggers to actuate extrusive dispensing of the work material from the cartridge unit. The combination trigger handle portion in the first and second grip positions alternatively configures the system between overhand and underhand configurations.
US08991643B2
A closure for a container comprising: a cap member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a wall portion having an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface comprises threads to mate with a threaded neck finish of a container; and a composite disc member comprising: an outer vent ring portion comprising a plurality of vents wherein the vents provide a path for air to travel from an area near the threads to an area between the bottom surface of the cap member and the composite disc member, wherein the vent ring portion functions to seal liquid in the container thus preventing the liquid from traveling to the threaded neck finish of the container; and an inner flexible diaphragm portion in a first position, wherein the flexible diaphragm portion flexes to compensate for a change in pressure within the container by transitioning downwards in response to a decrease in pressure and/or by transitioning upwards in response to an increase in pressure.
US08991640B2
The present invention is an extending pot that includes a pan, a first pot extension, a last pot extension, and a lid. The pan, first pot extension, and last pot extension each include threading which allows first pot extension to screw onto the pan and the last pot extension to screw onto the first pot extension. The pan includes a plurality of pan latches while the first pot extension and last pot extension each include a plurality of extension latches. The first pot extension and last pot extension each additionally include a plurality of latch catches. The pan latches or extension latches interface with the latch catches to help secure the first pot extension to the pan and the last pot extension to the first pot extension. The extending pan is thus easily assembled and allows users use a single piece of cookware when cooking food using multiple cooking techniques.
US08991635B2
The present invention relates to a container (1) having a hollow shell defining a body with a dispensing aperture, and a bag (4) within the shell (2), the open end of the bag extending through the dispensing aperture and being secured with respect to the outside of the shell. The bag (4) is made from a material suitable for containing the intended contents of the container (1). Therefore the shell (2) may be formed from a material that would not be suitable for containing the intended contents of the container alone. The shell (2) may be formed from a biodegradable material, such as wood or paper pulp. The bag (4) may be separated from the main body of the container to allow for separate disposal. The container (1) may be sealed by providing a spout through which the contents of the container are to be dispensed, and by folding the spout over to create a nip which seals the container.
US08991634B2
A seal ring for sealing a container. A seal ring has a base and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, a radially outer portion, and an inner seal. The radially outer portion has a locking band that is configured to lock beneath an external engagement element of a container so as to secure the seal ring thereto. The inner seal is configured to be biased into sealing engagement with an inner finish surface of the container. The seal ring may be part of a package that also includes a container having a finish that comprises a sealing lip, an external engagement element, and an inner surface, and a foil sealingly and removably coupled to the base of the seal ring.
US08991632B2
A canister includes a container having a body formed to include an interior region and a brim coupled to an upper portion of the body. The canister further includes a closure adapted to be coupled to the brim to close a mouth opening into the interior region.
US08991624B2
The present invention discloses a greeting card highlighter for organizing greeting cards into particularized groupings and displaying the greeting cards on a larger fixture in a manner which attracts the attention of consumers. The greeting card highlighter may contain two or more greeting card pockets which are operative to hold a plurality of greeting cards. The pockets may be arranged in a back-to-back arrangement, perpendicular to the main greeting card display to which the highlighter is attached, so as to attract the attention of consumers walking up or down a greeting card aisle.
US08991619B2
A filter assembly, a filter cartridge and method of filter fluid are provided. The filter assembly includes a filter base, a filter housing and a filter cartridge within the housing. The filter cartridge strips water from the dirty fluid flowing through the assembly. The filter cartridge defines a pair of fluid flow paths extending through a central cavity thereof. The fluid flow paths carry and keep separated a flow of cleaned fluid after it passes through filter media of the cartridge as well as the water that has been stripped from the dirty fluid flow.
US08991618B2
An apparatus for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge cases is provided. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin.
US08991616B2
A disc screen includes a shaft, a first disc mounted on the shaft, and a second disc mounted on the shaft. An interfacial opening (IFO) extends between the first disc and the second disc. A width of the IFO as measured between the first disc and the second disc varies according to a rotational position of the shaft.
US08991614B2
An ultrasonic microfluidic system includes a separation channel for conveying a sample fluid containing small particles and large particles, flowing substantially parallel, adjacent to a recovery fluid, with which it is in contact. An acoustic transducer produces an ultrasound standing wave, that generates a pressure field having at least one node of minimum, pressure amplitude. An acoustic extension structure is located proximate to said separation channel for positioning said acoustic node off center in said acoustic area and concentrating the large particles in said recovery fluid stream.
US08991608B2
A lid for a pharmaceutical bottle that is configured to facilitate the withdrawal of goods present in the pharmaceutical bottle in the form of pieces, the lid including at least an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer, which may be a multilayer structure, is firmly sealed with and along the peripheral, circular edge of the pharmaceutical bottle and has a peripheral weakened line off-set from the center of the circle, where the peripheral weakened line of the opening has a concave section in the portion thereof that is next to the sealing edge. The outer layer, which may be a multilayer structure, is connected to the inner layer and can be peeled off such that the portion of the inner layer lying inside the peripheral weakened line remains on the outer layer, thereby forming an opening in the inner layer.
US08991607B2
The invention relates to a system for opening a medical blister package which is easy and convenient to open for people of all level of ability and dexterity. Its design allows for selective access to the blisters by following a predetermined opening sequence, therefore minimizing involuntary wrong up taking of medicine due to patient errors as wrong sequential opening is not achievable by involuntary mistakes.
US08991601B2
The present invention provides a plate-shaped member holding system, which stably holds a plate-shaped member without damage during transportation.The plate-shaped member holding system includes a holder for holding a glass sheet as a plate-shaped member and a fixing member engageable with the holder. The holder includes a pair of retainers for clamping the plate-shaped member from both sides of a front side and a rear side thereof, a pair of supports for supporting the retainers, and a coupler for coupling the paired supports. When the holder is engaged with an engagement recess formed in the fixing member with the plate-shaped member being disposed between the paired supports, the holder utilizes the weight of the plate-shaped member to generate pressing forces in directions to bring the paired retainers much closer to each other so as to firmly clamp and stably holds the plate-shaped member by the paired retainers.
US08991597B2
A garment bag for a collared shirt, the bag comprising a receptacle (52) arranged to receive a first portion of a shirt including the collar (26) and cover (40) arranged to receive the remainder of the said shirt and be rolled up around the receptacle, the receptacle being of greater rigidity than the cover. A method of folding a shirt having a back portion, two front portions, two sleeves and a collar is also disclosed, the method comprising the steps of folding the shirt centrally of the back and between the back and both front portions so that the back lies folded between the front portions, positioning one sleeve along each front portion, protecting the collar and rolling the remainder of the shirt around the protected collar. Preferably the shirt folding method and garment bag are used together.
US08991575B2
Luggage includes an upper panel portion which has a receptacle. The receptacle enables a user to insert a portion of a tablet computer into the receptacle and the receptacle retains the tablet computer at a convenient angle for operation.
US08991572B2
A leak-proof damper with a self-diagnostic feature. An auxiliary oil reservoir body is disposed externally with respect to the damper cylinder and generally adjacent the rod seal, wherein the auxiliary oil reservoir body is concealed by an end cap. The maximum volume of oil retainable by the auxiliary oil reservoir body is predetermined to coincide with a volume of oil which may be lost from the interior of the damper cylinder and yet the damper will still function properly. The auxiliary oil reservoir body may be a seal body having an internal cavity providing an oil retention volume or an absorbent body having an absorbency capacity that provides an oil retention volume.
US08991571B2
In a hydraulic shock absorber, a damping force generating device provided between a piston side oil chamber of a cylinder and a rod side oil chamber is provided with a through-hole which communicates the piston side oil chamber of the cylinder with the rod side oil chamber of the cylinder via an outer flow path of the cylinder. A leading end portion of a piston rod is provided with a needle which can come in and out of the through-hole of the damping force generating device, and an opening degree of the through-hole can be varied by the needle according to a forward and backward position of the piston rod with respect to the oil chamber of the cylinder.
US08991569B1
Designs and methods are provided for a hydraulic strut and control system suitable for energy attenuation applications such as vehicle seating system. In one exemplary embodiment the hydraulic strut includes a main cylinder having a first closed end, a second end with an opening. A main piston slidably disposed in the main cylinder divides it into a first fluid chamber between the main piston and the first end of the main cylinder, and a second fluid chamber between the main piston and the second end of the main cylinder. At least one fixed orifice through the piston provides fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers. An integral flow control valve is adapted to vary the flow area of the at least one orifice through the piston. The flow control valve is operatively connected to a high speed actuator responsive to an electrical control signal.
US08991564B2
A disk brake includes a caliper body having a cylinder portion (25) with a cylindrical shape. The cylinder portion (25) has a bore (30) with a bottom (34) formed by integrally joining together an opening peripheral edge (98) at the bottom side of the cylinder portion (25) and a bottom cover member (92) to be fitted to the opening peripheral edge (98) through friction stir welding. The bottom cover member (92) has a disk shape and is friction-stir-welded along the outer periphery thereof. The terminating point of the friction stir welding is within the boundaries of the bottom cover member (92).
US08991563B2
A disk brake and a method of making the disk brake capable of improving the efficiency of manufacturing a caliper. A bottom portion (41) of a bore (40) is formed by integrally welding an opening surrounding portion at the bottom portion side of a cylinder portion (35) and a bottom cover member (92) fitted to the opening surrounding portion by friction stir welding. The bottom cover member is formed into a disk shape, and provided with a protrusion (68) at one surface side facing the interior of the bore. An inflow hole (58), for a supply of a fluid pressure into the bore, is formed within the range of the protrusion to establish communication between an interior surface (71) of the protrusion and an outer surface (63) of the bore.
US08991560B2
The object is achieved, according to the invention, in that the traction device (208) is equipped as a pulley block (209) with two or more, in particular with four, deflecting pulleys (206, 212, 214, 219), the axes of which are arranged one below the other on an approximately vertically running plane, at least one deflecting pulley (206) being mounted in the elevator well or on the well carcass (102) above the elevator installation (103), a further deflecting pulley (219) being mounted below the elevator installation (103) in the elevator well or on the well carcass (102), and one or more, in particular two, deflecting pulleys (212, 214) being mounted on a side element (202) of the load suspension means, in particular the travel platform (200).
US08991557B2
A gear train lubricating device configured to supply lubricating oil OL to a gear included in a gear train is provided. The gear train lubricating device includes: a shroud covering, among components constituting the gear, at least teeth of the gear; and a lubricating oil supply port through which the lubricating oil OL is supplied to a meshing position of the gear. The shroud has an outlet port formed therein, through which the supplied lubricating oil OL is discharged. The outlet port is formed in a portion of the shroud that is positioned radially outward from the gear, such that the outlet port is disposed at an angular position that is 90°±15° forward from the meshing position in a rotation direction R1 of the gear.
US08991531B2
A hybrid drive module includes an electric machine with a stator arrangement and with a rotor arrangement which is coupled to a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises an input region and an output region. A first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
US08991525B2
An earth-boring tool having at least one cutting element with a multi-friction cutting face provides for the steering of formation cuttings as the cuttings slide across the cutting face. The multi-friction cutting element includes a diamond table bonded to a substrate of superabrasive material. The diamond table has a cutting face formed thereon with a cutting edge extending along a periphery of the cutting face. The cutting face has a first area having an average surface finish roughness less than an average surface finish roughness of a second area of the cutting face, the two areas separated by a boundary having a proximal end proximate a tool crown and a distal end remote from the tool crown.
US08991524B2
Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and the integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.
US08991522B2
A method for forming lateral boreholes from an existing parent wellbore is provided. The wellbore has been completed with a string of production casing. The method generally comprises providing a downhole tool assembly having a whipstock. The method also includes running the assembly down into the parent wellbore. A force is applied to the assembly to cause the whipstock to rotate within the wellbore into an operating position. In this position, a curved face of the whipstock forms a bend-radius substantially across the inner diameter of the casing. A jetting hose is run into the wellbore. Upon contact with the curved face of the whipstock, the jetting hose is re-directed through a window in the production casing. Hydraulic fluid is injected under pressure through the hose to provide hydraulic jetting. The hose is directed through the window and into the formation to create a lateral borehole extending many feet outwardly into a subsurface formation. A downhole tool assembly for forming lateral boreholes from a parent wellbore is also provided herein. The assembly utilizes substantially the entire inner diameter of the casing as the bend radius for a hydraulic jetting hose.
US08991518B2
A portable power wrench is controlled by an operation control unit and comprises a housing (10;50) with a rotation motor, a gear casing (15;55) including a gearing (18;56,57) and a drive spindle (19;60} and being releasably and/or rotatably connected to the housing via a swivel or multi-position connection, an operation parameter sensing device (22,23;68) is associated with the drive spindle (19,60). The sensing device (22,23;68) communicates with the operation control unit via a first signal transferring device (28;82) which is disposed between the drive spindle (19;60) and the gear casing (15;55), and a second signal transferring device (31;84) is disposed between the gear casing (15;55) and the housing (10;50), wherein the second signal transferring device (31;84) communicates with the operation control unit. At least the first signal transferring device (28;82) between the drive spindle (19;60) and the gear casing (15;55) comprises a contact free transfer device.
US08991504B2
A wellbore pump includes a pump housing suspendible in a wellbore at ends of at least one of a power fluid line and a fluid discharge line. The pump housing includes a fluid inlet proximate a bottom end thereof and wherein the fluid discharge line is coupled proximate a top end thereof. The pump include valves for directing flow of wellbore fluid out of the housing when power fluid displaces fluid in the housing, the valves for directing flow of wellbore fluid into the housing when power fluid pressure is relieved.
US08991502B2
A sampling assembly for taking single or multiphase production fluid samples from a subsea well. The sampling assembly includes a receiving structure that houses a saver sub and a retrievable skid. The sampling assembly allows for repeated retrieval of collected samples and replenishment of empty sample chambers using the retrievable skid. A releasable connection interface between the retrievable skid and the saver sub allows an ROV to connect the retrievable skid to the saver sub and provide electrical and hydraulic power to the sampling assembly for taking samples.
US08991498B2
A method of transferring heat to or from a downhole element comprising contacting a downhole fluid comprising a fluid medium, and a nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being uniformly dispersed in the downhole fluid, to a downhole element inserted in a downhole environment. A method of cooling a downhole element, and a method of drilling a borehole are also disclosed.
US08991496B2
A firing head actuator for a well perforating system. The firing head actuator includes a housing assembly with a first impact piston initially secured thereto and slidably disposed therein. An electronic time delay assembly, a trigger assembly and an initiator are also disposed within the housing assembly. A second impact piston is initially secured within and slidably disposed within the housing assembly. In operation, a pressure signal of a predetermined threshold actuates the first impact piston, the first impact piston mechanically actuates the electronic time delay assembly, after a predetermined time period, the electronic time delay assembly electrically actuates the trigger assembly, the trigger assembly mechanically releases the second impact piston and pressure shifts the second impact piston into contact with the initiator.
US08991493B2
Multi-stage methods for the enhanced recovery of high viscosity oil deposits from low temperature, shallow subterranean formations. The methods may include the steps of heating potentially extractable hydrocarbons, such as high viscosity oil, by injecting a sufficient amount of a heating fluid having a temperature and viscosity sufficiently high to minimize channeling and to permit penetration into regions of the reservoir containing the potentially extractable hydrocarbons. Thereafter, there is injected an extraction fluid that forms a mobile emulsion with the oil, without need for a co-solvent. The extraction fluid may include either a surfactant-polymer formulation or an alkaline-surfactant-polymer formulation. This is followed by injecting a polymer drive medium into the reservoir to displace and drive hydrocarbons and fluids comprising oil to a production well. An aqueous driving medium is then injected into the reservoir to also drive hydrocarbons and fluids comprising oil to a production well.
US08991492B2
A method and apparatus for testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within the wellbore. The method and apparatus enables isolation and testing of individual zones without the need to pull production tubing. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08991487B2
A centralizer system comprising a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the centralizer comprises, a first body portion, a second body portion, and a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and a plurality of limit collars coupled to the wellbore tubular between the first body portion and the second body portion, where at least one of the plurality of limit collars is configured to engage the first body portion or the second body portion and pull the centralizer in the direction of travel within the wellbore.
US08991480B2
Disclosed is a heat exchanger comprising a boiling passage and cooling passage defined by opposite sides of metal walls. Layers of brazing material between the metal walls and a spacer member bond components of the heat exchanger together. It has been found that good quality brazed joints can be made by modifying the brazing thermal cycle to first employing a temperature of about 500° C. for an extended period of time and then elevating the temperature to about 590° to 600° C.
US08991476B2
An objective of the present invention is to store heat into a thermal storing material using a plurality of thermal transport mediums, in a thermal storage device utilizing natural convection of a thermal storage material resulting from temperature difference of the thermal storage material.The thermal storage device of the invention has a plurality of thermal transport mediums 6a and 6b having different temperatures, a thermal storage material 2 which stores heat of the thermal transport mediums 6a and 6b or whose heat is drawn by the thermal transport mediums 6a and 6b, a thermal storage portion 1 accommodating the thermal storage material 2, and a first and a second thermal storage tanks 3 and 4 formed by dividing an inner space of the thermal storage portion 1, and a thermal exchange between the thermal transport medium 6a or 6b and the thermal storage material 2 takes place in the individual thermal storage tanks. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the thermal storage device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: inner tanks 5a and 5b, which is formed in at least one of the first and the second thermal storage tanks 3 and 4, and in which a side thereof opposite to a boundary between the thermal storage tanks 3 and 4 is open; and a thermal exchange portion 8a and 8b formed inside of the inner tanks 5a and 5b, at which thermal exchange takes place between the thermal transport medium 6a or 6b and the thermal storage material 2.
US08991474B2
Various embodiments provide systems and methods for casting amorphous alloys. Exemplary casting system may include an insertable and rotatable vessel configured in a non-movable induction heating structure for melting amorphous alloys to form molten materials in the vessel. While the molten materials remain heated, the vessel may be rotated to pour the molten materials into a casting device for casting them into articles.
US08991460B2
The present invention relates to the description of machine-assisted production assemblies and to the optimization thereof, said assemblies having, built therein, a patented device for folding into deep coated folds, thus making it possible to create paper packaging for fast food, said assemblies all comprising a folded element from a folded paper strip 31. Said machines are modular and all comprise, upstream, an assembly of modules 5, 6, and 7 that supply a folded paper strip 31 that is then converted in a specific finishing module 8 for making, from said lidded paper strip, a packaging for a sandwich or loose product such as fries or chicken pieces.
US08991447B1
A fueling system including a ship or air deployable automated fueling station and one or more sea surface water vessels. The fueling station including a ballast arrangement to maintain an optimal freeboard for fueling the one or more water vessels, the fueling station and the one or more water vessels including a communication arrangement for communications between the fueling station and the one or more water vessels. The fueling station including a plurality of nozzles for simultaneously fueling a plurality of water vessels.
US08991441B2
A plastic, hot-fillable container which has one or more moveable portions each comprised of intersecting perpendicular recesses. Each of the one or more moveable portions is constructed to move outwardly temporarily without permanently deforming responsive to hot-filling the container with a product. The one or more moveable portions also can be constructed to move inwardly to reduce a portion of an internal vacuum within the filled and capped container.
US08991440B2
An industrial two-layer fabric has an inner space between an upper side fabric and a lower side fabric. Some or all of upper side wefts or lower side wefts are secondary wefts interwoven with upper side warps or lower side warps so as to make the number of warps passing on an upper surface of the upper side fabric or passing on a lower surface of the lower side fabric larger than that on an inner space side of the upper or lower side fabric and a long crimp in the inner space is formed by the secondary weft.
US08991437B2
A thermally insulating protection element for piping, including a hollow body with an open concavity and having a wall. The wall includes at least one rigid positioning and/or support platform designed to accommodate the fastening of technical equipment to be associated with the protection element. The element is designed to not only insulate piping, but also to constitute a direct device for supporting and fastening technical equipment such as a sensing line.
US08991435B2
A closing device, particularly for closing channels conducting pressure medium in a valve receiving body, has a rotationally symmetrical closing element (6) that is fastened in a seating bore (1) of a housing (14), having a calking site (2) that is provided on the circumference of the closing element (6) and that permanently fixes the closing element (6) in the housing (14) as a result of the plastic displacement of housing material. The seating bore (1) includes a transition area in the form of a bore step (4) between the calking site (2) and a centering cone surface (3). The bore step is recessed into the seating bore (1) by the plastic displacement of the housing material in the form of a bulge surrounding the closing element (6).
US08991429B2
A pilot valve assembly comprised of a pilot valve proper employing a spool to be displaced in a valve casing to bring a hydraulic pressure port and an output port into and out of communication with each other, an operation means having an operating lever with a cam member attached thereto, a pivoting shaft erected on an end plate of the pilot valve proper and connected with the manual operating lever through a universal joint, and a boot of a resilient material hermetically connected between the operation means and the end plate in such a way as to completely enshroud said universal joint, cam member and pusher, the end plate being detachably fixed to the mount member, and the boot having one end thereof connected to the operation means and having the other end hermetically gripped between the end plate and the mount member.
US08991428B2
In a preferred embodiment, the present solenoid control valve is provided which has a valve sleeve having upper and lower feedback chambers which are connected to control pressure by an exterior surface longitudinal slot or slots.
US08991427B2
A high pressure three-way control valve comprises a valve body defining first, second, and third ports disposed in selective fluid communication with each other via a control element. The control element is movable between a first seated position and a second seated position to selectively control the direction of fluid between the first and second port, or alternatively, between the first and third port. So configured, the control valve serves a function that conventionally requires two valves plumbed together.
US08991423B2
Fuel interface modules that can be used in automotive vehicle fuel systems can include a body that defines a fuel channel and a plurality of ports through which fluid communication with the fuel channel can be established. Some modules include a check valve, a shutoff valve, and a coalescing filter assembly that are each coupled with a separate port. The fuel modules can be quickly installed and can eliminate many of the installing materials typically associated with automotive vehicle fuel systems.
US08991413B2
A tensioning apparatus for a fabric covered canopy is disclosed. The tensioning apparatus is supported on a vertical post and is connected to a roof support beam. A hook is mounted to the tensioning apparatus and may be reciprocally moved along the longitudinal axis of the tensioning apparatus for adjustment of the tension of the fabric top of canopy.
US08991410B2
A chair shade including a cover sheet, frame having a first end and a second end, a sliding unit simultaneously affixed to the cover sheet and slideably affixed to the frame such that the sliding unit moves along the length of the frame when a force is applied and maintains its position on the frame when no force is applied and a securing unit that secures the first end and second end of the frame to corresponding opposite sides of a chair.
US08991404B2
A process and apparatus for shredding tobacco sheets, especially tobacco sheets formed of reconstituted tobacco particles with guar and sugar comprises rotating opposing sets of cutter discs in a partially overlapping relation so as to establish a nip. The cutter discs have notches at spaced locations along a peripheral portion of the cutter discs. Adjacent pairs of cutter discs are spaced apart by a spacer disc with a stripper plate interposed between adjacent pairs of spaced apart cutter discs. A tobacco sheet which is fed into the nip of the sets of cutter discs is shredded by the discs.
US08991397B2
In some embodiments, an airway assembly may be used in a procedure that requires tracheal intubation. The airway assembly may include a first conduit, a sleeve, and a stent. The first conduit and the sleeve may be relatively flexible, facilitating insertion of the airway assembly in a body lumen (e.g., an air passage way). The first conduit may function to deliver gases (e.g., air) to the body lumen and consequently the patient. The first conduit may be positioned in the sleeve during use. The sleeve may be removably coupled to the first conduit. In certain embodiments, a sleeve may function to inhibit a stent from expanding until desired. In some embodiments, an elongated member may be positionable in the first conduit. The elongated member may be configurable to substantially retain a new shape upon deformation. The stent may be coupled towards the distal end of the first conduit. The stent may function to inhibit the body lumen from collapsing. In certain embodiments, a stent may function to inhibit the body lumen from collapsing without exerting unnecessary outward pressures on the inner surface of the body lumen.
US08991396B2
An endotracheal tube apparatus with two ports. The first port extends from a patient's mouth in a direction substantially in line with the patients oral cavity. The second port extends from a patient's mouth in a second direction. An endotracheal tube adapted to be inserted in a patient's trachea through the patient's mouth, is in fluid communication with the first port and the second port. The second port of the endotracheal tube apparatus may be adapted to be secured to a patient's mandible. The endotracheal tube apparatus may have at least two locations for securing the apparatus to a patient.
US08991385B2
Embodiments provide a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes: a cabinet; a burner assembly provided within the cabinet, for combusting a gas mixture of air and gas; a nozzle assembly for supplying gas to the burner assembly; an exhaust passage in which combusted gas generated during combusting of the gas mixture flows; an intake passage in which air for mixing with the gas flows; and a top plate provided above the burner assembly, wherein combusted gas in the exhaust passage is exhausted to an outside through natural convection, and air outside the cabinet is drawn into the intake passage through natural convection.
US08991380B2
A grip guard may be used with a crossbow that has a main beam including a stock and a barrel. The grip guard may have a first wall that is positioned between the stock and the barrel and a second wall that extends outwardly from the main beam. The first wall may have dampening properties to attenuate sounds and vibrations caused by firing the crossbow and the second wall may prevent a user's fingers from inadvertently extending from the handle toward the barrel.
US08991375B2
In at least one embodiment, a crossbow comprises a stock, a first limb, a first rotatable member, a second limb and a second rotatable member. A bowstring, a first cable and a second cable each extend between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. The crossbow defines a shooting axis. The first cable is offset from the shooting axis in a first direction and the second cable is offset from the shooting axis in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08991365B2
An upstream side and a downstream side of a supercharger in the intake passage are connected through a bypass passage in which an ejector is provided. An outlet of a first blowby gas returning passage is connected to the bypass passage through the ejector. An outlet of a second blowby gas bypass passage is connected to the intake passage downstream of a throttle valve. An inlet of the first blowby gas returning passage and an inlet of the second blowby gas returning passage are placed adjacent to each other in a head cover. A check valve is provided in the first blowby gas returning passage.
US08991347B2
A starting device of a spark-ignition multi-cylinder engine is provided. The device includes a multi-cylinder engine body having cylinders, fuel injection valves, ignition plugs, an intake valve drive mechanism for opening and closing intake valves, a hydraulic variable valve phase mechanism for changing a close timing of each intake valve, an engine-driven hydraulic pressure supply source for supplying a hydraulic pressure, and a start controller for controlling the fuel injection valves, the ignition plugs, and the variable valve phase mechanism. When the supplied hydraulic pressure is below a predetermined pressure, the variable valve phase mechanism locks the close timing. When an engine temperature in an engine-start is high, the start controller retards a fuel injection timing of the cylinder on intake stroke at an engine stopped timing and retards an ignition timing thereof. The start controller does not retard the close timing of the intake valve until the engine-start completes.
US08991340B2
An electrically-coupled thermal cycle is used to create an electrically-powered heat pump. Energy stored in electrical circuitry is cycled in and out of a working cylinder via windings so that the piston head performs a heat pump cycle. Such a heat pump may be used to extract heat energy from ambient air, and to deliver that heat to an external heat sink by way of the cylinder head.
US08991335B2
A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.
US08991334B2
An arrangement in a rotary milking system includes a rotating platform, an entry thereto and an exit therefrom. A selection gate arrangement at the exit of the rotating platform selectively guides animals, which have been milked in the rotary milking system and leave the rotating platform through the exit, back to the entry of the rotating platform or to a waiting area. A control device is provided for (i) determining whether an animal, which has been milked and leaves the rotating platform through the exit, has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked, and (ii) controlling the selection gate arrangement to guide the animal back to the entry of the rotating platform or to the waiting area provided that the animal has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked.
US08991333B2
A substrate processing method includes a first step of subjecting a target substrate to a gas process within an atmosphere containing a fluorine-containing process gas, thereby forming a fluorine-containing reaction product on a surface of the target substrate. The method further includes a second step of subjecting the target substrate treated by the gas process to a heating process and a gas process within an atmosphere containing a reactive gas that reacts with fluorine.
US08991332B2
Systems and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated.
US08991331B2
A method for providing steerability in a plasma processing environment during substrate processing is provided. The method includes managing, power distribution by controlling power being delivered into the plasma processing environment through an array of electrical elements. The method also includes directing gas flow during substrate processing by controlling the amount of gas flowing through an array of gas injectors into the plasma processing environment, wherein individual ones of the array of gas injectors are interspersed between the array of electrical elements. The method further includes controlling gas exhausting during substrate processing by managing amount of gas exhaust being removed by an array of pumps, wherein the array of electrical elements, the array of gas injectors, and the array of pumps are arranged to create a plurality of plasma regions, each plasma region being substantially similar, thereby creating a uniform plasma region across the substrate.
US08991321B2
The invention relates to a polyethylene composition comprising a mixture of flame retardants which are bromine-containing polymers. The polyethylene composition is useful in the manufacture of pallets. A process for making the polyethylene composition through a masterbatch route is also disclosed.
US08991319B2
A portable workstation includes a top panel having a distal edge and a lower surface. Also included are a bottom panel having a proximal edge and an upper surface, and a middle panel connected by a hinge to the distal edge and to the proximal edge. The middle panel and the bottom panel are spanned by a first folding support. The middle panel and the top panel are spanned by a second folding support, so that the first folding support and the second folding support hold the top panel, the bottom panel, and the middle panel in a predetermined, expanded position.
US08991317B2
A transportation unit for a cable transportation system has a chair with a bench; a safety frame movable between an open position and a closed position and having a front bar; and at least one safety barrier, which is fixed to the front bar, extends predominantly between the front bar and the bench when the safety frame is in the closed position, and has a support with an anchoring portion fixed to the front bar, and a projecting portion, which projects from the anchoring portion, is elastically flexible under stress oriented in given or designated directions, and is substantially rigid under stress oriented in other directions.
US08991316B2
A delay release device that connects to an aerosol filled canister that releases the aerosol in a delayed manner. The device includes a main body with a first plunger assembly mounted on one end. Formed adjacent to the first plunger assembly is a first chamber filled with a compressed gas pressurized from 40 to 150 psi based on the time delay desired. In the main body adjacent to the first chamber is a second chamber and a third chamber. Located inside the third chamber is a second plunger with a hollow stem introduced into a top valve assembly on the canister. To activate, the first plunger assembly is pressed inward which activates a second valve disposed between the first and second chambers. The second valve allows compressed gas to flow slowly from the first chamber into the second chamber and into the third chamber. The increased air pressure in the upper portion of the third chamber exerts a downward force on the second plunger which forces the hollow stem into canister and causes the aerosol gas to be released into a lower discharge chamber and then through holes formed on the main body.
US08991310B2
A system and corresponding methods are disclosed for applying a dampening fluid to a reimageable surface of an imaging member in a variable data lithography system, without a form roller. In one embodiment, the system includes subsystems for converting a dampening fluid from a liquid phase to a dispersed fluid phase, and for directing flow of a dispersed fluid comprising the dampening fluid in dispersed fluid phase to the reimageable surface. The dampening fluid reverts to the liquid phase directly on the reimageable surface. In another embodiment a continuous ribbon of dampening fluid may be applied directly to the reimageable surface. This embodiment includes a body structure having a port for delivering dampening fluid in a continuous fluid ribbon directly to the reimageable surface, and a mechanism, associated with the body structure, for stripping an entrained air layer over the reimageable surface when the reimageable surface is in motion.
US08991309B2
A round baler is provided having a frame, a baling chamber on the frame for forming a round bale, an unloading area provided between the baling chamber and a ground surface and at least one depositing element which is arranged in the unloading area and which extends parallel to the rotational axis of the round bale and serves for supporting the round bale during an unloading operation. To reduce mechanical stress on the round bale caused by the depositing element and as a result to prevent damage to the round bale, a flat section is provided which, compared to the rollers otherwise usually used as depositing element, provides a higher contact surface for the round bale such that the surface pressure during the impact of the round bale can be decisively reduced compared to the use of a roller.
US08991305B2
Milk frothing system (1) including a water conduit (10) that successively interconnects a water reservoir (11); a pump (12); a heater (15), configured to evaporate water; and a mixing node (31). The system further includes an air conduit (20) that successively interconnects an air inlet (21); a first check valve (22); a second check valve (24); and the mixing node. The system also includes a steam/air conduit (30) that successively interconnects the mixing node, and a frothing device (32). The milk frothing system additionally includes an expansion vessel (60), having a water chamber and an air chamber, said water chamber being connected to a point of the water conduit, downstream of the pump and upstream of the heater, and said air chamber being connected to a point of the air conduit, downstream of the first check valve and upstream of the second check valve provided therein.
US08991300B2
The present invention provides a variable displacement swash plate type compressor that reduces wear of cylinder bores and the amount of blow-by gas. Each piston of the compressor has a piston main body, which has a distal portion located at an end corresponding to the compression chamber. A tapering portion and an arcuate portion are formed in the distal portion. The arcuate portion is continuous with an end of the tapering portion that is closer to the compression chamber. The tapering portion and the arcuate portion each have a diameter that increases toward the skirt. The tapering portion has a tapering angle that is in a range from 0.45 degrees to 1.5 degrees. The distance between the distal end of the piston main body and a starting point of the tapering portion on an end closer to the skirt is set in a range from 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm.
US08991289B2
In a method for slicing food products, a cutting blade carries out a primary movement defining a cutting plane and a product to be sliced is supplied to the cutting blade by means of a conveying device to bring the product into engagement with the cutting blade. The cutting blade moved is from time to time at a speed different from the speed of the primary movement while it is in engagement with the product.
US08991278B2
A overload protection mechanism protects a driven load, such as a driven lever. An overload lever is pivotally coupled to a first part of the driven load. The overload lever has a first end that receives an applied force and an opposing second end. A zero length spring mechanism is coupled to a second part of the driven load spaced apart from the first part and to the second end of the overload lever. The zero length spring mechanism urges the second end of the overload lever toward the second part of the driven load with a force that is substantially proportional to the distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load. A stop mechanism is coupled to the zero length spring mechanism to maintain a minimum distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load.
US08991271B2
A portable nanoparticle sampler for collecting respirable particulate matters and nanoparticles is composed of a tangential flow cyclone, a multi-microorifice impactor and a filter cassette. The tangential flow cyclone can remove the microparticles with cutoff aerodynamic diameter (dpa) larger than 4 μm and guide the airflow to the multi-microorifice impactor located below the cyclone. The multi-microorifice impactor includes a multi-orifice nozzle and a rotary impaction plate for enabling the microparticles with dpa from 100 nm to 4 μm to be uniformly collected on a silicone-oil-coated impaction substrate. The remnant microparticles with dpa smaller than 100 nm are collected by the filter cassette. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the portable nanoparticle sampler is characterized by low pressure loss and accurate microparticle sizing to meet the requirement of nanoparticle sampling at workplaces.
US08991266B2
A threaded member capable of detecting tightening force includes a head section, a threaded rod section and at least one strain sensor. The head section has a bottom face, a skirt section and a receiving space. The threaded rod section is disposed under the bottom face of the head section. A sink section is formed on the bottom face of the head section. The strain sensor is disposed on the bottom face of the head section and positioned in the receiving space. Due to the sink section, when the head section is strained and deformed, the strain sensor can sensitively and precisely detect the strain capacity of the head section and provide the tightening force of the threaded member for a user to more precisely tighten the threaded member.
US08991264B2
A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow rate of a process fluid, includes a magnetic coil arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. A pair of electrodes are electronically coupled to the process fluid and arranged to sense a voltage induced in the process fluid related to the applied magnetic field and the flow rate of the process fluid. A molded flow tube of a non-conductive material is arranged to receive a flow of the process fluid. The flow tube is molded around the magnetic coil and the pair of electrodes and is configured to support the magnetic coil and the pair of electrodes. Flow meter circuitry is configured to apply a current to the magnetic coil and receive the resultant voltage sensed by the pair of electrodes.
US08991261B2
An acoustic wave measuring apparatus includes a light source for radiating a light having a wavelength component in wavelength areas, light filters arranged in a light path from the light source to a subject and each to shut off or transmit the light in one of the wavelength areas, a detector for detecting an acoustic wave generated by the radiation, a controller for generating conditions having different combinations of the wavelength components contained in the light, and a signal processor for calculating an optical absorption coefficient of the subject for the light in each wavelength area based on a pressure of the acoustic wave detected under each of the conditions and a strength of the radiated light for each wavelength area under conditions.
US08991260B2
A pseudo rock includes a housing, a strain sensor, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a vibration generator and a controller. The housing has an average shape and size of rocks. The strain sensor detects a stress acting in positive and negative directions of each axis with respect to three-dimensional coordinates using the center of the housing as the origin. The three-axis acceleration sensor detects acceleration acting in each axis of the three-dimensional coordinates. The vibration generator produces vibration in a specific direction with respect to the three-dimensional coordinates. The controller converts respective detected values of the strain sensor and the three-axis acceleration sensor into vibration pulses of specific patterns and outputting the vibration pulses to the vibration generator.
US08991257B2
An ultrasound probe system includes a main body portion, an ultrasound observation portion transmitting ultrasound in a side surface direction of the main body portion and receiving a reflected wave, a distal-end portion provided such that a proximal-end face, on a proximal-end side is adjacent to a distal-end in an axial direction of the main body portion, a sheath portion housing the main body portion inside to be capable of advancing and retracting in the axial direction, a distal-end face arranged at a distal-end of the sheath portion and facing the proximal-end face, a specimen collecting portion provided on the proximal-end face and/or the distal-end face, the specimen collecting portion being formed at an acute angle to separate a specimen from a subject, and an edge portion arranged on the proximal-end face or the distal-end face to cross the entire circumference of the specimen collecting portion to cut the specimen.
US08991254B2
The invention relates to a clamp (10) which is used mainly in a vibroacoustic diagnosis tool during an automobile maintenance or after-sales assistance opération, including two hinged arms (11, 12), each comprising a jaw (13, 14) at one end and a handle (15, 16) at the other end. A pad (20) is mounted on each jaw (13, 14) via a ball-and-socket joint (21), such that the pad (20) ensures effective contact between the clamp (10) and the part being tested, and séparâtes the body of the clamp from the listening part. The invention is useful in the field of motor vehicles. The invention is also useful in the vibroacoustic diagnosis of motor vehicles or motor vehicle subunits.
US08991251B1
A motion sensing transducer includes an electrically conductive substrate having a major surface that defines a substrate plane, and a first compliant structure including a piezoelectric material and having greater compliance to inertial forces oriented out of the substrate plane than to inertial forces oriented in the substrate plane. The first compliant structure includes a piezoelectric material. The motion sensing transducer includes a second compliant structure having greater compliance to inertial forces oriented in the substrate plane than to inertial forces oriented out of the substrate plane. The second compliant structure includes a first surface that is electrically isolated from the substrate. The first surface faces a surface of the substrate. The motion sensing transducer includes a first electrically conductive lead that is electrically connected to the first surface, and a second electrically conductive lead that is electrically connected to the piezoelectric material.
US08991248B2
An angular velocity sensor includes a support body, a retaining portion connected to the support body, first to fourth weights, first to fourth arms, a drive unit for driving the first to fourth arms, and a monitor unit for detecting displacements of the first to fourth arms. An X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other are defined. The detector unit is symmetrical with respect to both an axis parallel to the X-axis and an axis parallel to the Y-axis. This angular velocity sensor can cancel an undesired signal caused by external disturbances, such as acceleration or impact, thus detecting an angular velocity accurately.
US08991245B2
An apparatus comprising a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises: a probe assembly configured to seal a region of a wall of the borehole; a perforator configured to penetrate a portion of the sealed region of the borehole wall by projecting through the probe assembly; a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and a pump configured to inject the fluid from the fluid chamber into the formation through the perforator.
US08991235B2
The invention includes methods for testing membranes and membrane-based systems by introducing particles into a feed liquid passing across the surface of a membrane wherein the particles have a size larger than the nominal cut-off of the membrane, and measuring the presence of the particles within a permeate solution which passes through the membrane. In one embodiment, the particles are selected from those which dissolve within the permeate solution after being measured. In another embodiment, the particles are selected from inorganic salts. Many additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08991234B2
The present disclosure relates to a valproic acid biosensor. In some embodiments, the valproic acid biosensor may comprise a microcantilever, a self-assembly monolayer, and a valproic acid antibody layer. The self-assembly monolayer may immobilize on the microcantilever surface. The valproic acid antibody layer may immobilize on the self-assembly monolayer. The valproic acid antibody layer may be used to bind with valproic acid drug samples. The present disclosure further relates to methods for measuring the concentration of valproic acid drug samples.
US08991229B1
A tube bender is provided. The rotatable member is pivoted to a pivot portion of a base and defines an inner space, and the rotatable member has a gear portion, a first arched groove and a holding portion. The gear portion archedly extends around the pivot portion. The first arched groove archedly extends around the pivot portion on an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable member, and the holding portion has a holding recess. The abutting assembly includes an abutting chunk assembled to the base and an arm member connected with the abutting chunk. A gear assembly includes a driving portion pivoted to the arm member and a gear connected and synchronously-movable with the driving portion. The gear engaged with the gear portion in the inner space.
US08991227B2
The invention relates to a handle device (1) for a lock unit of a vehicle, comprising a handle part (10) which is movably mounted relative to a door (11) of the vehicle and which can be displaced between a rest position and an operating position, the handle part (10) being flush with the exterior of the door (11) in the rest position and projecting from the exterior of the door (11) in the operating position. The handle part (10) can be manually actuated to open the door (11) when in the operating position. An actuating unit (12) is used to transfer the handle part (10) at least from the rest position to the operating position. According to the invention, the handle device further comprises a lock cylinder (14) which is arranged in the handle device (1) such that the actuating unit (12) covers the lock cylinder (14) towards the exterior of the door (11) and at least partially releases the lock cylinder (14) when manually actuated.
US08991226B2
A storm grate locking device and method of use with a lock body. The lock body has at least one hook arm engaged with a latch assembly, a security flange nut engaged with the latch assembly, and a deep well socket. When the lock body is placed into the recessed area of a storm grate; and the hook arm engaged with the latch assembly may be extended to extend under the storm grate thereby preventing removal of the storm grate by rotating the security flange nut.
US08991223B2
A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
US08991212B2
A method for manufacturing a plate inorganic nonmetal material by using a molten slag by introducing the molten slag into a pool for preserving heat and modifying, wherein a temperature of the molten slag is 1450° C.-1600° C., and modifying a viscosity and/or a color of the molten slag according to requirements of the product manufactured. The modified molten slag is introduced into a float process furnace using tin or tin alloy carrier forming a plate of inorganic nonmetal material which is discharged at 1000-1300° C. The plate is maintained at 600° C.-900° C. for 0.5-2 hours in a non-reducing atmosphere, and then cooled to a room temperature within 1-2 hours. An energy-saving and efficient method for comprehensively utilizing the blast furnace slag is provided. The produced plate inorganic nonmetal material has such characteristics as stable color quality, abrasion resistance, pressure resistance, strong adhesiveness, low coefficient of expansion and low shrinkage ratio.
US08991207B2
To provide a refrigerating cycle apparatus capable of improving cooling ability by water spray to perform an efficient operation while suppressing decrease in collected power by an expander. The refrigerating cycle apparatus includes: a first compressor that compresses the refrigerant; an expander that decompresses and expands the refrigerant to collect power for expansion; a second compressor that is driven by the power collected by the expander to further compresses the refrigerant compressed by the first compressor to transmit it to a main radiator; a heat exchanger having an intercooler that cools the refrigerant compressed by the first compressor and a main radiator that cools the refrigerant compressed by the second heat exchanger to transmit it to the expander; indoor heat exchangers that heat the refrigerant decompressed by the expander; and a water spray apparatus that sprays water onto the outer surface of the intercooler and the main radiator. The water spray apparatus sprays water such that the water spray amount per heat transfer area of the intercooler becomes larger than that of the main radiator.
US08991203B2
It is an object to provide an electrostatic atomizing apparatus which is simply structured, is easy to assemble, is low in cost, has clogging resistance against foreign matter, can be used for a long time, and is highly reliable, or a home electrical appliance such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. including the electrostatic atomizing apparatus. A discharge electrode formed of foam metal, whereto water that attaches to a surface is supplied by capillary action, a counter electrode provided so as to be opposed to the discharge electrode, and a water supply that is provided directly above the discharge electrode via a predetermined clearance, supplying water to the discharge electrode or the electrode holding part, are included.
US08991194B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
US08991189B2
A gas turbine engine augmentor includes at least one fluid based augmentor initiator defining a chamber in flow communication with a source of air and a source of fuel. The chamber includes a plurality of ejection openings in flow communication with an exhaust flowpath. The at least one fluid based augmentor initiator is devoid of any exhaust flowpath protrusions thereby minimizing any pressure drops and loss of thrust during dry work phase of operation. The source of fuel is operable for injecting fuel into the chamber such that at least a portion of the fuel flow is ignited at the plurality of ejection openings to produce a plurality of fuel-rich hot jets radially into the exhaust flowpath.
US08991186B2
A fuel control system comprises a metering valve operable to control the flow of fuel between a supply line and a delivery line, a spill valve operable to control fuel flow within the supply line, a pressure raising valve connected to the delivery line, and a control servo valve movable between a thrust control mode in which it modifies the control of the spill valve to reduce the fuel flow delivered via the metering valve and an outlet of the pressure raising valve, and a windmill relight position in which it modifies the control of the pressure raising valve to allow fuel delivery through the outlet of the pressure raising valve at a reduced system pressure.
US08991183B2
A thermal energy storage and recovery device is disclosed which includes a heat exchanger arrangement configured for guiding a flow of a heat transfer medium between a first end and a second end, and a heat storage material surrounding the heat exchanger arrangement so that a thermal interaction region is formed for thermally coupling the heat transfer medium with the heat storage material. The heat exchanger arrangement is sealed against the heat storage material so that, when in a first operational mode, in which the heat storage material is supposed to receive thermal energy from the heat transfer medium, a compressed gas is usable as the heat transfer medium for transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the heat storage material.
US08991181B2
A method (400, 1100) and apparatus (500, 1200) for producing work from heat includes a boiler (510) which is configured for heating a pressurized flow of a first working fluid (F1) to form of a first vapor. A compressor (502) compresses a second working fluid (F2) in the form of a second vapor. A mixing chamber (504) receives the first and second vapor and transfers thermal energy directly from the first vapor to the second vapor. The thermal energy that is transferred from the first vapor to the second vapor will generally include at least a portion of a latent heat of vaporization of the first working fluid. An expander (506) is arranged to expand a mixture of the first and second vapor received from the mixing chamber, thereby performing useful work after or during the transferring operation. The process is closed and enables recirculation and therefore recycling of thermal energy that is normally unused in conventional cycle approaches.
US08991174B2
A turbine for an exhaust turbocharger, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a turbine flap which controls an exhaust volume flowing through the turbine. A wastegate valve directs exhaust past the turbine and a wastegate flap controls an exhaust volume flowing through the wastegate valve. We also provide for an exhaust turbocharger, a motor vehicle having such an exhaust turbocharger, and for a method for operating such an exhaust turbocharger.
US08991172B2
A control device of a premix combustion engine includes a hybrid turbocharger including a turbocharger having a compressor and a turbine, and a motor generator coupled with the compressor. A control unit controls the motor generator based on the operating conditions regarding a generator or the premix combustion engine and includes: an airflow rate computing unit for computing the necessary airflow rate required for the premix combustion engine, and an arithmetic unit for computing the power output or the rotation speed regarding the hybrid turbocharger to obtain the necessary airflow rate required for the premix combustion engine. Feedback control regarding the power output or the rotation speed as to the hybrid turbocharger is performed based on the computed results obtained by the arithmetic unit.
US08991166B2
A drive connection for fixing a torque converter to an engine crankshaft includes a crankshaft, a torque converter, and a threaded fastener. The crankshaft includes an end face, a rotational axis, and a threaded hole aligned with the axis. The torque converter includes a rotational axis and a cover having an aperture aligned with the axis. The threaded fastener extends through the aperture and is engaged with the threaded hole to secure the cover to the end face. In an example embodiment, the drive connection includes a sealing element disposed between the fastener and the cover. The sealing element may be a washer or an o-ring.
US08991165B2
Energy recovery systems can utilize waste heat from an internal combustion engine or other base energy conversion system in the operation of hydrogen processors. Some energy recovery systems can utilize more than one source of waste heat from the energy converting system for this purpose.
US08991161B2
A process which solves the problem of supplying NO2 in accordance with requirements by means of temperature control of the precatalyst which is decoupled from the operating state of the engine. In an associated apparatus, a precatalyst which contains at least one oxidation component and whose temperature can be controlled independently of the operating state of the engine and an active SCR stage comprising an SCR catalyst with upstream metering facility for a reducing agent from an external source are arranged in series. A particle filter can be arranged between precatalyst and metering facility. The precatalyst preferably additionally contains a nitrogen oxide storage material.
US08991157B2
An exhaust treatment system for an engine includes a regeneration device being in receipt of exhaust from the engine and positioned upstream of a diesel particulate filter. A compressor provides a source of compressed air. An air/fuel nozzle is coupled to the regeneration device, in receipt of a fuel supply as well as the compressed air. The fuel and compressed air are forced through an orifice of the nozzle to atomize the fuel. A bypass line provides compressed air from the compressor to the regeneration device without passing through the orifice of the nozzle. A valve is operable to allow compressed air to flow through the bypass line when a predetermined condition exists.
US08991155B2
A vehicle and a method of determining a reductant storage capacity set point of a selective catalytic reduction filter (SCRF) of an exhaust treatment system of a vehicle are disclosed. The method includes determining a storage estimate of a reductant inside the SCRF and determining a particulate estimate in the SCRF representative of an amount of particulate matter collected inside the SCRF. The method also includes determining a particulate correction factor from the particulate estimate and calculating, via a controller, a set point value of the reductant in the SCRF by computing together the particulate correction factor and the storage estimate to determine the reductant storage capacity set point of the SCRF.
US08991150B2
A propulsion device including a chamber that stores a superfluid, a substrate coupled to a portion of the chamber, a plurality of orifices extending through the substrate, each of the plurality of orifices having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end disposed in an interior of the chamber and the second end disposed outside the chamber; and a pressure source that generates a pressure differential between the first end of each of the plurality of orifices and the second end of each of the plurality of orifices.
US08991146B2
In a method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced strand, the fiber-reinforced strand is so manufactured that the cross-section thereof becomes as circular as possible. Particularly a method of causing a reinforced fiber bundle 3 to pass through a resin bath means 7 and, thereafter, twisting the reinforced fiber bundle 3. The resin bath means 7 includes an impregnation region 21 where the reinforced fiber bundle 3 is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin 5 and a twisting region 22 where the reinforced fiber bundle 3 after the resin impregnation can be twisted, and the reinforced fiber bundle 3 after the resin impregnation is twisted in such a manner that a twist pitch P imparted to the reinforced fiber bundle 3 after the resin impregnation within a length L in the twisting region 22 satisfies L/3≧P≧3.15/90×(dtex)1/2.
US08991144B2
A conditioning device for a forage harvester is equipped with a first roller, profiled in the axial direction, and a second roller, also profiled in the axial direction. The two rollers are rotated, around their axes, in opposite directions and are aligned parallel to one another. An element, profiled, in the axial direction, in a manner complementary to the profile of the first roller and adjacent to the circumference of the first roller, for the removal of crop residues from the roller, extends in a circular arc over a part of the circumference of the first roller.
US08991133B2
Concrete lumber replacement can be made to exact measurements and cuts. Once placed in the structure, it would make the structure more durable under severe weather conditions. It also deters insects that can destroy the structure over time. Concrete is a fire retardant. If a fire happens, the foundation and frame will still be intact. To date, concrete has never been used in framing. In return, it will conserve trees and lower the overall cost to build the structure.
US08991132B2
Concrete reinforcing members having rolled cross sections, and methods for manufacturing and using such reinforcing members in concrete construction are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a concrete reinforcing member is formed from a piece of metal having a first elongate edge portion spaced apart from a second elongate edge portion. The piece of metal further includes an inner surface portion extending between the first and second edge portions, and an outer surface portion extending between the first and second edge portions. In this embodiment, the piece of metal is rolled about a longitudinal axis in an overlapping fashion into coiled or spiral cross-sectional shape.
US08991131B1
A construction system for use in building a frame for a curved structure includes a plurality of elements fastened together to construct the frame. The construction system includes a plurality of flexible strips affixed to one another to form the frame of the curved structure, each flexible strip having a plurality of apertures and connection nodes disposed throughout a longitudinal axis of the strip. A user orients each flexible strip to a desired curvature and engages one of the connection nodes of the flexible strip with an aperture of one of the plurality of flexible strips. The flexible strips may be plastic to enable the user to create the frame of a curved structure as a stand alone unique work of art or a paper mache support. The flexible strips may be steel to enable the user to create the frame of a curved structure of a full-sized building.
US08991127B2
Visible and concealed cladding systems used for attaching laminate panels to building structures are provided. The visible cladding systems comprise tracks and sliding clips to slide the laminate panel into the desired location on the building wall. The concealed cladding systems comprise hanger elements to attach a laminate panel to the building wall.
US08991122B2
A precast pole foundation having an elongated concrete body having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least two parallel concrete bolts extend from the upper surface of the concrete body. At least one cavity is disposed along the body of the concrete body for receiving a conduit. The pole foundation is preferably cylindrical and can be used to support a light pole, a utility pole, a sign pole of any such structure. At least a portion of the concrete body is reinforced with at least one reinforcing bar embedded therein.
US08991106B2
Devices, methods, and systems are provided herein for spacing an outer skin of a roof from the supporting structure of the roof such that the roof shields against weather elements, admits light, and allows advantageous air circulation. In one embodiment, a wedge-shaped device for spacing panels on a roof includes a bottom surface, a top surface inclined at an angle relative to the bottom surface, and an integral support structure connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, the support structure including a plurality of ribs and a plurality of nail boxes.
US08991105B2
A structure includes a base, a first side wall rotatably attached to the base, a second side wall rotatably attached to the base, a roof guidingly coupled to both the first side wall and the second side wall, and a biasing assembly selectively urging the building into a fully erected configuration.
US08991101B2
A door entryway system can include a door sweep capable of attachment to a bottom of a door panel. The system also includes a threshold assembly having a self-articulating threshold cap configured to self-adjust toward the door sweep and interact therewith to form a sealing barrier when the door panel is in a closed position.
US08991099B1
A multi-panel door assembly is arrangeable into multiple configurations. The multi-panel door assembly includes at least three panel positions, including a first side position, a second side position, and a center position between the first and second side positions, and a corresponding at least three door panels. A fixed door panel is fixed in the first side position, and a secondary door panel is displaceable between the first side position and the second side position. A swinging door jamb is selectively displaceable between an engaged position where the primary door panel is displaceable between the center position and the second side position, and a disengaged position, where the primary door panel is displaceable between the first side position and the second side position.
US08991097B2
A tomato booster is disclosed with stackable hollow cylinders and vertical interlocking doors adapted to allow a tomato plant space for growth of secondary root systems in a vertical position. A method of using the tomato booster is also disclosed.
US08991096B2
A fishing hook has a head having at least two vertically arranged holes through which a fishing line is inserted. When the fishing line is threaded through both of the vertically disposed holes, the hook is stabilized in a substantially orthogonal posture relative to the fishing line, thus enhancing the likelihood of catching fish, especially with a drop-shot technique. Because the single head is small and compact, it is not exposed when the lure is affixed to the hook, thereby improving the likelihood that fish will be tempted by the lure.
US08991095B2
A fishing lure includes a weighted body, a first eye hook, a second eye hook, and a fish hook. The weighted body has a first end and a second end. The first eye hook is coupled near the first end of the weighted body. The second eye hook is coupled near the second end of the weighted body. The fish hook has an eyelet formed at one end. The eyelet is coupled to the second eye hook allowing the fish hook to freely move about the eyelet.
US08991088B1
An innovative design described in this application retains the buffer and recoil spring within the folded portion of the buttstock or buffer tube so the stock can fold. There are alternative ways to retain the buffer and recoil spring within a folded buttstock. The bolt carrier is not physically attached to the buffer and recoil spring. A folding stock assembly which contains the buffer and buffer spring within the folded portion of the stock for a firearm that uses a direct gas impingement system.
US08991077B1
A method to display a foot ornamentation system includes obtaining a foot ornamentation system that has a bottom band constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system snugly against a foot. The system has a first side panel and a second side panel that are flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. The system has a decorative member with an interior surface that has a smooth profile and a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. The method includes donning the system by expanding an interior open area of the system via the stretchable bottom band then sliding over an end of a foot into a first position where the decorative member is located on a foot top surface. The method includes donning footwear with an open top that allows the system to be displayed.
US08991074B2
A shoe includes a shoe upper, a first lace and a second lace. The shoe upper includes a heel end, a toe end, and a mid-foot portion between the heel end and the toe end. The first lace is connected to the shoe upper and includes a wide portion and a narrow portion with a tapered portion in-between. The wide portion of the first lace is fastened to the mid-foot portion of the shoe upper at a first position that is nearer to the toe end than the heel end. The second lace is also connected to the shoe upper and also includes a wide portion and a narrow portion with a tapered portion in-between. The wide portion of the second lace is fastened to the mid-foot portion of the shoe upper at a second position that is nearer to the heel end than the first position.
US08991073B2
An insert for soles, particularly for perforated soles made of polymeric material, comprising a membrane that is impermeable to water and permeable to water vapor, the insert comprising a supporting layer made of mesh, felt or other diffusely perforated material, a vapor permeation component, which comprises the membrane arranged above the supporting layer, a layer of polymeric material that impregnates locally the supporting layer, so as to form therein a matrix for the adhesive bonding thereof to other components of the shoe, a region for sealing the supporting layer to the vapor permeation component. The adhesive bonding matrix affects at least the perimetric region of the supporting layer and delimits at least one vapor-permeable portion of the supporting layer, which is free from polymeric material. The sealing region provides for the intimate grip of the polymeric material, which impregnates the supporting layer, to the membrane.
US08991066B2
An adaptor can convert a conventional hot air clothes dryer to draw air from outside instead of inside a building, and comprises an adaptor housing securable over the air intake region of the dryer in fluid communication with the air inlet of the dryer, with an adaptor housing inlet connectable to an air intake linkage. A filter and filter bypass assembly can be used in combination with the adaptor. The assembly comprises an outer enclosure and an inner enclosure inside the outer enclosure. An inner enclosure inlet and inner enclosure outlet define a first airflow path through the inner enclosure and an outer enclosure inlet and outer enclosure outlet define a second airflow path through the outer enclosure and bypassing the inner enclosure. The inner enclosure and the outer enclosure have a common aperture for insertion of a filter into the inner enclosure across the first airflow path.
US08991065B1
Disclosed are devices and a system for compensating for thermal expansion and contraction of rail mounted solar panel rooftop systems. In one aspect, a floating end clamp that secures a solar panel in slidable captive cooperation with a mounting rail. In another aspect, a rail splice bridges two mounting rails with a gap between the rails for thermal expansion and contraction. The rail splice includes indicia for setting the gap distance between rails based on ambient temperature at the time of installation. In another aspect, a spacing gauge includes indicia for setting the gap distance between rails based on ambient temperature at the time of installation.
US08991055B2
Floor covering, made of floor elements, which, at least at two opposite sides, comprise a male and a female coupling part, which allow that two of such floor elements can be interconnected at the respective sides at the respective sides by pushing one of these floor elements with the associated male coupling part, by means of a downward movement, home into the female coupling part of the other floor element, wherein at least one of said coupling parts, either the male coupling part or the female coupling part, is made as least partially in a filled synthetic material composite, such as extruded wood.
US08991052B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head includes forming a first electrode made of platinum, forming a buffer layer made of a compound having a pyrochlore structure that contains bismuth or platinum on the first electrode, forming an oxide layer made of an oxide containing bismuth on the buffer layer, forming a piezoelectric layer made of a compound having a perovskite structure that contains bismuth by burning the oxide layer, and forming a second electrode on the piezoelectric layer.
US08991050B2
The present invention describes a method for manufacturing rotogravure cylinders with a cylinder base made of a light weight material like aluminum. The method involves the surface treatment of the cylinder with mechanical means, the copper plating in an appropriate solution, the engraving of the cylinder, and the hardening of the cylinder by chromium plating. The advantage of this method is that the chemical treatment for the preparation of the cylinder surface which generates hazardous waste is replaced by a mechanical process. In addition, the reduction of the cylinder weight considerably (e.g. for aluminum base cylinder the weight reduction is two thirds of the weight of a steel base cylinder) reduces significantly the transportation costs. Moreover, the adhesion of the copper layer to be engraved is improved and the cost and time of manufacturing reduced.
US08991042B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes (a) depositing an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a recess in the insulating film; (c) depositing a conductive film on the insulating film while filling the recess with the conductive film; and (d) polishing the conductive film. Step (d) includes a first polishing substep of using a first polisher pad conditioned with a first dresser and a second polishing substep of using a second polisher pad conditioned with a second dresser different from the first dresser.
US08991039B2
A process for manufacturing a multilayer article, the article comprising two crosslinked semiconductive layers separated by and bonded to an insulation layer, the semiconductive layers formed from a peroxide-crosslinkable olefin elastomer and the insulation layer comprising composition comprising a silane-grafted olefinic elastomer, the process comprises the steps of: (A) injecting the silane-grafted olefinic elastomer between the two crosslinked semiconductive layers so as to have direct contact with each semiconductive layer, and (B) crosslinking the silane-grafted olefinic elastomer in the absence of a peroxide catalyst.
US08991038B2
A single-cell workstation for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The single-cell workstation includes a mounting and indexing sub-station including a first plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more first tire-engaging surfaces, and a second plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more second tire-engaging surfaces.
US08991032B2
A gasket insertion apparatus and method for inserting a fluid sealing gasket between the bolted connection flanges of adjacent underwater pipe line segments is provided. The gasket insertion apparatus includes of a flat frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface of the frame has a plurality of angularly cut teeth. The gasket is mounted within the frame and is held in place by the plurality of angularly cut teeth. The gasket insertion apparatus has a handle with an open geometric ring-shaped grip that is configured so that the gasket insertion apparatus may be gripped by a manipulation arm of an underwater remotely operated vehicle and/or by a diver. The apparatus, with gasket attached, is brought to an underwater location and inserted between adjacent flanges of a bolted flange connection by a diver or an underwater remotely operated vehicle.
US08991028B2
A metal matrix composite is disclosed that includes graphene nanoplatelets dispersed in a metal matrix. The composite provides for improved thermal conductivity. The composite may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic and electrical equipment and semiconductor devices.
US08991027B2
The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.
US08991024B2
There is disclosed a clamping device mountable to a bench top for setting an edge piece to an edge thereof such that the edge piece projects from the bench top at a predetermined angle, with interengaging surfaces of the edge piece and edge being formed with mating mitres whereby a mitre joint is formed between the edge piece and the bench top, the clamping device comprising a body, a first clamping means supported from the body for clamping the device to the bench top, a second clamping means supported from the body for applying clamping pressure to the mitre joint, and first and second locators carried by the body and engageable with the edge piece and bench top respectively to maintain them in the required configuration during clamping. There is also disclosed a related method of attaching an edge piece to an edge of a bench top.
US08991013B2
An extendable handle comprises an outer tubular rod member, an intermediate tubular rod member slidably disposed within the outer tubular rod member, an inner tubular rod member slidably disposed within the intermediate tubular rod member, and a line routing through and operatively engaging with the tubular rod members such that the inner tubular rod member extends from or retracts into the intermediate rod member when the intermediate rod member is moved relative to the outer member.
US08991006B2
In a grommet for a vehicle floor cover, receptacles formed in a generally cylindrical inner surface of a female tubular body making up part of one grommet portion receive protrusions formed on a generally cylindrical outer surface of a male tubular body making up part of a second grommet portion. The bottom grommet portion may have chamfered gussets formed adjacent a bottom retention flange in order to accommodate vehicle floor mats or trays of different thicknesses. Stud holes created in respective ones of the grommets receive studs of intentionally different shape or orientation, thereby militating against installation of the floor cover upside down.
US08991002B2
A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a dust container including a chromogenic material so as to have a controllable transparency.
US08990992B2
The mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth (12) which includes a plurality of cleansing portions, typically two opposing side portions (14, 16) and an intermediate center portion (18). The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance includes at least one DC motor assembly (26) with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft (28). The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover comprising a plurality of arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.
US08990975B1
A user assistance apparatus and system is disclosed. The apparatus and system may include a base and a platform rotatably positionable about the base. A lift assist chair may be disposed upon the platform, and handrails may be attached to the platform such that the handrails rotate with the platform. The handrails extend from the platform to define an entry, and the handrails are configured to assist a user as the user passes between the entry and the lift assist chair. Fixtures may be disposed in a generally curved arrangement to cooperate with the entry as the platform is rotatably positioned about the base. Related methods of use are also disclosed.
US08990970B2
The present invention provides underwear that are configured for use with pants that are worn below the waistline of a user. The underwear may comprise a wide waistband that is configured to cover from one-third to one-half the total length of the underwear, whereby the waistband occupies an area from just above to just below the waistline of a user. Alternatively, the underwear may comprise hooks that are adapted to hold and maintain a pair of pants at a fixed distance from the waistline, and pockets for holding a user's belongings. The underwear may be made of an elastic material, such as nylon, and may be decorated with a variety of aesthetic colors and designs to suit the tastes of a user.
US08990963B2
User-friendly welding helmet assembly configurations to be worn on the head of a weldor are disclosed. The welding helmet assembly configurations include various advanced features including a spatter shield that is easily replaceable from an external front portion of a shell of the helmet assembly configuration, and an adjustable ratchet headgear within the shell having a repositionable lever adapted to easily adjust a detent position of the ratchet headgear with respect to the shell. Other user-friendly features are also provided, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
US08997249B1
Software activation and revalidation. In one example embodiment, a method for software activation and revalidation includes collecting machine configuration information from a machine on which a software application has been at least partially installed, sending the machine configuration information and a product key to an activation server, applying activation rules to determine whether the product key is valid for the machine configuration information, if the product key is valid for the machine configuration information, activating the software application by sending, from the activation server to the machine, license data that authorizes access to the software application and that contains the activation rules, periodically applying, at the machine, the activation rules to newly-collected machine configuration information to determine if the product key remains valid for the newly-collected machine configuration information, and if the product key remains valid, revalidating the license data to authorize continued access to the software application.
US08997248B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for securing data. One of the methods includes receiving, by the map reduce framework, data for analysis. The method includes identifying, by the map reduce framework, private data in received data. The method includes encrypting the private data. The method includes storing the encrypted private data in a location separate from the received data. The method includes obfuscating the private data by adding a reference to the location of the encrypted private data in the received data.
US08997247B2
Information processing device, information processing method, and computer-readable recording medium
An information processing device is arranged to acquire a first public key certificate and a first secret key from a server device by acquiring an individual identification information which is uniquely discriminable for the information processing device from the information processing device and transmitting the individual identification information to the server device. The information processing device is arranged to determine whether the information processing device is permitted to transmit device information to the server device through an encryption communication using the first public key certificate and the first secret key, by acquiring the individual identification information from the information processing device and comparing the acquired individual identification information with the individual identification information associated with at least one of the first public key certificate and the first secret key.
US08997243B2
A security system assesses the response time to requests for information to determine whether the responding system is in physical proximity to the requesting system. Generally, physical proximity corresponds to temporal proximity. If the response time indicates a substantial or abnormal lag between request and response, the system assumes that the lag is caused by the request and response having to travel a substantial or abnormal physical distance, or caused by the request being processed to generate a response, rather than being answered by an existing response in the physical possession of a user. If a substantial or abnormal lag is detected, for example due to the fact that the information was downloaded from the Internet, the system is configured to limit subsequent access to protected material by the current user, and/or to notify security personnel of the abnormal response lag.
US08997229B1
A system for protecting endorsement events against anomalous behaviors is disclosed. The system includes a data collecting module, an activity recording module, an aggregation module, a detection module and an action module. The data collecting module collects event data describing one or more endorsement events. The activity recording module records activity data associated with the one or more endorsement events. The aggregation module aggregates the activity data. The detection module detects, based at least in part on the aggregation of the activity data, one or more anomalies associated with the one or more endorsement events. The action module takes one or more protection actions responsive to the detection of the one or more anomalies. The present disclosure also includes a method for protecting endorsement events against anomalous behaviors.
US08997216B2
Recording medium apparatus and control method for authenticating a device based on a revocation list
A storage unit 601g of a recording medium device 600g stores a content and a revocation list. The revocation list includes a revocation identifier that is associated with the content and identifies a revoked public key certificate allocated to an apparatus related to use of the content. A controller 602g of the recording medium device 600g is provided with an acquisition unit 621g that acquires, from an apparatus 300g, an acquisition request for the content and an apparatus identifier identifying a public key certificate of the apparatus 300g; a judgment unit 622g that judges whether the apparatus identifier matches a revocation identifier; and a control unit 623g that controls to prohibit output of the content to the apparatus when the apparatus identifier and the revocation identifier match.
US08997211B2
A display apparatus includes an input section that inputs input information representing an input operation from an operation means contacting a touch screen, a display section that refers to an authentication table correlating the input operation with a display image so as to display the display image on the touch screen, and an authentication processing section that refers to the authentication table so as to determine whether or not a combination of a display image displayed on the touch screen and an input operation represented by the input information input by the input section in a state where the display image is being displayed is correlated in the authentication table, and authenticates an input action by the input operation when the combination is correlated in the authentication table.
US08997201B2
In one embodiment, a method includes initiating integrity monitoring at a network device, continuously monitoring the network device to detect changes at the network device over a period of time, and transmitting information collected during said integrity monitoring to a security device for use in determining if the network device is allowed access to a trusted network. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed.
US08997185B2
An encryption sentinel system and method protects sensitive data stored on a storage device and includes sentinel software that runs on a client machine, sentinel software that runs on a server machine, and a data storage device. When a client machine requests sensitive data from the data storage device, the data storage device interrogates the sentinel software on the server machine to determine if this client machine has previously been deemed to have proper encryption procedures and authentication. If the sentinel server software has this information stored, it provides an approval or denial to the storage device that releases the data if appropriate. If the sentinel server software does not have this information at hand or the previous information is too old, the sentinel server interrogates the sentinel software that resides on the client machine which scans the client machine and provides an encryption update to the sentinel server software, following which data will be released if appropriate.
US08997174B1
Systems and methods for configuring browser policy settings on client computing devices are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving login credentials from a client computing device. The client computing device includes a browser. The method also includes transmitting browser policy data associated with the login credentials to the client computing device. The browser policy data identifies browser policy settings to be installed on the browser. The browser policy settings identified by the browser policy data include four or more of: compliance settings, behavioral settings, browser/software applications, permission to access one or more websites, restrictions on accessing one or more websites, read permission in a remote document storage unit accessible via the browser, or write permission in a remote document storage unit accessible via the browser.
US08997171B2
In accordance with one or more aspects, an application that is to be suspended on a computing device is identified based on a policy. The policy indicates that applications that are not being used are to be suspended. The application is automatically suspended, and is allowed to remain in memory but not execute while suspended. Additionally, when memory is to be freed one or more suspended applications to terminate are automatically selected based on the policy, and these one or more selected applications are terminated.
US08997170B2
A device is disclosed that includes software components for executing actions and for controlling the device in order to conform to specified policies. The device includes a controller to deny or permit execution of actions. The controller monitors and interrupts execution of device's actions in order to determine whether an action violates a policy, policy rules, or if the action is prohibited by a policy. The controller also manages policies defined for the device. Each policy is translated into a language understandable by the controller and stored on the device. Each policy can be updated or changed dynamically. Additionally, each policy can securely be updated or changed remotely.
US08997167B1
A live streaming video sharing system. Implementations may include a video camera, portable computing device, video streaming server, database, application server, web server, and a portable computing device associated with a user operatively coupled together. The video camera sends a live stream of video data wirelessly to the portable computing device. The computing device associated with a user receives a live stream of video data from the web server, processes the live stream of video data, and generates a computer interface. The computer interface may include a public computer interface including a public channel and an invisible computer interface including an invisible shares channel associated with the user including an icon corresponding with one or more invisible shares, each invisible share corresponding with a live stream of video data and each invisible share not retrievable using a search form in the computer interface, the application server, and the database.
US08997164B2
Methods and systems to authorize devices and/or perform other actions based on identifying content distributors are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems access video content playing at a client device, calculate fingerprints of a portion of the video content, identify a distributor of the video content based on the fingerprints, and perform an action in response to the identification of the distributor of the video content, such as actions to authorize the client device or other associated devices (e.g., second screens) to receive content from the distributor, actions to present sponsored content to the client device or associated devices, and so on.
US08997162B2
A video on demand system has a video server (200) for outputting video streams requested by users, via a core network (620) and access networks (630, 640, 650). A resource manager (600) determines occupation information concerning how much of the previously allocated capacity is occupied by previously authorized video streams is determined before authorizing transmitting a new requested video stream. By checking there is sufficient core network capacity, a risk of disrupting existing video streams or causing other problems by overloading the allocated capacity, is reduced or avoided. Thus less capacity in the core network is needed, and so costs of such capacity can be reduced and there is increased confidence that demand peaks will be handled more gracefully. By checking without obtaining occupation information from the core network, the system can be more independent of the core network, to reduce costs of a real time interface to the core network.
US08997156B2
A television provider receives content from a plurality of users. The user generated content is aggregated and scheduled for broadcast across a channel of the television provider. The user generated content is then broadcast at the scheduled time for reception by communication devices associated with the television provider.
US08997155B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing supplemental content during a broadcast. The supplemental content is provided by the operation of a interactive application resident on a receiver. The interactive application is initiated through a trigger that is received during a otherwise standard broadcast. The trigger includes an interactive prompt that is to be displayed during a particular portion of the broadcast. The prompt including a means for enabling receipt of a user input. The user input may be a request for further information.
US08997154B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a request for media content from a set top box of an Internet Protocol Television System, perform a search of one or more storage devices associated with other set top boxes for the media content based at least in part on a user profile associated with the set top box where the other set top boxes are located remotely from the set top box, receive the media content, and adjust a format of the media content prior to delivery to the set top box based at least in part on the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08997139B2
The present disclosure involves a method of conducting a transaction. In one aspect, the method includes: displaying a media program on a media display device; indicating, while the media program is being displayed, an item associated with the media program is available for purchase; receiving authentication information of a prospective purchaser of the item; and completing a purchase of the item in response to the authentication information. In another aspect, the method includes: receiving, from a media display device, a user authentication request that contains user login credentials; granting the user authentication request in response to the user login credentials; and sending an authentication permission to the media display device; wherein the receiving and the sending are each performed such that the user login credentials and the authentication permission are sent through one or more intermediate hops without being inspected by any of the intermediate hops.
US08997137B2
Embodiments disclosed include a method and a system. The method includes receiving a first media stream, in a first network device from a remote network device, using a first network protocol. The may method include converting the first media stream in real-time to a second media stream according to a second network protocol and transmitting the second media stream to a user device. The method may include receiving a first trick-mode command according to a first trick-mode protocol from the user device, wherein the first trick-mode command includes rewind, fast forward, or pause. The method may include converting the first trick-mode command into a second trick-mode command according to a second trick-mode protocol and transmitting the second trick-mode command to the remote network device.
US08997134B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for selecting presentation content. Presentation content is displayed to an audience, the presentation content includes a plurality of content elements. One or more feedback inputs are received from the audience, each feedback input is associated with one of the content elements. A computer determines an alternative presentation content based on the received feedback inputs, and the alternative presentation content is displayed.
US08997114B2
Embodiments of the invention provide language support for CPU-GPU platforms. In one embodiment, code can be flexibly executed on both the CPU and GPU. CPU code can offload a kernel to the GPU. That kernel may in turn call preexisting libraries on the CPU, or make other calls into CPU functions. This allows an application to be built without requiring the entire call chain to be recompiled. Additionally, in one embodiment data may be shared seamlessly between CPU and GPU. This includes sharing objects that may have virtual functions. Embodiments thus ensure the right virtual function gets invoked on the CPU or the GPU if a virtual function is called by either the CPU or GPU.
US08997106B2
A method for managing the usage of hardware resources by application programs within a computer system is disclosed. A use cost value is set for a device within a computer system. A number of tickets associated with a process is held. Upon execution of the process, the use cost value is compared to the number of tickets held by the process. The process is permitted to use the device based on the result of the comparison.
US08997103B2
One embodiment sets forth a technique for N-way memory barrier operation coalescing. When a first memory barrier is received for a first thread group execution of subsequent memory operations for the first thread group are suspended until the first memory barrier is executed. Subsequent memory barriers for different thread groups may be coalesced with the first memory barrier to produce a coalesced memory barrier that represents memory barrier operations for multiple thread groups. When the coalesced memory barrier is being processed, execution of subsequent memory operations for the different thread groups is also suspended. However, memory operations for other thread groups that are not affected by the coalesced memory barrier may be executed.
US08997098B2
Disclosed herein are a server duplication system and method and a storage medium storing a server duplication computer program. The server duplication system includes a primary server including a hypervisor including a hypervisor-based fault tolerance module and a first file system virtual machine (FS VM), and a first standby server including a hypervisor including a hypervisor-based fault tolerance module that exchanges data with a fault tolerance module provided on the hypervisor of the primary server and duplicates the primary server. The first FS VM provides a first file system that is shared by a user virtual machine (USER VM), and a buffer cache that is used in conjunction with the first file system is provided on virtual memory. The first FS VM is duplicated into the standby server using the hypervisor-based fault tolerance module of the primary server and the hypervisor-based fault tolerance module of the standby server.
US08997097B1
A system for implementing a virtual disk in a virtualization environment, including a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of nodes implements a virtualization environment, and a node comprises a hypervisor, user virtual machines, and a storage controller implemented as a service virtual machine; a plurality of storage devices that are accessed by user virtual machines and are managed by storage controllers, in which a first and a second virtual disk (vDisk) are formed from the plurality of storage devices and the first virtual disk is accessible by just a first user virtual machine and the second virtual disk is accessible by just a second user virtual machine.
US08997096B1
An untrusted component exposing a high level storage object interface within an untrusted client virtual machine accepts application level storage object operations. Responsive to a storage object operation, the untrusted component passes a message through the underlying hypervisor to an associated trusted component. The trusted component processes the message by authenticating the client virtual machine and locating an internal mapping between the client virtual machine and an associated customer-specific set of backend storage resources to which the requested storage object operation is to be applied. The trusted component uses a trust relationship with the backend storage system to securely communicate the storage object operation to the backend storage system, and passes the operation results through the hypervisor back to the untrusted component in the source client virtual machine from which the storage object request originated.
US08997082B1
Devices and techniques to incrementally update content associated with an electronic publication are described. A patch generation module may be configured to generate patch data files comprising incremental changes associated with the electronic publication. A differential patch module located on a client device may be configured to obtain the patch data files. The differential patch module may also be configured to compare the patch data files and the electronic publication and identify the differences between the files. Additionally, the differential patch module may be configured to update the changes in the patch data files with the content of the electronic publication. Accordingly, the electronic publication may be updated to include the changes in the patch data files.
US08997074B1
Techniques for replacing ROM-based (Read-Only Memory) DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) in a Windows CE type embedded operating system such that the target DLL is replaceable by the hook DLL, and the target DLL is callable by the hook DLL but not callable directly by any other applications after loading of the hook DLL. The techniques enable replacement irrespective whether the hook DLL and the target DLL have the same name and irrespective of which DLL is loaded first. The techniques change the file name of the target DLL in a list of loaded DLL modules by a trusted program that executes in the full kernel mode.
US08997072B1
This technology is directed to compressing dependency graphs in online communities, e.g., social networks, by determining a dependency graph and by performing a transitive reduction on the dependency graph. The transitive reduction may be used in various applications, e.g., for loading software modules in social networks, without causing inefficiencies by loading the same modules multiple times. In some instances, the systems and methods include 1) sorting nodes (e.g., modules) in the dependency graph into a list in a valid dependency order (a node depends only on nodes earlier in the list), 2) iterating over the list while building a map from any node to all of its dependencies, 3) iterating through the dependency graph in reverse order, and for each node, iterating through its dependencies (also in reverse order) and removing each dependency if it is a transitive dependency of any of the previous dependencies of that node.
US08997066B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for emulating pointers. Pointers can be emulated by replacing the pointers with a
US08997065B2
A device creates a graph based on source code, and analyzes the source code to identify private variables and functions of the source code and public variables and functions of the source code. The device determines, based on the graph, a size threshold and semantics-related characteristics of functions and variables for each module, of multiple modules, and assigns, based on the graph, the private variables and functions to a corresponding module of the multiple modules. The device reduces, based on the graph, a number of the public variables and functions assigned to each module, and generates the multiple modules based on one or more of the graph, the size threshold, the assigned private variables and functions, and the number of the public variables and functions assigned to each module.
US08997062B2
Provided are techniques for receiving an error inject script that describes one or more error inject scenarios that define under which conditions at least one error inject is to be executed and compiling the error inject script to output an error inject data structure. While executing code that includes the error inject, an indication that an event has been triggered is received, conditions defined in the one or more error inject scenarios are evaluated using the error inject data structure, and, for each of the conditions that evaluates to true, one or more actions defined in the error inject script for the condition are performed.
US08997061B1
Systems and methods are described that schedule tests based on historical test information, such as tests that validate developed or changed code. For example, the system may review the results of previously used tests, order the tests based on the results, such as based on the performance of the code during the test, and apply the tests during a testing cycle based on the order.
US08997058B2
The invention relates to a method, a computer system, and a computer program product for automatically generating a trace data set for a software system on a computer system. The method includes the step of providing a software system comprising a source code. Binary code is provided by compiling the source code by inserting a plurality of tracing instructions into the binary code. The tracing instructions initiate trace data generation during runtime of the software system. The method also includes modifying the binary code by replacing at least one tracing instruction of the plurality of tracing instructions with a neutral instruction. The modified binary code is run by activating trace data generation by re-replacing the neutral instruction with the at least one tracing instruction. The method further includes recording the trace data set. The recording step is initiated by the at least one tracing instruction.
US08997052B2
In one embodiment, a method determines a plurality of test cases to test an application and a set of attributes assigned to each test case in the plurality of test cases. The method then calculates a test case risk score for each test case in the plurality of test cases based on the set of attributes associated with each respective test case. The test case risk score quantifies a risk in not executing each respective test case. A subset of the plurality of test cases is selected based on at least a portion of the calculated risk scores. The subset of plurality of test cases is output along with a test plan risk score that quantifies the risk in not executing test cases not included in the plurality of test cases.
US08997044B2
An approach is provided in which a request is received from a software module to retrieve a value stored in a pre-defined location. Prior to retrieving the value, an override tank is checked for a corresponding override value. When the override tank includes an override value, the override value in the override tank is provided to the software module. When the override tank fails to include a corresponding override value, an actual value is retrieved from a pre-defined storage location and provided to the software module. In one embodiment, the override value is an override system attribute value. In another embodiment, the override value is an override function return value.
US08997036B2
A Software Oriented Architecture (SOA)-based integration method for 3D design system comprising the following steps: 1) constructing an SOA integration development system platform comprising four structural layers: application layer, business layer, service layer and resource layer, 2) setting global model data server at the resource layer, and setting a design information integration platform at the business layer; 3) setting multiple pieces of third-party 3D model design system software at the resource layer, encapsulating them into WEB service, and setting the WEB service at the service layer, 4) setting database systems of the multiple pieces of third-party 3D model design system software at the resource layer, connecting the database systems to the global model data server, 5) setting an integration web portal at the application layer, the portal is integrated with sign-in links of the third-party 3D model design system software. A system for implementing the above method is also provided.
US08997035B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for producing aspects of a generation model. These include a domain model having one or more elements, and templates defined for the elements. The generation model is used to compile a code generator, which can be used to generate code from an input conforming to the domain model.
US08997034B2
Techniques for emulation-based functional qualification are disclosed that use an emulation platform to replace simulation in mutation-based analysis. A method for functional qualification of an integrated circuit design includes receiving an integrated circuit design having one or more mutations. Emulation setup and activation simulation are performed in parallel to maximize computing resources. A prototype board can then be programed according to the integrated circuit design and a verification module. A set of test patterns and response generated by a simulation of the integrated circuit using the set of test patterns are stored in a memory of the prototyping board allowing enumeration of mutants to occur at in-circuit emulation speed.
US08997030B1
An approach is provided in which a model verification system partitions one of a design specification's circuit design properties into multiple unsolved cases. The model verification system then performs property checking on one of the unsolved cases against a corresponding circuit design model, which results in a property checked solved case and a subset of unsolved cases. In turn, the model verification system performs sequential equivalence checking on one or more of the subset of unsolved cases by checking their sequential equivalence against the property checked solved case. As a result, the model verification system stores the cases as sequentially equivalent solved cases and verifies of a portion of the design specification against a portion of the circuit design model.
US08997025B2
A method, system and computer readable medium for folding a document page object are provided. A method for folding a document page object in a graphical user interface using multi-touch gestures includes establishing at least two contact points on a display; moving at least one of the two contact points to create a fold on the document page object; and displaying the folded document page object.
US08997021B2
According to various embodiments of the invention, parallax and/or three-dimensional effects are added to thumbnail image displays. In at least one embodiment, such effects are applied in a manner that causes the thumbnail images to appear to respond to their display environment. For example, a parallax effect can be applied that responds to current cursor position, scroll position, scroll velocity, orientation of the display device (detected, for example, by position- and/or motion-sensing mechanisms), and/or any other environmental conditions. As another example, thumbnail images can be refocused, and/or a viewpoint for an image can be adjusted, in response to a user clicking on or tapping on particular elements within such images.
US08997015B2
When it is discriminated by an input-means determining unit 8 that an input to display unit is a first input by a pen, a function of an application 3 allocated in advance to an area on a screen of the application 3 specified by an input coordinate of first input means determined by an input-position determining unit 11 is executed on the basis of the first input. When it is discriminated that the input to the display unit is a second input by a finger, the execution of the function of the application 3 allocated in advance on the screen of the application 3 is prohibited and a predetermined function not allocated to the area on the screen of the application 3 is executed on the basis of the second input.
US08997000B2
In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving a first request for network management information, the first request identifying at least one of a user, a user device, or a user application; determining a first set of user information for a given user, the determination being based on the first request and data stored in a network database, identifying one or more interrelations in the first set of user information that represent logical connections within the first set of user information; creating a first information tree rooted at data representing a user location and organized according to the one or more interrelations, the first information tree being based on the first set of user information and being created in memory of a network management computer; and displaying, based on the first information tree, the one or more interrelations and the first set of user information, network management information for the user.
US08996997B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods providing a flip-though format for viewing notification of messages and related items on devices, for example personal mobile devices such as smart phones. According to an embodiment, an unread item most recently received is shown in full screen on the mobile device. While the user is viewing this item, the device will automatically retrieve and load into a cache memory, the next most recently received item. When the user is done viewing the item most recently received, the user can swipe a finger across the touch screen to trigger a page flipping animation and display of the next most recently received item. Embodiments avoid the user having to click back and forth between a list of notifications/links and corresponding notification items.
US08996996B2
Systems and methods for previewing edited video. In general, in one implementation, a method includes generating a video sequence from a plurality of video segments, identifying an inability to output at least one video segment in the video sequence in substantially real time; and adjusting an output level associated with the at least one video segment to enable the at least one video segment to be output in substantially real time. The output level may include a video quality or a frame rate.
US08996991B2
A method of parsing a markup-language document includes detecting, in a markup-language document, a start of a first data node of a first node type and identifying a first data definition associated with the first node type. The first data definition specifies defined contents of the first node type. The method further includes adding a first entry associated with the first data node to a data structure and reading, from the markup-language document, contents of the first data node. The method also includes determining a status of the first data node based on the first data definition and the contents read from the first data node and indicating the status of the first data node on a graphical user interface.
US08996980B2
Methods and systems of automated data validation by client computer and by server computer based upon a form containing at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule are presented.
US08996979B2
The present invention relates to document automation/assembly systems, and more particularly to document automation systems distributed over a network such as the Internet, and/or other communication networks. In addition, the present invention relates to methods, especially computer-implemented methods, to computer programs, and to recording media storing such programs for use in such systems.
US08996974B2
A video system comprises a shared media accessor configured to access shared media. The shared media is configured to be displayed on a first display screen and a second display screen. A video accessor configured to access images from a first camera. A field of view of the first camera is oriented such that the first camera can capture the images comprising non-verbal communication of a user associated with the shared media. A video compositor configured to composite the images captured by the first camera and said shared media. The composited images are configured to be displayed on the second display screen.
US08996962B2
A plurality of encrypted packets having common payload data are received, wherein each of the plurality of encrypted packets includes a corresponding parity check field, and wherein a corresponding parity check syndrome for each of the plurality of encrypted packets indicates at least one bit error. A payload portion of each of the plurality of encrypted packets is decrypted to generate a plurality of decrypted payload portions. At least one chase coding technique is used to generate a corrected decrypted payload, based on at least one candidate bit error position and further based on the corresponding parity check syndrome for at least one of the plurality of encrypted packets.
US08996958B2
A method and apparatus for decoding a codeword received from a flash memory. The flash memory comprises multi-level flash memory cells, wherein each multi-level flash memory cell stores one symbol of the codeword. An ECC decoder is arranged for decoding the codeword into a decoded codeword and correcting a maximum number of errors. The method determines the number of errors in the codeword. If the number of errors is more than the maximum number of errors that the ECC decoder can correct, the method generates modified codewords, calculates a corrective effect of a modified codeword, and determines a decoded codeword based on the corrective effect.
US08996952B2
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to decoding signals produced within a storage device. A described technique includes retrieving a first codeword from a storage medium, decoding the first codeword, performing a retry process when the decoding was not successful, and retrieving one or more second codewords from the storage medium during the retry process to at least maintain a drive throughput. The retry process can include identifying one or more data chunks within the first codeword having potential defects, generating an erasure mask based on the one or more data chunks, applying, based on a window, one or more erasures within one or more different regions of the first codeword based on one or more corresponding regions of the erasure mask to produce one or more versions of the first codeword, and decoding the one or more versions of the first codeword.
US08996943B2
A Voltage regulator includes a first input terminal configured to receive an input supply voltage, includes a second input terminal configured to receive a regulated output supply voltage as a function of the input supply voltage or to receive a test supply voltage and comprises a power transistor including an input terminal configured to receive the input supply voltage and including an output terminal configured to generate the regulated output supply voltage. The Voltage regulator is configured, during a start-up phase of a test operation mode, to receive a control signal equal to the input supply voltage, is configured to receive the input supply voltage having a substantially increasing trend, detect that the input supply voltage is equal to a first voltage threshold and generate, as a function of the detected signal and of the control signal, a by-pass signal having a transition from a first logic value to a second logic value for indicating a by-pass status of the Voltage regulator, and is configured to receive the by-pass signal having the second logic value and open the power transistor. The second input terminal is configured, during the test operation mode, to receive the test supply voltage having a test value different from a nominal value of the regulated output supply voltage.
US08996937B2
An embodiment of a circuit includes a data latch and a plurality of cascaded latches, wherein a first of the plurality of cascaded latches is configured to receive a first signal from the data latch and each subsequent cascaded latch is configured to receive a data output signal of a preceding cascaded latch, and an error-detection circuit configured to receive the respective data output signals and detect error in operation of the cascaded latches based thereon.
US08996913B2
The data transfer control device of the present invention is capable of improving data transfer efficiency while discarding error data, a DMA parameter storing control unit (1112) temporarily stores parameters to a store resource; a data processing unit (1201) performs error detection processing for data that is transferred; a DMA parameter return control unit (1122) causes parameters used at transfer time of data for which the processing result in the error detection processing was an error to be returned as parameters for subsequent data transfer use from the store resource; and a completion notification delay control unit (1121), with regard to the parameters, causes the completion notification to a host system that indicates that data transfer has completed normally for each of the parameters to wait for normal completion of data transfer that uses parameters that had been set earlier than each of the first-mentioned parameters.
US08996910B2
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module determining storage device failure information for a plurality of storage devices within a maintenance free storage container, wherein the maintenance free storage container allows for multiple storage devices of the plurality of storage devices to be in a failure mode without replacement and wherein the storage device failure information indicates storage devices of the plurality of storage devices that are in the failure mode. The method continues with the DS processing module maintaining a dynamic container address space of the maintenance free storage container based on the storage device failure information. The method continues with the DS processing module managing mapping of container addresses of the dynamic container address space to dispersed storage network (DSN) addresses of an assigned DSN address range.
US08996909B2
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to database connectivity behavior. In aspects, an entity seeking to access data that is replicated via instances of a database follows a plan. The plan provides information as to which instance(s) the entity is to attempt to access the data from. The plan may include connection data that indicates parameters the entity is to use in connecting to the instance(s). The plan may also indicate one or more other instances from which the entity may attempt to access the data if the client is not able to access the data from initial instance(s).
US08996903B2
A Multi-Tile Power Management Integrated Circuit (MTPMIC) includes tiles including an MCU/ADC tile and a power manager tile. The power manager tile includes a hibernate circuit and a set of Configurable Switching Power Supply Pulse Width Modulator (CSPSPWM) components. The CSPSPWM, in combination with other circuitry external to the integrated circuit, form a switching power supply. The hibernate circuit is operable in a hibernate mode where the CSPSPWM is disabled and the switching power supply no longer generates a supply voltage. A processor in the MCU/ADC tile writes across a standardized bus to configure the hibernate circuit to wake up after a timer determines a configurable amount of time has lapsed, or to wake up in response to a signal present on a terminal of MTPMIC. The processor enables the hibernate mode causing the switching power supply to no longer provide power to the processor and other circuitry of MTPMIC.
US08996902B2
Various embodiments of methods and systems for mode-based reallocation of workloads in a portable computing device (“PCD”) that contains a heterogeneous, multi-processor system on a chip (“SoC”) are disclosed. Because individual processing components in a heterogeneous, multi-processor SoC may exhibit different performance capabilities or strengths, and because more than one of the processing components may be capable of processing a given block of code, mode-based reallocation systems and methodologies can be leveraged to optimize quality of service (“QoS”) by allocating workloads in real time, or near real time, to the processing components most capable of processing the block of code in a manner that meets the performance goals of an operational mode. Operational modes may be determined by the recognition of one or more mode-decision conditions in the PCD.
US08996897B2
A method includes monitoring, through a battery driver component of a embedded operating system executing on a data processing system deriving power from a battery, a state of the battery. The method also includes modifying, through a backlight driver component of the embedded operating system, an intensity level of a backlight of one or more Input/Output (I/O) devices of the data processing system from a current level associated with a normal operation thereof to an intensity level lower than the current level when the battery is detected to be in a critical state to prolong a lifetime thereof. The critical state is associated with a remaining charge on the battery being below a threshold required to maintain the data processing system in a powered on state.
US08996894B2
The present invention discloses a server and a booting method thereof. The booting method includes the following steps. A motherboard and a hard disk driver backplane coupled to multiple hard disk drivers are provided, and a working voltage is provided for the hard disk driver backplane, wherein a power-up normal signal is generated when the hard disk driver backplane is powered up normally, and the motherboard includes a booting control circuit and a controller. In response to the power-up condition of the hard disk driver backplane, the hooting control circuit receives the power-up normal signal and outputs a power-up control signal to the controller. When receiving the power-up control signal, the controller controls the motherboard to be booted or maintained as off by determining the condition of the power-up control signal, for the data exchange between the motherboard and the hard disk driver.
US08996890B2
A system and method for enabling power conservation when making placement and relocation decisions. More specifically, a virtualized environment power conservation module enables power conservation when making placement and relocation decisions within a virtual environment. The virtualized environment power conservation module assigns virtual machines among a group of physical hosts in order to minimize the net power consumption. The virtualized environment power conservation module makes use of server power profile or real time power consumption data to make power consumption aware Virtual Machine assignment decisions. In certain embodiments, a server system exposes real power consumption (e.g. System Watts, Cumulative kWh. etc.) via system management interfaces. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the server systems may expose real power consumption via standard power profiles. These systems leverage PMBus-enabled power supplies to read the power metric information.
US08996888B2
A mobile device includes an application processor, an RF modem for connection to cellular networks, wireless device for connection to wireless networks, a display coupled to the application processor, audio devices coupled to the application processor, power management for providing power through a main battery; and charging the battery, a hybrid memory including a magnetic memory, the magnetic memory further including a parameter area configured to store parameters used to authenticate access to certain areas of the main memory, and a parameter memory that maintains a first area, used to store protected zone parameters, and a second area used to store authentication parameters, the protection zone parameters and the authentication parameters being associated with access to the certain areas in the main memory that requires authentication. Upon modification of any of the parameters stored in the parameter memory by a user, a corresponding location of the parameter area of the main memory is also modified.
US08996883B2
A series of touch panel key entries may be secured by shuffling touch entry coordinates. In one embodiment, the entries may be secured by applying a shuffling algorithm that replaces the true coordinates with other incorrect coordinates. Then the correct data may be reassembled in a secure environment.
US08996879B2
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for user identity attestation in mobile commerce. The method may include obtaining a photograph of a user of a mobile device via a camera integrated with the mobile device; identifying a first set of fiducial points from the photograph; causing the first set of fiducial points from the photograph to be compared to a second set of fiducial points associated with an authorized user of the mobile device; and determining that the user is the authorized user if the first set of fiducial points matches the second set of fiducial points.
US08996877B2
An electronic device generates identifying values which are used in authenticating the electronic device. The device comprises an interface, a private key generator for generating a private key, a non-volatile memory for storing at least the private key, an index source, a hash engine, and a logical interconnection between the private key generator, the non-volatile memory, the index source, the hash engine and the interface. The hash engine generates identifying values provided to the interface via the logical interconnection. The identifying values are provided to a verifying device for use in authenticating the electronic device. Alternatively or in addition, devices may be paired to share a root key to cryptographically communicate between each other and/or to authenticate each other.
US08996866B2
Computer-executable instructions that are directed to the performance of consequential actions and automatically elevate to execute at a higher privilege level to do so can perform such consequential actions only after user notification. Doing so can enable monitoring processes to avoid presenting duplicative user notification upon detection of such auto-elevation. In addition, prior to presenting user notification, input from the execution environment can be ignored and access to DLLs for performing consequential actions can be avoided. A static analyzer can identify non-conforming computer-executable instructions. A wrapper can be utilized to provide compliance by otherwise unknown or non-conforming computer-executable instructions.
US08996864B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a data processing system comprising: a dedicated physical device for access by a single client only; a shared physical device for shared access by multiple clients; a partition of a first type associated with the dedicated physical device, the first type partition comprising said single client and a first device driver for accessing the dedicated physical device; a partition of a second type associated with the shared physical device, the second type partition comprising a second device driver for accessing the shared physical device, and a back end driver for accessing the second device driver; and multiple partitions of the third type each comprising a respective one of said multiple clients and a front end driver for accessing the shared physical device via the second type partition. There is also provided a method of operating the data processing system comprising: executing a user application in the standard domain; and executing in the trusted domain, one or more predetermined operations, services and/or functions relating to the user application.
US08996857B1
A method and system for allowing a single-sign on to access independently purveyed applications with a highly secure single-sign methodology which permits wide area public access, such as through the Internet, to private access weaker credentialed sign-on applications without a need to upgrade the credential requirements for access to the applications.
US08996856B2
A method, product and system for selective encryption in a mobile device. The method comprising: selectively encrypting requests issued by the mobile device, wherein said selectively encrypting comprises: obtaining a request issued by an application executed by the mobile device, the request having one or more characteristics, the request has a destination; determining, based on the one or more characteristics, whether to encrypt the request; and in response to a determination to encrypt the request, re-routing the request to be transmitted to the destination through a secure channel; whereby the request is encrypted regardless of the destination being a priori associated with the secure channel.
US08996853B2
Probes are instrumented into a boot sequence of a computer system to enable probing of the boot sequence. As part of the boot sequence, a value stored in a predetermined storage location within a boot device is read and, if the value indicates that probing of the boot sequence has been enabled, executable code for probing the boot sequence is injected into the boot sequence. Outputs of the probing during the boot process are collected into a buffer and analyzed after the completion of the boot process.
US08996852B2
An electronic device and a method of booting the electronic device is provided. The electronic device and method include a power supply unit, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a controller which, in response to power being supplied by the power supply unit, performs booting in a first booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the volatile memory; and, in response to an error occurring in the first booting mode, performs a next booting in a second booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the non-volatile memory. In response to power being supplied by the power supply unit, performing booting in a first booting mode that uses a suspend image stored in the volatile memory; and in response to an error occurring in the first booting mode, performing a next booting in a second booting mode using a suspend image stored in the non-volatile memory.
US08996851B2
A host device and method for securely booting the host device with operating system code loaded from a storage device are provided. In one embodiment, a host device is in communication with a storage device having a private memory area storing boot loader code and a public memory area storing operating system code. The host device instructs the storage device to initiate a boot mode and receives the boot loader code from the storage device. The host device executes the boot loader code which performs a security check and executes the operating system code loaded from the storage device only if the security check is successful.
US08996848B2
An integrated circuit (122) includes an on-chip boot ROM (132) holding boot code, a non-volatile security identification element (140) having non-volatile information determining a less secure type or more secure type, and a processor (130). The processor (130) is coupled to the on-chip boot ROM (132) and to the non-volatile security identification element (140) to selectively execute boot code depending on the non-volatile information of the non-volatile security identification element (140). Other technology such as processors, methods of operation, processes of manufacture, wireless communications apparatus, and wireless handsets are also disclosed.
US08996844B1
A system including a storage device and a controller. The storage device is configured to store a map. The map relates (i) a first portion of a memory to a first order of first dimensions, and (ii) a second portion of the memory to a second order of second dimensions. The first portion of the memory and the second portion of the memory are non-overlapping. Each of the first dimensions and each of the second dimensions has corresponding memory cells in the memory. The controller is configured to control access to the first portion of the memory according to the first order of first dimensions while controlling access to the second portion of the memory according to the second order of the second dimensions.
US08996842B2
A method for managing a memory stack provides mapping a part of the memory stack to a span of fast memory and a part of the memory stack to a span of slow memory, wherein the fast memory provides access speed substantially higher than the access speed provided by the slow memory.
US08996834B2
The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a heap. The heap is partitioned into at least one sub heap based on a relationship to at least one memory class of a plurality of memory classes. A memory allocation request comprising a memory class is received from a requester. A unique heap handle based on the memory class and associated with a specific sub heap is generated. The unique heap handle is then returned to the requester.
US08996832B2
Method and system for providing information regarding a plurality of storage devices managed by a plurality of storage servers are provided. The storage space at the storage devices is presented to a plurality of computing systems as logical storage space. A plurality of searchable data structures having a plurality of data object types are stored at a temporary memory storage device of a management console that interfaces with the plurality of computing systems and the storage servers. Each data object type stores information regarding the storage device. The searchable data structure includes information regarding the storage devices and the logical storage space presented to the computing systems. A lock data structure for tracking locks that are assigned for accessing information pertaining to a storage server and a data object type is maintained to prevent unauthorized access to at least one of the searchable data structures.
US08996818B2
Some embodiments include a computing device with a control circuit that handles memory requests. The control circuit checks one or more conditions to determine when a memory request should be bypassed to a main memory instead of sending the memory request to a cache memory. When the memory request should be bypassed to a main memory, the control circuit sends the memory request to the main memory. Otherwise, the control circuit sends the memory request to the cache memory.
US08996817B2
A memory access system may be used to relay data between an electronic device and external memory. The memory access system may include write buffers which may receive and write information from the electronic device to the external memory. The memory access system may also include read buffers which may gather data from the external memory and send it to a main processing component of the electronic device for processing. The memory access system may be configured so that the main processing component of the electronic device may gather data from the write buffers of the memory access system when a condition is satisfied.
US08996814B2
The described implementations relate to computer memory. One implementation provides a technique that can include providing stealth memory to an application. The stealth memory can have an associated physical address on a memory device. The technique can also include identifying a cache line of a cache that is mapped to the physical address associated with the stealth page, and locking one or more other physical addresses on the memory device that also map to the cache line.
US08996810B2
A system and method of detecting cache inconsistencies among distributed data centers is described. Key-based sampling captures a complete history of a key for comparing cache values across data centers. In one phase of a cache inconsistency detection algorithm, a log of operations performed on a sampled key is compared in reverse chronological order for inconsistent cache values. In another phase, a log of operations performed on a candidate key having inconsistent cache values as identified in the previous phase is evaluated in near real time in forward chronological order for inconsistent cache values. In a confirmation phase, a real time comparison of actual cache values stored in the data centers is performed on the candidate keys identified by both the previous phases as having inconsistent cache values. An alert is issued that identifies the data centers in which the inconsistent cache values were reported.
US08996809B2
A methods and device for accessing virtual machine (VM) data are described. A computing device for accessing virtual machine comprises an access request process module, a data transfer proxy module and a virtual disk. The access request process module receives a data access request sent by a VM and adds the data access request to a request array. The data transfer proxy module obtains the data access request from the request array, maps the obtained data access request to a corresponding virtual storage unit, and maps the virtual storage unit to a corresponding physical storage unit of a distributed storage system. A corresponding data access operation may be performed based on a type of the data access request.
US08996808B2
Various embodiments for improving data storage and retrieval performance, for a tiered storage environment having levels corresponding to storage performance, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, reference count information of at least one data segment maintained in the tiered storage environment is used to determine which of the levels in the tiered storage environment the at least one data segment will be assigned. Those of the at least one data segment having higher reference counts are assigned to a higher performance level than those having lower reference counts.
US08996807B2
A multi-level cache comprises a plurality of cache levels, each configured to cache I/O request data pertaining to I/O requests of a different respective type and/or granularity. A cache device manager may allocate cache storage space to each of the cache levels. Each cache level maintains respective cache metadata that associates I/O request data with respective cache address. The cache levels monitor I/O requests within a storage stack, apply selection criteria to identify cacheable I/O requests, and service cacheable I/O requests using the cache storage device.
US08996786B2
A nonvolatile memory system includes a memory area including a nonvolatile memory apparatus divided into a plurality of blocks, and a controller configured to control the memory area. The controller groups the plurality of blocks of the memory area according to wear level and whether each of the plurality of blocks is in use, and manages the blocks of each group in wear level order.
US08996784B2
The invention relates to a command controller and a prefetch buffer, and in particular, to a command controller and a prefetch buffer for accessing a serial flash in an embedded system. An embedded system comprises a serial flash, a processor, a plurality of access devices, and a prefetch buffer. The processor and the plurality of access devices send various commands to read data from or write data to the serial flash. The prefetch buffer temporarily stores a predetermined amount of data before data being read from or written to the serial flash.
US08996782B2
According to embodiments, a memory system includes a plurality of memory chips configuring banks, an instruction generator, and a memory controller. The instruction generator generates a plurality of instructions. The memory controller is configured to execute memory accesses to the banks based on the instructions. Each memory access comprises a first command sequence and a second command sequence. The first command sequence causes in-bank processing shortly subsequent to the first command. The second command sequence is executed subsequent to the in-bank processing. The memory controller executes successively a second command sequence to a first bank based on a first instruction and a first command sequence to the first bank based on a second instruction subsequent to the first instruction, and then starts a memory access to a second bank based on a third instruction while the first bank is executing the in-bank processing caused by the first command sequence.
US08996781B2
Architectures and methods for performing big data analytics by providing an integrated storage/processing system containing non-volatile memory devices that form a large, non-volatile memory array and a graphics processing unit (GPU) configured for general purpose (GPGPU) computing. The non-volatile memory array is directly functionally coupled (local) with the GPU and optionally mounted on the same board (on-board) as the GPU.
US08996780B2
A dual host system and method with back to back non-transparent bridges and a proxy packet generating mechanism. The proxy packet generating mechanism enables the hosts to send interrupt generating packets to each other.
US08996778B2
A verified cluster configuration is collected and stored by a central management entity. Servers within the cluster are connected to network cables, where each of the servers has at least one network port and memory storing a port identification code for each network port, and where each network cable has memory storing a cable identification code. For each verified connection between a network cable and a network port, the port identification code is stored in the memory of the network cable and the cable identification code is stored in the memory of the corresponding server. The data identifying each connection is stored by the central management entity and includes the port identification code for a particular network port in association with the network cable identification code for the corresponding network cable. Any miswiring of the configuration is identified by the central management entity and easily corrected by the administrator.
US08996773B2
A computer apparatus and a method for distributing interrupt tasks thereof are provided. The computer apparatus has a plurality of CPUs and a chipset, and the chipset is electrically coupled to each of the CPUs. The chipset is configured for receiving an interrupt request sent from an external hardware device and judging whether or not a task type corresponding to the interrupt request has ever been performed by any one of the CPUs. If a judging result thereof is yes, the chipset assigns the interrupt request to the CPU that has ever performed the task type, so as to perform a corresponding interrupt task.
US08996770B2
Integrating link calibration and dynamic topology discovery in a multi-processor system establishes a first of a plurality of processors in the multi-processor system as a director of integrated link calibration and dynamic topology discovery. A plurality of high speed interconnects connects the plurality of processors with each other. The director processor directs calibration of each of the plurality of high speed interconnects via a shared hardware resource. The shared hardware resource is shared among the plurality of processors. Topology of the multi-processor system is incrementally discovered as each of the plurality of high speed interconnects is calibrated based on a result of each of the plurality of high speed interconnects being calibrated.
US08996767B2
A mobile device uses sensor data related to the type of surface in contact with the mobile device to determine an action to perform. The sensors, by way of example, may be one or more of a microphone and noise generator, a light based proximity sensor, and pressure sensors, such as dielectric elastomers, configured to detect a texture of the surface, and/or pressure waves produced by setting the mobile device down or by a noise generator and reflected by the surface. The mobile device may identify the type of surface and perform the action based on the type of surface. The mobile device may further determine its location based on the sensor data and use that location to identify the action to be performed. The location may be determined using additional data, e.g., data not related to determining the type of surface with which the mobile device is in contact.
US08996765B2
Methods, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are disclosed to manage workload memory allocation. An example method includes identifying a primary memory and a secondary memory associated with a platform, the secondary memory having first performance metrics different from second performance metrics of the primary memory, identifying access metrics associated with a plurality of data elements invoked by a workload during execution on the platform, prioritizing a list of the plurality of data elements based on the access metrics associated with corresponding ones of the plurality of data elements, and reallocating a first one of the plurality of data elements from the primary memory to the secondary memory based on the priority of the first one of the plurality of memory elements.
US08996762B2
This disclosure describes techniques to improve a user experience in a Wireless Display (WD) system. The WD system includes a source device that provides media data to one or more sink devices. The techniques are directed toward reducing end-to-end latency in the WD system while improving video playback quality at the sink devices. More specifically, the techniques include customized buffering at the sink devices based on application awareness for the media data. The techniques include learning the type of application for the media data, and adjusting the size of buffers in the processing pipeline to achieve an appropriate balance between smoothness and latency for the application type. For example, when the media data is for a video playback application, the techniques include increasing the buffer size to increase smoothness in the video playback application.
US08996760B2
Methods to emulate a message signaled interrupt (MSI) with interrupt data are described herein. An embodiment of the invention includes a memory decoder to monitor a predetermined memory block allocated to a device, an interrupt controller to receive an emulated messaged signaled interrupt (MSI) signal from the memory decoder in response to a posted write transaction to the predetermined memory block initiated from the device, and an execution unit to execute an interrupt service routine (ISR) associated with the device to service the MSI using interrupt data retrieved from the predetermined memory block, without having to obtain the interrupt data from the device via an input output (IO) transaction.
US08996752B2
A device management apparatus connected to a plurality of devices via a network includes a collecting unit that receives usage data indicating a status of use of each of the devices from each of the devices and that stores the received usage data in a storage device, and a common data acquiring unit that acquires common data that is common to the devices from the usage data of each of the devices stored in the storage device.
US08996749B2
A system for achieving a uniform device abstraction layer is described. The system includes a device class determiner coupled with a local server, the device class determiner configured for establishing a device class for at least one device residing in a domain at a premises, wherein the domain is coupled with a remote server, and a device of the at least one device includes a communication port that supports a first protocol corresponding to a second protocol, wherein the second protocol is supported by a device driver coupled with the domain, wherein based on the establishing the device class, an action is enabled to be mapped to the device, thereby enabling an application to run on and utilize a capability of the device.
US08996748B1
A storage system and method for preventing propagation of link reset among initiators in the storage system is disclosed. The method includes issuing a link reset command by the initiator, and entering the initiator into a back-off period immediately following the issuing of the link reset command. The initiator remains idle for the entire duration of the back-off period and resumes its operations at the end of the back-off period.
US08996747B2
Methods, physical computer-readable media, and devices are provided that allow re-enumeration to be initiated on a USB 3.0-compatible device. The method includes establishing a connection with a host, transmitting an indicator from the device to the host to cause a Link Training and Status State Machine (LTSSM) of the host to move from active state (U0) to one of SS.Inactive and RX.Detect, synchronizing the device with the host, and presenting a new configuration of the device to the host.
US08996746B2
Apparatuses and methods for use in connection with a Building Automation System (BAS) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an intelligent power node comprising a JAVA-enabled device and serial communication cable that provide a seamless open protocol and aggregation point to broadcast internet protocol communications. In another embodiment, the present invention enables energy monitoring and control of individual ports and outlets. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method of configuring and operating fieldbus devices.
US08996744B1
Attempts to update confirmation information or firmware for a hardware device can be monitored using a secure counter that is configured to monotonically adjust a current value of the secure counter for each update or update attempt. The value of the counter can be determined every time the validity of the firmware is confirmed, and this value can be stored to a secure location. At subsequent times, such as during a boot process, the actual value of the counter can be determined and compared with the expected value. If the values do not match, such that the firmware may be in an unexpected state, an action can be taken, such as to prevent access to, or isolate, the hardware until such time as the firmware can be validated or updated to an expected state.
US08996742B1
Method and system for testing any type of video display, video monitor or other device that produces a video signal, and that is capable of providing information about the video and optionally audio specifications and/or capabilities of the output signal to an external device when coupled thereto. The external device obtains the information about the specifications and/or capabilities and based thereon, assembles one or more pre-defined tests from a test database/repository containing tests to enable testing of compliance of the video signal producing device to those specifications and/or capabilities. This compliance testing may entail generating video or audio content at a source generator, providing it to the video signal producing device, and determining the accuracy of the output of the video signal producing device to the input content. A determination of the results of this test may be provided to an operator of the testing apparatus.
US08996734B2
Described herein is a system (102) having a virtualization and switching system configured to virtualize I/O devices (108) and perform switching of the I/O devices (108) and I/O requests. The virtualization and switching system (102) includes a peripheral virtualization controller (PVC) (204), at least one device control module (206) connected to the PVC (204), and at least one command parser (210). The PVC (204) is configured to manage I/O virtualization and I/O command access of different I/O devices (108). The device control module (206) is configured to store configuration and I/O device registers, implemented by the PVC (204) to enable virtualization of I/O devices (108). The device control module (206) also implements the I/O command and switching logic to perform graceful handling of the I/O commands and virtualized I/O devices between multiple host processors (104).
US08996728B2
An obfuscated network traffic server is operative to generate obfuscated network traffic. The obfuscated network traffic server maintains the relationship between extracted application content and extracted network header content such that the obfuscated network traffic is indistinguishable from the monitored network traffic. The obfuscated network traffic server may include a network monitor operative to monitor network traffic and to extract application content and network header content from the monitored network traffic. The obfuscated network traffic server may also include a data masking processor operative to mask a portion of the separated application content and/or the separated network header content. The obfuscated network traffic server may further include a masking attribute selector operative to specify the attributes of the application content and/or the network header content that is to be masked.
US08996725B2
A computer-implemented process for programmatic redirect management receives a request containing a uniform resource locator, identifies a set of keyword tokens in the uniform resource locator of the request and a set of associated token identifications and determines whether a token identification in the set of associated token identifications is located in a data structure of a redirect registry. Responsive to a determination that the token identification in the set of associated token identifications is located in the redirect registry, the computer-implemented process performs token identification mapping for each token identification in the set of associated token identifications, updating statistics for each token identification mapped in the set of associated token identifications and responsive to a determination that token identification mapping is complete, composes a redirect uniform resource locator.
US08996723B2
An Internet Service Provider (ISP)-aware peer-to-peer (P2P) content exchange system and method for exchanging content over a P2P network using the Internet. The system and method accounts for the type of relationship between peers and classifies and groups each peer according to these relationships. A peer overlay is constructed such that peers within a peer's neighborhood are favored over those peers outside of the neighborhood. Peer scheduling is utilized to exchange information about the availability of blocks of content. This block availability information can be exchanged differently and its frequency changed depending on a peer's classification. Peers are selected for block exchange based on their classification. A peer selection proportion may be defined that dynamically changes depending on contents of a peer's download buffer. The blocks to be exchanged then are selected based on the block availability information, such that the rarest blocks are exchanged before the more common blocks.
US08996722B2
A network architecture includes one or more feature servers and control servers in a control plane that is logically separate from a data plane that includes forwarding elements. Feature servers facilitate adding network-based functionality in a centralized way that is has better scalability than the traditional router architecture. Some examples of network-based functionality are voice over IP, enhancing QoS support, scaling BGP route reflectors, network-based VPN support, scaling mobile IP support, introducing IPv6 into existing and future networks, and enhancing end-to-end network security. Feature servers remove complexity from routers, allow functions to be implemented on a standard-off-the-shelf server platform, facilitate easy introduction of value-added functions, and scale well.
US08996719B2
Network-based content distribution is improved by controlling the flow of multimedia data and streaming characteristics to ensure real-time, consistent delivery. An adaptive media distribution system includes at least one original source of a media channel, a plurality of content playback devices, and one or more stream controllers disposed between the original sources and the playback devices. Each media channel provides audio and/or video content on one or more switchable streams, each stream being encoded with different characteristics such as bitrate. The stream controllers receive streams and determine how the streams should be allocated to the playback devices so as to provide consistent delivery of the content in accordance with playback demand and the stream attributes or information.
US08996718B2
In response to a transport control protocol (TCP) packet received from an Internet protocol (IP) layer of a TCP/IP stack of a data processing system, a large receive offload (LRO) layer of the TCP/IP stack is to identify a flow associated with the TCP packet, to determine whether the identified flow should be coalesced based on a set of one or more rules, to coalesce the TCP packet into a pending coalesced TCP packet without immediately sending the TCP packet to a TCP layer of the TCP/IP stack, if it is determined that the identified flow should be coalesced based on the set of one or more rules, and otherwise to immediately send the TCP packet to the TCP layer for TCP processing.
US08996717B2
A clustered system arranged for supporting a clustered file system. The clustered system comprises at least two nodes and is characterised in that these at least two nodes are arranged for exchanging data traffic of the clustered file system between each other via an IP protocol over a lossless Ethernet network.
US08996715B2
A method of controlling data transfer between a Web client and a Web application by building a response with a target. The target indicates a destination to an impromptu component of the Web application. The target is signed when a response is built. After receiving the response by the Web client; the corresponding a request from the Web client includes the signed target. The request is received by an entry point of the Web application. The entry point has existing validation rules. The validation rules are by-passed when the signed target is verified. The target is restored in the request to the original state; and dispatched to the impromptu component.
US08996711B2
A resource provider receives a request for a resource and receives an indication of an advertising format, the advertising format defining at least one of a layout or content of an advertisement, and the advertising format specified by a browser that issued the request for the resource, where the advertising format is different than a format of the resource. The resource provider generates a response to the request that is compliant with the advertising format, wherein generating the response comprises selecting a resource version from a plurality of resources versions that are each compliant with the advertising format.
US08996706B2
A system and method for performing quality of service control on a user equipment are provided in the present invention. The method includes: after establishing an Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) security association between the user equipment and a packet data network gateway to establish an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnel, the packet data network gateway sending IPSec tunnel information to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), the PCRF then sending the IPSec tunnel information to a Broadband Policy Control Function (BPCF), and the BPCF performing quality of service control on services of the user equipment according to the received IPSec tunnel information. With the technical scheme of the present invention, it enables the BPCF to acquire tunnel information of the user equipment and then perform quality of service control on the user equipment.
US08996703B2
A power-saving synchronization of refresh requesting messages transmitted from a client terminal (31) to different server terminals (33a, 33b) in multiple soft-state dialogues, e.g. in SIP. The synchronization involves a continuous detection of a large time offset (34) occurring between the refresh requesting messages in the different dialogues, and an adjustment of the negotiated length of the refresh interval indicated in the refresh requesting messages, such that the client terminal will transmit the refresh requesting messages approximately simultaneously to the different server terminals.
US08996702B2
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for routing sessions to a specific Uniform Resource Locator (URL) in a multi-site environment. An ordered list of servers is provided in a multi-site environment. Upon receipt of a session request submitted by a user, the ordered list of servers is looped through until a valid URL is found. When a valid URL is found, the session request is redirected to the server in the multi-site environment specified by the valid URL.
US08996697B2
A method of authenticating a content-provider server, the method comprising: determining a domain name of the content-provider server; obtaining a fragment of a database of IP addresses, the fragment corresponding to the domain name of the content-provider server and storing one or more IP addresses associated with the domain name; comparing the IP address of the content-provider server against the IP addresses of the fragment; and providing an indication that the IP address of the content-provider server is included or excluded from the fragment of IP addresses. Additionally, a client computer and server operable to implement the method are described.
US08996694B2
A computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a program for causing a computer to execute a digital signature process, wherein the digital signature process includes distributing packets to machines based on session durations according to a communication of the packets in a given duration, and performing verification tests based on the packets distributed to the machines by each of the machines.
US08996677B2
Information processing system including: a plurality of process control units storing process data including present value and time-series data or historical data, and a plurality of data collection units collecting and processing data from the process control units. The data collection units each include: a first dynamic management section managing access and exit of the data collection unit of interest to and from the information processing system and managing operating status of all data collection units currently accessing the information processing system; a second dynamic management section managing addition and removal of process control units to and from the information processing system; and a charge determination section determining process control units to be taken charge of by the data collection unit of interest based on first identification information allocated to each of the data collection units and on second identification information allocated to each of the process control units.
US08996669B2
Redirecting DNS traffic includes receiving, at an Internet improvement platform, a DNS query issued from an Internet application running on a computing device. The Internet navigation platform determines an appropriate response to the DNS query. The response is then executed. Characteristics relative to the query and to the result of a served page may be recorded and later referenced by the Internet improvement platform.
US08996654B2
Apparatus, method, and manufacture, illustratively the aggregation apparatus connects to a sites on the Internet, authenticates itself with the sites, and facilitates at least one of: retrieving user-selected information from the sites, parsing the user-selected information from the sites to produce an aggregation, and rendering at least some of the aggregation as the output; retrieving information from the sites, parsing the information from the sites, and user-selectedly filtering the parsed information in producing an aggregation of the parsed information in producing an aggregation, and rendering at least some of the aggregation as the output; and retrieving information from the sites, parsing the information from the sites, producing an aggregation of the parsed information so as to produce an aggregation of the parsed information, and user-selectedly rendering the aggregation as the output. The rendering can include supplying content from one of the sites to another of the sites.
US08996652B2
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for using a cluster-based actor identifier in link aggregation control protocol communications between an actor comprising an intermediary device of a cluster of intermediary devices and a non-cluster aware device. The system and methods include a cluster of intermediary devices in communication with a link aggregation control protocol enabled network device that is unaware of the cluster. A first intermediary device of the cluster generates an actor identifier, based on a cluster identifier that identifies the cluster, for each of the intermediary devices of the cluster to use as a system identifier for link aggregation control protocol communications and one or more intermediary devices transmit to the network device a link aggregation control protocol data unit that advertises the actor identifier as the system identifier for establishing a link aggregation between the cluster and the network device.
US08996647B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution to optimize data transfer between a mobile device and a cloud storage provider. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may select one or more files for transfer from the mobile device to a cloud storage device based on an analysis of a set (at least one) of factors such as: (1) the percentage of local storage being consumed on the mobile device; (2) the mobile device's billing plan, and whether file transfer will cause the billing plan to be exceeded; (3) a capacity of a link between the mobile device and the cloud storage provider; (4) dates of last access for files stored on the mobile device; and/or (5) a battery power remaining in the mobile device (if applicable). Any files selected based on an analysis of these factors can be transferred via the link and deleted from the mobile device. Typically, a file is a candidate for transfer if it has not been accessed recently (e.g., within a certain time period), the link and billing plan can accommodate the transfer of the file (e.g., determined based on the size of the file), and there is sufficient power to make the file transfer.
US08996641B2
The disclosure provides a method and corresponding system for personalizing and disbursing content material in an automated fashion based on differing characteristics or profiles of the recipients. The system includes a database of potential recipients with key characteristics such as location data, revenue, product ownership, customer status, tenure with the company/organization, payment status, credit rating, whether they have recently responded to other material, and the like. Dissemination media include email communications, collaterals, brochures, textual materials, image and video information, and any similar media, where the contents of the communication material is customized based on the key characteristics profiles of the recipients and driven by a set of business rules that can be adapted to fit various scenarios.
US08996630B2
An event notification system is linked to a plurality of event generation devices and to an event notification network. The system receives event messages from the event generation devices and determines what information should be included in an event notification message that the system transmits to one or more recipient devices. Each event notification message includes coded event message information and a coded unique message identity. A response message receive by the system from a recipient device includes the coded event message information which is used by the system to validate the response.
US08996626B2
A content sharing method of an intermediate node based on a content oriented network (CON) is provided. The method includes receiving, from a content requesting terminal, a proxy sharing request message with respect to a content including a content name of the content, the content including a plurality of data segments, generating data segment request messages with respect to each of the plurality of data segments corresponding to the content, in response to the reception of the proxy sharing request message, transmitting the data segment request messages to at least one terminal having the plurality of data segments, receiving the plurality of data segments from the at least one terminal, and transmitting the content to the content requesting terminal, using an aggregated data transmission scheme based on the received plurality of data segments.
US08996622B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting spam hosts. In one embodiment, one or more graphs are generated using data obtained from a query log, where the one or more graphs include at least one of an anticlick graph or a view graph. Values of one or more syntactic features of the one or more graphs are ascertained. Values of one or more semantic features of the one or more graphs are determined by propagating categories from a web directory among nodes in each of the one or more graphs. Spam hosts are then detected based upon the values of the syntactic features and the semantic features.
US08996621B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a comment object from a first client computer, the comment object being associated with an electronic document accessed from the first client computer. Further actions may include assigning the comment object a unique identifier, placing the comment object in a queue according to the unique identifier, and forwarding the comment object to a second client computer in response to opening the electronic document by the second client computer. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08996620B2
Promoting interoperability of presence-based systems through the use of ubiquitous online identities
A client system submits a request to the first instant messaging system to access the first instant messaging service. The request includes an online identity that is associated with a second instant messaging system. The first instant messaging system communicates with the second instant messaging system to enable authentication of the online identity and, upon authentication, the first instant messaging system enables the client system to access the first instant messaging service.
US08996616B2
Methods and systems that provide for cross-linking from composite images that include receiving, over a computer network, a source image and then associating a first identifier tag with a first object in the source image. A composite image is generated from the source image, wherein the composite image includes a cropped image of the first object. Then a first user is notified that the first identifier tag is associated with the first object in the cropped image and also includes a copy of the composite image. Additionally, the user can select the first object in the composite image and be linked to the source image that contains the selected first object where the first object is highlighted.
US08996596B2
A random number generation method and apparatus are disclosed. In the random number generation method, a random number is generated using a plurality of digital signals existing in various storage devices, and thus the speed at which a random number is generated may be significantly increased.
US08996586B2
Storing and/or virtually compressing a file on a virtual file system associated with a portable media drive. The virtual file system includes the portable media drive and allocated storage of a storage server. The file partitioned into a local portion and at least one remote portion. The local portion is stored on the portable media drive and the remote portions are transferred to the storage server. For a virtually compressed file, the storage size of the file on the virtual file system is calculated as a function of the storage size of the local portion on the portable media drive.
US08996584B2
Certain examples provide systems, apparatus, and methods for content-driven healthcare location relationship management. An example method includes receiving one or more location identifiers for a content-based clinical application. The example method includes assigning one or more locations to a source role and a target role based on the one or more location identifiers and an ontology, the ontology including a plurality of relationship types. The example method includes identifying a relationship between the source role and the target role based on the one or more location identifiers and the ontology. The example method includes associating the source role and target role based on the identified relationship. The example method includes utilizing the source role, target role, and identified relationship to configure one or more content items forming the content-based clinical application.
US08996576B1
ZIP code connection matrices are created for use in insurance ratemaking by identifying common borders of geographically defined regions. ZIP codes and associated cartographic boundaries are read from a database. Pairs of coordinates for the boundaries are stored in a matrix and values are calculated that represent each pair of coordinates in the matrix. The calculated values are stored in an encoded coordinates matrix and used to determine common segments. A connection matrix is formed representing connections among ZIP codes. A neighborhood matrix is then calculated, which stores values that represent an indication of closeness of each ZIP code in the neighborhood matrix to a target ZIP code.
US08996563B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A high-performance dictionary data structure is defined. The dictionary data structure is stored on a disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure. Updates run faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. The structure can also be stored on any system with two or more levels of memory. The dictionary is high performance and supports with full transactional semantics, concurrent access from multiple transactions, and logging and recovery. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk.
US08996556B2
A method of parallel processing an ordered input data stream that includes a plurality of input data elements and a corresponding plurality of order keys for indicating an ordering of the input data elements, with each order key associated with one of the input data elements, includes processing the input data stream in a parallel manner with a plurality of worker units, thereby generating a plurality of sets of output data elements. The plurality of sets of output data elements is stored in a plurality of buffers, with each buffer associated with one of the worker units. An ordered output data stream is output while the input data stream is being processed by outputting selected output data elements from the buffers in an order that is based on the order keys.
US08996550B2
A server system receives, respectively, a first character string from a first user and a second character string from a second user. There are one or more differences between the first and second character strings. The server system obtains from a plurality of previously submitted complete queries, respectively, a first set of predicted complete queries corresponding to the first character string and a second set of predicted complete queries corresponding to the second character string. There are one or more identical queries in both the first and second sets. The server system conveys at least a first subset of the first set to the first user and at least a second subset of the second set to the second user. Both the first subset and the second subset include a respective identical query.
US08996546B2
A resource retrieval system comprises a server having a searchable database wherein users can readily access region-based publications similar to, but not necessarily limited to, printed telephone directories. The resource retrieval system communicates with at least one user system, preferably via the Internet. In one embodiment, the server is accessed by the user system via an icon, which initiates an interactive interface wherein the user can “point and click” to a geographic area so as to further narrow the searchable field until arriving at a “virtual phone book,” or an electronic replica of an actual or physical telephone directory for a desired geographic region. Preferably, the replicated telephone directory is displayed in a manner so as to digitally or electronically replicate the traditional format of the physical telephone directory. Further, the replicated telephone directory can be further searched or accessed in a relative manner common with the use of the physical telephone directory while allowing for additional capabilities currently not found or available in print directories. In one embodiment, the present invention also includes interactive features which the user can utilize to access Internet addresses (e.g., webpage addresses) and/or telephone numbers provided within the content of the printed telephone directory.
US08996545B2
The embodiments provide an in-memory database system having an extraction module configured to extract data (e.g., business data and address data) from one or more external data sources and transform the data into a standard format, a geocoder configured to geocode the address data including obtaining spatial data based on the address data using an internal reference table, and an internal database configured to store the internal reference table, the business data, the address data, and the spatial data.
US08996543B2
Methods, systems, and subsystems for identifying and accessing multimedia content are provided. One external library access module includes instructions, stored on computer readable media, that, when executed by a processor, perform steps for: accessing personal profile settings stored in computer readable media, the profile settings including personal settings relating to filtering content; accessing an external search engine used to identify content on a network, the engine having an adjustable content filter; and selecting a setting of the filter based on the personal settings. In another embodiment, a method for identifying and accessing multimedia content from a network includes: filtering content described in a first compilation of data in strict adherence to personal settings relating to filtering content; and using an external filter to filter content accessible from the network through an external search engine. A setting of the external filter is automatically selected based on the personal settings.
US08996539B2
A framework is provided for composing texts about objects with structured information about these objects, and thus disclosed are methodologies for linking information from at least two data sources—one comprising a plurality of documents comprising text pertaining to at least one object, and one comprising a plurality of structured records comprising at least one characteristic of the at least one object, each characteristic comprising one property name and an associated property value corresponding to the property name for the at least one object—by determining one or more instance-based traits for each object in both data sources and associating at least one record with at least one document that refers to each object, each trait comprising one or more characteristics that identifiably distinguish each object from all other objects.
US08996537B1
A system and associated methods for providing electronically noted items are disclosed. The noting application includes a communication module, a determination module, a ranking module and a presentation module. The communication module receives a request for electronically noted items from a first user and user identification data identifying the first user. The determination module determines one or more second users related to the first user based at least in part on the user identification data. The determination module retrieves a first set of two or more electronically noted items marked by the one or more second users. The ranking module ranks the first set of two or more electronically noted items to generate a second set of two or more electronically noted items. The presentation module provides for display the second set of two or more electronically noted items to the first user.
US08996536B2
A network update interface is presented to a user on a network to display network updates from other users of a mutual social-networking site. The network updates shared by the other users are gathered in a stream and supplied to a facet-filtering system including a network update interface. The user controls the display of certain network update items according to facet-filter characteristics enabled in facet-filter selection panels in the network update interface. The facet-filter characteristics are used by a facet filter to select certain network updates for display to the user in the network update interface. Trending links to further articles with content corresponding to the facet-filter characteristics are displayed to the user according to greatest popularity among the other users. Links to the profiles of the users sharing the articles are also provided in the network update interface.
US08996531B1
A process is disclosed for the computer management of inverted lists and inverted indices, in which the standard representation and processing of inverted lists is changed in order to achieve a simpler, more compact and more efficient architecture.
US08996529B2
A networked computer system identifies, optimizes and recommends content sources for users. The content sources can be used for providing news feeds, search results, etc. based on taking into net useful content contributed by such sources over other sources.
US08996523B1
Feature information, such as street address data, is provided by multiple sources of varying levels of trust. The street address data provided by these sources may include various representations of an address for a map feature. Thus, overlapping street address data for the map feature exists. In one embodiment, a feature selection server merges the street address data for the map feature to create a representative street address for the address data provided from multiple sources.
US08996518B2
Systems and methods are provided for a data processing system having multiple executable threads that is configured to generate a cross-product matrix in a single pass through data to be analyzed. An example system comprises memory for receiving the data to be analyzed, a processor having a plurality of executable threads for executing code to analyze data, and software code for generating a cross-product matrix in a single pass through data to be analyzed. The software code includes threaded variable levelization code for generating a plurality of thread specific binary trees for a plurality of classification variables, variable tree merge code for combining a plurality of the thread-specific trees into a plurality of overall trees for the plurality of classification variables, effect levelization code for generating sub-matrices using the plurality of the overall trees for the plurality of classification variables, and cross-product matrix generation code for generating the cross-product matrix.
US08996515B2
Two methods for measuring keyword-document relevance are described. The methods receive a keyword and a document as input and output a probability value for the keyword. The first method is a similarity-based approach which uses techniques for measuring similarity between two short-text segments to measure relevance between the keyword and the document. The second method is a regression-based approach based on an assumption that if an out-of-document phrase (the keyword) is semantically similar to an in-document phrase, then relevance scores of the in and out-of document phrases should be close to each other.
US08996512B2
Provided are a computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for ranking search results. It is determined that a find operation with a find keyword has been issued for a page. In response to determining that the find keyword has been located on the page, the find keyword is stored in an index as relevant text for the page. In response to receiving a subsequent search request for which the page is retrieved, the page is ranked based on the find keyword.
US08996494B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for modeling costed entities and performing a value chain analysis. In one implementation, methods and systems may implement a costing platform. The costing platform may be adapted for modeling any set of costed entities and processing value chains. Value chains may be modeled by a user via the costing platform, so that networks comprised of objects and edges, and costed entities located at the objects can be modeled and functions can be added to determine key figures.
US08996488B2
A rule-based system for improving accuracy of geocoding results is provided including a communications device configured to transmit a query including a textually identified location and a geocoding accuracy module configured to receive the query from the communications device and successively remove constraints from the textually identified location until a match is located. Related methods and computer program products are also provided.
US08996487B1
System and method for improving the relevance of search results using data container access patterns
A system and method for improving the relevance of search results using data container access patterns. An indexing process tracks data access patterns and updates an access data structure. When executing a search operation, a search process first identifies a set of data containers containing the search terms. The search process then utilizes the access data structure to rank the identified data containers based on the collected data access pattern information.
US08996482B1
A distributed system and method for replicated storage of structure data records. According to one embodiment, a system may include storage hosts each configured to store and retrieve structured data records, and a data store manager configured to receive a request from a client to store a structured data record within a table. In response to receiving the request, the data store manager may be further configured to map the structured data record to a block according to a partition key value of the structured data record and an identifier of the table and to map the block to a subset comprising at least two of the plurality of storage hosts. Upon successfully storing the structured data record to the block within at least two storage hosts within the subset, the data store manager may be further configured to return to the client an indication that said request is complete.
US08996481B2
Some embodiments include a system, method, apparatus and means for identifying and extracting information include generating a list of information sources, each selected as having information potentially relevant to a topic, the list of information sources including sources of at least a first type and sources of a second type, retrieving first information from an information source of the at least first type and determining that the first information is relevant to the topic, monitoring the information source of the at least first type to identify a change in the first information, and retrieving updated information from the information source of the at least first type upon identifying the change.
US08996475B2
A global information management system (GIMS) includes a collection of standards and methods that allow information management on a global scale. A GIMS computer network includes a central registration database (CRD) and one or more GIMS computer systems connected over a network. Each GIMS computer system includes a relational database having a set of standardized tables. The CRD may provide a GIMS network-unique system ID to each GIMS computer system. Each GIMS computer system uses the GIMS network-unique system ID as part of a primary key for each record generated by and stored in the set of standardized tables of the GIMS database. The GIMS enables global database normalization through the globally unique identification of database records.
US08996470B1
Methods and systems for maintaining the internal consistency of a fact repository are described. Accessed objects are checked for attribute-value pairs that have links to other objects. For any link to an object, the name of the linked-to object is inserted into the attribute-value pair having the link. The accessed objects are filtered to remove attribute-value pairs meeting predefined criteria, possibly resulting in null objects. Links to null objects are identified and removed.
US08996467B2
A distributed, cloud-based storage system provides a reliable, deduplicated, scalable and high performance backup service to heterogeneous clients that connect to it via a communications network. The distributed cloud-based storage system guarantees consistent and reliable data storage while using structured storage that lacks ACID compliance. Consistency and reliability are guaranteed using a system that includes: 1) back references from shared objects to referring objects, 2) safe orders of operation for object deletion and creation, 3) and simultaneous access to shared resources through sub-resources.
US08996460B1
In one aspect, a method to generate a point-in-time (PIT) snapshot of deduplication-based volume includes generating a virtual access data structure, generating a preliminary snapshot of the volume and modifying the preliminary snapshot to point to a block according to the virtual access data structure to generate the PIT snapshot of the deduplication-based volume.
US08996444B2
A computer-implemented method, selection program, device and article of manufacture for selecting images of one or more operating systems (OS) that are cached in a target data processing system. The method can be implemented in a provisioning system where the system includes a first pool having the images of a plurality of different OS and a second pool having a plurality of data processing systems. The method includes: calculating the probability that the respective OS images in the first pool will be used in the next provisioning; and determining a combination of one or more OS images as one or more OS images to be cached.
US08996437B2
Aspects of the invention collect data or information from a dynamic and adaptive target group selection. Sets of experts are selected. Responses to a survey are used to expand the set of experts by adding experts noted in answer referrals. The survey is updated by removing satisfied questions, and expert selections, answers analysis and survey updating and resending steps are iteratively repeated until each question is satisfied, wherein the expert sets may be dynamically revised in each iteration.
US08996436B1
A method, system, and process for classifying a dataset using a decision tree is discussed. The decision tree may be stored in a novel format on a distributed architecture, and the dataset classification may be performed in parallel on the distributed architecture.
US08996431B2
A spike domain asynchronous neuron circuit includes a first spike to exponential circuit for emulating kinetic dynamics at a neuron input and converting voltage spikes into exponentials, a first adjustable gain circuit for emulating homeostatic plasticity coupled to the first voltage-type spike exponential output and having a first current output, a neuron core circuit coupled to the first current output for emulating a neuron core and having a spike encoded voltage output, a filter and comparator circuit coupled to the spike encoded voltage output and having a gain control output coupled to the first adjustable gain circuit for controlling a gain of the first adjustable gain circuit, and an adjustable delay circuit for emulating an axonal delay coupled to the spike encoded voltage output and having an axonal delay output.
US08996429B1
Methods and systems for robot and user interaction are provided to generate a personality for the robot. A robot may access a user device to determine or identify information about a user, and the robot may be configured to tailor a personality for interaction with the user based on the identified information. A robot may further receive data associated with the user to identify the user, such as using speech or face recognition. The robot may provide a personalized interaction or response to the user based on the determined information of the user. In some examples, a robot's personality or personalization can be transferred from one robot to another robot, or information stored on one robot can be shared with another robot over the cloud.
US08996426B2
A report indicating a user-reported probability of a successful outcome is received. A behavior and information model is estimated based on the report. The behavior and information model includes a behavior model component having a bias parameter and a consistency parameter. The behavior and information model includes an information model component having a first user-believed probability of a successful outcome and a second user-believed probability of a successful outcome. The behavior and information model is used to yield a model-determined probability of a successful outcome that more accurately reflects a probability of a successful outcome than the user-reported probability of a successful outcome does.
US08996424B2
A digital system or device includes a battery pack as an exemplary functional subunit. In a warranty case determined by an electrical load test for determining its actual charge capacity, a battery check program initializes, via the operating system and an underlying printer, a printout of a warranty certificate. This certificate form, in particular, contains a UID of the underlying battery pack gathered from a ROM implemented in the battery pack. Before generating the printout of the certificate, the UID gathered from the ROM is coded e.g. by the battery check program and only the coded UID is printed. The printout of the warranty certificate thereafter will be delivered to the warranty service provider by the user. After having received the delivered warranty certificate and having checked validity of the user's warranty claim by means of the coded UID the warranty service provider sends a replacement battery pack back to the user. As a consequence, the user can replace the battery pack on its own and therefore does not have to deliver the replaced battery pack to the warranty service provider.
US08996423B2
Current embodiments provide for authorization and payment of an online commercial transaction between a purchaser and a merchant including verification of an identity of the purchaser and verification of an ability of the purchaser to pay for the transaction, where the identity provider and the payment provider are often different network entities. Other embodiments also provide for protocols, computing systems, and other mechanisms that allow for identity and payment authentication using a mobile module, which establishes single or multilevel security over an untrusted network (e.g., the Internet). Still other embodiments also provide for a three-way secure communication between a merchant, consumer, and payment provider such that sensitive account information is opaque to the merchant, yet the merchant is sufficiently confident of the consumer's ability to pay for requested purchases. In yet another embodiment, electronic billing information is used for authorization, auditing, payment federation, and other purposes.
US08996421B2
Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at broadcast headends in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method includes generating a broadcast signal, receiving an authorization request to download a program from a receiver station, determining an authorization for the download and sending the authorization to a point-to-point content delivery server.
US08996400B2
Digital content can be sold by an original sales entity (OSE) to an affiliate sales entity (ASE) for playing of the content by the ASE. The ASE is permitted to transfer the content to another ASE, and sales credit for the secondary transfer is split between the transferring ASE and the OSE upon synchronization of a ledger of the recipient ASE with the system database.
US08996398B2
A method, within a computer hardware system, includes the following. A first functional marketing element associated with a second entity is inserted within a first website associated with a first entity. A second functional marketing element associated with the first entity is reciprocally inserted within a second website associated with the second entity based upon the first functional marketing element being inserted within the first website. The second functional marketing element, within the second website, includes a link to the first website, and the first functional marketing element, within the first website, includes a link to the second website.
US08996393B2
Methods and systems for controlling inventory in a medical facility include providing a medical device into a medical treatment area within a wireless range of a medical facility network and automatically identifying the medical device upon introduction into the medical treatment area. Patient records are automatically updated to reflect that the medical device has been assigned to a patient.
US08996389B2
Various techniques are disclosed for reducing artifacts generated by time compression. by adapting the time compression based on the state of the received audio. The amount of time compression may be bounded based on audio characteristics. Another feature provides a way of determining the most correlated portions of segments of audio. Voiced speech may be distinguished from unvoiced speech. Another feature provides a way of distinguishing between silence, voiced speech, and unvoiced speech. Time compression may be adapted during periods of lengthy silence. Another feature allows for reducing time compression during sensitive portions of the received audio. One or more of these features may be present in different embodiments.
US08996387B2
For clearing transaction data selected for a processing, there is generated in a portable data carrier (1) a transaction acoustic signal (003; 103; 203) (S007; S107; S207) upon whose acoustic reproduction by an end device (10) at least transaction data selected for the processing are reproduced superimposed acoustically with a melody specific to a user of the data carrier (1) (S009; S109; S209). The generated transaction acoustic signal (003; 103; 203) is electronically transferred to an end device (10) (S108; S208), which processes the selected transaction data (S011; S121; S216) only when the user of the data carrier (1) confirms vis-à-vis the end device (10) an at least partial match both of the acoustically reproduced melody with the user-specific melody and of the acoustically reproduced transaction data with the selected transaction data (S010; S110, S116; S210).
US08996380B2
Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.
US08996365B2
A howling canceller which suppresses occurrence of howling even when an open loop gain exceeds “1” in the whole reproduction band. In the howling canceller, an adaptive filter (107) operates a digital received voice signal with a tap coefficient to generate a pseudo echo; a subtractor (108) subtracts the pseudo echo from a digital transmitted voice signal to generate a residual signal; and an amplitude limiting circuit (110) limits the absolute value of the amplitude of the digital received voice signal to be equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold which ensures that all of a D/A converter (101), a power amplifier (102), a speaker (103), a microphone (104), a microphone amplifier (105), and an A/D converter (106) operate in a linear operation area, and outputs the amplitude-limited digital received voice signal to the D/A converter (101) and the adaptive filter (107).
US08996351B2
Techniques are provided for translating a document that was scanned by a multi-function peripheral (MFP). A server within a computing cloud receives an MFP identifier and processed scan data that results from optical character recognition and/or natural language translation having been performed on scan data produced by the MFP. In response to the receipt of the processed scan data at the server, the server selects a set of rules that is mapped to a context to which the MFP identifier is mapped. Corrected processed scan data is generated by applying the set of rules to the processed scan data that was received by the server. Manual corrections made to the corrected processed scan data may be used to update the set of rules so that those corrections are also made to other processed scan data produced by MFPs having identifiers mapped to the same context.
US08996344B2
Emulator computer program machines including an emulator module are disclosed. A machine includes a computer usable medium having computer readable program code for emulating a process of a machine having actuators and mechanical elements. The computer readable program code includes computer readable code instructions configured to display a graphical user interface having input fields corresponding to the actuators and mechanical elements, and to display a graphical representation of output response data of the machine using inputted parameters. Computer readable code instructions for receiving a plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields, and for emulating a mechanical operation of the machine using the plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields by simulating the programmable logic controller code are included. Output response data based on an emulation of the mechanical operation of the machine is generated and displayed.
US08996343B2
Methods for generating predicted product values of a product produced by a machine and for predicting a process of a machine are disclosed. A method for generating predicted product values of a product manufactured by a machine includes presenting a machine input fields requesting parameters associated with actuators and mechanical elements, and presenting product input fields requesting desired product properties. The method further includes receiving parameters from the machine input fields, receiving desired product properties from the product input fields, and calculating output response data by an emulation of a mechanical operation of the machine using the parameters and the desired product properties. The output response data is provided to a product model that calculates predicted product values based on the output response data provided. The method further includes presenting the one or more predicted product values.
US08996338B2
A method of detecting a concentration of a target component by using a reference wavelength includes: defining a wavelength at which a light intensity is insensitive to the variation of the target component concentration as a reference wavelength for the target component; detecting spectra at both the reference wavelength and a further measuring wavelength; processing the spectrum detected at the further measuring wavelength, with the spectrum detected at the reference wavelength as an inner reference, to obtain a characteristic spectrum including specific information of the target component; building a calibration model between the characteristic spectrum and the concentration of the target component; and determining the concentration of the target component based on the calibration model.
US08996325B2
There is described a detecting device of the distribution profile of current of a switching converter; the converter has an input voltage and is adapted to supply an output current. The device comprises means adapted to convert a signal indicating the output current of the converter into a digital signal comprising p digital samples, being p an integer, processed in p successive time intervals belonging to a time period. The detecting device comprises further means adapted to process each sample of the plurality of samples by comparing each sample with a respective plurality of n reference currents, being n an integer, having a value successively increasing from the first to the last and associated with a plurality of n counters, and by supplying a single i-th counter of said plurality of counters, being i an integer between 1 and n, said supplying occurring if the sample has a higher value than the i-th reference current, but lower than the i+1-th reference current; said further means are adapted to process all p samples.
US08996316B2
A system and computer assisted method to fractionate an oil or other well using a user moveable and rotatable three dimensional model of a lateral pay zone for a directionally drilled well, and other information relative to the lateral pay zone, enabling accurate identification of fractionation zones, accurate placement of well perforating guns, and accurate insertion of fractionation plugs to maximize production of the well, while additionally enabling the three dimensional model of the lateral pay zone to be viewable and updatable by on site uses at the location of the fractionation and by remote users as events occur, in some cases, in providing updates in less than 1 minute.
US08996313B2
An apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain an atmospheric-pressure value measured by each of a plurality of electronic devices, the plurality of electronic devices being located at corresponding floors in a building and having atmospheric-pressure sensors, respectively, a setting unit configured to perform processing, the processing including calculating a frequency of an atmospheric-pressure value having a same value on the basis of the obtained plurality of atmospheric-pressure values and, classifying the atmospheric-pressure values on the basis of the frequencies, and generating association information associating the classified atmospheric-pressure value with a floor of the building; and a transmission unit configured to transmit information on a floor of the building associated with the atmospheric-pressure value on the basis of the generated association information when an atmospheric-pressure value is received together with identification information identifying the electronic device from any one of the electronic devices.
US08996311B1
A navigation system for use with moving vehicles includes target points proximate to a rendezvous site located on a first moving vehicle. One or more transmitters associated with the target points broadcast time-tagged target point positioning information. A navigation unit on a second moving vehicle utilizes a camera with known properties to capture images that include the target points. The navigation unit processes the image that corresponds in time to the positioning information, to determine the relative position and orientation of the rendezvous site at the second vehicle. The navigation unit utilizes the relative position and orientation and an absolute position and orientation of the rendezvous site calculated from the target position information and calculates an absolute position and orientation corresponding to the second vehicle. The navigation unit then initializes its component inertial subsystem using a local position and orientation that are based on the calculated absolute position and orientation of the second vehicle.
US08996310B1
A navigation system repeatedly determines a GNSS heading for the vehicle based on GNSS data received from the GNSS receiver, and repeatedly determines an inertial heading for the vehicle based on data received from an inertial measurement unit. The navigation system repeatedly sets the inertial heading to a verified GNSS heading and then provides the set inertial heading as input to a recursive feedback algorithm. The recursive feedback algorithm receives additional inputs indicating the vehicle's angular displacement or acceleration and outputs an updated inertial heading. The navigation system compares the subsequently determined GNSS headings with the updated inertial heading. If the two headings are different, the navigation system sets the GNSS heading to the updated inertial or 180 degree reverse of the GNSS heading.
US08996304B2
An embodiment of the invention includes (a) acquiring a tour start location, a tour constraint, and a first user travel preference for a first user; and (b) determining a tour route, including first and second tour segments, based on the tour start location and the tour constraint. The first tour segment is determined based on the first user travel preference. The tour constraint includes a time constraint that is defined by the first user and includes a maximum allowable time for the tour route. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08996303B1
A method is disclosed for mitigating the risks associated with driving by assigning risk values to road segments and using those risk values to select less risky travel routes. Various approaches to helping users mitigate risk are presented. A computing device is configured to generate a database of risk values. That device may receive accident information, geographic information, vehicle information, and other information from one or more data sources and calculate a risk value for the associated road segment. Subsequently, the computing device may provide the associated risk value to other devices. Furthermore, a personal navigation device may receive travel route information and use that information to retrieve risk values for the road segments in the travel route. An insurance company may use this information to determine whether to adjust a quote or premium of an insurance policy. This and other aspects relating to using geographically encoded information to promote and reward risk mitigation are disclosed.
US08996302B2
A location of a mobile device in a venue can be estimated by using a state space estimator to determine candidate locations of the mobile device at a first time point based on previous candidate positions conditioned upon an observation of one or more environmental variables. A second observation is received at a second time point, and the state space estimator performs a propagation step to determine the candidate locations at the second time point based on the candidate locations at the first time point and the second observation. The propagation step includes a plurality of sub-propagation steps in which a time length between the sub-propagation steps is a fraction of the time length between the first and second time points, and at each sub-propagation step each candidate location is propagated according to a stochastic process. The location of the mobile device at the second time point is determined based on the candidate locations at the second time point.
US08996296B2
A navigational system generates audio cues that are perceived in a three-dimensional space, allowing users to aurally perceive the locations of mapped objects such as landmarks. The audio cues can be produced alone, or in some applications, produced in conjunction with a visual navigational map display to improve the overall efficacy of the system. The audio navigation system includes a positioning system to determine the location of a user, a memory to store hierarchically-organized information about one or more objects, and a processor to render an audio signal based on the hierarchically-organized information. The audio signal is rendered into an audio space corresponding to the user, so as to allow user perception of the location of at least one of the objects relative to the location of the user. The objects may be landmarks in the vicinity of the user.
US08996293B2
A method for determining a slack condition of a vehicle system includes determining when each of first and second vehicles reaches a designated location along a route. The method also includes communicating a response message from the second vehicle to the first vehicle responsive to the second vehicle reaching the designated location, calculating a separation distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a time delay between a first time when the first vehicle reached the designated location and a second time when the second vehicle reached the designated location, and determining a slack condition of the vehicle system based on the separation distance. The slack condition is representative of an amount of slack in the vehicle system between the first and second vehicles.
US08996284B2
An automotive electrical system for a motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, the automotive electrical system comprising a main electrical power source, a secondary electrical power source, safety critical electrical loads and non-safety critical electrical loads, and an electrical switching device arranged between the main and secondary electrical power sources and at least the safety critical electrical loads and configured to selectively connect at least the safety critical electrical loads to at least one of the main and secondary electrical power sources. The electrical switching device is configured to connect at least the safety critical electrical loads to the auxiliary electrical power source during the cranking of the internal combustion engine and/or when the motor vehicle is coasting with the internal combustion engine off and the main electrical power source is faulty.
US08996280B2
In a method for operating a fuel injector, a transition range of the characteristics curve of the injector is detected individually and adapted continuously, so that a monotonous characteristics curve is formed, with whose aid high metering precision of the injector is achieved.
US08996279B2
A method and system are provided for optimizing fuel delivery to an internal combustion engine. The method and system have particular applicability to an engine having a base or OEM engine control unit (ECU) which outputs fuel injector control signals. In accordance with the method, when the engine is operating in one or more modes, such as a Power Mode, the amount of fuel delivered to the engine is modified, such as by changing the duration of the fuel injector control signals with a secondary ECU. The control signals are modified based on engine speed, and thus in direct relation to engine performance.
US08996277B2
A gas turbine engine control apparatus comprises a controller 34, a memory 36 associated with the controller 34 and inputs 38 for measurement data from an engine. The controller 34 determines the start of a monitoring cycle at 73, receives measurement data at the inputs 38 during the monitoring cycle, manipulates the measurement data to provide an incremental deterioration value representing deterioration occurring within the engine and during the monitoring cycle, and uses the incremental deterioration value at 72 to update a deterioration value 74 stored in the memory 36, and determines the start of a further monitoring cycle.
US08996272B2
Provided is a cruise control system and method. A vehicle cruise control system collects state information of components inside and outside a vehicle, state information of a road on which the vehicle is provided, and drive pattern information of a driver of the vehicle, analyzes a mileage amount and an exhaust gas emission amount of the vehicle based on the collected state information of the components, the road state information, and the drive pattern information, calculates a cruise control speed based on the analysis result, and controls the vehicle to run at the cruise control speed.
US08996270B2
A method for operating a parking brake having an electromechanical braking device, which includes an electric brake motor, the electromechanical braking device being re-applied in order to generate a clamping force again in the case of a fault of the release process of the electromotive braking device.
US08996262B2
Method and system providing manual skip-shift for operating the automatic transmission of a vehicle. The method includes accepting the input of gear states by operating a selector mechanism to select a value. The system accepts input of a selected sequence of gear states from a plurality of available gear states, the selected sequence including fewer gear states than the number of available gear states. The system then operates a selector mechanism to select the gear state from the selected sequence. The system also includes an electronic control module, a selector mechanism, and a power train control module.
US08996260B2
A system for controlling gear changes in a vehicle. The system includes a steering wheel and a detent mechanism having an idle location, a first location, and a second location, the detent mechanism is coupled to the steering wheel. The system also includes a paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel and the detent mechanism, the paddle shifter having an idle position with no associated function when the paddle shifter is in the idle location, a first operating position with an associated first function when the paddle shifter is in the first location, and a second operating position with an associated second function when the paddle shifter is in the second location. The associated first function is different from the associated second function.
US08996244B2
A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.
US08996240B2
Vehicle event recorders are arranged with integrated web servers to provide a simple user interface and control mechanism which may be address with commonly available hardware and software. A vehicle event recorder of these inventions couples to a network having a workstation node. The workstation having either of the many available web browsers can be used to view, address, control, perform data transfer, et cetera, by way of data exchange in accordance with simple IP protocols. A vehicle equipped with these systems returns to a household to make a network connection. A local server is used to see all exposed system controls as provided by predefined web pages provided by a web server integrated as part of the vehicle event recorder unit.
US08996234B1
A system for determining driver performance based on vehicle geolocation comprises one or more onboard vehicle sensors, one or more processors, and a memory. The one or more onboard vehicle sensors are configured to detect driving data of a moving vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to determine driver performance based at least in part on the driving data. The driver performance is normalized for a vehicle geolocation. The memory is coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US08996233B2
A vehicle control device controls a vehicle including a first oil pump adapted to be driven by power generated by a first drive source, automatically stop when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and supply oil to a power transmission unit and a second oil pump adapted to supply oil to the power transmission unit when the drive source is in an automatically stopped state, and includes a control unit adapted to continue an automatic stop until it is determined to restart the first drive source based on a parameter with which a reduction in drive force responsiveness to a drive force request from a driver, not including the stop of the first drive source, can be determined after an automatic stop command of the first drive source is output and if there is an abnormality in the second oil pump.
US08996208B2
A method, system, and computer readable medium may be provided for train monitoring. Track circuit data may be received including an indication of a shunted track circuit on a train track. The received track circuit data and shunted track circuit may be analyzed. A train may be tracked on the train track based on the received track circuit data. A loss in physically expected track circuit occupancy in a path of the train may be detected. A graph may be generated showing the at least one shunted track circuit over time. The graph may indicate losses or abnormalities in physically expected track circuit occupancy in the path of the train, velocity of the train, acceleration of the train, and/or a size of the train. An alert with the severity and track circuit identifier may be generated and transmitted.
US08996203B2
Systems and methods for identifying a location illuminated by an onboard searchlight on a vehicle are presented. A location of interest is illuminated at an illuminated location illuminated by the onboard searchlight, and a vehicle position of the vehicle and the onboard searchlight is determined. A vehicle orientation of the vehicle is determined based on a pitch, roll, and yaw of the vehicle, and an azimuth and an elevation of the onboard searchlight light is recorded to provide a recorded azimuth and elevation data. A pointing coordinate for the onboard searchlight illuminating the illuminated location is computed based on the vehicle orientation, the vehicle position, and the recorded azimuth and the elevation data, and the illuminated location is calculated based on the pointing coordinate.
US08996198B2
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action.
US08996192B2
A method and system for thermal management in integrated circuits and integrated circuit boards is described. In an embodiment, the circuit device board includes circuit devices, temperature sensors, and a thermal management unit. The thermal management unit receives thermal data from the temperature sensors and determines thermal reference points that define thermal regions. The thermal reference points are correlated with the operating characteristics of the circuit devices. When warranted, the thermal management unit makes independent corrective responses to each of the thermal regions. These corrective responses include modifying operating parameters, adjusting workload, and suspending operation of circuit devices within the thermal region. Thus, the disclosed method and system can preserve function in one thermal region while alleviating stress on another thermal region.
US08996190B2
A method and apparatus is provided for controlling an electrical load exhibiting destabilizing negative-resistance negative-damping characteristics to provide positive damping of power grid oscillations and for controlling the electrical load to operate at a reduced power level when the power grid voltage is reduced.
US08996189B2
A method for optimized energy management of an electrical system is provided for protecting a component to be protected of the electrical system. The power dissipation of at least one component to be protected is determined, the expected temperature increase is calculated using a thermal model. An estimated end temperature is determined using the expected temperature increase and an ambient temperature. The estimated end temperature is compared with a predefined temperature threshold value. Consumer loads are switched on or off depending on their priority. A device for carrying out the method is provided. The device includes a power meter, calculation unit storage unit, and switching unit for switching consumer loads The electrical system to which the device is assigned includes at least one consumer load and at least one component to be protected.
US08996184B2
Provided are an apparatus and a method for energy management. The energy management apparatus includes: a receiving block configured to receive energy use information from at least one sensor; and an estimating block configured to calculate a sum and change of energy use per predetermined time slot from the received energy use information and estimate energy use or energy charge after a certain time based on the calculation of the sum and the change. The method includes: receiving energy use information from at least one sensor; and calculating a sum and change of energy use per hour from the received energy use information and estimating energy use or energy charge after a certain time slot based on the calculation of the sum and the charge.
US08996182B2
There are provided a fuel cell system capable of reducing power consumption by inhibiting an unnecessary operation of a DC-DC converter, and a power control method therefor. The fuel cell system having an inverter which is connected to a load device, a first converter which is connected between a fuel cell and the inverter and sets an output voltage of the fuel cell, and a second converter which is connected between a power storage device and the inverter and sets an input voltage of the inverter includes fuel cell required output voltage calculation means for calculating a required output voltage of the fuel cell, inverter required input voltage calculation means for calculating a required input voltage of the inverter, comparison means for comparing the required output voltage of the fuel cell and the required input voltage of the inverter, and converter operation control means for causing the operation of the first converter to be suspended when judgment is made that the required output voltage of the fuel cell is not less than the required input voltage of the inverter.
US08996180B2
Systems and methods provide determinations of airflow from a raised floor plenum. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided for predicting airflow from a plurality of openings in a plenum, including determining an average air pressure in the plenum, determining an airflow value for each of the openings based on the average air pressure, dividing the plenum into a plurality of grid cells, determining a value for airflow velocity for each of the grid cells, determining an air pressure value at each of the openings based on the airflow velocity, determining a new airflow value for each one of the plurality of openings based on the air pressure value, determining whether a difference between the new airflow values and previous airflow values is greater than a threshold, and storing the new airflow value for each one of the plurality of openings as a final airflow value.
US08996178B2
A system that generates brewed beverages may receive requests to produce specified brewed beverages. The system may include a scheduler that initiates and controls the performance of one or more chemical or mechanical processes to produce the beverages. While one chemical or mechanical process for producing a beverage is being performed, other processes may be performed for production of the beverage or another beverage. The scheduler may determine the time at which to perform each process, the time at which a beverage should be presented, the resources to be used to perform the processes, or the time at which to perform a cleaning process, dependent on an actual or expected demand for beverages, or dependent on a target time for beverage retrieval. Shared resources may be applied to the production of beverages for high priority orders, while partially completed beverages for lower priority orders are staged for subsequent advancement.
US08996177B2
Adaptive controller apparatus of a robot may be implemented. The controller may be operated in accordance with a reinforcement learning process. A trainer may observe movements of the robot and provide reinforcement signals to the controller via a remote clicker. The reinforcement may comprise one or more degrees of positive and/or negative reinforcement. Based on the reinforcement signal, the controller may adjust instantaneous cost and to modify controller implementation accordingly. Training via reinforcement combined with particular cost evaluations may enable the robot to move more like an animal.
US08996172B2
A distance measuring system and method employing a laser distance sensor may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a laser distance sensor may acquire accurate distance measurements with a short baseline.
US08996168B2
Methods and apparatus that provide a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) for a robot are disclosed. A HAL can reside as a software layer or as a firmware layer residing between robot control software and underlying robot hardware and/or an operating system for the hardware. The HAL provides a relatively uniform abstract for aggregates of underlying hardware such that the underlying robotic hardware is transparent to perception and control software, i.e., robot control software. This advantageously permits robot control software to be written in a robot-independent manner. Developers of robot control software are then freed from tedious lower level tasks. Portability is another advantage. For example, the HAL efficiently permits robot control software developed for one robot to be ported to another. In one example, the HAL permits the same navigation algorithm to be ported from a wheeled robot and used on a humanoid legged robot.
US08996167B2
In accordance with various embodiments, a user interface embedded into a robot facilitates robot training via direct and intuitive physical interactions. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a wrist cuff that, when grasped by the user, switches the robot into zero-force gravity-compensated mode.
US08996160B2
An article storage device for storing a plurality of pallets and having a plurality of storage compartments includes a conveyor for conveying the pallets, the conveyor being divided into a plurality of control zones corresponding to the respective storage compartments and having controllers in the respective zones. At least the controllers in the zones between the both end control zones each have a motor functioning also as an arrival detector, a RAM, and a communication circuit, the motor being for detecting a pallet being entering the home control zone, the RAM being for memorizing information indicating whether a pallet exists in the home control zone, and the communication circuit being for transmitting the information to the controller in the downstream zone. The controllers each contain a program to move up the pallet to the downstream zone so as to store the pallet.
US08996159B2
A handling system for containers includes an automated zone in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and driverless container transport vehicles are used which transport containers between container bridges and a container storage facility. A non-automated zone is provided in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and manned container transport vehicles are used, the container transport vehicles being optionally operable in a driverless or manned mode and thus being optionally transportable in the automated zone or the non-automated zone. A corresponding container transport vehicle which can be connected to an auxiliary device for control in the manned mode is characterized in that the auxiliary device comprises a driver's cab that is equipped with a control system for steering, motion control and braking in the manned mode, the container transport vehicle having a detachable fastening possibility for the driver's cab at the front face of the vehicle.
US08996156B2
A method and system for automated repair of a machine component is provided. According to the proposed method, a first geometry of the component, including a damaged portion of the component, is digitalized. A trough is then machined over the damaged portion of the component. The machining is numerically controlled using digitalized geometrical data of the first geometry of the component. A second geometry of the component is then digitalized subsequent to the machining, the second geometry including the trough. Subsequently, a material is deposited over the trough. The deposition of the material is numerically controlled digitalized geometrical data of the second geometry of the component.
US08996152B2
Hardware resource sharing for a computerized system running software tasks. A mutex controller is associated with the hardware resource. Lock and unlock indicators are settable by a software task and readable by the controller, and locked and waiters flags are settable and readable by the controller. The controller monitors whether the lock indicator has been set and determines whether the locked flag is set. If not, it sets the locked flag and, if so, it sets the waiters flag and asserts a mutex interrupt signaling the computer system to divert the software task to run a lock request routine. The controller also monitors whether the unlock indicator has been set and then determines whether the waiters flag is set. If not, it clears the locked flag and, if so, it asserts a mutex interrupt signaling the computer system to divert the software task to run an unlock request routine.
US08996146B2
A digital music library builder including a casing, a receiver socket on the casing through which analog audio is received, an analog-to-digital converter housed within the casing for converting analog audio into digital audio, a meta-data identifier housed within the casing for identifying meta-data for a song, and a database manager housed within the casing for associating the identified meta-data with the song, within a digital music library.
US08996143B2
Disclosed is a method and system comprising: an alignment pin to be positioned adjacent to the boss hole (BH) of an actuator arm (AA); an actuator coupled to the alignment pin to move the alignment pin; an imaging device; and a computing device that performs operations including: commanding the imaging device to produce an image of the position of the alignment pin relative to the BH of the AA; commanding the HGA to be positioned in the AA such that the boss of the HGA is adjacent to the BH of the AA; and, based on the image, commanding the actuator to move the alignment pin such that the alignment pin is concentric relative to the BH and to move the alignment pin through an opening of the boss of the HGA such that the boss of the HGA is concentric and aligned with the BH of the AA.
US08996140B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a multichannel power controller for limiting the number of channels with outputs therefrom simultaneously turned on and enabling power conditioning that makes the ratio of the “ON time” to the “ON+OFF time” for the output proportional to the input value, thus allowing the power capacity of the power plant to be set to the minimum required value, when a plurality of channels are subjected to time-sharing output control.
US08996138B2
An electrode package for use with a defibrillator, the electrode package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, a breakaway connection element positioned at the perimeter of the outer shell, one or more defibrillation electrodes positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, a further electrical element positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, electrical paths extending from the further electrical element through the breakaway element to the exterior environment, wherein the breakaway element and electrical paths are configured so that, when the outer shell is opened and the defibrillation electrodes are removed, the electrical paths are disconnected within the breakaway element.
US08996130B2
Temporary touch-proof connectors are disclosed that include an insulating body defining a passageway having an open leading end configured to receive a connector element of a medical lead and an enclosed trailing end shielding the connector element.
US08996123B2
Various programming techniques are described for medical devices that deliver electrical stimulation therapy that may include mapping between discrete electrical stimulation parameters and a graphical view of the electrical stimulation representing a stimulation zone generated by the parameters. In one example, a method includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input that graphically manipulates at least one of size and a shape of a graphical representation of at least one electrical stimulation zone displayed on the programmer, and defining a program to control delivery of electrical stimulation therapy based on the user input.
US08996121B2
A prosthesis including an external device and an implantable component. The external device includes a first inductive communication component. The implantable component includes a second inductive communication component, wherein the implantable component is configured to be implanted under skin of a recipient. The external device is configured to transmit power via magnetic induction transcutaneously to the implantable component via the second inductive communication component. The internal component is configured to receive at least a portion of the power transmitted from the external device via the inductive communication component. At least one of the first and second inductive communication components comprise an inductive communication component configured to vary its effective coil area.
US08996116B2
Methods and devices for the treatment of chronic pain by modulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. In particular, the methods and systems described herein may be used to enhance chronic pain therapies such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Thus, the present invention describes devices and methods for modulation of the cytokine pathway by stimulation of the neuronal cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (NCAP) to enhance the treatment of chronic pain by SCS. The use of NCAP in conjunction with SCS may potentiate the effects of SCS and/or prevent the desensitization of the patient to SCS.
US08996113B2
Systems and techniques that enable a user to selectively extend the time prior to providing an indication of power source depletion, e.g., allow an extended the recommended replacement time (RRT) prior to providing an elective replacement indication (ERI), are described. The user provides input, which may indicate an acceptable level of implantable medical device performance, e.g., that lesser performance for a period between a default RRT and an extended RRT is acceptable. In response to the input, the time until providing an RRT/ERI notification, or some other indication of depletion of the implantable medical device power source, may be extended.
US08996109B2
A leadless intra-cardiac medical device senses cardiac activity from multiple chambers and applies cardiac stimulation to at least one cardiac chamber and/or generates a cardiac diagnostic indication. The leadless device may be implanted in a local cardiac chamber (e.g., the right ventricle) and detect near-field signals from that chamber as well as far-field signals from an adjacent chamber (e.g., the right atrium).
US08996106B2
In a method for the intermittent occlusion of a vein draining the organ system, in which the vein is occluded by an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded vein is continuously measured and stored, the behavior of the fluid pressure is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the vein is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the pressure measurements, pressure is applied during the occlusion in a pulsating manner. The device for the intermittent occlusion of a vein, including an occlusion device, a pressure measuring device for continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded vein, and a memory for storing the fluid pressure behavior as a function of time, means are provided for applying a pulsating pressure in the occluded vein.
US08996104B2
Embodiments of the invention provide patches for the transdermal delivery of iron-containing compositions to an individual suffering from an iron deficiency. Many embodiments provide an iontophoretic patch for the transdermal delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of iron. The patch comprises an electrode and a reservoir containing a composition comprising ionic iron for the delivery of the therapeutically effective amount of iron. Various embodiments provide methods of using embodiments of the iontophoretic patch for delivering a therapeutically effective amount of iron to an individual suffering from one more forms of iron deficiency including iron deficiency anemia. Such methods can be used for treating and/or preventing the iron deficiency. The amount of delivered iron can be adjusted depending upon various treatment parameters such as patient weight and type and amount of iron deficiency.
US08996098B2
A method and system for diagnosing and treating infection or disease, in which an individual takes a photograph of an infected or diseased area of a body using a camera connected to a microprocessor. The photograph is sent to a diagnosing center having a server with a second microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. The second microprocessor scans the image received from the camera and compares it to the photographs in the database. If a match is found, the second microprocessor then notes the disease or bacteria corresponding to the matching photograph. The second microprocessor then searches an additional database correlated to the match, to further refine the diagnosis. The second microprocessor then searches the second database for a treatment corresponding to the identified disease or bacteria. Once a treatment is identified, information regarding this treatment is automatically sent to the individual's microprocessor.
US08996097B2
In an ophthalmic measuring method, a traceable marker in particulate form is administered to the lachrymal fluid of a subject's eye, and the lachrymal fluid is irradiated with illuminating light. Images of the illuminated lachrymal fluid are electronically captured respectively at different times. Two images from among the captured images are selected, with each of the two selected images displaying the traceable marker. A characteristic point of each of the two selected images is specified. A movement speed of the traceable marker is measured based on positions thereof in the two selected images and on a time difference from specifying the characteristic point of one of the two selected images to specifying the characteristic point of the other of the two selected images. The measured movement speed of the traceable marker is outputted as the movement speed of the lachrymal fluid of the subject's eye.
US08996091B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a catheter that comprises an elongated catheter body (16) and an electrode assembly (10) at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a plurality of spines (11), each of the spines having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter and a distal end, the distal ends of the spines being connected at a spine tip junction (13). Each spine includes an elbow (20) having at least one discontinuity in stiffness at an intermediate position between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The spines include a plurality of electrodes (12). The electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of the elongated catheter body and expandable to an expanded arrangement with the elbows of the spines bending outwardly relative to the proximal and distal ends of the spines.
US08996082B2
A radiation passing layer has a top surface and a bottom surface below which a proximity sensor is positioned. A visible light opaque layer covers the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer except for an opening therein that allows radiation from the emitter to pass, and scattered radiation to pass to the detector. A radiation shield is between the emitter and the detector, and extends to the bottom of the radiation passing layer. A cold mirror is between the shield and the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer, covering the opening in the opaque layer. A radiation absorber being a separate piece and a different material than the shield provides a radiation seal between the top surface of the shield and the bottom surface of the cold mirror. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08996080B2
A radio-frequency (RF) device for a wireless communication device includes a grounding element, an antenna, a first DC blocking element for cutting off a direct-current (dc) signal route between a grounding terminal of the antenna and the grounding element, a capacitive sensing unit capable of using a radiating element of the antenna to sense an environment capacitance within a specific range, a second DC blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the feed-in element for blocking a dc signal path from the radiating element to the feed-in element, and a high-frequency blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the capacitive sensing unit for blocking a high-frequency signal path from the radiating element to the capacitive sensing unit.
US08996079B2
A portable terminal with multiple hinges including a first housing and a second housing foldably coupled to the first housing. The portable terminal includes a pair of side hinge arms formed to protrude from a first surface of the second housing, a hinge apparatus installed between the side hinge arms to couple the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing pivot in a direction toward or away from each other while facing each other, and a display device installed on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second housing, in which when the first housing and the second housing are unfolded, the first housing pivots in a direction such that the first surface and the second surface of the first housing are reversed to each other.
US08996072B2
A method for controlling light emitting elements includes: obtaining a first light intensity value detected by an ambient light sensor in a terminal device and obtaining a second light intensity value detected by an image capturing apparatus in the terminal device under same lighting conditions; determining a standard light intensity value corresponding to the second light intensity value according to a preset mapping between a light intensity value of the image capturing apparatus and a standard light intensity value of the ambient light sensor; obtaining a calibration parameter for the ambient light sensor according to the first light intensity value and the standard light intensity value; obtaining a detected light intensity value detected by the ambient light sensor when light emitting elements in the terminal device need to be controlled; and controlling the light emitting elements in the terminal device according to the detected light intensity value and the calibration parameter.
US08996056B2
Each of a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses determines a factor that indicates wireless communication congestion and compares the factor that indicates wireless communication congestion with a predetermined first threshold value. Each wireless communication apparatus then judges, by means of transmission power set values that are received from other wireless communication apparatuses, whether the transmission power of the wireless communication apparatuses is at the same level as or at a lower level than that of its own wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus lowers the transmission power set value by one level when the transmission power of other wireless communication apparatuses is at the same level as or at a lower level than that of its own wireless communication apparatus and when the factor that indicates wireless communication congestion exceeds a first threshold value.
US08996052B1
This disclosure relates to relating time-to-live information with location data for wireless network access points. A freshness component determines a value associated with a freshness of location data for an access point. An encoding component encodes the value into a time-to-live information element included publicly broadcast access point information, and a transmitter transmits the publicly broadcast access point information. The publicly broadcast access point information includes at least one of a beacon frame or probe response. Additionally, by providing a value satisfying a non-inclusion threshold for the time-to-live information, emitters or network administrations may use time-to-live information to indicate that they do not wish to have location data for an access point stored.
US08996047B2
This invention concerns a messaging service in a wireless communications network. In a first aspect, the invention is a method for providing a messaging service on a wireless device in a wireless communications network; the method comprising the steps of: Retrieving the destination address of an outgoing message on the device. Verifying whether the destination address is capable of receiving the message via a packet-switched bearer. If verification is affirmative, then automatically sending the message to the destination address via a packet-switched bearer, but otherwise, automatically sending the message to the destination address via an SMS bearer. In another aspect, the invention is a mobile device programmed to perform the method. In a further aspect, the invention is a software program to implement the method.
US08996045B2
A wireless communications device generates a message from a map application to enable a recipient of the message to view a location on a map. After a user selects a location to be sent to the recipient, the map application determines location information associated with the location and generates the message to be sent to the recipient. The message contains a link to enable the recipient to download the map showing the location and further contains the location information embedded as text within the message. The map application can determine whether the location is based on a GPS position fix, whether it is a Point of Interest or whether it is part of a map route. In each case, predetermined text is automatically embedded in the message to convey the location information to the recipient.
US08996037B2
A wireless communication device capable of determining its location in an indoor environment is disclosed. In an indoor environment, a wireless communication device may have insufficient access to GNSS satellites or cellular towers to make an accurate determination as to its location. Therefore, the wireless communication device generates a fingerprint map of the environment by estimating its position and scanning multiple positions within the environment for accessible access points and characteristics. The device stores this information in memory, which it can later refer to for determining its current position.
US08996035B2
Methods and systems that record the location of a user and transmit targeted content to a user based upon their current and past location. A network is configured to include a server programmed with a database of targeted content, a database of location information, a database of user information, a database searching algorithm, and a wireless communication system capable of communicating with the user's mobile device. The location of the mobile device is ascertained and recorded. Targeted content may be sent to the mobile device of the user and whether the user visits the physical locations associated with the targeted content is monitored. Once it is verified that the user has visited the physical location, then any associated promotional offers may be authorized. Payment systems, phone exchange systems, and other features may also be integrated to provide detailed conversion tracking to producers of targeted content and business owners.
US08996028B2
A method of detecting a transmitting device within an obstruction rich environment is disclosed. The method may involve detecting the transmitting device with a wireless transmission detection facility; communicating signal information relating to the detected transmitting device from the wireless transmission detection facility to a central unit; determining the location of the transmitting device; displaying information of the detection and location of the transmitting device through a user interface; and providing an action facility for causing actions related to the detected transmitting device.
US08996023B2
For downlink communication with a communication terminal using a downlink radio resource allocated to this communication terminal by a radio resource allocating unit, if this communication terminal does not transmit a first known signal using an associated uplink radio resource associated with this downlink radio resource but it transmits the first known signal using a nonassociated uplink radio resource which is not associated with this downlink radio resource and which includes the frequency band of this downlink radio resource in a frequency direction, a communication unit controls the transmission directivity of a plurality of antennas based on a second known signal if the aforementioned communication terminal transmits the second known signal in the frequency band of the aforementioned downlink radio resource in an interval between a time period of this downlink radio resource and a time period of the aforementioned nonassociated uplink radio resource.
US08996016B2
The described method provides for an efficient method for user equipment (104) to identify when it is in proximity to an assigned femtocell (108) in order to be handed over to a femtocell from a macro cell. As the user the equipment moves within a macro cell (106) that is defined by a serving base station (102), it is determined (202) that it is in the range of or in proximity to the femtocell to which it is registered or subscribed. Upon notification that it is near the femtocell, the user equipment sends (204) a message to the serving base station of the macro cell indicating the user equipment has identified its femtocell. The serving base station then sends (208) a message to femtocell to turn on the femtocell so that a handover of the user equipment from the macro cell and serving base station and the femtocell can be initiated. The serving base station sends (212) a response to the user equipment indicating that the femtocell is ready to receive the user equipment as a part of handover procedure.
US08996008B2
A wireless communication network system includes: a mobile terminal that transmits a switching request for requesting to switch a connection target from a currently connected first wireless communication apparatus to a second wireless communication apparatus mounted on a mobile body; and a wireless communication apparatus that determines permission or prohibition that the mobile terminal switches the connection target from its own apparatus to the second wireless communication apparatus, based on permission/prohibition setting of the connection target switching from the first wireless communication apparatus to the second wireless communication apparatus in accordance with a type of the first wireless communication apparatus.
US08996003B2
A method, terminal, system and computer readable medium for cell reselection are disclosed. When in a cell of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the terminal receives a message from the LTE system. The message includes a dedicated priority list for the cell reselection. When the terminal camps on a cell of a non-LTE system, the terminal performs inter-system cell reselection in accordance with the dedicated priority list before a valid time of the dedicated priority list expires. With the discloses method, terminal and system, the problems of establishing a dedicated priority list causes too much increased signaling and too high costs for network update in the prior art when perform inter-system cell (re)selection are effectively resolved.
US08996002B2
Apparatus and methods for provisioning wireless devices for operation in one or more networks. In one embodiment, a provisioning service may provide access client (e.g., Subscriber Identity Module) data to a secure element in the wireless user device. The device may be preloaded with a provisioning SIM profile. The device may use the provisioning profile to roam onto a carrier, and communicate with a provisioning service, which may present the user with a list of available wireless carriers, such as carriers that service the user's current geographic location. In response to a user selection, the provisioning service may load a SIM profile associated with the selected carrier onto the secure element. The loaded SIM profile can be used to obtain wireless service from the selected carrier. The user may add multiple SIM profiles, and/or may delete SIM profiles.
US08995997B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium for configuration of a femtocell system is provided. A femtocell system is provisioned with a default base station manager IP address. The base station manager receives an account identifier of a user subscription and a femtocell system ID assigned to the femtocell system. The base station manager may allocate a SID/NID for the femtocell system. A list of electronic serial numbers of handsets in the user subscription may be compiled by the base station manager. The femtocell system may connect with the base station manager and request a configuration download once deployed in a SOHO. The compiled electronic serial numbers may then be transferred from the base station manager to the femtocell system in a configuration download.
US08995995B2
A system and method for automatically roaming with a wireless device. A signal strength of a first wireless signal is sampled at a time interval. A determination is made whether the signal strength is less than a threshold for a predetermined duration. The wireless device is set to roam on a second wireless signal in response to the signal strength of the first wireless signal being less than the threshold for the predetermined duration. The wireless device is reset to a default setting for communication after a predetermined duration.
US08995972B1
Methods and systems are presented for providing automatic personal assistance on a user device (e.g., mobile phone). In some embodiments, a personal assistant on a first user device may respond automatically to a received input communication from a second user device. In some embodiments, the personal assistant may perform a local search of data stored on the first user device in order to retrieve data responsive to the received input. In some embodiments, the personal assistant may perform a local load of an entry into an application on the first user device in order to perform an action responsive to the received user input. In some embodiments, the automatic response may include sending a responsive output communication to the second user device. The automatic personal assistance may be customized based on user-editable automatic personal assistance settings.
