A peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client computer therein. The method includes masking... Show moreA peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client computer therein. The method includes masking at least one term in a multi-term query entered into a client computer of the P2P system to obtain a masked query and routing the masked query to a plurality of server computers. The masked query is compared to a file descriptor of server files in each of the plurality of server computers to identify a plurality of matching server files. The server computers return to the client computer as search results the file descriptor and a mathematical identifier for each of the plurality of matching server files. The server computer may return to the client computer only a subset of the plurality of the matching server files. Enhanced P2P file searching accuracy is provided. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A magnetic tape transducing machine with integral head cleaning brush, head demagnetizer and bulk tape demagnetizer, for selective... Show moreA magnetic tape transducing machine with integral head cleaning brush, head demagnetizer and bulk tape demagnetizer, for selective conditioning of the head and tape alternately with actual transducing operations. The brush preferably rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of tape travel across the head while being relatively translated in said direction during contact with the head. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
This invention relates to a power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an integrated converter having a rectifier changing... Show moreThis invention relates to a power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an integrated converter having a rectifier changing AC to DC, a DC/DC converter changing from a first voltage to a second voltage, and a battery storing electrical energy. The integrated converter operates in three modes 1) AC plug-in charging mode, 2) boost mode supplying power from the battery to the electrical bus and 3) buck mode supplying power from the electrical bus to the battery. The integrated converter utilizes the same single inductor during each of the three operating modes to reduce cost and weight of the system. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pump is provided for pumping dielectric liquids, and a particular adaptation for mass transport of... Show moreAn electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pump is provided for pumping dielectric liquids, and a particular adaptation for mass transport of isothermal and non-isothermal single phase liquids. The EHD conduction pump does not require direct injection of electric charges into the fluid. The EHD conduction pump includes an EHD pumping section and associated connecting tubes with electrodes arranged in series in the pumping section. The electrodes are coupled to a high voltage low current dc power supply. A positive polarity dc voltage is applied to the electrodes. Various electrode configurations may be used, such as three-needle, hollow-tube, or pin-needle electrode configuration. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A mobile sanitizing device may include a sanitizer solution dispenser module, a motorized wheel assembly, and a controller module. The... Show moreA mobile sanitizing device may include a sanitizer solution dispenser module, a motorized wheel assembly, and a controller module. The sanitizer solution dispenser module may be operable to dispense the sanitizer solution. The motorized wheel includes at least one wheel and is coupled to the sanitizer solution dispenser module. The controller module includes a microcontroller and a memory, and is programmed to log a sanitization record into a sanitization history of at least one user, compare the sanitization history of the user with a sanitization standard, and control the motorized wheel assembly to cause the mobile sanitizing device to approach the user to dispense sanitizing solution to the user when the sanitization history does not meet the sanitization standard. Sponsorship: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Primary US Patent Classification 340/573.1 US Patent Classification 340/539.1 US Patent Classification 340/618 US Patent Classification 700/245 US Patent Classification 901/1 International Patent Classification G08B 23/00 Show less
A bolt having a shank and integral head has a strip of photoelastic material mounted on the head for manifesting in the form of photoelastic... Show moreA bolt having a shank and integral head has a strip of photoelastic material mounted on the head for manifesting in the form of photoelastic fringes linearly related to bolt tension the bending stresses created in the head during loading of the bolt. To determine the tension in the bolt during or after loading, polarized light is directed toward the photoelastic strip and reflected light from the strip is analyzed to measure fringe order. The fringe order is related to the amount of bending stresses in the head of the bolt by a predetermined calibration curve, the bending stresses being linearly related to bolt tension. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
A transducer for generating and detecting surface elastic waves in a piezoelectric material may include a metalic grating on the material... Show moreA transducer for generating and detecting surface elastic waves in a piezoelectric material may include a metalic grating on the material forming one electrode of the transducer and a counter-electrode separated from the grating by a dielectric layer. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
A tutorial or diagnostic aid based on the representation and iterative interpretation of visual images is taught. A teaching or diagnostic... Show moreA tutorial or diagnostic aid based on the representation and iterative interpretation of visual images is taught. A teaching or diagnostic session is created by overlaying an interpretation layer via a software application onto the visual image layer and synchronizing the two with the time code of the visual image. The interpretation layer allows the reviewer to identify image areas of interest by gesture and append comments thereto in real time; i.e. images or portions of images within the visual representation playback may be identified and labeled and have the concurrent commentary associated therewith. The comments are indexed and linked to a database of similar topics. The flow of the session is recorded to show the images, deictic gestures associated therewith, and commentary associated with the gestures, to enable subsequent users to playback a session and follow the flow of thought (i.e. image identification and commentary within the original session). Iterative sessions allow additional image identification and commentary to be accomplished. Additional database access through the index may further enhance a teaching session, or provide for research sessions and report generation. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
