ppl Sulfonamide derivatives of polycyclic dyes used for analytical applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns the production of quinoline compounds containing sulfonic acid groups, the said quinoline compounds and their conversion into dyes containing sulfonic acid groups. The dyes according to the invention are used especially to label analytes, for example to label biomolecules. Full Article
ppl Power-saving network management server, network system, and method of determining supply of power By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power-saving network management server, which is coupled to a network system including a network device and manages a state of power to the network device, wherein the power-saving network management server is configured to: store network configuration information and task allocation information; determine starting or stopping of the power supply to the port of the network device based on the updated network configuration information and task allocation information; store a determination result of the starting or stopping of the power supply to the port as a port determination result; and control the power supply to the port of the network device based on the port determination result. Full Article
ppl Power supply control system, method, and computer program product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to an embodiment, a control system includes a detector, an estimating unit, a determining unit, and a controller. The detector detects an idle state. The estimating unit estimates an idle period. When the idle state is detected, the determining unit determines whether a first power consumption when writeback of data which needs to be written back to a main storage device is performed and supply of power to a cache memory is stopped, is larger than a second power consumption when writeback of the data is not performed and supply of power is continued for the idle period. The controller stops the supply of power to the cache memory when the first power consumption is determined to be smaller than the second power consumption and continues the supply of power when the first power consumption is determined to be larger than the second power consumption. Full Article
ppl Network security appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, devices, and systems that may be used to secure networked devices are provided. One method includes receiving, at a security device, encrypted configuration data from a management server connected to a data network, from packets addressed to a networked device. The method further includes managing, by the security device, packets between the networked device and other devices accessible through a network based upon the configuration data. The method further includes sending, by the security device, a plurality of encrypted heartbeat messages to the management server utilizing an address associated with the networked device as the originating address for packets in which the encrypted heartbeat messages are transmitted. Full Article
ppl Apparatus and method for managing power of an electronic appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a power management apparatus including: a managed appliance registering unit carrying out authentication on an electronic appliance connected to a power network and registering an electronic appliance for which the authentication has succeeded as a managed appliance, a control unit controlling operation of the managed appliance and supplying of power to the managed appliance, a managed appliance information acquiring unit acquiring, from the managed appliance, as managed appliance information, at least any of appliance information including identification information that is unique to the electronic appliance, information indicating an operation state of the electronic appliance, information indicating an usage state of the electronic appliance and power information of the electronic appliance, and an appliance state judging unit judging a state of the managed appliance based on the managed appliance information acquired by the managed appliance information acquiring unit. Full Article
ppl Diagnostic radio frequency identification sensors and applications thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones. Full Article
ppl Synthesis and applications of peripherally asymmetric aryl POSS compounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Asymmetric aryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (ArPoss) compounds synthesized by the “corner-capping” of phenyl7Si7O9(OH)3 with aryl trichlorosilanes are described. The ArPoss compounds have the chemical structure: wherein Ph is phenyl and wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: and mixtures thereof. Full Article
ppl Conjugated polymer composition for solar cell and flexible electronics applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polymer composition for solar cell and flexible electronics devices, where the polymer is a p-type conducting polymer. The p-type polymer comprises a benzothiadiazole acceptor and indeno-fluorene donor. Further, a solar cell and flexible electronic device article may be made from the polymer. Full Article
ppl Synthesis of 7-acetyleno quinone methide derivatives and their application as vinylic polymerization retarders By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention provides a method for synthesizing 7-Acetyleno quinone methide compounds that is safe and inexpensive. The method avoids the need for extremely cold reaction temperatures and unlike the prior art does not require any highly explosive materials. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a condensation reaction between 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a secondary amine thereby forming a secondary amine quinone methide intermediate;b) removing water from the secondary amine quinone methide intermediate by azeotropic distillation;c) adding the dehydrated secondary amine quinone methide intermediate to an organic medium containing a metal acetylide to form a Mannich base intermediate; andd) adding a release agent to the Mannich base intermediate to yield a 7-Acetyleno quinone methide. Full Article
ppl Methods, systems, and computer readable media for monitored application of mechanical force to samples using acoustic energy and mechanical parameter value extraction using mechanical response models By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and computer readable media for monitored application of mechanical force to samples using acoustic energy and mechanical parameter value extraction using mechanical response models can be used for determining mechanical property parameters of a sample. An exemplary method includes applying acoustic energy to a sample to apply a mechanical force to the sample, measuring a response by the sample during the application of the acoustic energy, measuring a recovery response of the sample following cessation of the application of the acoustic energy, and determining a value for at least one additional mechanical property parameter of the sample based on the response measured during application of the acoustic energy and the recovery response measured following cessation of the application of acoustic energy. Full Article
ppl Electronic device and method for calculating efficiency of simulative power supply system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for calculating efficiency of a power supply system includes: displaying a parameter selection interface on the display unit for selecting power supply parameters and transmission line parameters. Obtaining power supply parameters and transmission line parameters selected by the user via the parameter selection interface when determining the user has finished the selection. Determining a efficiency of a selected power supply of the power supply parameters according to the relationship table, and calculating a sum efficiency according to the obtained power supply parameters and the transmission line parameters and the efficiency of the selected power supply. And calculating a total efficiency of the power supply system according to each sum efficiency when determining that all of the power supplies of the power supply system have been selected. Full Article
ppl Automated emergency power supply test using engine exhaust temperature By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT An automated emergency power supply system (EPSS) and testing solution that records generator load values and engine exhaust temperature values to evaluate whether an EPSS test satisfies legislated test criteria. The EPSS test is carried out under software control, which initiates a test by instructing an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to change its status to a test status, causing the essential loads to be powered by a generator instead of a main utility power source. Power monitors record the ATS and generator status during the test as well as electrical parameter data from the ATS and generator and exhaust temperature data and other engine parameter data from the generator. When the test is concluded, the ATS is instructed to return the status to normal so that power delivery is resumed from the main power source. The electrical and engine parameter data is analyzed and compared against legislated test criteria to determine a pass/fail result of the EPSS test. Full Article
ppl Non-tacky wetness indicator composition for application on a polymeric substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products. Full Article
ppl Indicator, application thereof and related products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT There is disclosed an indicator composition, the application thereof to substrates, and related products. The indicator composition comprises an organic solvent soluble polymer and a redox sensitive material which displays different visible properties in the oxidized and reduced forms. The organic solvent soluble polymer can be at least partially sulfonated polystyrene. The indicator composition can be dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate to form inks which can be used in a variety of printing processes. The indicator composition can be used to detect oxidizing agents, oxygen, water, reducing agents, UV light, temperature and the passage of time. Full Article
ppl Applicator head and method for treatment of pain by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus and method for treatment of pain by a device that provides transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The device includes an applicator equipped with an electric pulse provider that sends an electric pulse to a set of electrodes disposed in an applicator head. The device is placed onto the skin of a patient's body at the point where the patient experiences pain and such that the electrodes of the device contact the skin of the patient while an insulating land area between the electrodes compresses the nerve during transmittal of the electric pulse through the electrodes and into the patient's body. Full Article
ppl Skin graft applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A skin graft applicator with a handle member and a roller member is described for use in applying a skin graft to a patient. The skin graft applicator has a manipulator pad for positioning the skin graft, and a roller member for forcing air and fluid from underneath the skin graft ensuring the proper bond between graft and tissue. Full Article
ppl Gas cooking appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a gas burner for a gas cooking appliance with at least one gas hob and/or one gas oven, wherein the gas burner (10) comprises a heat source (18) and an electric ignition system (24), and wherein an electric or electronic control circuit (38) is provided for controlling the electric ignition system (24). According to the invention the gas burner (10) includes a photovoltaic generator (20) for generating the electric power for the electric ignition system (24). Full Article
ppl Combustor and method for supplying fuel to a combustor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combustor includes an end cap having an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A cap shield circumferentially surrounds the upstream and downstream surfaces, tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream, and a plenum is inside the end cap. A first baffle extends radially across the plenum toward the cap shield, and a plate extends radially inside the plenum between the first baffle and the upstream surface. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through tubes, flowing a fuel into a plenum between upstream and downstream surfaces, radially distributing the fuel along a first baffle, and axially flowing the fuel across a plate that extends radially inside the plenum. Full Article
ppl Service method of gas appliances By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A service method of gas appliances includes: Detecting the gas appliances at the client ends to generate detecting signals. Transmitting the detecting signals to a service end. Identifying which client end the detecting signals come from. Examining the detecting signals to find whether the gas appliance has an abnormal condition; and informing the client end when the abnormal condition is found. After all, the service end may monitor the gas appliances at the client end, and inform the client for repair when the gas appliance has detected an abnormal signal or has damaged parts. Full Article
ppl Quality of service application controller and user equipment application profiler By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various topologies of a quality of service application controller and related techniques to optimize the communications performance an application executing on a device participating in a communications environment are disclosed. The communications environment may include a cellular network, an unlicensed spectrum network, or a combination of the two. The quality of service application controller observes one or more key performance indicators of the communications network, and retrieves a policy from a policy store specific to the application. The quality of service application controller then modifies the execution of the application and/or the configurable aspects of the communications environment to optimize the communications performance of the application. For example, the application's data throughput may be increased, the power draw of the application may be minimized, data requested by the application may be minimized, or the apparent response time of the application's response to a web service may be minimized. Full Article
ppl Arrangement for lube oil supply a chain drive driving a transmission oil pump arranged offset the axis of a torque converter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement for supplying oil to a chain drive which drives a transmission oil pump that is axially offset relative to a torque converter and embedded in an intermediate plate in a vehicle having a torque converter. The driven sprocket of the chain drive is supported by a converter neck mounted in a centering plate. A seal is provided between the converter neck and the sprocket and is arranged adjacent the sliding fit between the converter neck and the sprocket. To compensate for the suppression of lubrication of the seal, the neck bearing and the chain drive, a valve is integrated in the intermediate plate, and a duct is provided in the plane, in which the centering plate is screwed to the intermediate plate, such that excess oil flowing from the valve is selectively directed to the seal, the neck bearing and the chain drive. Full Article
ppl Inhibitors of arginase and their therapeutic applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Compounds according to Formula I and Formula II are potent inhibitors of Arginase I and II activity: where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, D, M, X, and Y are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds and methods of their use for treating or preventing a disease or a condition associated with arginase activity. Full Article
ppl Microfluidic devices with removable cover and methods of fabrication and application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader. Full Article
ppl Switched-mode compound power converter with main and supplemental regulators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound power converter in which the majority of power passes from input to output through only a single stage of power conversion. At least one embodiment includes a main converter with an auxiliary output. The auxiliary output energizes a reservoir that provides input power for a supplemental converter capable supplying the main output. The supplemental converter improves regulation and can provide holdover power for Power Factor Correction (PFC) or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) operation. Full Article
ppl Method and apparatus for ripple and phase loss detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus are presented for detecting phase loss and/or excessive ripple in a power converter, in which bandpass filters are used to obtain harmonic voltage amplitudes associated with the power converter DC bus, and phase loss is detected if a ratio of the second harmonic to the sixth harmonic and/or a ratio of the fourth harmonic to the sixth harmonic exceed predetermined threshold values. Full Article
ppl Power supply, power management device applied to a power supply, and method for performing brown-out protection and overheat protection of a power management device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power supply can provide brown-out protection and overheat protection. The power supply includes a rectifier, a transformer, and a power management device. The rectifier is used for receiving an alternating current voltage. The alternating current voltage has a voltage cycle. The transformer coupled to the rectifier has an inductor coupled to a switch for supplying an output voltage. The power management device is used for controlling the switch to make the inductor save power or release power. The power management device has a multi-functional pin coupled to the rectifier for receiving a detection voltage corresponding to a positive half cycle of the alternating current voltage. The multi-functional pin is also coupled to a thermistor for receiving an overheat protection signal. Full Article
ppl Full bridge DC-DC converter that applies current doubler By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A full bridge DC-DC converter to which a current doubler is applicable is provided and includes a transformer and a switching circuit that converts a high direct current voltage into a high alternating current voltage and then outputs the high alternating current voltage to the primary side of the transformer. In addition, an output circuit receives and processes the output of the secondary side of the transformer and supplies the processed output to an electric load. The output circuit includes a first inductor, a first contact resistor, a second inductor, a second contact resistor, a first diode, a third contact resister, a second diode, and a fourth contact resister. Full Article
ppl LED power supply By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method can be used for controlling the switching operation of a switching power converter that includes a semiconductor switch coupled in series to an inductor. The switching power converter consumes an input current from a power supply and provides an output current to a load. In each switching cycle a switch-on time instant is detected for the semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch is closed thus enabling, at the detected switch-on time instant, the input current passing through the semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch is opened after a desired on-time, during which the input current rises from zero to a peak value, has passed. A time interval is detected, in which the instantaneous output current is not zero. A first value that represents the peak of the input current is obtained during the on-time. Full Article
ppl Switching power supply By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flyback type switching power supply includes between P and N of a direct current output a sudden load change detector circuit, which normally has no power consumption, that detects only a transient fluctuation of a direct current output voltage, and starts the switching of a primary side semiconductor switch when there is no load or a light load, even when the semiconductor switch is in an off state, thereby enabling the detection of the direct current output voltage in a tertiary winding, and suppressing a drop in the direct current output voltage. Full Article
ppl Applying digital frequency offset to timing loop By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for providing an accumulated phase to an interpolator of a read channel, the interpolator configured to provide a digital clock signal. A frequency accumulator is configured to generate a frequency offset based on a difference between the digital clock signal and a desired clock signal. A zero phase start module is configured to, during a zero phase start, output an incremental phase jump. A phase accumulator is configured to generate the accumulated phase based on the difference between the digital clock signal and the desired clock signal, and, during the zero phase start, the incremental phase jump output by the zero phase start module, or the frequency offset generated by the frequency accumulator or a predetermined frequency offset. Full Article
ppl Film dressing with improved application assistance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A film structure having a polymer film and an application system enabling the film structure to be handled in a simple manner. The application system is arranged on a first side of the polymer film and has at least one supporting film to which at least one gripping strip is applied. The polymer film also has at least one first region without a supporting film. Full Article
ppl Bi-functional co-polymer use for opthalmic and other topical and local applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change wettability and surface characteristics of biological surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to change wettability and sterically stabilize, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to prevent adherence of unwanted proteins, for example in the treatment of contact lens intolerance, are provided. Full Article
ppl Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by pivot joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen. Full Article
ppl Electronic circuit and method of supplying electricity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to an electronic circuit and a method for feeding power to at least one electrode of an alternating-current electric-arc furnace, particularly for melting metal. Known circuits of this type typically comprise a series connection with a transformer for providing a supply voltage for the electric-arc furnace from a power grid (1) and a AC power controller (8) connected between the transformer (6) and the electrode (11) for regulating the current through the electrode (11). According to the invention, a further development for such electronic circuits is proposed, which development has a simple design, is inexpensive and prevents overload of the AC power controller (8) even in operating modes of the electric-arc furnaces at high electrode currents. This further development provides to bypass the AC power controller with a bypass switch (9) that is opened or closed with the help of a controller as a function of the amount of current flowing through the electrode (11). Full Article
ppl Resonant power supply for use with high inductive loads and method of providing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A resonant power supply (900) for use with high inductive loads includes an input rectifier (903) and a switching inverter formed using a plurality of parallel connected half bridge networks for switching the voltage provided from the input rectifier (903). A transformer (927) is used whose primary is connected to the switching inverter and whose secondary is connected to load such as a crucible (931). A capacitor (929) is used in series with the primary of the transformer (927) for resonating the inductance in the secondary circuit at the frequency of the switching inverter to provide maximum power transfer to the crucible (931). Full Article
ppl Power supply arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A power supply arrangement for supplying a square-wave current (I2) to a load connected to an output of the power supply arrangement, in particular a power supply arrangement in an arc furnace for generating an arc, including a transformer (TU) with at least two primary-site taps (1U1, 1U2) which form an input of the power supply arrangement, and with several secondary-side taps (2U1, 2U2, 2U3, 2UN), a bridge circuit (BU) with several first half bridges (11, 12, 13) which include converter valves (V11, V12, V13, V14, V15, V16) and which each have a first terminal (A11, A12, A13) of the bridge circuit, with a bridge section with a choke (L1), and with a second half bridge (20) which has converter valves (V17, V18) and a second terminal (A20) of the bridge circuit (BU), wherein each first terminal (A11, A12, A13) is connected to one of the secondary-side taps (2U1, 2U2, 2U3) of the transformer (TU), wherein the second terminal (A20) is connected to the output. Full Article
ppl Photo-responsive liquid crystalline compound and its applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The purpose of the present invention is to provide novel liquid crystalline compounds that are capable of inducing phase transition by a light stimulus and are useful in the display, optoelectronics, and photonics field. The present invention relates to the liquid crystalline compounds represented by general formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxyphenyl, and N-alkylaminocarbonyl, and n is an integer. Full Article
ppl System for adding or updating video content from internet sources to existing video-on-demand application of a digital TV services provider system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates ordered in a hierarchy for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. The templates include those for higher-order displays which have one or more links to lower-order displays of specific content. The VOD Application Server, in response to viewer request, displays a high-order templatized display, and in response to viewer selection of a link, displays the lower-order display of specific content. The hierarchical templatized displays enable viewers to navigate to an end subject of interest while having a unique visual experience of moving through a series of displays to the end subject of interest. For example, the higher-order display may be a product ad and the lower-order display may be an ad for a local retailer of the product. Similarly, a viewer can navigate from national product to local product ad, or classified ad category to specific classified ad, or bulletin board topic category to specific posting. In another embodiment, the VOD content delivery system is used to deliver consumer-generated classified ads on TV. A web-based Content Management System receives consumer-generated content uploaded online in industry-standard file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area, and displays a requested classified ad in response to viewer selection. Full Article
ppl Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons. Full Article
ppl Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Full Article
ppl Flow distribution system for controlling application width of residual crop material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field. Full Article
ppl Conveying apparatus comprising a conveying path and designed to supply a plurality of products for consumption having soft parts to a processing device, and processing machine comprising a conveying apparatus and a processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveying apparatus has a conveying path to supply a plurality of products for consumption having soft parts and intended for processing to a processing device. A conveying intermediate space has conveying surfaces that face one another and receive the products for consumption between them while applying pressure thereto. A first conveying surface comprises a flexible surface-deformable conveying cover and a row arrangement of pressure elements that are arranged next to one another in a row extending transverse to the conveying direction, each having a pressure-applying transverse profile extending transverse to the conveying direction, and are held to be displaceable in the height dimension direction of the conveying intermediate space against a restoring force such that each pressure element co-operates with the surface-deformable conveying cover during the passage of the products for consumption through the conveying path in order to form a variable conveyor cross-section. Full Article
ppl Application of force in electrochemical cells By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell. Full Article
ppl Fantasy sport auction draft application roster preview grid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT Methods and system for presenting a plurality of attributes of a plurality of players from a plurality of teams that are part of a league includes obtaining a plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. The plurality of attributes of the plurality of the players and of the teams is populated in one or more databases along with any updates to these attributes. The databases are queried to retrieve updated plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. A roster grid is generated for the plurality of teams for rendering at a client in substantial real time. The roster grid displays the updated status of the plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams simultaneously in a clean, concise and effective manner. Full Article
ppl Disk drive measuring fly height by applying a bias voltage to an electrically insulated write component of a head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, and a slider comprising a head, where the head comprises a write component electrically insulated from the slider. A bias voltage is applied to the write component, and a current flowing between the write component and the disk is measured, wherein the current is indicative of a fly height of the head. Full Article
ppl Application function library framework By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A component instance manager of a database system generates an instance of the application function. The component instance manager then generates an executor for the application function, and requests an instance of a component class of the application function from a package manager of the database system. A void pointer associated with the instance of the component class and a wrapper function address associated with the application function are accessed by the component instance manager, where the void pointer and wrapper function address comprise runtime parameters of the application function. The application function is thereafter executed by the executor according to the runtime parameters. Full Article
ppl Systems and methods for application reuse By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT System and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a master data archiver configured to store a data related to a turbomachine system and a first data collector service system configured to collect the data from the master data archiver. The system also includes a second data collector service system communicatively coupled to the first data collector system and configured to pull or to push the data from the first data collector system and a first data archiver configured to receive at least some of the data from the second data collector system. The system further includes an asset model database storing a plurality of turbomachine tags, wherein the turbomachine tags are configured to categorize the data and a data access system (DAS) configured to provide data access to the first data archiver, the asset model database, or a combination thereof. Full Article
ppl System and method to boost application performance by using a proxy for executing synchronous application programming interface calls By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Techniques are described for utilizing synchronous APIs which normally block callers until a result is returned. In particular, the techniques described herein enable an application or other programming construct to boost performance by executing synchronous APIs (e.g., long running time APIs) within a proxy container rather than executing the synchronous APIs in the context of the application itself. Since the proxy is a separate process or thread, the caller application is thereby released from waiting for the synchronous API call and may proceed with other processing instead of waiting for the synchronous API to return. The application may then monitor the proxy to determine whether a result has been received, such as by periodically polling the proxy. Full Article
ppl Methods and systems for dynamically establishing one or more connections between a software application and a cluster of message broker By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exemplary method includes a broker-based messaging system detecting a request provided by a software application for the software application to connect to any one of a plurality of brokers included in a cluster of brokers, dynamically identifying, in response to the request and in accordance with a connection distribution heuristic, a broker included in the cluster of brokers and that is available for connection to the software application, and attempting to establish a connection between the software application and the broker. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. Full Article
ppl System and method for event-driven live migration of multi-process applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system, method, and computer readable medium for asynchronous live migration of applications between two or more servers. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. Asynchronous live migration is provided through a combination of process replication, logging, barrier synchronization, checkpointing, reliable messaging and message playback. The live migration is transparent to the application and requires no modification to the application, operating system, networking stack or libraries. Full Article