met Integral variably printed special service mailing assembly and a method for using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Nov 2005 08:00:00 EST An assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard and anchor portions removably attached to the return postcard. The anchor portions include adhesive that allows the anchor portions to be attached to a mailpiece. The return postcard includes a special services designator section indicative of the special service required for delivery of the mailpiece. The return postcard is integrally formed, but removably attached, such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service. Alternatively, the postcard may contain a machine readable code that aids in the delivery and tracking of the mailpiece. Full Article
met Method of labeling a package By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 08:00:00 EST A business form is provided which is particularly useful in shipping products where certain preprinted information can be provided and then individualized information is printed before the form is applied to a substrate. The form includes a face ply which has a pattern of adhesive applied to at least a portion of the inner face, and a release liner which includes a pattern of adhesive which exposes a portion of the release liner to direct adhesive contact to the face ply without intervening release coating to permanently adhere a part of the release liner to the face ply. The release liner has a surrounding protective border provided with release coating on the release face thereof and which is removed prior to application to the substrate, and a slip which remains with the form as applied to the substrate. The face ply includes lines of perforation defining a central portion. At least a part of the central portion is directly adhered by the adhesive to the slip without intervening release coating between the adhesive and the slip or the central portion. Individualized indicia, such as an address, may be printed on a label area of the top face of the central portion, while other individualized indicia, such as the content of a package, may be printed on the back face of the slip. Masking indicia is preferably provided on one of the inner face of the top ply or the release face of the release liner to inhibit viewing of the content indicia until the slip is removed from the package. Full Article
met Laminate sheet for security booklets and method for making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 May 2006 08:00:00 EDT A hard laminate sheet for security booklets and method of making the same. The laminate sheet comprises at least two hard core layers (e.g. of polycarbonate) and a flexible component (e.g. nylon) there between and extending beyond an outer edge of the core layers to form a flexible band. The flexible component may be provided as an intermediate layer also comprising a hard component (e.g. of polycarbonate) juxtaposed with the flexible component and laminated to the adjacent core layers. The flexible component comprises a plurality of apertures within which material of the adjacent core layers is laminated together and affixes the flexible component to the laminate sheet. Additional hard core layers may be laminated to the core layers which sandwich the intermediate layer. Optionally, the laminate sheet may be used for a travel document (such as a passport) and may be laser engraved. Also, optionally, the laminate sheet may comprise a hard core inlay layer configured for containing a contactless integrated circuit chip and antenna or other electronic hardware. Full Article
met Integral special service mailing assembly and a method for using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for mailing an article requiring special services and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard, two anchor portions disposed on either side of the postcard, printer track strips having a plurality of holes for engaging a printer, such as a dot matrix printer, and a hole capable of being sensed by another type of printer, such as a thermal printer. The indicia printed upon the mailing assembly including the designator indicating the special service required, are printed using a single color thereby simplifying the printing process. The return postcard is removably attached to anchor portions such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed from the anchor portions. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service. Full Article
met Shipping method and shipping slip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a shipping method for guaranteeing that an article for shipping has remained sealed with a seal and has remained unopened. Specifically, first, the sender is asked to enter a signature on a seal. Because of the pressure from a writing implement at time of entering, the signature is copied to a sheet for verification. An article for shipping is sealed with a seal and transported to a recipient. The signature on the seal is verified against the signature on the sheet for verification. By confirming that the two match, it is confirmed that the seal has not been replaced. Thus it is guaranteed that the article for shipping has remained sealed with the seal and has remained unopened. Full Article
met Collectable fingerprinted apparatus and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EDT Collectable fingerprinted items, and methods of making such fingerprinted items, including original and simulated fingerprints for application to an item to create a collectable item. The processes may be used to create a variety of collectable items, such as instrument picks, pendants, key fobs, charms, and other collectables. The process includes taking an original fingerprint impression, using the original impression to create a simulated fingerprint impression. The methods optionally include altering at least one identifying characteristic in a manner that prevents identity theft of other misuse of the fingerprint impression. The process optionally includes applying the simulated fingerprint impression to an item, such as by making a mold incorporating the simulated fingerprint, such as by using CAD/CAM technology and molding an item using the created mold. Full Article
met Image forming apparatus including tab sheet reversing function, computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus, and its control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EDT A printer, as an image forming apparatus, reverses the front and back sides of tab sheets that became no longer necessary and discharges when a reverse discharge is specified. Full Article
met Computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus having a tab sheet insertion function, image forming apparatus and method executed in the image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides the user a first insertion page position setting part that allows a user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which first tab sheets are to be inserted, and a second insertion page position setting part that allows the user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which second tab sheets are to be inserted, when a request for initiating the setting concerning the tab sheets is received. Further, the tab positions in the second tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said second insertion page position setting part, are set up in accordance with the tab positions in the first tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said first insertion page position setting part. Full Article
met Methods and systems for betting with pari-mutuel payouts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices. Full Article
met Method and apparatus for a wagering game with indicia developed paylines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EDT In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game. Full Article
met Methods and architecture for cashless system security By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and method for secure transactions between gaming machines and portable devices are described. The secure transactions may include a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the portable device to the gaming machine or a transfer of an amount of an indicia of credit with a cash value from the gaming machine to the portable device. A logic device, separate from a master gaming controller on the gaming machine and placed in the gaming machine, may be operable to authenticate a portable device, such as a smart card, and authorize transactions involving transfers of indicia of credit between the portable device and the gaming machine. The logic device may be operable to send authentication information relating to the portable device to a remote host where a value amount of transactions involving the portable device authorized by the logic device may be higher when the logic device and the remote host authenticate the portable device as opposed to when the portable is only authenticated by the logic device. Full Article
met Method and system for device notification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST Methods and system for encoded information processing are described. In one embodiment, an encoded pattern may be optically detected from source media. The encoded pattern may be associated with programming content of a content source. The encoded pattern may be decoded to reproduce encoded data. The programming content may be identified based on reproduction of the encoded data. A scheduled start time of the programming content may be obtained. When a current device time is within a notification time qualification of the scheduled start time, a programming content start alert may be generated. An interactive opportunity notification associated with the programming content may be provided based on generation of the programming content start alert. Additional methods and systems are disclosed. Full Article
met Method, apparatus, computer program, and computer readable storage media for controlling the insertion of tab sheets into a print job By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling within a printer driver the insertion of tab sheets into a print job. According to one embodiment, sheets of multiple levels are insertable. The printer driver provides at least input fields for entry and display of parameters for the definition of at least one tab sheet, and an interactive area for visualizing the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet corresponding to the level of the tab sheet in the print job. Depending on changes of a tab sheet defined by entered parameters, the visualization of the hierarchical structure and the order of the at least one defined tab sheet in the print job is updated in the interactive area. Full Article
met Method and device for producing colour images by way of a UV laser on pigmented substrates, and products produced as a result By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect. Furthermore, the present invention relates to substrates, in particular security documents, produced using a method of this type, and devices for carrying out methods of this type. Full Article
met Team-based fitness challenge system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend. Full Article
met System and method for printing a pharmaceutical label By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses. Full Article
met Systems, methods and articles to facilitate delivery of sets or packets of playing cards By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage. Full Article
met Assemblies and methods for clamping force generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are described. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator system includes a permanent magnet bearing coupled to a traction ring and to a torque coupling. The traction ring can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing rotor and the torque coupling can be provided with an electromagnetic bearing stator. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam, a permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing cooperate to generate a clamping force between the traction rings, the power rollers, and the idler. In other embodiments, a series of permanent magnet bearings and a mechanical bearing are configured to produce a clamping force. In one embodiment an electromagnetic bearing is coupled to a control system and produces an optimal clamping force that is associated with a torque transmitted in the transmission during operation. In some embodiments, a mechanical load cam produces a clamping force proportional to torque, while a permanent magnet bearing provides a minimum clamping force. Full Article
met Friction type transmission device and pressing force control method for friction type transmission device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT In a friction drive transmission apparatus arranged to transmit power by a frictional transmission force between two roller units pressed against each other, there is provided a pressing force imparting means to increase and decrease a pressing force imparted to a roller pair to vary the frictional transmission force between both roller units smoothly at the time of a shift. Full Article
met Bevel friction ring gearing and method for mounting or producing a bevel friction ring gearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide. Full Article
met Infinitely variable transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, methods, assemblies, subassemblies, and components therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed. Full Article
met Systems and methods for control of transmission and/or prime mover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example. Full Article
met Vehicle control device and vehicle control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT An ECU executes a program including the steps of changing a target shift stage when a current shift change mode is set to an automatic shift change mode and when a driver has intention to change a shift stage, changing a shift range to an N range when he/she has intention for neutral, maintaining the automatic shift change mode when it is determined that he/she does not have intention for neutral but he/she has intention to switch the shift change mode and when such determination is made for the first time after return from the N range, and switching the shift change mode to a manual shift change mode when such determination is not made for the first time. Full Article
met Infinitely variable transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, methods, assemblies, subassemblies, and components therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed. Full Article
met Methods for control of transmission and prime mover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. The CVT has a group of spherical power adjusters. Each power adjuster has a tiltable axis of rotation. A method of optimizing a vehicle having a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission is also described. The CVT has a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation. A drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission can be optimized in another method. Full Article
met System and method for controlling endload force of a variator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for controlling the endload force of a variator includes reducing a net force applied to a variator input disc of the variator. The variator includes an endload chamber, a subtraction chamber, and a valve fluidly coupled between the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber. Each of the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber applies an opposing force to the variator input disc. The valve is activateable to reduce the net force applied to the variator input disc. The valve may be activated based on the variator ratio, the position of the variator roller, and/or other parameters of the variator or operation thereof. Full Article
met System and method for controlling a transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule. Full Article
met Curvilinear gear and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed. Full Article
met Method and system for reading closely-spaced data tracks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware. Full Article
met Systems and methods for asynchronous-frequency tracking of disk drive rotational vibration (RV) performance with position error signal (PES) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a mechanical indicator to correlate magnetic disk drive IOP performance with features of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational frequencies that are generated and captured or sensed outside of the disk drive itself. In one example, disk drive PES data may be collected concurrently with the capture of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational data at different and progressive locations of vibration source, vibration path and vibration receiver in a disk drive operating environment, e.g., such as for disk drives installed within a server and/or storage chassis enclosure. In such case, PES threshold may be utilized to correlate performance of Drive IOP or drive servo-mechanical performance as a function of measured characteristics of vibration source/s that impart vibration to a disk drive. Full Article
met Apparatus, system, and method for optimally positioning an idle robotic accessor in a tape library By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a system includes a robotic accessor for transporting media between multiple storage slots and one or more data storage drives; a controller for controlling the robotic accessor; a memory in communication with and/or integrated with the controller for storing information about the media and the storage slots, the information including data corresponding to a physical distribution of the media in the storage slots; and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller, the logic being adapted to: position the robotic accessor at a computed optimal position during an idle period of the robotic accessor, the computed optimal position being based at least in part on the physical distribution of the media in the storage slots. Full Article
met Methods and devices to control write pole height in recording heads By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Recording heads for data storage systems are provided. Recording heads illustratively include a write pole, a bumper, a dielectric layer, and a surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the surface includes portions of the write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer. The write pole, bumper, and dielectric layer are illustratively made from materials that have polishing rates. In some embodiments, the polishing rate for the write pole material is more similar to the polishing rate for the bumper material than it is to the polishing rate for the dielectric layer material. Full Article
met System and methods utilizing dual read sensors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dual-stack read sensor is utilized in a storage device having an actuator arm that positions the read sensor over a rotating storage medium. The dual-stacked read sensor includes a primary read sensor having a first set of read sensor characteristics and a secondary read sensor having a second set of read sensor characteristics that differ from the first set of read sensor characteristics, wherein the secondary read sensor is positioned relative to the primary read sensor to be radially offset from the primary read sensor relative to a data track being read. Full Article
met Methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using Heusler alloys By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using Heusler alloys are provided. One such method includes depositing a substrate including NiFe, depositing a seed layer on the substrate, depositing a buffer layer on the seed layer, and growing, epitaxially, an upper layer on the buffer layer, the upper layer including a Heusler alloy. Full Article
met Data processing device, microcontroller, and self-diagnosis method of data processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data processing device includes a memory, an arithmetic circuit that accesses the memory by outputting an access control signal CTRL that controls access to the memory, a first data storage unit that stores first data used when a self-diagnosis is performed, a read-modify-write circuit that generates second data by replacing a part of the first data stored in the first data storage unit with modify data outputted from the arithmetic circuit, and a determination unit that diagnoses a failure of the read-modify-write circuit by comparing the second data with an expected value. Full Article
met Library apparatus, magazine insertion detection method, and program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exemplary object is to provide a library apparatus, a magazine insertion detection method, and a program that are capable of detecting whether or not a magazine is inserted for all the magazine insertion positions without using sensors for detecting insertion of magazines. A library apparatus includes: a mark reading unit which is provided in an accessor unit which transfers a plurality of media that can be read and written by a computer, and reads a predetermined mark for all insertion positions of a plurality of magazines which can be inserted into the library apparatus and can accommodate the media, the mark being stuck to each of cells accommodating the media; and a control unit which, if the mark can be read, determines that a magazine is inserted at an insertion position which includes a read position for which a reading result that the mark can be read has been obtained, and, if the mark cannot be read, determines that no magazine is inserted at an insertion position which includes a read position for which a reading result that the mark cannot be read has been obtained. Full Article
met Bearing assemblies including a thermally conductive structure, bearing apparatuses, and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat distribution from and/or heat dissipation for bearing element, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard material including a superhard surface. Additionally, a support ring structure that includes a support ring that supports the plurality of superhard bearing elements and a thermally-conductive structure in thermal communication with the superhard table of each of the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The thermally-conductive structure has a higher thermal conductivity than the support ring of the support ring structure. Full Article
met Lightweight hub bearing assembly and methods of assembling it By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hub bearing assembly includes a hub made of lightweight metallic material and forming a cylindrical portion, on which a tubular inner ring providing a raceway is mounted; a second inner ring is fixed on the first tubular inner ring and provides a second raceway; a cylindrical interstice is formed between the cylindrical portion of the hub and the tubular inner ring and contains a bonding brazing material which integrally joins the hub to the first tubular inner ring. Full Article
met Spindle motor and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a spindle motor including: a shaft connected directly or indirectly to a base member and having a depression groove formed in a central portion of an outer peripheral surface thereof; a sleeve rotatably installed on the shaft and having a communication hole formed so as to be connected to the depression groove; and a rotor hub fixedly installed on the sleeve to thereby rotate together therewith, wherein the communication hole is inclined so that lubricating fluid may be easily injected into the depression groove, and the sleeve has a fluid storage part formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, the fluid storage part being connected to the communication hole and temporarily storing the lubricating fluid therein. Full Article
met Anti-vibration rubber member and production method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An anti-vibration rubber member includes: a rubber elastic body that is made of a self-lubricating rubber containing an elastomer and a bleeding lubricant; a coating film that covers at least a portion of a sliding inner surface that is among a surface of the rubber elastic body and disposed on an inner side of the sliding surface, contains a resin having a mercapto group, is deformable to follow up deformation of the rubber elastic body, and is formed with a plurality of minute holes capable of reserving the bleeding lubricant which has oozed out of the rubber elastic body; and a lubricating film that covers at least a portion of a surface of the coating film, is formed to include the bleeding lubricant penetrating the coating film from the rubber elastic body and oozing onto the surface of the coating film, and forms at least a portion of the sliding surface. Full Article
met Dynamically-lubricated bearing and method of dynamically lubricating a bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Dynamically-lubricated bearings and methods of dynamically lubricating bearings, including bearings used in gas turbine engines. Such a bearing includes an inner race having an inner race groove between a pair of inner race cage lands, an outer race having an outer race groove between a pair of outer race cage lands and opposes the inner race groove, rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races and in rolling contact with the inner and outer race grooves, and a cage disposed between the inner and outer races to maintain separation between the rolling elements. A lubricant is introduced into a cavity between the inner and outer races, and rotation of the inner race relative to the outer race causes the lubricant to exit the cavity through recessed surface features in at least one of the inner and outer race cage lands. Full Article
met Cage for a roller bearing and a method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cage for a roller bearing includes a first annular portion and a second annular portion opposite the first annular portion and a plurality of pillars interconnecting the first annular portion and the second annular portion. Adjacent pairs of the pillars each define a pocket for holding rollers. Each of the pockets is configured to receive at least one roller. One or more radially outward facing concave roller support surface is formed in one or more of the pillars at a position proximate a radially outer edge of the pillar. The concave roller support surface is configured to radially outwardly support a portion of one of the rollers. Full Article
met System and method for providing additional functionality to existing software in an integrated manner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved system and method are disclosed for improving functionality in software applications. In one example, the method includes a mobile device having a network interface, a processor, and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions. The instructions include instructions for a superblock application having instructions for a function block included therein. The function block is configured to provide functions that are accessible to the superblock application via an application programming interface (API). The functions are provided within the superblock application itself and are accessible within the superblock application without switching context to another application on the mobile device. Full Article
met Non real-time metrology data management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The techniques described herein implement an operating system that can reliably process time sensitive information in non real-time manner. Thus, the operating system described herein is capable of processing an instance of time sensitive input during a time period after the instance of time sensitive input is received (e.g., at a future point in time). To accomplish this, the techniques timestamp each instance of time sensitive input when it is received at a device. The techniques then store the timestamped instance of time sensitive input in a temporary queue, and make the timestamped instance available to the operating system at a time period after the time period when it is received, as indicated by the timestamp. Additional techniques described herein prioritize the activation of a driver configured to receive the time sensitive information during a boot sequence or a reboot sequence. Full Article
met Status management device, status management method, and recording medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A status management device is presented, the device including multiple first application units for monitoring status information indicating a status of a management target, multiple second application units for outputting first acquisition request information of the status information with identification information of the management target, a search unit for outputting a storage location corresponding to the identification information when the first acquisition request information is received from the second application unit, a request unit for outputting second acquisition request information of the status information to the first application unit corresponding to the outputted storage location, and a transmission unit for outputting the status information supplied from the first application unit in response to the second acquisition request information to the second application unit which corresponds to a request source of the first acquisition request information. Full Article
met Information output device, method, and recording medium for outputting notification information corresponding to a state of a computer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An information output device includes a first processor configured to execute a process to determine a type of notification information which is outputted from a computer and which notifies a state of the computer; and a second processor configured to execute a process to create a chart, in which a first coordinate axis represents time when the notification information is outputted from the computer, a second coordinate axis represents the type of the notification information, and the notification information is drawn at a corresponding position, and output the chart. Full Article
met Methods and apparatus for constructing a secure and flexible operating system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for constructing a secure and flexible operating system. The presently disclosed system executes different user applications in different operating systems on different virtual machines. Each user application communicates with other processes via the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). In particular, each user application's user interface is implemented in a web browser that is running in its own operating system on its own virtual machine, and each user application interacts with the user interface by exchanging HTTP messages between the virtual machines. Full Article
met Methods for analyzing, limiting, and enhancing access to an internet API, web service, and data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention includes an API gateway server that monitors and controls the distribution of API elements from API sources to application developers based on a distribution rule set. Full Article
met Method and system for performing security monitoring on file downloading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses method and system for performing security monitoring on file downloading, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions for performing security monitoring on file downloading. The method includes upon detecting a file downloading operation, performing security detection on a downloaded file to determine whether the downloaded file is secure; if the downloaded file is secure, determining whether a downloading tool adopted when the file is downloaded is instant messenger (IM) software; and if the adopted downloading tool is IM software, modifying a filename extension of the downloaded file to ensure that the downloaded file is capable of being directly opened or run. Full Article
met Method and computer device for inserting attachments into electronic message By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for inserting attachments into an electronic message is provided. The method may include searching a keyword database to determine if a content of the electronic message includes a keyword, a key phrase, or a key sentence defined in the keyword database. The method may also include applying a condition to a file database, if the determination is affirmative, so as to search for at least a candidate item. The candidate item may be presented in a menu to the user. The method may further include enabling, in response to the user's confirmation of the candidate item, the confirmed candidate item to be inserted into the electronic message automatically to become an attachment thereto. Full Article