| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09256808B2 |
Classifying and annotating images based on user context
Annotating and classifying an image based on a user context includes determining a location data of an object captured in an image, determining an attribute data of the object, obtaining sensor data from sensors that are associated with the location data based on the attribute data, determining a recommended user context from one or more predefined user contexts based on a comparison of the location data, the attribute data, and the sensor data with location data, attribute data, and sensor data of one or more images associated with the one or more predefined user contexts, determining a recommended class of the captured image based on the recommended user context, selecting one or more annotation data from the location data, the attribute data, and the sensor data based on the recommended class or the recommended user context, and annotating the image with the one or more annotation data. |
| US09256806B2 |
Methods and systems for determining image processing operations relevant to particular imagery
Image data, such as from a mobile phone camera, is analyzed to determine a colorfulness metric (e.g., saturation) or a contrast metric (e.g., Weber contrast). This metric is then used in deciding which of, or in which order, plural different image recognition processes should be invoked in order to present responsive information to a user. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09256805B2 |
Method and system of identifying an entity from a digital image of a physical text
A method of identifying an entity from text in a digital image includes the step of obtaining a digital image. The digital image includes a digital photograph of a physical text. At least a portion of the physical text is related to a pre-defined topic. The digital photograph of the physical text is converted to a text in a computer-readable format. A word dictionary is provided. The word dictionary includes a set of words related to the pre-defined topic. A set of words of matching the text to similar words in the set of words in the word dictionary. A word cluster in the text is identified. Each word in the word cluster is associated with a category of a single entity. The single entity is a member of a class of entities demarcated by the pre-defined topic. A database including a list of members of the class of entities demarcated by the pre-defined topic is search for one or more entities matching one or more of word-category associations of the word cluster. |
| US09256804B2 |
Light source comparator and calibration apparatus
An apparatus for identifying differences in the visual and recorded appearance of colors and gray tones illuminated by light sources having different spectral distribution and having: a first image with illumination, with separate and different color elements and with gray scale elements, apertures in the first image adjacent to the elements, a second image with illumination having a plurality of separate elements of color and gray scale, corresponding to the elements of the first image so that the elements on the second image are viewable through the apertures in the first image, with corresponding color and gray scale elements adjacent to one another in the first and second images, and a method of comparing light quality using such apparatus. |
| US09256803B2 |
Automatic detection of persistent changes in naturally varying scenes
A method for detecting a persistent change in a dynamically varying scene includes: obtaining a set of reference images of the scene; transforming the reference images into an abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the reference images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable reduced-reference image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; obtaining a set of test images of the scene; transforming the test images into the abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the test images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable test image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; and comparing the stable reduced-reference and test images to one another to detect a difference therein, the difference corresponding to a persistent change in the dynamically varying scene occurring between when the reference images and the test images were obtained. |
| US09256802B2 |
Object or shape information representation method
An information representation method for representing an object or a shape includes: dividing a contour shape of an entirety or a part of the object or the shape into one or a plurality of curves; and representing the contour shape of the object or the shape by parameters including a degree of curvature and a positional relationship of each curve obtained by the dividing. Therefore, there is provided an information representation method for an object or a shape, which is capable of robust object recognition against a change in image by geometric transformations and occlusions. |
| US09256801B2 |
Method and system for classifying image elements
A method, system, and machine-readable medium for classifying an image element as one of a plurality of categories, including assigning the image element based on a ratio between an unoccluded perimeter of the image element and an occluded perimeter of the image element and coding the image element according to a coding scheme associated with the category to which the image element is classified. Exemplary applications include image compression, where categories include image foreground and background layers. |
| US09256797B2 |
Storage medium having image recognition program stored therein, image recognition apparatus, image recognition system, and image recognition method
A game apparatus obtains a captured image captured by a camera. First, the game apparatus detects an object area of the captured image that includes a predetermined image object based on pixel values obtained at a first pitch across the captured image. Then, the game apparatus detects a predetermined image object from an image of the object area based on pixel values obtained at a second pitch smaller than the first pitch across the object area of the captured image. |
| US09256794B2 |
Systems and methods for face authentication or recognition using spectrally and/or temporally filtered flash illumination
A face authentication or recognition system embodiment includes a processing unit; a flash illumination drive circuit; a flash illumination unit having a flashlamp configured to generate a set of flash illumination pulses; a set of spectral filters configured to pass a set of spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses; a lens; an image sensor configured to receive a set of filtered flash illumination pulses reflected from a subject's face and generate a corresponding facial image dataset; and a memory or data storage device configured to store facial image datasets, enrollment datasets, and query datasets, and which includes a face authentication or recognition module. Spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses have an intensity at least approximately equal to the intensity of ambient sunlight, essentially regardless of an outdoor environment under consideration upon or proximate to the surface of the earth. Spectrally filtered flash illumination reflected from the subject's face can be readily distinguished from ambient light, regardless of the environment in which the subject's facial image was captured, providing surprisingly robust facial authentication and/or recognition performance essentially regardless of ambient lighting conditions. |
| US09256793B2 |
Apparatus and method for extracting object image
An apparatus for extracting image data of an object in an input image data. The apparatus includes a display device having a display screen for displaying a plurality of predetermined images; a display controller for controlling the display device to display one of the predetermined images; an imaging device for taking an image of an object placed before the display screen in order to generate an input image data; a controller for controlling the imaging device to take an image of the object and the display screen when the display device displays one of the predetermined images in cooperation with the display controller; and an extractor for extracting image data of the object by comparing the input image data generated by imaging device with data of the one of the plurality of the predetermined images. |
| US09256788B2 |
Method for initializing and solving the local geometry or surface normals of surfels using images in a parallelizable architecture
A system and method is described herein for solving for surface normals of objects in the scene observed in a video stream. The system and method may include sampling the video stream to generate a set of keyframes; generating hypothesis surface normals for a set of mappoints in each of the keyframes; warping patches of corresponding mappoints in a first keyframe to the viewpoint of a second keyframe with a warping matrix computed from each of the hypothesis surface normals; scoring warping errors between each hypothesis surface normal in the two keyframes; and discarding hypothesis surface normals with high warping errors between the first and second keyframes. |
| US09256785B2 |
Identifying user activities using eye tracking data, mouse events, and keystrokes
A computing device classifies user activities for a person interacting with a computer user interface using one or more user interface devices. The computing device receives eye tracking data for the person, which includes a sequence of fixations ordered temporally. Each fixation corresponds to a plurality of consecutive measured gaze points. Each fixation has a duration and location based on the corresponding gaze points. For each fixation, the computing device determines a plurality of features for the fixation, including characteristics of the fixation, context features based on preceding or subsequent fixations, and user interaction features based on information from the user interface devices during the fixation. The computing device assigns a user activity label to the fixation according to the features. The label is selected from a predefined set. The computing device then analyzes the fixations and their assigned user activity labels to make recommendations. |
| US09256783B2 |
Systems and methods for tax data capture and use
A computer-implemented method of acquiring tax data for use in tax preparation application includes acquiring an image of at least one document containing tax data therein with an imaging device. A computer extracts one or more features from the acquired image of the at least one document and compares the extracted one or more features to a database containing a plurality of different tax forms. The database may include a textual database and/or geometric database. The computer identifies a tax form corresponding to the at least one document from the plurality of different tax forms based at least in part on a confidence level associated with the comparison of the extracted one or more features to the database. At least a portion of the tax data from the acquired image is transferred into corresponding fields of the tax preparation application. |
| US09256778B2 |
Scale independent tracking pattern
In one aspect, a computer implemented method of motion capture, the method includes tracking the motion of a dynamic object bearing a pattern configured such that a first portion of the patterns is tracked at a first resolution and a second portion of the pattern is tracked at a second resolution. The method further includes causing data representing the motion to be stored to a computer readable medium. |
| US09256775B1 |
Image recognition apparatus and commodity information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an image recognition apparatus includes an acquisition unit, an operation unit and a controller. The controller specifies a pattern area including the pattern from the image acquired by the acquisition unit, sets a pattern candidate area based on a position of a pattern area which failed to be specified, the position being accepted by the operation unit, re-sets a photography parameter for photographing the set pattern candidate area, acquires, through the acquisition unit, an image including the pattern candidate area photographed in accordance with the re-set photography parameter, specifies a pattern area from the acquired image including the pattern candidate area, and recognizes a pattern which the specified pattern area includes. |
| US09256772B2 |
Data collection system having reconfigurable data collection terminal
There is provided in one embodiment a data collection system including a data collection terminal having an encoded information reader device and a computer spaced apart from the data collection terminal. The data collection terminal in one embodiment can be configured to be responsive to configuration data expressed in an extensible markup language. |
| US09256769B1 |
Mobile reader device
The subject technology relates to methods and systems for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide a method for receiving payment information, wherein the payment information specifies a payment amount, generating an authorization request to process the payment information, encrypting the authorization request using an encryption engine to generate a secure authorization request and transmitting the secure authorization request using the radio transceiver to a payment processor via a messaging service, wherein the messaging service comprises one or more of a SMS, a MMS or an email service. In certain aspects, methods of the subject technology can further include steps for receiving an authorization response from the payment processor via the messaging service. Systems and methods for mobile card reader activation are also provided. |
| US09256767B2 |
Tracking system
An exemplary tracking device or system includes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit disposed on a substrate; an encapsulation cap encapsulating the RFID circuit and substrate; and, an information bearing indicia (IBI) disposed on the encapsulation cap, the RFID circuit and IBI providing at least some similar information when read with a respective reading device. |
| US09256758B2 |
Mode sensitive encryption
Mechanisms are provided to implement framework level mode specific file access operations. In a mode such as a work or enterprise mode, read and write accesses are directed to one or more secured locations. File data and metadata may be secured with encryption and/or authentication mechanisms. Conventional mobile solutions provide only for mode encryption distinctions at the application level, e.g. one work application may prevent access to certain data, but a different application may want to allow access to that same data. Various embodiments provide framework level mode sensitive encryption that does not require different, mutually exclusive, or possibly conflicting applications or platforms. A device and associated applications may have access to different data based on a current mode. |
| US09256757B2 |
Prefetch of attributes in evaluating access control requests
In an embodiment, a method is provided for prefetching attributes used in access control evaluation. In this method, an access control policy that comprises rules is retrieved. These rules further comprise parameters. At least one of the rules is categorized into a class from multiple classes based on at least one of the parameters. Here, the class is a grouping based on at least one of these parameters. An attribute associated with the at least one of these parameters is identified and this attribute is mapped to the class. |
| US09256754B2 |
Data protection method and electronic device capable of creating a private folder having a same name as a public folder to hide private data
A data protection method for an electronic device is disclosed. The data protection method includes setting a log-in password for a private file stored in a public folder, creating a private folder having a same folder name as the public folder to store the private file in the private folder, and comparing an input password with the log-in password for the private folder to determine to display the private folder or the public folder. |
| US09256752B2 |
Product authorization with cross-region access
A method and system for authorizing access to a product to limit suspected cross-region access is provided. The system receives from a customer device a product key that identifies a product and a product region. The system identifies a customer region indicating where the customer device is located. The system authorizes the customer's access to the product unless the product region does not match the customer region and the blocking of access is confirmed by applying a blocking rule so that access to the product is authorized even though a cross-region access is suspected. |
| US09256747B2 |
Terminal and method for hiding and restoring message
A terminal to hide a message includes an input unit to receive a signal to hide a message and a signal to restore a hidden message; a display unit to display the message and the hidden message; and a control unit to control display of the message. The terminal hides messages or applications on a separate screen. The separate screen may be a virtual screen or a different display screen. A hidden message may be displayed on the separate screen according to a conversation partner. A hidden message may be restored to a location in which the message would have originally been displayed. A portion of the stored message may be extracted and provided to an application of the terminal. |
| US09256742B2 |
Remote trust attestation and geo-location of servers and clients in cloud computing environments
Methods and systems may provide for selecting a hypervisor protocol from a plurality of hypervisor protocols based on a communication associated with a remote agent. The selected hypervisor protocol may be used to conduct a trust analysis of one or more digitally signed values in the communication, wherein a cloud attestation request may be processed based on the trust analysis. Processing the cloud attestation request may involve generating a trustworthiness verification output, a geo-location verification output, etc., for a cloud computing node corresponding to the remote agent. |
| US09256740B2 |
Method and system for analysis of security events in a managed computer network
An event retrieval and analysis system compares counts of event data for a device to stored profile counts to determine if alerts should be triggered. Event data can be retrieved by a sensor. Rules for analyzing the event data can be retrieved based on the device. The event data is analyzed based on the rules to determine recordable events. Recordable events are organized into categories representing a type or severity of attack. Current event counts are calculated by summing the recordable events for each category. A normal profile is retrieved for the device and compared to the current event count. A percentage change trigger can be retrieved from a threshold matrix based on the current event count. The percentage increase of the current event count over the normal profile is calculated and compared to the percentage change trigger to determine if an alert is triggered by the analysis system. |
| US09256736B2 |
Method and system for monitoring webpage malicious attributes
A method for monitoring a malicious attribute of a webpage is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: acquiring webpage query requests submitted by a plurality of clients; crawling a webpage based on the webpage query requests and acquiring crawled webpage contents; counting up a referenced value of a URL based on the webpage contents; calling a predetermined detection program to detect a malicious attribute of the URL based on the a referenced value of the URL. The accuracy of detection can be improved by using the method for monitoring a malicious attribute of a webpage provided in the present disclosure. Furthermore, a system for monitoring a malicious attribute of a webpage is further disclosed. |
| US09256728B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing software versions
An apparatus for managing software versions may include a processor. The processor may be configured to determine whether a security identifier of a first security certificate matches a trusted security identifier. In this regard, the first security certificate may include software version criteria. The processor may also be configured to determine whether a software version of a software application satisfies software version criteria of the first security certificate. The processor may be configured to make this determination in response to determining that the security identifier of the first certificate matches the trusted security identifier. Further, the processor may also be configured to permit execution of the software application, in response to determining that the software version satisfies the software version criteria. Associated methods and computer program products may also be provided. |
| US09256726B2 |
Call center customer service kiosk
A customer uses an in store kiosk to establish a communication session, such as a video communication session between the kiosk and an agent in a contact center. The customer can transfer the communication session to the customer's personal mobile communication device by selecting to transfer the communication session at the kiosk. A presence of the customer's personal mobile communication device is detected. The presence of the customer's personal mobile communication device can be detected by the use of various technologies, such as Near Field Communications or scanning a code on the kiosk from the mobile communication device. In response to detecting the presence of the mobile communication device the communication session is transferred from the kiosk to the mobile communication device using a communication application in the mobile communication device. |
| US09256724B2 |
Method and system for authorizing an action at a site
A method for authorizing a single action by a plurality of users at a site may include registering each of the users and at least one mobile communication device associated with that user with an authorization module, identifying the mobile communication device by a unique hardware identification number. The method may also include associating each of the users and the mobile communication device associated with that user with the site by the authorization module. The method may further include requesting each of the users to confirm the action by sending a confirmation request from the site to the mobile communication device associated with that user by the authorization module. The method may also include authorizing the action upon receiving confirmation from the mobile communication devices of all users that are required to authorize that action. |
| US09256722B2 |
Systems and methods of using a temporary private key between two devices
A method executes at a personal user device associated with a user. The method receives a request from a shared user device, the request seeking access to personal information associated with the user. The personal information is stored at a resource server. The method receives access authentication information from the user. The method then sends the access authentication information to an authentication server, and receives an access token. The access token grants access privileges to the personal information. The method sends the access token to the shared user device, thereby permitting an application executing on the shared user device to use the access token for retrieving at least a portion of the personal information. The method detects a physical movement of the personal user device, then sends a message to the authentication server to revoke access privileges associated with the access token. |
| US09256712B2 |
Medical monitoring method and device integrating central monitoring function
A method for realizing a central monitoring server by using an individual patient monitor device is provided, and the patient monitor device (301) can monitor the patient's physiological parameter and simultaneously can collect and process the data from the other monitor devices through wired or wireless LAN (Local area network). The running state and the patient's information of the other monitors can be looked over on this monitor (301). The monitor (301) can display this monitoring measurement information and simultaneously display all the patients' information of the other monitors which are networked with it, and the other networked monitors can also be controlled by this monitor (301). The monitor (301) can use a single-screen or multi-screen display, and the displaying content can be the same or not. |
| US09256711B2 |
Systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for providing health information to employees via augmented reality display
Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for providing feedback of health information to an employee when the employee is engaged in their work duties. The method including receiving health data output by a set of health sensors provided on or near the employee when the employee is engaged in work duties. The health sensors comprising at least one of biometric and biomechanic sensors. The health data corresponding to biometric and/or biomechanic characteristics sensed by the set of health sensors. The method including processing the health data to identify health status information for the employee, and providing for display via an augmented reality display, augmented reality content including the health status information. The augmented reality display providing the employee with an augmented reality view including a real world view of a surrounding environment having the health status information for the employee overlaid thereon. |
| US09256710B2 |
Digital dental modeling
Embodiments are provided for digital dental modeling. One method embodiment includes receiving a three-dimensional data set including a first jaw and a second jaw of a three-dimensional digital dental model and receiving a two-dimensional data set corresponding to at least a portion of the first jaw and the second jaw. The method includes mapping two-dimensional data of the two-dimensional data set to the three-dimensional digital dental model by transforming a coordinate system of the two-dimensional data to a coordinate system of the three-dimensional data set. The method includes positioning the first jaw with respect to the second jaw based on the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set. The method includes using at least a portion of the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set as a target of movement of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw in the three-dimensional digital dental model. |
| US09256709B2 |
Method for integrated circuit mask patterning
Provided is a method of transforming an integrated circuit (IC) pattern into one or more patterns suitable for subsequent processing, such as mask fabrication. The method includes receiving an IC pattern that has an arbitrary shape, and using a computer, deriving an approximation IC pattern, wherein the approximation IC pattern is in a shape that is a user-defined fabrication-friendly shape, such as a rectangle or an ellipse. The method further includes calculating a pattern approximation error between the IC pattern and the approximation IC pattern. The method further includes checking whether the pattern approximation error is less than a user-defined threshold. If it is, the method further includes outputting the approximation IC pattern for subsequent fabrication. Otherwise, the method further includes splitting the IC pattern into a plurality of subparts, and recursively transforming each of the plurality of subparts. |
| US09256706B2 |
Knowledge-based analog layout generator
A computer-implemented method for generating a layout of a design includes invoking the computer to receive a schematic representation of the design, generating a connection graph associated with the design, comparing the connection graph with a plurality of connection graphs stored in a database and selecting a layout associated with the matching connection graph in generating the layout of the design. |
| US09256703B1 |
Method of detecting a scattering bar by simulation
A method of testing a scattering bar by simulation includes preparing an OPC mask model including a main pattern and a scattering bar pattern, forming a scattering bar OPC model by adjusting an image plane of the OPC mask model located at a middle portion of a photoresist layer to a top portion of the photoresist layer, simulating an exposure of the scattering bar OPC model, simulating a profile of the exposed scattering bar OPC model, and testing the simulated profile. |
| US09256701B2 |
Modeling wellbore fluids
Techniques for modeling a wellbore fluid that includes a base fluid and one or more fluid additives includes identifying a target viscosity profile of the wellbore fluid; determining an initial set of values of the fluid additives that are based at least in part on the target viscosity profile; determining, with one or more non-linear predictive models, a computed viscosity profile of the wellbore fluid and a computed set of values of the fluid additives based, at least in part, on the initial set of values of the fluid additives; comparing the computed viscosity profile and at least one of the computed set of values with a specified criteria of the wellbore fluid; and preparing, based on the comparison, an output including the computed viscosity profile and at least one of the computed set of values of a resultant wellbore fluid. |
| US09256700B1 |
Public service for emulation of application load based on synthetic data generation derived from preexisting models
An improved technique involves providing application workload simulation capability via a centrally located synthetic data generation service to an external party. Along these lines, a client inputs a description of an application scenario into a web form which sends a request to a central server to generate a synthetic data simulation program. The central server extracts parameters values from the request corresponding to the application scenario and finds a model in a model database based on the parameter values. From the model, the central server derives a Java program that generates synthetic data for simulating the operation load of the application scenario described by the client, and sends the Java program to the client. The client is then able to generate synthetic data using the Java program on various configurations to determine which will successfully handle the synthetic data load continuously over a given period of time. |
| US09256692B2 |
Clickstreams and website classification
One embodiment is a method that receives a seed Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that represents a category for website classification. Clickstream data generated from the seed URL and additional URLs are analyzed to determine whether the additional URLs belong to the category. The method selects one or more of the additional URLs to represent the category. |
| US09256690B2 |
Method and system for browser-based control of a remote computer
A method and system for remote control of a presenter's computer screen using only web browsers is described. Viewers are able to view representation of a presenter's screen on a screen of the viewer's device and remotely control the presenter's screen directly from a web browser, without any downloads, plugins, or dialog boxes. Viewer control events are captured by the browser, sent to a server, and transmitted to the presenter's computer. A program running on the presenter's computer executes the control events, updates the presenter's screen, and transmits images of the updated screen back to the viewers. |
| US09256689B2 |
Mining trajectory for spatial temporal analytics
A method is provided to generate a heat map to show traffic congestion based on transit points. The method includes generating, by a processing device, a trajectory database from time-stamped global positioning system (GPS) sample points, and computing transit points for each trajectory in the trajectory database. The method further includes constructing a temporal transit graph. The transit graph captures the shortest paths among the transit points. The method further includes indexing and storing the transit graph in a spatial-temporal database for online analytic processing. |
| US09256687B2 |
Augmenting search results with interactive search matrix
A computer performs a search. The computer receives a search request including a search term, and determines a plurality of association rules that are each a logical implication that the appearance of the search term follows from the appearance, in a corpus of data, of at least one keyword. The computer generates a search matrix having a plurality of cells, and having axes labeled with a plurality of keywords, wherein at least one cell of the search matrix is associated with an association rule of the plurality of association rules. Based on a cell selection of the search matrix, the computer generates an augmented search string including the search term and at least one keyword of the plurality of association rules. The computer performs a search using the augmented search string. |
| US09256684B2 |
Systems and methods for graphical search interface
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a graphical user interface as a means of inputting search parameters to database search engines. In some embodiments, two or three dimensional projections spatially represent relationships between search parameters, located along the periphery of the projections and search hits whose significance are represented by position relative to the center of the projection and comparative distance from each of the search parameters. As the user manipulates the overall shape of the search projection, the weighting of search parameters adjusts, reconfiguring the search. The present disclosure also provides, in some embodiments, an intuitive means of assimilating search parameter weightings based on peer or social network preferences with global search results. |
| US09256682B1 |
Providing search results based on sorted properties
An entity may be related to multiple related entities by one or more properties, and the entity may also be associated with one or more entity types. A system for providing sorted results may include identifying the entity, related entities, and types. The system may also determine related entity scores for each respective related entity, relative to the entity. For each property, the related entity scores of the related entities related to the entity by that property are combined to generate a property score. The properties are then sorted based on their property scores. The sorting may occur for properties associated with an entity type, and sorted search results may be provided as output for one or more entity types of interest. |
| US09256681B2 |
Method and system for identifying clusters within a collection of data entities
Embodiments of a method and system for identifying clusters in collections of data entities are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the method includes defining a metric space over the data entities. A distance function of the metric space may satisfy the triangle inequality. The method may include determining, based on the distance function of the metric space, a value for a number of clusters that minimizes a number of data bits used to define a model of the collection of the data entities. The model may thereby describe the collection of data entities using a minimum description length (MDL). The method may include assigning data entities of the collection of data entities to the clusters. The number of clusters to which the data entities are assigned may correspond to the determined value. |
| US09256679B2 |
Information search method and system, information provision method and system based on user's intention
Methods for searching for information based on user's intention and for providing information include an editor meeting searcher's intention detected using analysis results for keywords and searches contents having metadata associated with metadata input through the editor. As a result, a search may be formed by detecting searcher's intention from information input by a searcher, inducing a detailed metadata input based on the detected intention, and using the input metadata. |
| US09256678B1 |
Method and system of signal analysis by using metadata
A system for analyzing data, such as data representing samples of a received wireless signal, includes a memory controller for storing the data in one or more memory devices, a metadata extractor for extracting metadata in real-time from the data as it is being processed for storage, and one or more processors for analyzing the metadata to identify portions of the stored data having a characteristic of interest, and for processing the identified portions of the stored data. |
| US09256676B2 |
Presenting search result information
A method of presenting computer-generated search result information can include receiving a search request from a client computer; identifying a plurality of search results responsive to the search request; ranking the plurality of search results using content in one or more web notebooks; and providing the ranked plurality of search results for presentation in the client computer. Using the content can include determining whether at least one of a title, a heading, clipped content, metadata or a user-annotation in at least one web notebook relates to the search request and, if so, increasing a ranking of at least one search result referenced by the at least one web notebook. |
| US09256675B1 |
Electronic processing and presentation of search results
Multimedia stream search results may be made perceivable to a user. A multimedia search query may be received from a user. The multimedia search query may be compared with information related to known multimedia streams and multimedia search results may be determined based on the comparison. A popularity of the multimedia streams corresponding to the multimedia stream search results may be determined based on a number of canonical URLs associated with the multimedia stream. A presentation of the multimedia stream search results to the user may be configured based on the popularity of the corresponding multimedia streams. |
| US09256674B2 |
Action clustering for news feeds
One embodiment selects from a plurality of actions performed by one or more users of a social networking system a first action and one or more second actions, wherein each action has one or more attributes; computes a score for each second action by comparing the one or more attributes of each second action with the one or more attributes of the first action; ranks the one or more second actions according to the score computed for each second action; and selects from the one or more second actions one or more highest-ranking second actions as being related to the first action. |
| US09256672B2 |
Relevance content searching for knowledge bases
Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel and non-obvious method, server and computer program product for finding relevant content in a knowledge base. A method for finding items that are related to a user selected item in a knowledge base is provided. The method can include generating a first list of knowledge base items with a defined relationship to the user selected item and generating a second list of knowledge base items that belong to the same category as a category of the user selected item. The method can further include generating a third list of knowledge base items having one or more tags identical to one or more tags of the user selected item and selecting a first set of knowledge base items that are present in the first, second or third lists. The method can further include displaying the first set of knowledge base items as most relevant. |
| US09256670B2 |
Visualizing conflicts in online messages
Visualizing social media conflict is provided. Textual messages by a set of human users connected via a network regarding a particular topic are collected. Active users in the set of human users authoring a number of textual messages regarding the particular topic more than a threshold number of textual messages are selected. Keywords are selected that occur more than a threshold number of times within the textual messages regarding the particular topic. A sentiment score is computed for each of the keywords occurring more than the threshold number of times within the textual messages using a keyword co-occurrence graph. A sentiment of each of the active users is determined based on the computed sentiment score of each of the selected keywords that are authored by a particular active user. |
| US09256667B2 |
Method and system for information discovery and text analysis
A method for searching text sources including temporally-ordered data objects, such as a blog, is provided including the steps of: (i) providing access to text sources, each text source including temporally-ordered data objects; (ii) obtaining or generating a search query based on terms and time intervals; (iii) obtaining or generating time data associated with the data objects; (iv) identifying data objects based on the search query; and (v) generating popularity curves based on the frequency of data objects corresponding to one or more of the search terms in the one or more time intervals. A system and computer program for text source searching is also provided. |
| US09256666B2 |
Linking of a plurality of items of a user interface to display new information inferred from the plurality of items that are linked
A first item and a second item that are displayed in a user interface are selected via a computational device. A determination is made as to whether a linkage between the first item and the second item is a valid linkage, wherein the valid linkage indicates that inferences that relate the first item to the second item may be drawn by interpreting properties of the first item and properties of the second item. In response to determining that the linkage between the first item and the second item is a valid linkage, the properties of the first item and the properties of the second item are interpreted to infer new properties that relate the properties of the first item to the properties of the second item. |
| US09256662B2 |
Techniques for publishing viewers of content
According to various embodiments, a viewing event may be detected, the viewing event corresponding to a user viewing a content item. A view reason associated with the viewing event may be determined, the view reason indicating how the user was notified of the content item or how the user accessed the content item. A privacy value associated with the viewing event may be determined, the privacy value indicating an inferred sensitivity of the user to publication of the viewing event. Further, metadata describing the viewing event may be generated. Moreover, the metadata may be associated with the content item. |
| US09256661B2 |
Indicating level of confidence in digital content
Rating content of a digital file includes analyzing, by a computer, data associated with content of the digital file based on predetermined criteria defining a confidence level in the content of the digital file. Each predetermined criterion includes a range of values and at least one threshold delineating a lower confidence level and a higher confidence level. Different confidence ratings are assigned to different segments of the content based on determining that the different segments correspond to different thresholds of the predetermined criteria. The computer associates the different confidence ratings to the different segments. |
| US09256660B2 |
Reconciliation protocol after ICR switchover during bulk sync
According to one embodiment, a method for performing reconciliation sync includes a first network device configured as an active inter-chassis redundancy (ICR) device in response to detecting a switchover request while performing a bulk sync transitioning to serving as the standby ICR device and performing a reconciliation sync while serving as the standby ICR device, the reconciliation sync comprises starting a transmission of session records that failed to be transmitted during the bulk sync to the second network device.According to one embodiment, a method for performing reconciliation sync includes a first network device configured as a standby ICR device receiving a plurality of session records from a second network device of the ICR system. The method further includes updating a global version number based on record version numbers of the received plurality of session records, and maintaining local session records based on the received plurality of session records. |
| US09256654B2 |
Dynamic schema content server
A method to develop a game using a networked content server includes an efficient method to add or modify a new object into the game environment. The method includes the generation of an XML input file describing the new object. The XML new object definition file is uploaded from a game developer client device to a content server. The content server automatically examines the XML input file and converts the definition file to an object type graph and then into a set of SQL instructions as well as a set of web methods. The content server automatically executes the SQL instructions to enter the new object into a database. Web methods corresponding to the new object and are provided to the client device for access to the new object. The game developer thus has nearly immediate access to the new object. |
| US09256646B2 |
Configurable data windows for archived relations
Techniques for managing configurable data windows for streams and/or archived relations are provided. In some examples, a query that identifies at least a data stream or an archived relation may be identified. Additionally, a configurable window size may be identified. In some instances, the query may be initialized with at least a portion of the historical data based at least in part on the window size. Further, the query may be evaluated based at least in part on the data stream and the portion of the historical data. |
| US09256645B2 |
Patient-to-patient communities
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request to search for other users who are associated with at least a threshold level of similarity to the requesting user; accessing information indicative of a patient profile of the requesting user; determining one or more attributes of the requesting user; searching a data repository for information indicative of a user associated with one or more attributes corresponding to at least one of the one or more attributes of the requesting user; identifying, based on searching, a user associated with one or more attributes corresponding to at least one of the one or more attributes of the requesting user; determining that the one or more corresponding attributes of the identified user satisfy the threshold level of similarity; and transmitting information indicative of the identified user, with the transmitted information specifying the identified user as being a peer of the requesting user. |
| US09256644B1 |
System for identifying and investigating shared and derived content
A computer readable storage medium with computer readable program code. The computer readable program code may be configured to index a plurality of documents into a document library stored in a database. The computer readable program code may be configured to receive a query document and to compare the query document with each indexed document to generate a score for each indexed document. The score represents a measure of similarity between the query document and each indexed document. The computer readable program code may be configured to display a query result based on the score for each indexed document. |
| US09256639B2 |
Query optimization for SPARQL
The present invention relates to computer implemented methods and system for creating and executing an query plan for SPARQL Protocol And Query Language (SPARQL) queries. The methods and systems are designed to accept as input a query in SPARQL syntax, convert this query to semQA2 and generate a parse tree, perform filter pushdown, generate an efficient query plan potentially using a cost function, and execute this query plan against data sources complying to or modeled as Resource Description Framework (RDF). The result of these methods and of the systems implementing these methods is a set of triples contained in the data sources that comprise a solution of the SPARQL query provided. |
| US09256629B1 |
File system snapshots over thinly provisioned volume file in mapped mode
A data storage system includes storage devices and a processing subsystem executing software forming a lower-deck file system and an upper-deck file system. The lower-deck file system presents a volume file from which storage is provided to the upper-deck file system, and units of storage of the storage devices are allocable to the upper-deck file system but not reserved to it. The volume file is thinly provisioned, and additional units of storage are added dynamically to increase its allocated size in response to demand from the upper-deck file system. The lower-deck file system operates in a mapped mode in which a block address in the lower-deck file system is obtained by a generally arbitrary mapping (e.g., an Inode/IB tree) of a block address in the volume file. |
| US09256628B2 |
Efficient logging of processing peaks in control systems
A method for efficient logging in a control system is provided. A temporary history record corresponding to a message transaction placed onto a message queue data structure is generated. A total processing time for the received message transaction is determined. The total processing time is compared with a previously determined peak processing time value. In response to determining that the total processing time exceeds the previously determined peak processing time value, the temporary history record corresponding to the received message transaction is stored in an event log. |
| US09256623B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for scheduling tasks associated with continuation thread blocks
A system, method, and computer program product for scheduling tasks associated with continuation thread blocks. The method includes the steps of generating a first task metadata data structure in a memory, generating a second task metadata data structure in the memory, executing a first task corresponding to the first task metadata data structure in a processor, generating state information representing a continuation task related to the first task and storing the state information in the second task metadata data structure, executing the continuation task in the processor after the one or more child tasks have finished execution, and indicating that the first task has logically finished execution once the continuation task has finished execution. The second task metadata data structure is related to the first task metadata data structure, and at least one instruction in the first task causes one or more child tasks to be executed by the processor. |
| US09256618B2 |
Identifying prohibited information within and item image
Techniques for identifying prohibited information within an image are described. For example, a machine accesses an image that depicts an item. The image may include prohibited information that is disallowed in accordance with a policy. The machine identifies the prohibited information within the image based on an analysis of the image. The machine initiates a response to the prohibited information based on the identifying of the prohibited information within the image. |
| US09256615B2 |
Personalized navigation information based on user behavior
A user device may be configured to receive information regarding a set of points of interest that have been determined based on behavior information associated with a user of the user device. The information regarding the set of points of interest may indicate geographical locations associated with one or more of the points of interest, of the set of points of interest. The user device may determine a present geographical location associated with the user device; compare the geographical locations associated with the one or more points of interest to the present geographical location associated with the user device; identify, based on the comparing, a particular point of interest, of the set of points of interest, that is within a particular distance of the present geographical location of the user device; and output, via a display device, information regarding the identified particular point of interest. |
| US09256614B1 |
File system snapshots over fully provisioned volume file in direct mode
A data storage system employs a multi-level stack including a lower-deck file system and an upper-deck file system providing a file system interface to a file system consumer. The lower-deck file system presents a volume file to provide storage to the upper-deck file system. Storage is reserved to the upper-deck file system, and the volume file is fully provisioned so an out-of-space condition is not presented to the upper-deck file system. In an initial direct operating mode a block address in the lower-deck file system is obtained by a calculation from a corresponding block address in the volume file. Snapshots of a primary volume file are created and stored in respective snapshot volume files. The lower-deck file system transitions into a mapped mode using generally arbitrary mappings of block addresses of the primary volume file and snapshot volume files to obtain corresponding block addresses in the lower-deck file system. |
| US09256610B2 |
File deduplication in a file system
Each file is assigned in advance with a WWUID, newly assigned to a file upon the creation or update of the file and inherited from a file to a copied file when it is copied. In a backup apparatus, a file name reception unit receives the file name of a backup target file. A WWUID reception unit receives a WWUID corresponding to the file name. A WWUID search unit searches for the same WWUID in backup management information of a previous day stored in a backup destination. Only if the search is failed, a file operation instruction unit instructs the storing of the backup target file into the backup destination. Then, an Rcnt update instruction unit instructs the updating of the number of references made to the WWUID within the backup destination. A second management information update instruction unit then instructs updating of backup management information of the current day. |
| US09256607B2 |
Efficient file access in a large repository using a two-level cache
A two-level cache to facilitate resolving resource path expressions for a hierarchy of resources is described, which includes a system-wide shared cache and a session-level cache. The shared cache is organized as a hierarchy of hash tables that mirrors the structure of a repository hierarchy. A particular hash table in a shared cache includes information for the child resources of a particular resource. A database management system that manages a shared cache may control the amount of memory used by the cache by implementing a replacement policy for the cache based on one or more characteristics of the resources in the repository. The session-level cache is a single level cache in which information for target resources of resolved path expressions may be tracked. In the session-level cache, the resource information is associated with the entire path expression of the associated resource. |
| US09256606B2 |
Systems and methods of data storage management, such as dynamic data stream allocation
A system and method for choosing a stream to transfer data is described. In some cases, the system reviews running data storage operations and chooses a data stream based on the review. Additionally, the system pre-allocates disk space for data to be transferred. |
| US09256601B2 |
Media fingerprinting for social networking
Audio fingerprinting and other media matching technologies can be used to identify media, such as movies, television shows, and radio broadcasts. A user device can record image, audio, and/or video information and upload information to a matching service that is able to use matching technology to identify the media and provide supplemental content or information to the user. The user then can share this information with other users, such as by uploading to a social networking site or passing the information to peers on a peer network as part of a container. Users can have the ability to add tagged content, provide comments and ratings, and otherwise interact based at least in part upon the tagged media content. |
| US09256600B2 |
Method and system for electronic content locking
A method for electronic content locking including: accessing electronic content and determining if the electronic content is currently locked for a first user. The method further determines meta-data relating to the electronic content and allows a second user to override the lock such that the electronic content is unlocked if the meta-data meet predetermined criteria. A system for electronic content locking having: an electronic content repository; and a locking controller adapted to change the status of electronic content in the electronic content repository between locked and unlocked. The system further includes a data collection module designed to retrieve meta-data relating to electronic content; and an override controller designed to override the locking controller and change the status of the locked electronic content from a first user to a second user. |
| US09256598B1 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for copy-on-demand optimization for large writes
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for copy-on-demand optimization for large writes are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for copy on demand optimization for large writes includes, in a system having a source data storage entity and a destination data storage entity, receiving a write request to write data to a target portion of the source data storage entity, the target portion of the source data storage entity comprising at least one data storage block. The method includes determining whether the source data storage entity and the destination data storage entity are engaged in a backup operation in which data sufficient to synchronize the source data storage entity to the destination data storage entity is copied from the destination data storage entity to the source data storage entity, and if so, determining whether the target portion of the source data storage entity is not yet synchronized to the destination data storage entity. If the target portion of the source data storage entity is not yet synchronized to the destination data storage entity, a copy-on-demand operation is performed to synchronize the target portion of the source data storage entity to the destination data storage entity, where each data storage block within the target portion of the source data storage entity that will be completely overwritten as a result of the write request is not synchronized to the destination data storage entity. The write request to write data to the target portion of the source data storage entity is then processed. |
| US09256596B2 |
Language model adaptation for specific texts
A computerized method for adapting a baseline language model, comprising obtaining a textual corpus of documents that comprise textual expressions, incorporating in the baseline language model textual expressions from documents which are determined as relevant to a provided target text based on a plurality of different relevancy determinations between the documents and the provided target text, thereby adapting the baseline language model to form an adapted language model for recognizing terms of a context of the provided target text, wherein the method is automatically performed on an at least one computerized apparatus configured to perform the method. |
| US09256592B1 |
System for detecting and correcting broken words
The positioning of elements of a broken word can be corrected by receiving an optical character recognition (OCR) conversion of a printed publication and identifying multiple parts of the broken word from the OCR conversion to place in a graphical user interface (GUI). The multiple parts can be placed in the GUI using original positioning data for the printed publication. A user can make a selection in the GUI indicating that multiple parts from the OCR conversion are of the broken word and can automatically adjust bounds of the multiple parts to form a corrected word. |
| US09256588B1 |
Transferring content to a substantially similar location in a virtual notebook using a stylus enabled device
A device comprising a magnetic stylus, touch sensor, and reflective display provides new opportunities for content presentation and interaction. A user interface is configured to use input from the touch sensor, the stylus, and one or more magnetometers to modify content presented on the reflective display. This modification may include generating a virtual notebook comprising clippings of content. |
| US09256587B2 |
Editor for website and website menu
Methods, systems, and devices for editing websites are disclosed herein. A website editor for editing a website includes an editor display component, a website modification component, and a website display component. The editor display component is configured to display an editor interface for receiving user input for editing a website. The editor interface is displayed within a browser substantially simultaneously with the website. The website modification component is configured to update website data corresponding to the website based on the user input received through the editor interface. The website display component is configured to automatically update display of the website based on the updated website data. The display of the website is updated in real-time in response to receiving the user input. |
| US09256582B2 |
Conversion of a presentation to Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)
One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method, computer program product, and system for converting a Microsoft® PowerPoint® file to Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA). A document converter receiving a command from a client device to convert one or more PowerPoint slides to DITA, wherein the PowerPoint has been formatted for conversion to DITA. Starting with the first PowerPoint slide, metadata tags, PowerPoint slide and notes text, and file names of grouped images are compiled into a string parsed with DITA markup. If the next slide does not begin a new topic, then that slide's metadata tags, PowerPoint slide and notes text, and grouped image file names are compiled into a string parsed with DITA markup and appended to the previous slides string. If the next slide begins a new topic, then the string is exported to a DITA topic. This process is repeated throughout the PowerPoint presentation. |
| US09256580B2 |
System and method for improving text input in a shorthand-on-keyboard interface
A word pattern recognition system improves text input entered via a shorthand-on-keyboard interface. A core lexicon comprises commonly used words in a language; an extended lexicon comprises words not included in the core lexicon. The system only directly outputs words from the core lexicon. Candidate words from the extended lexicon can be outputted and simultaneously admitted to the core lexicon upon user selection. A concatenation module enables a user to input parts of a long word separately. A compound word module combines two common shorter words whose concatenation forms a long word. |
| US09256578B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring and recovering sparse signals
The invention provides two kinds of new compressive sensing technologies. In the first technical solution, there is proposed a permutation-based multi-dimensional sensing matrix and an iterative recovery algorithm with maximum likelihood (ML) local detection, which can fully exploit the digital nature of sparse signals. In the second technical solution, there is proposed a sparse measurement matrix which contains a permutation-based multi-dimensional measurement matrix, and an iterative recovery algorithm which fully utilizes the features of measurement symbols to design simple local recovery in each iteration. The second technical solution can achieve the linear decoding complexity and lower bound of sketch length empirically at the same time. |
| US09256576B2 |
Assisted direct start and active suspension integration control
A system for controlling an internal combustion engine. The system includes engine shutdown/restart means and energy storage means configured for supplying power to an associated active vehicle suspension system when the engine is shut down. A controller is configured for controlling the shutdown/restart means responsive to an energy state of the energy storage means. |
| US09256573B2 |
Dynamic thread status retrieval using inter-thread communication
A circuit arrangement, method, and program product for dynamically providing a status of a hardware thread/hardware resource independent of the operation of the hardware thread/hardware resource using an inter-thread communication protocol. A master hardware thread may be configured to communicate status requests to associated slave hardware threads and/or hardware resources. Each slave hardware thread/hardware resource may be configured with hardware logic configured to automatically determine status information for the slave hardware thread/hardware resource and communicate a status response to the master hardware thread independent of the operation of the slave hardware thread/hardware resource. |
| US09256571B2 |
Write operation dispersed storage network frame
A method begins by generating a set of write request frames regarding a write request operation for a set of encoded data. Each of the write request frames includes a payload section and a protocol header. The payload section includes a transaction number field and a data payload section, which includes a name field, a revision number field, a length field, and a payload field. The protocol header includes a payload length field and an operation code field to indicate the write request operation. The method continues by outputting the set of write request frames to storage units of a dispersed storage network. |
| US09256569B2 |
Monitoring and managing storage drives and performing backplane controller firmware using a USB interface
Certain aspects relate to monitoring and managing storage drives installed on a backplane and performing backplane controller firmware update through a universal serial bus (USB) interface. When the backplane controller is connected to a host computer via the USB interface, the backplane controller sends USB descriptors to the host computer through the USB interface such that the host computer recognizes the backplane controller as a specific human interface device (HID) device based on the USB descriptors. Thus, the backplane controller and the host computer may transmit backplane drive management messages, such as the result to monitor and manage the storage drives, or the control commands and control data to monitor and manage the storage drives and to update the firmware of the backplane controller, as USB HID reports in a predefined format based on the USB descriptors. |
| US09256566B1 |
Managed reliability of data storage
Systems and methods are provided herein that can facilitate the managed reliability of data storage, including management of device remanufacturing and masking from an operating system a failure or predicted failure of a device running on a computer or a networked cluster of computers having access to the device. The systems and methods may facilitate removal of a device by coordinating among computers or controllers in a network cluster the logical removal of a device. At a later time, a coordinated logical re-introduction of the device to the systems or computers from which the device was logically removed can be performed. This can be accomplished via a virtualization system that may include a device function driver (DFD), a device virtualization bus driver (DVBD), and a device management service (DMS). |
| US09256559B2 |
Function transfer using virtualized mapping
The present disclosure includes a method for migration of a first virtual function of a first device located on a PCI bus and accessible by a device driver using a virtual address. A second virtual function is created on a second device. A base address is determined for the second virtual function as a function of a logical location of the second device within the PCI structure. An offset is determined for the second virtual function as a function of the base address and the virtual address. The device driver is notified that the first virtual function is on hold. The offset is stored in a translation table. The device driver is notified that the hold has been lifted. Accesses to the virtual address and by the device driver to memory of the second virtual function are routed based upon the offset in the translation table. |
| US09256558B2 |
Direct memory access descriptor-based synchronization
A method includes processing descriptors to control a direct memory access (DMA) channel. The method includes synchronizing at least part of the processing, which includes processing a first descriptor of the descriptors to cause the execution to selectively pause based on a trigger value. |
| US09256557B2 |
Memory controller for selective rank or subrank access
A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands. |
| US09256556B2 |
RAM memory device capable of simultaneously accepting multiple accesses
A RAM memory device includes a selection unit that supplies the access reaching one of two interfaces to a RAM in one cycle of a clock signal in response to a control signal. The RAM memory device also includes a storage unit that stores another access that has reached the other of the two interfaces at least till the next cycle following the above-mentioned one cycle in response to the control signal. The selection unit supplies the above-mentioned another access from the storage unit to the RAM in or after the above-mentioned next cycle. |
| US09256545B2 |
Shared memory access using independent memory maps
A method includes defining a first mapping, which translates between logical addresses and physical storage locations in a memory with a first mapping unit size, for accessing the memory by a first processing unit. A second mapping is defined, which translates between the logical addresses and the physical storage locations with a second mapping unit size that is different from the first mapping unit size, for accessing the memory by a second processing unit. Data is exchanged between the first and second processing units via the memory, while accessing the memory by the first processing unit using the first mapping and by the second processing unit using the second mapping. |
| US09256544B2 |
Way preparation for accessing a cache
For a memory access at a processor, only a subset (less than all) of the ways of a cache associated with a memory address is prepared for access. The subset of ways is selected based on stored information indicating, for each memory access, which corresponding way of the cache was accessed. The subset of ways is selected and preparation of the subset of ways is initiated prior to the final determination as to which individual cache way in the subset is to be accessed. |
| US09256542B1 |
Adaptive intelligent storage controller and associated methods
A storage controller includes data transfer logic defined to enable block level data transfer between the storage controller and multiple types of storage media within a storage volume. The storage controller also includes adaptive logic defined to determine in real-time which of the multiple types of storage media in the storage volume is to be used to store a given data block received by the storage controller. The received data block is stored on a determined storage medium in the storage volume. The data transfer logic and the adaptive logic are defined to maintain a normal interface between the storage controller and an operating system in communication with the storage controller, such that the multiple types of storage media in the storage volume is not apparent to the operating system. |
| US09256541B2 |
Dynamically adjusting the hardware stream prefetcher prefetch ahead distance
An apparatus for prefetching data for a processor is presented. The apparatus may include a memory, a first counter, a second counter, and a control circuit. The memory may include a table with at least one entry in which the at least one entry may include an expected address of a next memory access and a next address from which to fetch data, wherein the next address is an offset value different from the expected address. The at least one entry may also include a maximum limit for the offset value. The first counter may increment responsive to an address of a memory access matching the expected address. The second counter may increment responsive to the address of the memory access resulting in a cache miss. The control circuitry may be configured to increment the maximum value of the offset value dependent upon a value of the second counter. |
| US09256540B2 |
Techniques for cache injection in a processor system using a cache injection instruction
A technique for performing cache injection includes monitoring addresses on a bus in response to a cache injection instruction. Ownership of input/output data on the bus is acquired by a cache when an address on the bus (that is associated with the input/output data) corresponds to an address of a data block associated with the cache injection instruction. |
| US09256539B2 |
Sharing cache in a computing system
Sharing cache in a computing system that includes a plurality of enclosure attached servers, including: identifying, by an enclosure, a first enclosure attached server that is not meeting a first predetermined performance threshold; identifying, by the enclosure, a second enclosure attached server that is meeting a second predetermined performance threshold; blocking, by the enclosure, access to a predetermined amount of cache on the second enclosure attached server by the second enclosure attached server; determining, by the enclosure, whether the second enclosure attached server is meeting the second predetermined performance threshold; responsive to determining that the second enclosure attached server is meeting the second predetermined performance threshold, lending, by the enclosure, the predetermined amount of cache on the second enclosure attached server to the first enclosure attached server. |
| US09256538B2 |
Acquiring remote shared variable directory information in a parallel computer
Methods, parallel computers, and computer program products for acquiring remote shared variable directory (SVD) information in a parallel computer are provided. Embodiments include a runtime optimizer determining that a first thread of a first task requires shared resource data stored in a memory partition corresponding to a second thread of a second task. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer requesting from the second thread, in response to determining that the first thread of the first task requires the shared resource data, SVD information associated with the shared resource data. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer receiving from the second thread, the SVD information associated with the shared resource data. |
| US09256534B2 |
Data shuffling in a non-uniform memory access device
Embodiments relate to the orchestration of data shuffling among memory devices of a non-uniform memory access device. An aspect includes a method of orchestrated shuffling of data in a non-uniform memory access device includes running an application on a plurality of threads executing on a plurality of processing nodes and identifying data to be shuffled among the plurality of processing nodes. The method includes registering the data to be shuffled and generating a plan for orchestrating the shuffling of the data. The method further includes disabling cache coherency of cache memory associated with the processing nodes and shuffling the data among all of the memory devices upon disabling the cache coherency, the shuffling performed based on the plan for orchestrating the shuffling. The method further includes restoring the cache coherency of the cache memory based on completing the shuffling of the data among all of the memory devices. |
| US09256533B2 |
Adjustment of destage rate based on read and write response time requirements
A storage controller that includes a cache receives a command from a host, wherein a set of criteria corresponding to read and write response times for executing the command have to be satisfied. The storage controller determines ranks of a first type and ranks of a second type corresponding to a plurality of volumes coupled to the storage controller, wherein the command is to be executed with respect to the ranks of the first type. Destage rate corresponding to the ranks of the first type are adjusted to be less than a default destage rate corresponding to the ranks of the second type, wherein the set of criteria corresponding to the read and write response times for executing the command are satisfied. |
| US09256530B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and sub-block managing method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory block, a row decoder, a voltage generator and control logic. The memory block includes memory cells stacked in a direction intersecting a substrate, the memory block being divided into sub-blocks configured to be erased independently. The row decoder is configured to select the memory block by a sub-block unit. The voltage generator is configured to generate an erase word line voltage to be provided to a first word line of a selected sub-block of the sub-blocks and a cut-off voltage, higher than the erase word line voltage, to be provided to a second word line of the selected sub-block during an erase operation. The control logic is configured to control the row decoder and the voltage generator to perform an erase operation on the selected sub-block. |
| US09256529B2 |
Flash memory controller
A flash memory controller for controlling a flash memory module includes a communication interface for receiving a first data and a second data; and a processing circuit for dynamically controlling a data writing mode of the flash memory module according to an amount of stored data in the flash memory module. If the amount of stored data in the flash memory module is less than a first threshold when the communication interface receives the first data, the processing circuit controls the flash memory module so that the first data is written into the first data block under an one-bit-per-cell mode. If the amount of stored data in the flash memory module is greater than the first threshold when the communication interface receives the second data, the processing circuit controls the flash memory module so that the second data is written into the second data block under a two-bit-per-cell mode. |
| US09256528B2 |
Method for operating a memory controller and a system having the memory controller
A method for operating a memory controller includes determining a number of free blocks to be created during an idle time by using a block consumption history, and controlling a non-volatile memory device to perform a garbage collection operation during the idle time to create the determined number of free blocks. |
| US09256526B2 |
Flash memory storage system and access method
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a data writing method in a storage system. The method comprises receiving data by the storage media controller, reading a non-volatile memory operation mode in the memory unit by a central control unit, in which the mode corresponds to a data reliability lower than the data reliability requirement of the storage system, reading a data reliability reduction condition in the memory unit by the central control unit, determining whether a system information related to the data meets the condition by the central control unit, and controlling the media control unit to write the data into the non-volatile memory according to the mode by the central control unit when the system information meets the condition. |
| US09256516B2 |
Business process execution language program simulation
A BPEL program simulator can include a document object modeler configured to arrange activities defined by a BPEL document into a document object model (DOM) tree. The DOM tree can include activity nodes and links between the activity nodes. The BPEL program simulator further can include simulation logic configured to process the activity nodes to emulate at least one BPEL activity selected from the group consisting of Sequence, Flow, While, Pick and OnMessage, Switch and Case, Invoke, Script, Receive, Reply, Empty, Staff, and Assign. |
| US09256510B2 |
Automatic rules based capturing of graphical objects for specified applications
Graphical objects presented by a computer system are captured by monitoring execution of an application on the computer system, and capturing one or more graphical objects of a graphical user image presented by the computer system and associated with the application. The one or more graphical objects are captured automatically in accordance with a pre-defined set of rules for the application. |
| US09256509B1 |
Computing environment analyzer
A method, system and computer-readable media for analyzing application environments is provided. Embodiments of the invention includes generating a first representation of a first environment for an application and a second representation of a second environment for the application. Determining differences between the first representation and the second representation and determining relevance to the application of each of the differences as to a likelihood of failure of operation of the application in the second environment where at least one method operation is executed through a processor. |
| US09256508B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling power in low-power multi-core system
A method and apparatus for controlling power in a low-power multi-core system, including receiving task information from an Operation System (OS) kernel upon start and end of a task, estimating a future CPU usage using a current CPU usage in the task information, monitoring memory-related information in the task information, comparing a change in the current CPU usage with the monitored memory-related information, establishing a policy for power control based on the estimated CPU usage and the monitored memory-related information, and controlling on/off of multiple cores according to the established policy. By doing so, it is possible to solve the problems caused by performing DPM using only the CPU usage. |
| US09256502B2 |
Method and system for inter-processor communication
A system including a DCU with a DMS located on the first node, where the DMS is associated with an interrupt receive register. The system further includes a second DCU located on second node that includes a GMS located on the second node, where the GMS is associated with an interrupt dispatch register. The GMS is configured to identify the DMS, determine a payload to transmit to DMS, issue cross-calls using the interrupt dispatch register, where a cross-call is issued for each non-zero bit in the payload, and issue a cross-call including a completion vector. The DCU is configured to receive the cross-calls from the GMS, in response to each of the cross-calls, set a corresponding bit-location in the second interrupt receive register to one, and after receiving the completion vector, use a current state of the interrupt receive register to determine a physical address. |
| US09256501B1 |
High availability scheduler for scheduling map-reduce searches
A high availability scheduler of tasks in a cluster of server devices is provided. A server device of the cluster of server devices enters a leader state based upon the results of a consensus election process in which the server device participates with others of the cluster of server devices. Upon entering the leader state, the server device schedules one or more tasks by assigning each of the one or more tasks to a device, wherein the one or more tasks involve initiating a late-binding schema. |
| US09256500B2 |
Physical domain error isolation and recovery in a multi-domain system
The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for performing physical domain error isolation and recovery in a multi-domain system, where the multi-domain system includes two or more processor chips and one or more switch chips that provide connectivity and cache-coherency support for the processor chips, and the processor chips are divided into two or more distinct domains. During operation, one of the switch chips determines a fault in the multi-domain system. The switch chip determines an originating domain that is associated with the fault, and then signals the fault and an identifier for the originating domain to its internal units, some of which perform clearing operations that clear out all traffic for the originating domain without affecting the other domains of the multi-domain system. |
| US09256499B2 |
Method and apparatus of securely processing data for file backup, de-duplication, and restoration
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of restoring at least one data file. The method may include retrieving the at least one data file to be restored from a data storage location, determining that the at least one data file is a link file, and regenerating a previously exchanged shared secret. The method may also include decrypting a key from the link file using the shared secret, and retrieving data from a data repository location to be restored. |
| US09256489B2 |
Synchronized debug information generation
In an approach for determining a location of failure between interconnects/controller, a computer collects debug information simultaneously at a plurality of nodes coupled to an interconnect. Subsequent to collecting debug information, the computer analyzes the debug information collected simultaneously thereby determining which end of the interconnect caused the failure. |
| US09256486B2 |
Information processing apparatus detecting sign of abnormality, fault tolerant information processing system, method for detecting sign of abnormality in information processing apparatus and recording medium
A synchronization controller has a synchronization determiner for determining a synchronization deviation in a CPU, an abnormality sign related information obtainer for obtaining abnormality sign related information on the basis of transaction monitoring information, and an abnormality determiner, when there is a synchronization deviation, for determining the presence/absence of a sign of abnormality in the CPU on the basis of the abnormality sign related information. |
| US09256483B2 |
Multi-input control method and system, and electronic device supporting the same
A multi-input control method and system, and an electronic device supporting the same are provided. The multi-input control method includes receiving an activation request for multiple applications (apps), identifying one or more input units to operate the multiple apps, and assigning the input units to the multiple apps according to occurrence of an event or preset information so that the input units are operable to operate the apps in an independent manner. |
| US09256477B2 |
Lockless waterfall thread communication
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating state information of a session between a plurality of processing threads in a hierarchy. The session is passed down through the hierarchy, with one or more threads processing the session at each level of the hierarchy. An example method includes reading a first pointer of a first processing thread and comparing the first pointer to a second pointer of a second processing thread. The second processing thread is dependent on the first processing thread. The method also includes in response to determining that the first pointer does not match the second pointer, processing a set of configuration items in a session. The method further includes after processing the set of configuration items in the session, updating the second pointer of the second processing thread to match the first pointer of the first processing thread. |
| US09256470B1 |
Job assignment in a multi-core processor
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to assign a job to be executed in a multi-core processor that includes a first set of cores with a first size and a second set of cores with a second size different from the first size. The multi-core processor may receive the job at an arrival time and may determine a job arrival rate based on the arrival time. The job arrival rate may indicate a frequency that the multi-core processor receives a plurality of jobs. The multi-core processor may select the first set of cores and may select a degree of parallelism based on the job arrival rate and based on a performance metric relating to execution of the job on the first set of cores. In response to the selection, the multi-core processor may assign the job to be executed on the first set of cores. |
| US09256469B2 |
System and method for improving memory usage in virtual machines
A method (and system) for managing memory among virtual machines in a system having a plurality of virtual machines, includes providing at least one memory optimization mechanism which can reduce memory usage of a virtual machine at a cost of increasing CPU usage. Information on memory usage and CPU usage of each virtual machine is periodically collected. In response to detecting that a first virtual machine exhibits a high level of memory use, at least one second virtual machine with extra CPU capacity is identified. The at least one memory optimization mechanism is applied to the at least one second virtual machine, to reduce memory used by the at least one second virtual machine, thereby providing a portion of freed memory. The portion of freed memory is then allocated to the first virtual machine. |
| US09256467B1 |
System for managing and scheduling containers
A system and method for a container service that obtains a software image of a software container that has been configured to be executed within a computer system instance registered to a cluster by one or more processors. The container service is configured to receive a request to launch the software image in accordance with a task definition, wherein the task definition specifies an allocation of resources for the software container. The container service may then determine, according to a placement scheme, a subset of a set of container instances registered to the cluster in which to launch the software image in accordance with the task definition. Upon determining the subset of the set of container instances, the container service may launch the software image as one or more running software containers in the set of container instances in accordance with the task definition. |
| US09256460B2 |
Selective checkpointing of links in a data flow based on a set of predefined criteria
Techniques are disclosed for qualified checkpointing of a data flow model having data flow operators and links connecting the data flow operators. A link of the data flow model is selected based on a set of checkpoint criteria. A checkpoint is generated for the selected link. The checkpoint is selected from different checkpoint types. The generated checkpoint is assigned to the selected link. The data flow model, having at least one link with no assigned checkpoint, is executed. |
| US09256459B2 |
Information processing apparatus, workflow generating system, and workflow generating method
An information processing apparatus for generating a workflow including one or more steps each indicating a process to be executed, includes a workflow display unit configured to display, on a display, one or more graphical representations corresponding to one or more steps of the workflow; a step management unit configured to obtain attribute data associated with a step to be added in response to an instruction for adding the step to the workflow; and an auxiliary indication control unit configured to cause the display to display a graphical representation corresponding to the step to be added and a graphical representation that reflects the attribute data. |
| US09256449B2 |
Menu screen for information processing apparatus and computer-readable storage medium recording information processing program
An information processing apparatus capable of being opened and closed includes storage means, display means, and taken image display control means. The storage means stores a taken image therein. The display means has a display screen provided in a surface which is located inside when the information processing apparatus is closed and which is located outside when the information processing apparatus is opened. The taken image display control means displays a taken image on the display screen, and changes a taken image to be displayed between before and after closing and opening the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is closed and opened again. |
| US09256448B2 |
Process grouping for improved cache and memory affinity
Embodiments include determining a set of two or more processes that share at least one of a plurality of resources in a multi-node system in which the processes are running, wherein each of the set of two or more processes is running one different nodes of the multi-node system. For each combination of the set of processes and the resources, a value is calculated based, at least in part, on a weight of the resource and frequency of access of the resource by each process of the set of processes. The pair of processes having a greatest sum of calculated values by resource is determined. A first process of the pair of processes is allocated from a first node in the multi-node system to a second node in the multi-node system that hoses a second process of the pair of processes. |
| US09256446B2 |
Method and apparatus for component display processing
Embodiments of the present invention provide a component display processing method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving indication information indicating that a component is in a waiting-to-be-processed state; and according to the indication information, reducing a displayed region of a container that is displayed on a display screen, so that t a hidden region of the container is displayed on the display screen. |
| US09256444B2 |
Application level integration in support of a distributed network management and service provisioning solution
An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. The advantages are derived from enhanced usage efficiencies in providing data network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment. |
| US09256432B2 |
Method of compressing and decompressing an executable or interpretable program
The method of compressing and decompressing an executable program, can be executed by a microprocessor or interpreted by an interpreter of an integrated circuit device: instructions are reformatted into the format of an initial set of instructions of said program for obtaining instructions in the format of an intermediate set of instructions; repetition templates in the program are determined and, for each repetition template, a pair is defined, formed of said repetition template and of an instruction in the format of a set of instructions; intermediate instructions are replaced by compressed instructions and the links of the compressed program are modified; the compressed program is stored in a memory of the device; and the compressed program is decompressed and the initial instructions are executed by said microprocessor or interpreted by said interpreter. The invention applies, in particular, to the integrated circuits of embedded devices. |
| US09256431B2 |
Synthetic processing diversity within a homogeneous processing environment
A method of increasing processing diversity on a computer system includes: loading a plurality of instruction streams, each of the plurality of instruction streams being equivalent; executing, in a context, a first stream of the plurality of instruction streams; stopping execution of the first stream at a first location of the first stream; and executing, in the context, a second stream of the plurality of instruction streams at a second location of the second stream, the second location corresponding to the first location of the first stream. |
| US09256428B2 |
Load latency speculation in an out-of-order computer processor
Load latency speculation in an out-of-order computer processor, including: issuing a load instruction for execution, wherein the load instruction has a predetermined expected execution latency; issuing a dependent instruction wakeup signal on an instruction wakeup bus, wherein the dependent instruction wakeup signal indicates that the load instruction will be completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency; determining, upon the expiration of the expected execution latency, whether the load instruction has completed; and responsive to determining that the load instruction has not completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency, issuing a negative dependent instruction wakeup signal on the instruction wakeup bus, wherein the negative dependent instruction wakeup signal indicates that the load instruction has not completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency. |
| US09256427B2 |
Tracking multiple conditions in a general purpose register and instruction therefor
An operate-and-insert instruction of a program, when executed performs an operation based on one or more operands, results of an instruction specified test of the operation performed are stored in an instruction specified location of an instruction specified general register. The instruction specified general register is therefore able to hold results of many operate-and-insert instructions. The program can then use non-branch type instructions to evaluate conditions saved in the register, thus avoiding the performance penalty of branch instructions. |
| US09256425B2 |
Versioning and refactoring of business mashups in on-demand environments
Techniques are provided for versioning and refactoring of mashups. During the design phase of a mashup that is operable to access multiple external services, design information that defines or modifies a plurality of design elements included in the mashup is received from a user. Without receiving from the user any input that causes the plurality of design elements to be versioned, current versions of the plurality of design elements are automatically stored in a repository when the plurality of design elements are saved during development of the mashup. The mashup is deployed to one or more servers. Without receiving any input from the user that causes the mashup to be versioned, deploying the mashup comprises automatically storing in the repository a current version of the mashup and versioning information that associates the current version of the mashup with the current versions of the plurality of design elements. |
| US09256424B1 |
Managing software configurations across different target software deployments
Techniques are described for recommending levels of configuration for a set of targets. According to one embodiment, an image advisor generates a set of software configuration classifications based on a set of attributes associated with a plurality of targets. The image advisor associates each respective software configuration classification in the set of software configuration classifications with one or more targets of the plurality of targets. Based on the set of software configuration classifications, the image advisor generates and provides a recommendation that identifies a recommended set of source components for one or more groups of targets in the plurality of targets. In another embodiment, the image advisor may provide a set of recommended software configuration levels that include a fewer number of software configuration levels than a set of current software configuration levels. |
| US09256422B2 |
Systems and methods for finding project-related information by clustering applications into related concept categories
A system, method, and computer-readable medium, is described that finds similarities among programming applications based on semantic anchors found within the source code of such applications. The semantic anchors may be API calls, such as Java's package and class calls of the JDK. Latent Semantic Indexing may be used to process the application and semantic anchor data and automatically develop a similarity matrix that contains numbers representing the similarity of one program to another. |
| US09256420B2 |
System and method for automatically updating the software of a networked personal audiovisual device
A method for automatically updating software executed by an electronic device is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving, at the electronic device, an update indication from a server that updated software is available for the electronic device. The method further includes modifying, in response to the update indication, a boot state of the electronic device and initiating operation of the electronic device in an update mode. The updated software is received, at the electronic device, during operation in the update mode. The method further includes initiating, upon determining the updated software has been correctly received, operation of the electronic device in a normal mode. |
| US09256417B2 |
Automatic quality assurance for software installers
An approach for assuring quality of a software installer is presented. A change between first and second views of an operating system is determined. The second view is recorded after executing an installer to create installed software application components. The installation is determined to be successful. A location for an installed shortcut for the software application is determined. Executable and command line information inside the shortcut is extracted using the location. Based on the extracted executable and command line information, the application is executed to perform a test of the application. While the application is executing, a close signal is sent to a window of the application. An exit code from the application is read. If the exit code matches a standard exit code, the test is documented as being successful. If the exit code does not match the standard exit code, the test is documented as being unsuccessful. |
| US09256413B2 |
Automatic identification of services
In one aspect, a metadata of an application is received. The metadata describes a number of artifacts of the computer application. Based on a reference in the application metadata, at least one service that the application is configured to access is determined. In another aspect, additional metadata describing artifacts associated with the at least one service are identified. The artifacts associated with the at least one service and the artifacts of the computer application are selected for installation of the computer application. |
| US09256409B2 |
Building reusable function summaries for frequently visited methods to optimize data-flow analysis
A method includes inspecting function summaries generated during a static analysis of a program and identifying a set of function summaries for a same method that have structural similarities. The method includes replacing the set of structurally similar summaries with a coarse summary. The method further includes using the coarse summary in subsequent static analysis operations. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed. |
| US09256408B2 |
Optimizing texture commands for graphics processing unit
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of compiling high-level software instructions to generate low-level software instructions. In an example, the method includes identifying, with a computing device, a set of high-level (HL) control flow (CF) instructions having one or more associated texture load instructions, wherein the set of HL CF instructions comprises one or more branches. The method also includes converting, with the computing device, the identified set of HL CF instructions to low-level (LL) instructions having a predicate structure. The method also includes outputting the converted (LL) instructions having the predicate structure. |
| US09256406B1 |
Graphically scoped C-functions inside stateflow
A device may select a program code function associated with a graphical model. The program code function may include a set of identifiers. The device may select an identifier from the set of identifiers. The device may determine a particular set of entities that are referenceable at a program code location of the identifier. The particular set of entities may include a first set of entities of the program code function for which the identifier is within a lexical scope of the first set of entities and a second set of entities of the graphical model for which the program code function is within the graphical scope of the second set of entities. The device may determine whether the identifier corresponds to a particular entity of the particular set of entities. The device may provide information associated with determining whether the identifier corresponds to the particular entity. |
| US09256404B2 |
Extensible context based user interface simplification
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to modeling tools and provide a method, system and computer program product for extensible context based user interface simplification of modeling components for a modeling tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for extensible context based user interface simplification can be provided for a model driven development tool. The method can include detecting a context change to a new context in a model driven development tool, locating tool items mapped to the new context, and displaying the located tool items in the model driven development tool. |
| US09256403B2 |
Unified flow designer
An interface enables a user to select a graphical object to include in a flow. The graphical object is associated with code, and this code may relate to presenting digital content. The interface further allows a user to define a graphical relationship in the flow, such as a connection between the graphical object and another element of the flow. The interface may present the flow in a first area of a display and the digital content in a second area of the display. The code may be executed based on the graphical relationship. For example, the graphical relationship may indicate an order for executing code sections associated with the flow and data exchanged within the code sections. |
| US09256402B2 |
End user programming for a mobile device
A tool for creating and editing applications on a mobile device. The tool searches the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device. The tool exposes a workspace using a graphical programming language on the mobile device. The tool receives a plurality of selections in the workspace. The tool receives a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace. The tool determines, based on the configuration of the received selections in the workspace, the application is complete. The tool prompts to save the completed application. |
| US09256401B2 |
Editor visualization of symbolic relationships
Enhancing dynamic code. A method includes obtaining one or more first data structures defining constructs in a body of dynamic language source code. From the one or more first data structures, identifier information is extracted for one or more of the defined constructs. Knowledge about the constructs is augmented. Using the identifier information and augmented knowledge, metadata about the body of the dynamic language source code is generated. The generated metadata is represented as a symbol table. The body of dynamic language source code is visually enhanced based on the symbol table structure. |
| US09256400B2 |
Decision service manager
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for modeling and deploying decision services. One computer-implemented method includes creating a connection between a decision service manager and a managed system, establishing a signature of a decision service, developing, using at least one computer, the decision service based upon the established signature of the decision service, performing a deployment readiness check, transferring generated code implementing the decision service to the managed system upon a determination that the deployment readiness check was successful, inserting the generated code into the managed system, and retrieving a deployment status from the managed system. |
| US09256395B1 |
Previewing audio data associated with an item
Systems and methods are provided for previewing audio data associated with an audio book or other item. In some embodiments, following capture by a mobile computing device of an image of a graphical code included on packaging associated with an audio book, a request may be received from the mobile computing device for audio data and/or other data associated with the audio book. The request may include a uniform resource identifier generated using the graphical code from the image captured by the mobile computing device. In response to receiving the request, audio data associated with the audio book may be retrieved from a data store. The retrieved audio data may then be sent to the mobile computing device for playback by the mobile computing device. |
| US09256390B2 |
Gallery video player supports HDMI out
Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface in a dual screen device. More particularly, the method includes providing a gallery for the dual screen device. The gallery can present one or more images in a user interface. The gallery user interface can adapt to changes in the device configuration. Further, the gallery can display images or videos in the various configurations. |
| US09256387B2 |
Printing system, print server, information processing device, and image forming device
A print server includes: a storing part for storing a printing rule defining an output condition for printing; a notifying part for notifying an information processing device of the printing rule and a setting change process which can be changed by a user through user operation to select corresponding to the printing rule; and a job converting part for changing a print setting of the print job based on the setting change process selected by the user thereby converting the print job to the print job matching the printing rule. The information processing device includes: an acquiring part for acquiring the printing rule and information relating to the setting change process; and a setting changing part for changing the setting change process performed by the job converting part to a different process within a range matching the printing rule. |
| US09256381B1 |
Managing degraded storage elements in data storage systems
A method is used for managing degraded storage elements in data storage systems. A storage element experiencing degradation is identified where the storage element is a member of a first RAID group of storage elements. A first slice of data associated with the storage element is identified. The first slice of data is copied to a second RAID group of storage elements. |
| US09256378B2 |
Deduplicating data blocks in a storage system
A method for sharing data blocks in a hierarchical file system in a storage server includes allocating a plurality of data blocks in the file system, and sharing data blocks in the file system, without using a persistent point-in-time image, to avoid duplication of data blocks. A method for identifying data blocks that can be shared includes computing a fingerprint for each of multiple data blocks to be written to a storage facility and storing the fingerprint with information identifying the data block in an entry in a set of metadata. The set of metadata is used to identify data blocks which are duplicates. |
| US09256377B2 |
Consistent distributed storage communication protocol semantics in a clustered storage system
Consistent distributed storage communication protocol semantics, such as SCSI target semantics, in a clustered storage system are disclosed. The system includes a mechanism for presenting a single distributed logical unit, comprising one or more logical sub-units, as a single logical unit of storage to a host system by associating each of the logical sub-units that make up the single distributed logical unit with a single host visible identifier that corresponds to the single distributed logical unit. The system further includes a mechanism to maintain consistent context information for each of the logical sub-units such that the logical sub-units are not visible to a host system as separate entities from the single distributed logical unit. |
| US09256369B2 |
Programmable memory controller
One embodiment includes a programmable memory controller. The programmable memory controller includes a request processor that comprises a first domain-specific instruction set architecture (ISA) for accelerating common requests. A transaction processor comprises a second domain-specific ISA for accelerating transaction processing tasks. A dedicated command logic module inspects each memory command to a memory device and stalls particular commands for meeting timing constraints for application specific control of the memory device. |
| US09256364B2 |
Touch control apparatus which is helpful for double click determining, and computer readable recording media for performing corresponding touch control method
A computer readable recording media comprising at least one program code recorded thereon, a touch control method is performed when the program code is read and executed. The touch control method comprises the following steps: (a) detecting location data for an object relative to a detecting surface to generate at least one displacement data; (b) storing the displacement data to a storage apparatus and outputting the stored displacement data to a target apparatus from the storage apparatus after storing the displacement data for a predetermined time period, when the object touches the detecting surface; and (c) cleaning the stored displacement data when the object leaves the detecting surface. |
| US09256363B2 |
Information processing device and character input method
According to an aspect, an information processing device includes: a touch panel for detecting a contact; and a controller configured to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of buttons on the touch panel, and receive, when the touch panel detects a contact started at a first position on the surface of the touch panel and terminated at a second position on the surface of the touch panel, a character string including characters corresponding to the buttons displayed on a trajectory obtained by connecting each position at which the contact is detected from when the contact is started at the first position to when the contact is terminated at the second position as input. |
| US09256362B2 |
Network system, communication method and communication terminal
Provided is a network system including at least first and second communication terminals capable of communicating with each other via a network. The first communication terminal causes handwritten data input in response to an instruction for a point on an image to be displayed in a certain position on the image corresponding to this point, associates the point information about the point with the handwritten data and transmits the point information and the handwritten data to the second communication terminal. Based on the point information and the handwritten data from the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal causes at least a part of the image to be displayed on a second display and also causes the handwritten data to be displayed in a location in accordance with the point information. |
| US09256354B2 |
List display apparatus
Provided is a list display apparatus configured to: arrange, from a list including a plurality of item images arranged in order, item images included in a partial range of the list in a predetermined scroll direction, and display the item images in the partial range on a screen; and move the item images in the scroll direction at a speed corresponding to a user's scroll instruction, and move item images that have not been displayed on the screen in the scroll direction from outside of the screen into the screen so as to newly display the item images on the screen. When the item image that is newly displayed is moved in the scroll direction into the screen, at least a part of the item image is moved in a cross direction crossing the scroll direction from the outside of the screen into the screen at a predetermined speed. |
| US09256353B2 |
Providing application and device management using entitlements
An Application Workspace System (AWS) enables users to access remote server-based applications (e.g., thin client applications, terminal server applications, applications on hosted operating systems, etc.) using the same interface that they use to access local applications, without needing to know where the application is being accessed. The AWS automatically determines which applications the user is entitled to use, and then figures out automatically, based upon a variety of parameters, which applications are to be made available to the user (resolved to version, particular package etc.), and whether they are to be installed locally, or accessed remotely. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09256352B2 |
Touch screen terminal and method for locating electronic document thereof
The disclosure relates to a touch screen terminal and a method for locating an electronic document thereof. The touch screen terminal comprises a setting module, a directory listing module, a detection module, a mode switching module, a real-time directory module, a preview module and a chapter/section switching module. The method comprises: generating a directory listing for an electronic document and storing it; detecting a screen aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa in a reading mode of current chapter/section of the electronic document; when it is detected that a user enables a chapter/section switching function, enabling a chapter/section switching mode to wait for the user to input a number of the chapter/section to switch to; when it is detected that the user inputs the number of the chapter/section to switch to, matching a directory entry in real time from the stored directory listing and displaying it; generating a preview for a corresponding chapter/section according to the number of the chapter/section to switch to input by the user and displaying it to the user; and when a confirmation of the switching operation is detected, switching to the previewed chapter/section. The disclosure is simple to operate and easy to implement, and improves the reading experience. |
| US09256349B2 |
User-resizable icons
Systems, methods, and computer media for resizing icons displayed in a user interface are provided. Icons in a display can be resized by a user interacting with the icon itself. A user interaction with an icon can cause an icon resizing mode to be entered. Additional user interaction with the icon can then cause the icon to be resized. The display in which an icon is located can be rearranged as a result of the icon being resized. |
| US09256343B1 |
Dynamically modifying an electronic article based on commentary
In one general aspect, a computer-readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions that when executed cause at least one processor of a computer system to perform a process. The process can include receiving from a user account an indicator of a request for an electronic article hosted at an article host, and receiving an indicator of a location within the electronic article targeted for placement of at least a portion of a comment within the electronic article. The process can also include processing, in response to the indicator of the request, a plurality of comments associated with the electronic article and posted via a plurality of user accounts, and placing, based on the processing and before the electronic article is served, at least a portion of a comment from the plurality of comments at the location to customize the electronic article for the user account. |
| US09256339B2 |
Tablet having a flexible and transparent sensing area
The present invention relates to a tablet having a flexible and transparent sensing area, comprising: an insulating transparent base material having a first loop antenna and a plurality of comb-shaped first line antennas; and a control substrate having, mounted thereon, a first multiplexer (MUX) for selecting one of the ends of the plurality of first line antennas, an amplifier for outputting a potential difference between an output of the first multiplexer and the first loop antenna, and an MCU (micro controller unit) for generating a first selection signal and, on the basis of the potential difference from the amplifier, sensing the position of an electronic pen from one line antenna. The first loop antenna formed on the transparent base material is combined with a first conductive pattern formed on the control substrate, thereby forming a closed loop. Each of the plurality of first line antennas is connected to each of a plurality of first extending patterns insulatively crossing the first conductive pattern on the control substrate. The plurality of first extending patterns are connected to an input of the first multiplexer. |
| US09256336B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor structure and applications thereof
A capacitive touch sensor structure comprises a substrate, a first transmissive electrode, a first wire, a first receiving electrode and a second wire. The first transmissive electrode is disposed on the substrate and has at least one first electrode. The first wire is disposed on the substrate and connects to the first electrode of the first transmissive electrode. The first receiving electrode is disposed on the substrate and has at least one second electrode. The second wire is disposed on the substrate and extends along a first direction to connect to the first receiving electrode. The first electrode has a plurality of first slits and the second electrode has a plurality of second slits. |
| US09256335B2 |
Integrated receiver and ADC for capacitive touch sensing apparatus and methods
An integrated analog data receiver for a capacitive touch screen. An analog data receiver circuit for a touch screen device is provided including a sigma delta analog to digital converter configured for direct connection to an analog output of a touch screen device, and further including an integrator circuit having an input coupled for receiving the analog output signal and outputting an integrated output voltage; a comparator coupled to the integrated output voltage and a first bias voltage and outputting a comparison voltage; a clocked sampling latch coupled to the comparison voltage and to a clock signal and outputting quantized data bits corresponding to samples of the comparison voltage; and a digital filter and decimator coupled to the clocked sampling latch and outputting serial data bits which form a digital representation corresponding to the output of the touch screen device. Additional circuits and systems are disclosed. |
| US09256332B2 |
Concurrent driving capacitive touch sensing device capable of resending drive signals
There is provided a concurrent driving capacitive touch sensing device including a drive end, a capacitive sensing matrix and a detection end. The capacitive sensing matrix includes a plurality of drive electrodes and sense electrodes crossing to each other. The drive end is configured to concurrently input cycle data of encoded and modulated drive signals into the drive electrodes. The detection end is coupled to one of the sense electrodes and configured to acquire a predetermined number of sampled values corresponding to the cycle data associated with the coupled sense electrode and generate a response signal to the drive end according to the sampled values, wherein the drive end resends the cycle data according to the response signal. |
| US09256330B2 |
Capacitive touch panel configured to sense both active and passive input with a single sensor
A capacitive touch panel includes sense electrodes arranged next to one another and drive electrodes arranged next to one another across the sense electrodes. The drive electrodes and the sense electrodes define a coordinate system where each coordinate location comprises a capacitor formed at a junction between one of the drive electrodes and one of the sense electrodes via mutual capacitance between the electrodes. The drive electrodes are configured to receive a first signal from a driver coupled with the drive electrodes for powering the drive electrodes to sense passive input to the capacitive touch panel at each coordinate location. Passive input can also be sensed via self-capacitance of the capacitive touch panel sensors. The drive electrodes and the sense electrodes are configured to receive a second signal from an active stylus to sense active input to the capacitive touch panel at each coordinate location. |
| US09256322B2 |
Multi-touch input discrimination
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different types of contacts to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. Illustrative contact types include fingertips, thumbs, palms and cheeks. By way of example, thumb contacts may be distinguished from fingertip contacts using a patch eccentricity parameter. In addition, by non-linearly deemphasizing pixels in a touch-surface image, a reliable means of distinguishing between large objects (e.g., palms) from smaller objects (e.g., fingertips, thumbs and a stylus) is described. |
| US09256320B2 |
Display device, method of driving display device, and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device includes: a display region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix; a plurality of signal lines that extend in a second direction in the display region; a vertical drive circuit that is coupled to first ends of the scanning lines and applies a vertical scanning pulse to the first ends to select each row of the pixels in the display region; a horizontal drive circuit that performs a display operation of supplying an image signal to each of the pixels in the row selected by the vertical drive circuit through the signal lines; and a plurality of switches that are coupled to second ends of the scanning lines respectively. Each of the switches supplies the same potential as that supplied to the first ends by the vertical drive circuit to the second end corresponding thereto in an idle period. |
| US09256319B2 |
Input device
Provided is an input device including a coordinate input unit having plural capacitance detection units, a capacitance measurement unit that measures capacitance for each of the plural capacitance detection units, and performs an AD conversion on the measured capacitance to output the converted capacitance as a measurement signal, and a control unit that controls the capacitance measurement unit, calculates a data signal by arithmetically operating the measurement signal, stores the data signal in association with coordinate information of the capacitance detection unit, and outputs a control signal. The control unit calculates a difference value between a predetermined reference value and the data signal at a constant time interval, performs a weighted average process on the data signal and the predetermined reference value to update and store a value on which the process is performed as a new reference value, and changes a weight given to the weighted average process. |
| US09256317B2 |
Hybrid sensing touchscreen apparatus capable of light touch sensing and physical touch sensing and method of driving the same
A touchscreen apparatus includes pixel rows including pixels configured to display an image, a touch-sensing unit configured to sense a physical touch, light-sensing unit configured to sense incident light, a first sensor gate line configured to provide a first gate signal for activating the light-sensing unit and resetting the touch-sensing unit, a second sensor gate line configured to provide a second gate signal for activating the touch-sensing unit and resetting the light-sensing unit, and a reset circuit configured to provide a common voltage to the pixels based on the operation of at least one of the light-sensing unit and the touch-sensing unit. |
| US09256315B2 |
Method of identifying palm area for touch panel and method for updating the identified palm area
A method of identifying a palm area for a touch panel has steps of: receiving sensing frame information having multiple touching sensing points from the touch panel; selecting one of the touching sensing points; outwardly extending a distance from an outline of the selected touching sensing point to define a searching range; checking whether other touching sensing points are within the searching range; marking the touching sensing points in the searching range and expanding the searching range based on the currently marked touching sensing points; sequentially selecting and checking each touching sensing point if it is within the present searching range; and finally merging all the outlines of the marked touching sensing points to form a final outline as a palm area. Other unmarked touching sensing points are defined as touching reference points. |
| US09256312B2 |
Communication device and communication system
A communication device (1) includes a communication unit (60) that communicates with another communication device, a display unit (30) that displays an object corresponding to an object displayed on a display unit of the other communication device, and a control unit (10) that controls the communication unit (60) to transmit threshold information associated with the object displayed on the display unit (30) to the other communication device. |
| US09256311B2 |
Flexible touch sensor
In one embodiment, an apparatus include a substantially flexible substrate and a touch sensor disposed on the substantially flexible substrate. The touch sensor comprising drive or sense electrodes made of flexible conductive material configured to bend with the substantially flexible substrate. |
| US09256310B2 |
Touch sensor integrated type display device
A touch sensor integrated type display device includes gate lines and data lines; a plurality of pixel electrodes respectively formed in pixel areas defined by crossings of the gate and data lines; a first electrode formed between first pixel electrodes and in parallel with a first gate line of the gate lines, the first pixel electrodes being adjacent to each other with the first gate line interposed therebetween; second electrodes formed between second pixel electrodes and arranged in a line in parallel with a second gate line adjacent to the first gate line, the second pixel electrodes being adjacent to each other with the second gate line interposed therebetween; and third electrodes, each of which is formed in parallel with the data lines and contacts the second electrodes, at least a portion of each of the third electrodes overlapping the first and second pixel electrodes. |
| US09256307B2 |
Touch panel
Disclosed herein is a touch panel, including: a transparent substrate; an electrode formed in a mesh pattern on the transparent substrate; and a wiring formed in a wavy pattern on the transparent substrate and connected to the electrode, the wiring having curve shape of first peaks and second peaks alternately continuing along a longitudinal direction. |
| US09256306B2 |
Sensing apparatus and driving method thereof
A sensing apparatus including a first scan line, a second scan line, a readout line, a first sensing device and a second sensing device is provided. The first sensing device is coupled to the first scan line and the readout line, and senses a first energy, and outputs a first readout signal corresponding to the first energy to the readout line in response to a first scan signal on the first scan line. The first sensing device is reset in response to the first scan signal and a reference signal on the readout line. The first sensing device includes a first reset unit configured for resetting the first sensing device, where a first terminal of the first reset unit is coupled to the first scan line, and a control terminal of the first reset unit is coupled to the readout line. A driving method thereof is also provided. |
| US09256304B2 |
Systems and methods for automatic disable of input devices
Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products configured to provide intelligent filtering techniques to reduce errant device inputs are described. For example, filtering out the data input from a touch pad while typing on the keyboard or operating with a pointing stick, even if the touch pad is sensing contact, is augmented by continuing to filter data from the touch pad until the contact on the touch pad ends. |
| US09256303B2 |
Touch display device and control method thereof
A touch display device includes a touch screen, a plurality of physical keys surrounding the touch screen, a touch sensor, and a touch control system. The touch screen senses a touch operation and displays a graphical user interface (GUI). The physical keys are arranged on each side of the touch screen, and the touch keys on one side can be enabled while the physical keys on all other sides are disabled. The touch sensor includes a plurality of touch sensing units which outputs a touch signal when one side is touched. The touch control system rotates the GUI through predetermined numbers of degrees to maintain uprightness for the user, enables the touch keys on the touched side, and disables the touch keys on all the other sides according to the touch signal. |
| US09256298B2 |
Display panel and operation control method thereof, and display device
A display panel, an operation control method thereof and a display device for improving users' experience of display products. Wherein the display panel comprises a flexible substrate (1) and a sensor control circuit (3) and a sensitive element (4) provided on the flexible substrate (1), the sensor control circuit (3) is connected to the sensitive element (4), and a sensitive parameter of the sensitive element (4) varies with the bending degree of the flexible substrate (1) so that a detected signal passing through the sensitive element (4) varies with the bending degree of the flexible substrate (1); the sensor control circuit (3) includes a signal generating circuit for inputting the detected signal into the sensitive element (4), and a feedback circuit for converting the detected signal passing through the sensitive element (4) into a feedback signal indicating the bending degree of the flexible substrate (1) and for sending it to a control system connected to the display panel, so that the control system performs corresponding control operations in accordance with the feedback signal. |
| US09256296B2 |
Integrated, one-handed, mouse and keyboard
An integrated mouse and keyboard intended to be used to type with only one hand. The mouse is contoured so that the wrist is in a neutral position during typing. The characters associated with any individual key can be changed through the use of one of two joysticks. The user may define the relationship between the joysticks, keyboard keys, and character sets. |
| US09256291B2 |
Mobile device and method for displaying information
A mobile device control method for displaying information on a touch screen of a mobile device is provided. The method includes determining a type of a cover for the mobile device, the cover having a screen projection portion, detecting a gesture or a trigger, and displaying a screen corresponding to a current state of the mobile device on the touch screen depending on the type of the cover, in response to the detection of the gesture or the trigger. |
| US09256290B2 |
Gesture detection using ambient light sensors
A device and method to detect a gesture made by an object in touch-less communication with the device are described. The device includes a collection engine to collect light intensity measurements of light intensity at two or more measurement cycles from two or more ambient light sensors arranged at respective surface locations of the device. The device also includes a processor to identify the gesture based on the light intensity measurements at each of the two or more ambient light sensors at two or more of the two or more measurement cycles, and a memory device to store a gesture library that associates the gesture with an output signal. |
| US09256289B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying a polyhedral user interface
Provided is a method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional (3D) polyhedral user interface. A first polyhedron may be formed of a plurality of blocks which are mapped with a plurality of pieces of information. A user may manipulate rotation of some of the blocks to generate a second polyhedron. |
| US09256288B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting item using movement of object
An item selecting apparatus includes a movement detecting unit detecting a movement of a user, a screen displaying image information, a display image storage unit storing data to generate an image to be displayed on the screen, a display image generating unit generating an image to be displayed on the screen, and a control unit controlling so that a plurality of items is displayed on the screen in one of one-, two- and three-dimensional arrangements, in which the control unit receives a signal from the movement detecting unit to measure a movement of the object in at least one of x-, y- and z-axis directions and issues a command to select at least one from among the plurality of items or provides visual feedback thereto, in response to the measured movement of the user and in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of items on the screen. |
| US09256287B2 |
Tactile sensation providing apparatus
The tactile sensation providing apparatus 1 includes a contact detection unit 40, a tactile sensation providing unit 50 for providing a tactile sensation to the contacting object contacting the contact detection unit 40, a display unit 30 for displaying an input area and a cursor, and a control unit 10 for controlling the display unit 30. The cursor is moved based on the detected contact and the portion of the displayed input area is displaced based on the movement of the cursor. The control unit 10 controls to cause a first tactile sensation to be provided when the portion of the input area is displaced as the cursor is moved, and a second tactile sensation to be provided when the edge of the input area is displayed as the portion of the input area is displaced, thereby notifying the operator of the results of the operation. |
| US09256286B2 |
Haptic accessory and methods for using same
A method for providing tactile feedback comprises displaying a visual representation of a physical object having at least one haptic property, generating time-varying data associated with the at least one haptic property from the visual representation, sending the time-varying data to a computing device including a feedback apparatus electrically connected to the computing device, and generating the tactile feedback via the feedback apparatus in response to a pressure on the feedback apparatus applied by a user. |
| US09256284B2 |
Information processing apparatus and recording medium
There is provided An information processing apparatus including a perspective switching control unit configured to switch a perspective when playing back content acquired by a content acquisition unit to at least one of a first-person perspective and a third-person perspective, an editing unit configured to edit a part of the content, and a playback control unit configured to play back the content edited by the editing unit in the at least one of the first-person perspective and the third-person perspective to which the perspective has been switched by the perspective switching control unit. |
| US09256281B2 |
Remote movement guidance
In one example of a user-guidance system, a remote control may be configured to guide a user's physical movements by transmitting movement signals that are to be translated into haptic instructions, and cooperative actuators may be configured to be worn by the user to translate the movement signals received from the remote control into the haptic instructions. The movement signals may be translated into the haptic instructions for physical movements of any limb or extremity of the user in either of a vertical direction or a horizontal direction; after the first movement signal, the movement signals may be transmitted prior to completion of an immediately previous physical movement; and the movement signals may include horizontal and vertical directional signal components that indicate the horizontal and vertical direction for the user's next physical movement. The haptic instructions that are translated from the horizontal and vertical directional signal components may differ in either duration or magnitude. The movement signals may include horizontal directional signal components that indicate the horizontal direction for the user's next physical movement, and the haptic instructions that are translated from the horizontal directional signal components may differ in either duration or magnitude. |
| US09256273B2 |
Distributed power budgeting
Embodiments include collecting, from each of a plurality of controllers of a node having a plurality of components, component power consumption. Each of the plurality of controllers is associated with one or more of the components. The component power consumptions are provided to the controllers. A node power consumption for the node is determined based, at least in part, on the component power consumption. The power cap is determined for the plurality of components. A power differential power is determined as a difference between the node power consumption and the power cap for the plurality of components. A proportion of the node power consumption consumed by the component is determined based on the component power consumption of the component. A local power budget is computed for the component based, at least in part, on the power differential and the proportion of the node power consumption consumed by the component. |
| US09256272B2 |
Method and system for file relocation
A method and system for file relocation is provided. A file relocation system is connected to multiple storage devices. The system obtains a number of times that each of a number of files stored on the multiple storage devices is requested simultaneously with a concerned file. The relocation system then classifies multiple files into multiple groups, such that groups of files simultaneously are put together into one group. Multiple files classified in to the same group are then relocated to a single storage device. The relocation system then switches a storage device not accessed for a certain period of time into a power-saving mode. |
| US09256271B2 |
Predictive power management based on user category
The present disclosure relates to a predicative power management system configured to adjust computer CPU clock rate by a computer user to conserve energy based on user category. In certain embodiments, the predicative power management system includes (a) a computer user profile creator module, and (b) a power management module. The computer user profile creator module is used to create computer usage profiles and each of the computer usage profiles has a profileID for a computer user with a computer userID. The power management module is used to set and adjust computer CPU clock rate, CPU voltage and device states based on computer users' category and the computer user's computer usage profile. |
| US09256265B2 |
Method and system for artificially and dynamically limiting the framerate of a graphics processing unit
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to provide a method and system for applying automatic power conservation techniques in a computing system. Embodiments are described herein that automatically limits the frame rate of an application executing in a discrete graphics processing unit operating off battery or other such exhaustible power source. By automatically limiting the frame rate in certain detected circumstances, the rate of power consumption, and thus, the life of the current charge stored in a battery may be dramatically extended. Another embodiment is also provided which allows for the more effective application of automatic power conservation techniques during detected periods of inactivity by applying a low power state immediately after a last packet of a frame is rendered and displayed. |
| US09256263B1 |
Efficient power allocation for redundant power supply with system priority
This disclosure describes a more efficient and configurable power allocation scheme for redundant power supply (RPS) systems used in network switches. This allocation scheme allows the system owner to assign power from a shared RPS unit to higher priority devices in any network switch in the system. This permits more granularity in assigning the RPS with backup power available to devices such as ports residing within individual switches in a multiple switch network. An efficient power allocation scheme for RPS allows the user to define the system priority of various devices for backup power according to the user's preferences. The user may assign the RPS to user-defined high priority devices in any piece of equipment. This makes RPS power allocation more flexible by offering the user more setup options for backup power. |
| US09256261B2 |
Semiconductor device having identification information generating function and identification information generation method for semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an identification information generation circuit having a power supply control circuit whose output voltage is controlled by a control signal, and a memory array having a first cell power line and a second cell power line. The power supply control circuit outputs a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage to a first cell power line and a second power line, respectively, when the control signal is in a first state, and outputs an intermediate voltage to the first cell power line and the second cell power line when the control signal is in a second state. |
| US09256259B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a touch-control socket device and a display device. The touch-control socket device includes a socket and a touch-control glass. The socket has a seat, a frame extended from the seat, and a connecting module disposed in the seat. The seat has a first insertable opening and a second insertable opening respectively facing two different directions. The touch-control glass is fixed on the frame and electrically connected to the connecting module. The touch-control glass has a first surface and an opposite second surface. When an electrical connector of the display device inserts into the connecting module through the first insertable opening, the first surface is used as a touch-control interface. When the electrical connector of the display device inserts into the connecting module through the second insertable opening, the second surface is served as a touch interface. |
| US09256253B2 |
Clasp assembly and data interconnection for wearable computing devices
Embodiments of the invention describe a clasp assembly for detachably coupling a first housing to a second housing. The clasp assembly to further includes a data connector to provide an input/output (I/O) interface to a computing component of the first housing, and a data connector housing corresponding to the data connector, wherein the data connector is exposed when the clasp assembly is in an open position, and wherein the data connector is disposed in the data connector housing when the clasp assembly is in a closed position. |
| US09256250B2 |
Electronic devices with flexible displays having fastened bent edges
An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges. |
| US09256249B2 |
Stand assembly and monitor
A system can include a platform that includes a front end and a back end; a support that includes a column, an extension and an arm joint disposed on the extension, where the column extends vertically from the platform and where the extension extends from the column at an acute angle and positions the arm joint vertically above the platform and toward the back end of the platform; a monitor mount that includes an arm joint; a monitor that includes a computing device and a touch screen, the monitor being mountable to the monitor mount; and an arm coupled at a pivot end to the arm joint of the support and coupled at a free end to the arm joint of the monitor mount, the monitor mount being pivotable about the free end of the arm. Various other apparatuses, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09256245B2 |
Clock tree circuit and memory controller
A clock tree circuit includes a clock source and a tree circuit. The clock source generates a signal. The tree circuit at least includes five driving units and a metal connection element. A first driving unit has an input terminal for receiving the signal, and an output terminal coupled to a first node. A second driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the first node, and an output terminal coupled to a second node. A third driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the first node, and an output terminal coupled to a third node. A fourth driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the second node. A fifth driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the third node. The metal connection element is coupled between the second node and the third node, and configured as a short-circuited element. |
| US09256241B2 |
Reference voltage generating apparatus and switching power apparatus
There is provided a reference voltage generating apparatus including: a reference voltage source, a voltage retaining circuit, a switch and a controller. The reference voltage source generates a reference voltage. The voltage retaining circuit includes a first element circuit and a second element circuit, and the voltage retaining circuit outputs a voltage of a connection node between a first terminal of the first element circuit and a second terminal of the second element circuit. The switch is connected between the connection node and the reference voltage source. The controller controls the reference voltage source and the switch. The first element circuit includes at least a resistance component and the first element circuit is supplied with a first voltage at a third terminal and the second element circuit includes a resistance component and a capacity component and the second element circuit is supplied with a second voltage at a fourth terminal. |
| US09256239B2 |
Voltage controlling circuit
A voltage controlling circuit with power sharing components is provided. The circuit includes a voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage for a load and a device in communication with the voltage regulator for power sharing. |
| US09256237B2 |
Low drop-out regulator
Exemplary embodiments disclose a low drop-out regulator including an error amplification unit which includes a zero compensation circuit configured to compensate a plurality of poles which are generated by an output terminal and a buffer, the error amplification unit is configured to generate a first comparison signal in response to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, the buffer is configured to generate a second comparison signal in response to the first comparison signal and an input voltage, a pass unit configured to provide an output voltage and a load current to the output terminal in response to the second comparison signal and the input voltage, and a feedback unit configured to provide the feedback voltage to the error amplification unit in response to the output voltage. A driving current of the buffer is independently adjusted with respect to the load current. |
| US09256234B2 |
Voltage offset loop for a switching controller
This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) power converters and methods of operating the same. In one embodiment, an RF power converter includes an RF switching converter, a low-drop out (LDO) regulation circuit, and an RF filter. The RF filter is coupled to receive a pulsed output voltage from the RF switching converter and a supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit. The RF filter is operable to alternate between a first RF filter topology and a second RF filter topology. In the first RF filter topology, the RF filter is configured to convert the pulsed output voltage from a switching circuit into the supply voltage. The RF filter in the second RF filter topology is configured to filter the supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit to reduce a ripple variation in a supply voltage level of the supply voltage. As such, the RF filter provides greater versatility. |
| US09256231B2 |
Device manufacturing apparatus and device manufacturing method
An apparatus for manufacturing a device comprises a temperature regulator configured to regulate a temperature of a component associated with manufacture of the device, a controller configured to control the temperature regulator, and a console configured to send command information to the controller upon receiving an input regarding an operation of the temperature regulator, the command information including a command for causing the temperature regulator to operate in an electric power saving mode, and a parameter which specifies a detail of the electric power saving mode. |
| US09256228B2 |
Mass flow controller with onboard diagnostics, prognostics, and data logging
A mass flow controller and method for operating the same is disclosed. The mass flow controller includes a mass flow control system to control the mass flow rate of a fluid, and a data logging component that obtains snapshots of condition-specific-data for each of a plurality of reoccurring condition types, and reduces each snapshot of condition-specific-data to functional parameter values that characterize each snapshot of condition-specific-data, and the data logging component generates statistical values that are stored in a short term data store that characterize multiple functional parameter values that are obtained during each separate occurrence of a specific condition type. A diagnostics component diagnoses failures using current functional parameter values and the statistical values stored in the short-term memory, and a prognostics component predicts failures based upon a collection of data sets that are stored in the long-term memory. |
| US09256225B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected. |
| US09256224B2 |
Method of sequential kernel regression modeling for forecasting and prognostics
A method for determining the future operational condition of an object includes obtaining reference data that indicates the normal operational state of the object, and obtaining input pattern arrays. Each input pattern array has a plurality of input vectors, while each input vector represents a time point and has input values representing a plurality of parameters indicating the current condition of the object. At least one processor generates estimate values based on a calculation that uses an input pattern array and the reference data to determine a similarity measure between the input values and reference data. The estimate values, in the form of an estimate matrix, include at least one estimate vector of inferred estimate values, and represents at least one time point that is not represented by the input vectors. The inferred estimate values are used to determine a future condition of the object. |
| US09256220B1 |
System and method for monitoring completed manufacturing operations
A method and system comprise a tool, a number of radios, and a processor. The tool has a sensor and a wireless transmitter, and is configured to perform an operation on an area. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit a signal comprising sensor data upon completion of the operation. The number of radios is configured to generate location measurements using the signal. The processor is configured to identify a location of the area using the location measurements and generate an indication of completion of the operation. |
| US09256217B2 |
Dynamically adapting to changes in control system topology
An apparatus and method for adapting to changes in the control topology of a cooperative control system including a plurality of controllers are disclosed. The method is implemented by an actuator or sensor, and includes the steps of selecting one of the controllers as the master controller for one or more state variables of an actuator or sensor, detecting a change in the control topology of the cooperative control system, and reselecting a master controller for the one or more state variables responsive to the change in the control topology. |
| US09256212B2 |
Magnetic field communication arrangement and method
An automotive communication method includes installing a sensor within a vehicle such that the sensor is submerged in a liquid during operation of the vehicle and/or substantially surrounded by a metallic structure during operation of the vehicle. A long wave magnetic signal is transmitted from the sensor. The signal is indicative of a condition sensed by the sensor. The signal is wirelessly received at a controller disposed within the vehicle. Receipt of the signal at the controller is responded to by adjusting a display and/or a setting within the vehicle. |
| US09256209B2 |
Wristwatch structure, electronic core for wristwatch, and method for manufacturing wristwatch
The present invention provides a wristwatch structure, an electronic core for a wristwatch, and a method for manufacturing the wristwatch. The wristwatch structure comprises: a dial; an indicator designed with the dial; an electric driving component connected to the indicator, for driving the indicator and actuating it; and an electronic core having an integrated circuit unit packaged therein, the electronic core also having a plurality of two-dimensional joints distributed on an external surface thereof, wherein the electric driving component is electrically connected to the integrated circuit unit of the electronic core via one set of joints among the two-dimensional joints. The present invention can improve compatibility for various designs, thereby shortening the product development cycle. |
| US09256207B2 |
Timepiece movement provided with a drive mechanism for the periodic or intermittent movement of an analogue indicator
The timepiece movement is provided with an analog device for displaying information whose value varies periodically or intermittently, this analog display device including, on the one hand, an indicator provided with a first toothing, and on the other hand, a mechanism for the periodic or intermittent driving of the indicator. The drive mechanism is formed by an irreversible transmission system which ensures a shock resistant function for the indicator. The display device further includes a positioning jumper for the indicator generating a positioning force on the first toothing, which is sufficient to precisely position the indicator in a plurality of discrete display positions, but considerably insufficient to ensure a shock resistant function for the indicator. Thus, the indicator can be driven with a relatively low torque; which therefore requires less energy and makes it possible to provide a drive mechanism with a lower gear reduction for the drive torque transmission ratio. |
| US09256204B2 |
Device and method for holographic reflection imaging
A holographic imaging device for imaging an object under study includes a partially reflective surface having a contact side for contacting the object under study and an imaging side for partially reflecting a radiation wave. The device also includes at least one radiation source for projecting the radiation wave onto the imaging side of the partially reflective surface and an image sensor arranged to receive the radiation wave when reflected by the partially reflective surface. The image sensor is adapted for determining an interference pattern between the radiation wave reflected by the imaging side of the partially reflective surface and the radiation wave reflected by the object under study when contacting the contact side of the partially reflective surface. |
| US09256200B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit heating an image formed on a recording medium and disposed along a conveying path conveying the recording medium. The conveying path includes a first guide plate, discharge guide plate portions and second guide plate portion as conveyance guide plates guiding the recording medium. Partition walls and vertical walls are disposed at positions facing these guide plate portions. The air current guide portion guides air taken in from intake ports through an intake guide portion between the respective guide plate portions and each walls. |
| US09256194B2 |
Developer supply container
A developer container is detachably mountable to a developer replenishing apparatus and includes a cylindrical accommodation member for accommodating a developer and a coupling portion for engaging with a main assembly coupling portion provided on the developer replenishing apparatus by movement in an inserting direction. In addition, a contact portion contacts an urging portion in the developer replenishing apparatus and receives a push-off force from the developer replenishing apparatus in a direction opposite to the inserting direction, and an engaging portion is engageable with an opening and closing portion provided in the developer replenishing apparatus to receive a force from the opening and closing portion in the inserting direction and against the push-off force in a closing operation of the opening and closing portion when the developer container is inserted into the developer replenishing apparatus. |
| US09256192B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with engaging portion configured to lock access assembly
An image forming apparatus includes: a casing including a base portion, an access assembly, and a cover; first and second engaging portions; and an operating member. The access assembly is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover has a recessed portion recessed from an edge thereof in a direction away from the access assembly in the closed position. The first engaging portion overlaps the cover as viewed from above. The second engaging portion is movable between an engaged position engageable with the first engaging portion and a disengaged position disengaged from the first engaging portion. The operating member is in the recessed portion when the access assembly is in the closed position, and movable between a lock position to lock the second engaging portion into the engaged position and an unlock position to unlock the second engaging portion into the disengaged position. |
| US09256188B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having image supporting members and developing devices provided for a plurality of colors respectively, and a developing bias source. The developing bias source includes DC power circuits provided for the colors respectively, an AC power circuit provided for use in common for all of the colors, and an element provided for at least one of the colors other than black. The developing bias source generates developing biases by superimposing an AC voltage output from the AC power circuit on DC voltages output from the DC power circuits and applies the developing biases to the respectively corresponding developing devices. The element maintains a constant voltage having a potential of an opposite polarity to a potential of charged toner used for the development. The developing bias source further superimposes the constant voltage on the developing bias for the at least one of the colors other than black. |
| US09256184B2 |
Belt conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus having an endless belt
A rotating member provided on an end of a stretching member is rotatable around a rotating axis inclined with respect to the shaft of the stretching member. In order that, when a belt end winds around the rotating member, the belt end winds around an outer side of an entry position where the belt end enters the rotating member, an outer circumferential surface of the rotating member in an area in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the belt is inclined with respect to a belt contact surface. |
| US09256177B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a cam configured to change a pressurizing force applied to a rotation member, and a control unit configured to control a motor speed for driving the cam
A fixing device causes an eccentric cam to perform a rotation step of 113° to shift from a pressurization releasing mode to a pressurization mode, and causes the eccentric cam to perform a rotation step of 263° to shift from a standby mode to the pressurization mode. A control unit activates a motor by setting a rotational speed of a rotational magnetic field of a stator to 600 rpm in the rotation step of 113° and to 1500 rpm in the rotation step of 263° so as to prevent the eccentric cam from receiving acceleration of a rotational direction from a pressure lever before a rotational speed of a rotor reaches a first rotational speed. Then, the control unit stops the rotational magnetic field of the stator based on an output of a photo interrupter. |
| US09256176B2 |
Fixing belt, fixing device, and method for manufacturing fixing belt
A fixing belt includes an inner layer, serving as a sliding layer, in which filler particles having an aspect ratio of 5 or more are oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt. |
| US09256175B2 |
Induction heating fusing device and image forming apparatus
An induction heating fusing device and an image forming apparatuses that may control even a very small current region by tracking a resonance frequency to perform PWM control and phase control without considering a deviation of a part constant or a temperature change are provided. The induction heating fusing device includes: a serial resonance circuit having an induction coil and a condenser; a phase comparator, a phase controller, a resonance frequency tracking oscillator, and a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal generator. The phase comparator compares a phase of a pulse outputted by the PWM signal generator with a phase of current flowing through the induction coil, outputs a comparison result obtained by the comparing to the phase controller when controlling the phase, and outputs the comparison result to the resonance frequency tracking oscillator when performing PWM control. |
| US09256174B2 |
Endless belt, image heating apparatus and mounting method
An endless belt detachably mountable to an image heating apparatus includes: a lubricant applied along a longitudinal direction of the endless belt onto a part of an inner surface of the endless belt with respect to a circumferential direction; and an indicating portion configured to indicate a mounting phase of the endless belt to an operator. The indicating potion is provided on an outer surface of the endless belt so as to have a positional relationship with an applied region of the lubricant with respect to the circumferential direction. |
| US09256173B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has a fixing member, a heating unit, and a control unit. The fixing member fixes a toner image, which is formed on a recording medium, to the recording medium. The heating unit heats the fixing member. The control unit controls a heating operation of the heating unit based on a ready temperature corresponding to job information input by a user. |
| US09256170B1 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method which adjust image magnification based on sheet shrinkage
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device and a control section. The fixing device is provided with a fixing roller for conveying a sheet. The control section changes the rotation speed of the fixing roller based on a shrinkage rate of the sheet before and after the passing of the sheet through the fixing device. The control section changes, according to the shrinkage rate, the rotation speed of the fixing roller in the second and the following fixing processing carried out by the fixing device in a case in which the same sheet passes through the fixing device more than twice. |
| US09256160B2 |
Developer storage container having rotary cylinder portion inside a main body and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developer storage container includes a main body portion and a rotary cylindrical body. The main body portion has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a pair of main body side end surfaces. The rotary cylindrical body has a side surface having a cylindrical shape, a pair of rotary body end surfaces and a storage space configured to store developer. A slit extending is formed on the side surface of the rotary cylindrical body to allow communication between the internal space and the storage space. The rotary cylindrical body is so arranged in the internal space that a predetermined clearance is defined between the side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion. A developer discharge port is opened on the main body portion. |
| US09256159B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge for the use therewith
A developer cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus may include a casing extending in a longitudinal direction and having an opening communicating with the image forming apparatus. The cartridge may further include a grip that, in some arrangements, is disposed at an opposite end relative to the opening in the longitudinal direction. Additionally or alternatively, the developer cartridge may include an agitator comprising a shaft and a gear. The gear may, in some examples, be provided at the same end as the grip and be fixed to the shaft. A distance between the opening and the gear may be shorter than a distance between the opening and the grip. |
| US09256157B2 |
Moving mechanism for a developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus that reduces or removes press-contact forces on a developer carrying member
A developing apparatus includes a developing container for accommodating a developer; a developer carrying member for carrying the developer to a developing zone for developing a latent image; a developer regulator in contact with the developer carrying member to regulate a developer layer thickness on the developer carrying member; a developer feeding member in contact with the developer carrying member to supply the developer to the developer carrying member; an urging member for urging the developer carrying member toward the developer regulator; and a moving mechanism for moving the developer carrying member in a first direction which is a direction in which the urging member urges the developer carrying member and in a second direction crossing with the first direction. The moving mechanism moves the developer carrying member in the second direction to reduce or remove press-contact forces applied by the developer regulator and the developer feeding member. |
| US09256156B2 |
Developing assembly, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
First and second dielectric portions and colored particles have −polarity, and a regulating portion and an externally added particles have +polarity. In a triboelectric series,(−) |
| US09256151B2 |
Printing apparatus and controlling method
If the elapsed time since a sheet was stored in a sheet storage unit is less than or equal to a threshold value, control is performed such that the sheet is heated by a fixing unit before an image is transferred to the sheet, and if the elapsed time since the sheet was stored in the sheet storage unit exceeds the threshold value, control is performed such that processing for heating the sheet with the fixing unit before the image is transferred to the sheet is not performed. |
| US09256147B2 |
Toner, and image forming method and process cartridge using the toner
A toner is provided including toner particles A having a circularity of greater than 0.93 and not greater than 1.00 and toner particles B having a circularity of from 0.85 to 0.93, wherein the following relationships are satisfied: 70≦RA≦95, 5≦RB≦30, 0.014≦SD≦0.025, and 0.940≦ED≦0.950, wherein RA (% by number) represents a ratio of a number of the toner particles A to a total number of toner particles included in the toner, RB (% by number) represents a ratio of a number of the toner particles B to the total number of toner particles included in the toner, SD represents a standard deviation of circularity of the toner particles A, and ED represents an average envelope degree of the toner particles B. |
| US09256146B2 |
Toner for electrostatic image development
Provided is a toner for electrostatic image development, having low-temperature fixability and long-term stable charge property and also having heat-resistant storage stability. The toner for electrostatic image development includes toner particles containing a binder resin. The binder resin has a domain-matrix structure in which a crystalline polyester resin is dispersed as a domain phase in a matrix phase formed of an amorphous vinyl polymer formed using at least a vinyl-based monomer. The amorphous vinyl polymer has a carboxy group concentration of not less than 0.2 mmol/g and not more than 1.0 mmol/g, and the crystalline polyester resin has an ester group concentration of not less than 0.1 mmol/g and not more than 7.1 mmol/g. |
| US09256144B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member containing a terphenoquinone derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 to R5 may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally having an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. |
| US09256141B2 |
Exposure apparatus, device manufacturing method using same, and gas supply device
The exposure apparatus includes a purge member that includes a humidifier that humidifies supplied gas; a first regulator that regulates a flow rate of first gas which passes through the humidifier; a second regulator that regulates a flow rate of second gas which does not pass through the humidifier; a variable instrument that varies a humidifying performance of the humidifier; a sensor; and a controller. Here, the controller controls the first and the second regulators to adjust a flow rate ratio of the first gas and the second gas on the basis of the humidity of the humidified gas detected by the sensor and a pre-set target humidity, and controls the variable instrument to keep the flow rate of the first gas constant on the basis of an amount of operation of the first regulator and an amount of pre-set target operation. |
| US09256139B2 |
Substrate holder, lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method, and method of manufacturing a substrate holder
A substrate holder for a lithographic apparatus has a planarization layer provided on a surface thereof. The planarization layer provides a smooth surface for the formation of a thin film stack forming an electronic component. The thin film stack comprises an (optional) isolation layer, a metal layer forming an electrode, a sensor, a heater, a transistor or a logic device, and a top isolation layer. |
| US09256137B2 |
Exposure apparatus, liquid holding method, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus includes a first member disposed at least in a part of a periphery of an optical path of the exposure light, and has a first face that faces an upper face of the object through a first gap and holds the liquid between the upper face of the object and the first face, a second member disposed at an outer side of the first face with respect to the optical path and has a second face facing the upper face of the object through a second gap, a first supply port disposed at an outer side of the second face and supplies a fluid, and a first suction port disposed between the first face and the second face, and suctions at least part of gas in an outer space of the second member via a gap between the second face and the upper face of the object. |
| US09256133B2 |
Apparatus and method for developing process
An apparatus includes at least two tanks, at least two pumps, at least one nozzle, and a chuck. The apparatus provides multiple developers with different polarities during a developing process to target portions of a latent resist profile having different polarities, and thus different solubility. This apparatus also allows a mixture of two developers to be used for the resist film developing. A polarity of the mixture is adjustable by controlling a ratio of one pump flow rate to another pump flow rate and further controlling the resist pattern profile. |
| US09256125B2 |
Acid generators and photoresists comprising same
Acid generator compounds are provided that comprise an oxo-1,3-dioxolane moiety and/or an oxo-1,3-dioxane moiety. The acid generators are particularly useful as a photoresist composition component. |
| US09256123B2 |
Method of making an extreme ultraviolet pellicle
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an EUV pellicle having an pellicle film connected to a pellicle frame without a supportive mesh, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a cleaving plane within a substrate at a position parallel to a top surface of the substrate. A pellicle frame is attached to the top surface of the substrate. The substrate is cleaved along the cleaving plane to form a pellicle film comprising a thinned substrate coupled to the pellicle frame. Prior to cleaving the substrate, the substrate is operated upon to reduce structural damage to the top surface of substrate during formation of the cleaving plane and/or during cleaving the substrate. Reducing structural damage to the top surface of the substrate improves the durability of the thinned substrate and removes a need for a support structure for the pellicle film. |
| US09256122B2 |
Mask blank, transfer mask, method of manufacturing a transfer mask, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A mask blank for use in the manufacture of a binary mask adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light has, on a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film for forming a transfer pattern. The light-shielding film has a laminated structure of a lower layer and an upper layer and has an optical density of 2.8 or more for exposure light and a thickness of 45 nm or less. The lower layer is made of a material in which the total content of a transition metal and silicon is 90 at % or more, and has a thickness of 30 nm or more. The upper layer has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 6 nm or less. The phase difference between exposure light transmitted through the light-shielding film and exposure light transmitted in air for a distance equal to the thickness of the light-shielding film is 30 degrees or less. |
| US09256119B2 |
Phase-shift blankmask and method for fabricating the same
Provided is a phase-shift blankmask in which a phase-shift layer is formed in at least two continuous layers or a multi-layer film and an uppermost phase-shift layer included in the phase-shift layer is thinly formed to contain a small amount of oxygen (O) so as to enhance chemical resistance and durability thereof.Accordingly, a phase-shift blankmask including the phase-shift layer having enhanced chemical resistance and durability with respect to a cleaning solution containing acid and basic materials, hot deionized water, or ozone water, which is used in a cleaning process that is repeatedly performed during manufacture of a photomask, may be provided using the uppermost phase-shift layer having the enhanced chemical resistance and durability.Furthermore, degradation in the refractive index and degree of phase shift of the phase-shift layer, caused when the cleaning process is repeatedly performed may be prevented due to the uppermost phase-shift layer having the enhanced chemical resistance and durability. Accordingly, a phase-shift blankmask including a thin phase-shift layer can be provided. |
| US09256117B2 |
Panoramic imaging systems comprising rotatable mirrors for image stabilization
Panoramic imaging systems including rotatable mirrors are provided. A panoramic imaging system includes a rotatable platform, an imaging device mounted to the rotatable platform, and a mirror rotatably mounted to the rotatable platform. The mirror is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device. The mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the mirror and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, and an axis of rotation of the mirror is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the mirror is in an initial position. |
| US09256115B1 |
Dual sided lens array using clear beads
A projection screen includes a transparent substrate having a first side and a second side, a first optically clear adhesive (“OCA”) layer disposed across the first side of the transparent substrate, a first two-dimensional (“2D”) matrix of clear beads partially embedded into the first OCA layer, and a dark layer disposed across the first OCA layer filling in exposed gaps between the clear beads to block and absorb light incident upon the exposed gaps between the clear beads. The clear beads form optical paths through the dark layer. |
| US09256114B2 |
Supercontinuum generation system
A supercontinuum generation system comprises a noise-like pulse fiber laser structure, an amplification unit and a broadening medium. The noise-like pulse fiber laser structure generates at lease one noise-like pulse of the wavelength less than 1300 nm. The amplification unit includes a gain fiber with which the noise-like pulse is coupled. The broadening medium is coupled with the gain fiber. A supercontinuum is generated when the noise-like pulse is amplified by the amplification unit and broadened in spectrum by the broadening medium. |
| US09256113B2 |
Plasmonic modulator and optical apparatus including the same
A plasmonic modulator and an optical apparatus including the same are provided. The plasmonic modulator includes a first metal layer, and a second metal layer facing the first metal layer. The plasmonic modulator further includes a refractive index varying layer disposed between the first and second metal layers and including a varying refractive index, and an insulating nitride layer disposed between the refractive index varying layer and the first metal layer. |
| US09256112B2 |
Electronic paper and method for manufacturing the same
Electronic paper whose coloring rate in a pixel is improved by preventing color mixing between pixels and a method for manufacturing the electronic paper are provided. Electronic paper in which an electrophoretic material layer 4, an optically transparent electrode layer 5, an ink fixing layer 7, and a color filter layer 8 created by printing pixel ink by an inkjet method are stacked on an electrode substrate in this order, wherein a repellent component, for example, a monomer containing fluorine or a polymer containing fluorine, or more specifically aliphatic polycarbonate containing fluorine is added to the pixel ink. |
| US09256106B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The common electrode includes a first cross-shaped cutout overlapping the pixel electrode, and a second cutout parallel to an edge of the pixel electrode, the second cutout being separated from the edge of the pixel electrode. |
| US09256105B2 |
Bended liquid crystal display and its manufacturing method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a bended liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method and apparatus therefore. The method comprises: preparing an array substrate and a color filter substrate with flat glass sheets having different thermal expansion coefficients; applying adhesive sealant at edges of surfaces of the array substrate and/or the color filter substrate; heating the array substrate and the color filter substrate, and binding the expanded array substrate and color filter substrate together, to form an assembled substrate; and cooling the assembled substrate and forming a bended assembled substrate having a degree of curvature. The bended liquid crystal display has a better stability, and has no variation in its degree of curvature over service time. |
| US09256103B2 |
Liquid crystal display including liquid crystal with different pretilt angles and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes first and second substrates, first and second alignment layers, and a liquid crystal layer between the alignment layers and including liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules on a surface of the first alignment layer have a first pretilt angle in a direction which is vertical with respect to a horizontal plane surface parallel to the first substrate, and a first alignment angle in a direction which is horizontal with respect to a horizontal line parallel to the horizontal plane surface. The liquid crystal molecules on a surface of the second alignment layer have a second pretilt angle in the direction which is vertical with respect to the horizontal plane surface and different from the first pretilt angle, and a second alignment angle in the direction which is horizontal with respect to the horizontal line and different from the first alignment angle. |
| US09256098B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and color filter substrate thereof
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal panel and a color filter substrate thereof. By providing at least one separation line perpendicular to a scan direction of horizontal source signals, a transparent conductive layer of the color filter substrate is divided into a plurality of transparent conductive layer sections, each of which is not connected with the others. When a horizontal crosstalk (H-crosstalk) phenomenon is generated, an adjacent horizontal area is not influenced, so that it can lower the H-crosstalk phenomenon of the liquid crystal panel, so as to increase the display quality of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US09256097B2 |
Display apparatuses
A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate overlapping the first substrate, an image display part disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a black matrix disposed on the second substrate. The display apparatus further includes a floating electrode overlapping the black matrix and being electrically floating. The display apparatus further includes first-type touch lines extending in a first direction, arranged along a second direction, electrically insulated from each other, and including a primary first-type touch line. The primary first-type touch line overlaps and is insulated from the floating electrode. The display apparatus further includes second-type touch lines extending in the second direction, arranged along the first direction, electrically insulated from each other, and including a primary second-type touch line. The primary second-type touch line overlaps and is insulated from the floating electrode. |
| US09256090B2 |
Display device, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and light shielding layer. The first substrate is a plate-like member and is provided with a switching element for each of pixels arranged in a matrix and a wiring coupled to the switching element. The second substrate is a plate-like member facing the first substrate and having a smaller thickness than the thickness of the first substrate. The second substrate has an outer edge that faces a portion of the first substrate to which the wiring is not led out and that is positioned inside an outer edge of the first substrate when viewed from a direction orthogonal to a substrate surface of the first substrate. |
| US09256089B2 |
Object-detecting backlight unit
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing an object-detecting backlight unit for a display device. An object-detecting backlight unit includes two or more light sources configured to provide light to a display to form an image, and a light sensor configured to receive reflected light when an object is near the display and determine that the reflected light originated from a region of the display. The reflected light is caused by light from the image reflecting off of the object back towards the display. The backlight unit is configured to detect a position of the object based on the region of the display from which the reflected light originated. |
| US09256083B2 |
Multi-focal lens
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a multifocal ophthalmic lens having a first region having first focal properties, and a second region having second focal properties and including a progressive region. The second region may further include, for example, a portion that is a reading region. The second region has two side edges and there are first and second transition regions between the first region and the side edges of the second region. The transition regions each have a width that is less than a selected width. This gives the lens designer more freedom to provide a wider second region without extending into lower left and lower right regions of the lens. |
| US09256074B2 |
Liquid crystal optical element and stereoscopic image display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element includes first and second substrate units, a liquid crystal layer, and spacers. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate and first electrodes. The first substrate has a first major surface. The first electrodes are provided on the first major surface, extend along a first direction, and have a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate and an opposing electrode. The second substrate has a second major surface opposed to the first major surface. The opposing electrode is provided on the second major surface. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. The spacers are in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A diameter of each spacer is larger than the first width. |
| US09256072B2 |
Wearable electronic glasses that detect movement of a real object copies movement of a virtual object
A method detects a real object with a wearable electronic device and displays a virtual image of the real object with the real object on a display of the wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device displays movement of the virtual image of the real object to show a task to be completed and detects a completion of the task. |
| US09256071B1 |
User interface
Methods and apparatus for controlling one or more devices using a computing device, such as a wearable computing device, are disclosed. Using a sensor associated with a wearable computing device, one or more inputs are generated at the wearable computing device. As one example, the sensor can be an image capture device, and the inputs can be one or more images from a point of view of a person associated with the computing device. As another example, the sensor can be a motion sensor, and the input can be locations and/or orientations, and a gaze direction can be determined. The computing device can determine an object of interest based on the inputs. A control signal can be generated for the object of interest. The control signal can be transmitted from the computing device. |
| US09256070B2 |
Image display device and program
An image display device includes a transparent plate which may be disposed in an inclined manner with respect to a display section of a portable terminal provided with the display section. A display displayed on the display section may be reflected on the transparent plate. A space behind the transparent plate may be viewed through the transparent plate and, at the same time, an image on the display section of the portable terminal may also be viewed while being reflected on the transparent plate. |
| US09256066B2 |
Laser beam irradiance control systems
Irradiance control systems (“ICSs”) that control the irradiance of a beam of light are disclosed. ICSs include in a beam translator and a beam launch. The beam translator translates the beam substantially perpendicular to the propagating direction of the beam with a desired displacement so that the beam launch can remove a portion of the translated beam and the beam can be output with a desired irradiance. The beam launch attenuates the irradiance of the beam based on the amount by which the beam is translated. ISCs can be incorporated into fluorescent microscopy instruments to provide high-speed, fine-tune control over the irradiance of excitation beams. |
| US09256065B1 |
System and method for compensating thermal dependent loss in variable optical attenuators
A system having a MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) that has an improved optical shutter for regulating the optical power of an optical signal by partially intercepting incident light beams and a negative temperature coefficient component that is electrical connected in series with a voltage source that drives the MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) is disclosed. |
| US09256064B1 |
Angled orientation of sub-pixels in an electrowetting display
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for improving resolution of black and white images displayed by a display of an image display apparatus, for example an EWD. An electrowetting display device comprising a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel comprises a substrate, an electrode layer on the substrate, and a hydrophobic layer on the electrode layer. A first fluid is disposed on the hydrophobic layer and a second fluid is disposed on the first fluid. The second fluid is immiscible with the first fluid. The plurality of sub-pixels is arranged in an angled relationship with respect to horizontal and vertical borders of the electrowetting display device. |
| US09256062B2 |
Electrowetting display apparatus and dye composition for electrowetting display
The electrowetting display apparatus includes a display unit including: a first substrate at least one surface of which is electroconductive; a second substrate disposed to face the electroconductive surface of the first substrate; a hydrophobic insulation film disposed on the electroconductive surface side of the first substrate; a non-electroconductive oil which is provided between the hydrophobic insulation film and second substrate movably on the hydrophobic insulation film and includes a non-polar solvent and an azamethine-based colorant containing two colorant mother nuclei bonded via a linking group represented by ═N—; and an electroconductive hydrophilic liquid provided between the hydrophobic insulation film and second substrate to contact the oil; in which an image is displayed by applying a voltage between the hydrophilic liquid and the electroconductive surface of first substrate and changing the shape of interface between the oil and hydrophilic liquid. |
| US09256059B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging optical device, and digital appliance
A zoom lens system having a negative first lens group and a positive second lens group, from an object side, and achieving zooming by varying a group-to-group distance. The second lens group includes a three-element cemented lens which is a set of three lens elements cemented together including, from the object side, a negative first lens, a positive second lens, and a negative third lens, and the three-element cemented lens fulfills conditional formulas 0.08<(rs2+rs1)/(rs2−rs1)<0.5, 27 |
| US09256054B2 |
Image lens assembly and image capturing device
An image lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface, wherein both of the surfaces of the fifth lens element are aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point, and both of the surfaces of the sixth lens element are aspheric. The image lens assembly has a total of six lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09256050B2 |
Lens barrel assembly and photographing apparatus including the same
A lens barrel assembly includes: a lens barrel that is rotatable about an optical axis and is movable in a direction along the optical axis; a moving plate that is combined with the lens barrel so that the moving plate is rotated together with the lens barrel and is movable with respect to the lens barrel in the direction along the optical axis; a power transmission unit that is installed on the moving plate and transmits an outside rotation force to the lens barrel via the moving plate; and a stopper that is disposed on a path on which the moving plate moves in the direction along the optical axis and that limits a movement of the moving plate in the direction along the optical axis in a partial section of the path on which the lens barrel is moved. |
| US09256045B2 |
Open loop cooling system and method for downhole tools
A downhole tool (100) including an open loop cooling system (110) having a pressurized container (120) disposed within a tool string, and has a refrigerant (122). The cooling system further includes a tank (150) in fluid communication with the pressurized container (120), and a heat exchanger (160) associated with tank (150), where the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant (122) and a downhole payload (164). The cooling system further includes a low pressure apparatus that creates a low pressure region proximate the pressurized container. The low pressure apparatus can include a venturi (180). The venturi has a drilling mud passage (188) therethrough, and drilling mud flowing through a convergence (186) creates a low pressure adjacent the tank (150). |
| US09256037B2 |
Variable optical attenuator
In one embodiment, a variable optical attenuator includes a core configured to propagate optical data signals and a cladding surrounding at least part of the core and comprising a first cladding portion and a second cladding portion. An attenuating spacer between the first cladding portion and the second cladding portion is formed from a smart material. The smart material is configured to apply a force to at least one of the first cladding portion and the second cladding portion in response to an external stimulus. The smart material may be a piezoelectric material and the external stimulus may be an electrical current. |
| US09256034B2 |
Optical connector having high coupling precision
An optical connector includes a first optical-electric coupling element, a second optical-electric coupling element, and a fixing device. The first optical-electric coupling element defines a first cavity and a second cavity. The second cavity includes two opposite first sidewalls. Each first sidewall defines a locating cutout. The second optical-electric coupling element is received in the second cavity, and defines a third cavity. The third cavity includes two opposite second sidewalls. Each second sidewall defines a through hole. The fixing device includes two elastic deformable portions conforming the two through holes, and a number receiving holes each for receiving a optical fiber. The fixing device is received in the through holes, with the elastic deformable portion resisting against an internal sidewall of the locating cutout, to firmly lock the second optical-electric coupling element into the second cavity of the first optical-electric coupling element. |
| US09256033B2 |
Cylindrical optical ferrule alignment apparatus
An alignment sleeve for an optical fiber adapter includes features to bring precision alignment between optical fiber cores. The sleeve includes a tubular inner area to accept first and second ferrule ends of first and second connectors. First and second tabs project from first and second ends of the sleeve. The first and second tabs slide into holes in the ferrule holders or barrels of the first and second connectors, so as to provide rotational alignment of the first and second ferrules, which may be presenting multi-core optical fibers. A mid-portion of the sleeve may include geometrical features to enable a snap fit of the sleeve into a housing of the adapter. More than one tab may be employed at the ends of the sleeve, and the tabs may have defined spacing and/or dimensions to enable security keying, only permitting coupling between connectors possessing matching holes in the ferrule barrels. |
| US09256032B2 |
Global link connector system
A connector mating system that can enable the coupling and decoupling of electrical or optical communications channels, while in a deep, sub-oceanic, sea-floor environments, during which time the contacting interfaces of the said channels remain fully protected from the destructive effects of the said environment. The system features a Wet-Mate Connector (WMC) that provides a means for electrical, optical and hybrid interconnection within an extremely hostile environments. |
| US09256028B2 |
Dispersion-corrected arrayed waveguide grating
Techniques are described for forming an arrayed waveguide grating. In one example, an arrayed waveguide grating comprises a waveguide array coupled to the output of a parallel mode converter and a concave reflective diffraction grating coupled to the output of the waveguide array, wherein the waveguide array comprises a first waveguide and a second waveguide, wherein the first waveguide of the waveguide array has a different length from the second waveguide of the waveguide array. The waveguide array has a first dispersion having a first sign and a first magnitude, wherein the concave reflective diffraction grating has a second dispersion having a second sign and a second magnitude, wherein the second sign is opposite the first sign. |
| US09256024B2 |
Backlight module
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane (2) and a light guide plate (4), a backlight source (6), a mounting bracket (8), a quantum dot rail (10), and a heat isolation member (12) mounted in the backplane (2). The quantum dot rail (10) is fixedly mounted, via the mounting bracket (8), between the light guide plate (4) and the backlight source (6). The mounting bracket (8) is made of an aluminum material. The heat isolation member (12) is arranged between the quantum dot rail (10) and the mounting bracket (8). The present invention uses a mounting bracket made of an aluminum material to fix a backlight source for enhancing the effect of heat dissipation and also to fix the quantum dot rail for ensuring a desired effect of fixing and reducing cost. Further, a heat isolation member is arranged between the quantum dot rail and the mounting bracket to prevent the quantum dot rail from being affected by the heat emitting from the backlight source thereby guaranteeing the life span of the backlight module. |
| US09256018B2 |
Stimulated emission luminescent light-guide solar concentrators
A solar concentrator comprising: A luminescent layer having luminescent particles capable of becoming excited by absorbing solar light of a first absorption frequency and, once excited, being capable of being stimulated to emit luminescent light at a first emission frequency. A light source for generating a pump light of the first emission frequency for stimulating the excited luminescent particles having absorbed solar light such that when the pump light traveling in a direction of travel stimulates the luminescent particles having absorbed solar light at the first absorption frequency the luminescent particles emit luminescent light at the first emission frequency in the direction of travel of the pump light, intensifying the pump light. A light guide adjacent to and optically coupled with the luminescent layer, the light-guide for assisting in guiding the intensified pump light via total internal reflection to a light collection area. |
| US09256016B2 |
Cellulose ester films, polarizing plates and liquid crystal displays equipped therewith
The cellulose ester film contains a cellulose ester(s) having substitution(s) by an acyl group(s) having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, or an acyl group(s) having 2 carbon atoms and an acyl group(s) having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, the cellulose ester having a total degree of substitution with the acyl group(s) of not less than 1.0 and less than 2.0 and sufficing a weight average molecular weight of not more than 150000; a sugar ester compound(s) having not less than one and not more than 12 sugar unit structures, the sugar unit structure being at least one of a pyranose structure or furanose structure, wherein an average percentage of substitution in the sugar unit structure is 35% to 75%; and the cellulose ester film having a film thickness of i0 to 35 μm. The cellulose ester film is used for polarizing plates and liquid crystal displays equipped. |
| US09256013B2 |
Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) multi-conjugate liquid crystal tunable filter
A SWIR hyperspectral imaging filter has serial stages along an optical signal path with angularly distributed birefringent retarders and polarizers. The retarders can include active retarders such as tunable liquid crystal birefringent elements, passive retarders such as fixed retarders, and/or combinations thereof. Distinctly different periodic transmission spectra are provided by different filter stages, each having multiple retarders, in particular with some stages having broad bandpass peaks at wide spectral spacing and other stages have very narrow closely spaced peaks. The respective spectra include at least one tunably selectable band at which the transmission spectra of the filter stages coincide, whereby the salutary narrow bandpass and wide spectral spacing ranges of different stages apply together, resulting in a high finesse wavelength filter suitable for spectral imaging. The filter may be configured to provide faster switching speed and increased angle of acceptance and may operate in the rage of approximately 850-1700 nm. |
| US09256003B2 |
Three-dimensional focusing induced polarization equipment for advanced geological prediction of water inrush disaster source in underground engineering
The invention discloses three-dimensional focusing induced polarization equipment for advance geological prediction of a water inrush disaster source in underground engineering, comprising a constant-current multiplex transmitter, an intelligent multichannel receiver, an automatic multi-electrode switch, an industrial personal computer, an observation electrode array and shielding electrodes, wherein electrodes in the observation electrode array are respectively used as a source electrode and observation electrodes; the industrial personal computer controls the constant-current multiplex transmitter to transmit currents of the same polarity to the shielding electrodes and the source electrode, so that the currents of the source electrodes are nearly directed straight ahead of a driving face under the action of the shielding electrodes; the observation electrodes are used for scanning data acquisition, and the data are fed back to the industrial personal computer through the intelligent multi-channel receiver; and the industrial personal computer controls the automatic multi-electrode switch to change the source electrode. |
| US09256002B2 |
Coupler/ coupling ring assembly, methods, and applications
A coupler for a cable includes a body portion having integral first and second ends and an integral gate having a key entry region, wherein the body portion has a free space at least partially enclosed by an inner surface of the body portion and the gate. A complimentary coupling ring includes an integral perimetal body having a head section, a foot section, and two arm sections therebetween, wherein at least one of the arm sections has a key region, wherein the key region consists of a solid, integral portion of the at least one arm section. A coupler/coupling ring assembly comprises a coupler and a coupling ring that is removeably engageable with the coupler. The coupler/coupling ring assembly is suited for interconnecting lengths of cable, particularly suited for, but not limited to, undersea applications such as attaching a seismic data recording device to the coupler via the coupling ring. |
| US09255998B2 |
Method of optimizing seismic vibrator output force
A method of controlling a seismic vehicle may include estimating at least one orientation parameter for the seismic vehicle and controlling at least one operating parameter in view of the estimated orientation parameter(s). In non-limiting arrangements, the control may relate to re-positioning the seismic vehicle, adjusting value of a hold-down force or target drive force, and/or updating a seismic data acquisition database. |
| US09255996B2 |
Radiation image acquisition device
A radiation image acquisition device includes: a radiation source which emits radiation; a wavelength conversion member which generates scintillation light according to incidence of the radiation emitted from the radiation source and transmitted by an object; first imaging means which condenses and images the scintillation light emitted from an entrance surface for the radiation in the wavelength conversion member; and second imaging means which condenses and images the scintillation light emitted from a surface opposite to the entrance surface in the wavelength conversion member, wherein one of the first imaging means and the second imaging means condenses the scintillation light emitted from the entrance surface or the opposite surface in a direction of a normal thereto, and wherein the other condenses the scintillation light emitted from the entrance surface or the opposite surface in a direction inclined with respect to a direction of a normal thereto. |
| US09255994B2 |
Multiphase code generator and GNSS receiver
A code generator, for providing a PRN sequence in a GNSS receiver, has the capability to store an internal status at any given point of the generated sequence. The stored status can be reloaded in the generator, upon an external command, or after a given number of generation cycles, thus slewing the phase of the generated PRN sequence to the value corresponding to the stored status. A parallel-correlation GNSS receiver includes one or more slewable code generators, for successively generating local replicas of GNSS PRN sequences, having different code phases, corresponding to a plurality of candidate signals of different code and Doppler shifts. Each time the code generator must switch from one candidate to a second, it is preemptively controlled or programmed, while generating the code for the first candidate, to store the internal status at the phase point almost aligned with the start of the PRN sequence for the second candidate. When the correlation engine switches from the first candidate to the second one, the stored status is loaded in the code generator, and the small misalignment between the code generator and the desired sequence is corrected, thus setting it at the needed point in phase space. The generator and receiver of the invention are well suited to the search of several GNSS signal in parallel, and require less memory than a table-based code generator. |
| US09255986B2 |
Method of locating an object in 3D
Methods and devices for calculating the position of a movable device are disclosed. The device may include multiple optical detectors (ODs) and the movable device may include light sources. Optics may be above the ODs. A controller may calculate the position of the light source based on data from the ODs and properties of the optics. The device may be a game console, and the light source may be a game controller. The roles of the OD and light sources may be interchanged. The rotation of the movable device may be determined using multiple light sources and/or multiple ODs on the movable device. The movable device may calculate its position and transmit it to a console. The light sources may be modulated by time or frequency to distinguish between the light sources. There may be two or more movable devices. There may be two or more consoles. |
| US09255985B2 |
Apparatus and method for identifying location information using visible light communication and GPS
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for identifying location information by using visible light communication and a GPS (Global Positioning System). The apparatus includes: a GPS signal processor for receiving a GPS signal, and identifying location information; a visible light signal processor for receiving a visible light signal, and identifying location information; a GPS/visible light selector for identifying strengths of signals provided by the GPS signal processor and the visible light signal processor, and controlling an operation of the GPS signal processor and an operation of the visible light signal processor; and a location information output unit for outputting the at least one location information provided by the GPS signal processor and the visible light signal processor. |
| US09255978B2 |
Magnetic assembly and method for defining a magnetic field for an imaging volume
Disclosed herein is a magnet assembly that includes at least two magnets arranged in a fixed spaced relationship with one another thereby to define a space between the magnets that encompasses an imaging volume. Each of the magnets produces a variety of magnetic field strengths across inward-facing surfaces thereof that, in combination, produce an acceptably homogeneous magnetic field in the imaging volume. Also disclosed is a method of defining a magnetic field for an imaging volume. The method comprises generating an initial model of a magnet assembly; estimating a magnetic field for the imaging volume based on the model; calculating deviation between the estimated magnetic field and a target magnetic field for the imaging volume; and updating the model to reduce the deviation by modifying the magnet assembly to produce a variety of magnetic field strengths that, in combination, produce substantially the target magnetic field in the imaging volume. |
| US09255976B2 |
Current detection device
In a current detection device for detecting current in a busbar, a reduction in device size may be realized by employing a small magnetic core. The prevention or reduction of excessive heat generation by the busbar, the facilitation of the attachment task, and a reduction in the amount of space required for the attachment task may also be realized. The folded-back busbar is U-shaped with a bar-shaped penetration portion that passes through a hole portion of a magnetic core, two bar-shaped extension portions, and two flat plate-shaped penetration portions. The width of each terminal portion is larger than the widths of the penetration portion and the extension portions. An insulating casing supports the magnetic core, a Hall element, and the folded-back busbar in a fixed positional relationship, with the two terminal portions being exposed to the outside. |
| US09255974B2 |
Method for characterizing an electric battery
A determination of particular parameters for modeling a battery such as a lithium-ion battery, for example the charge transfer resistance and the double layer behavior at the surface of electrical connections, by extrapolating results obtained in a stationary mode, for example without charge or discharge current, to quick charge or discharge modes, where traditional measurements are too slow, since the parameters vary as a function of the charge or discharge state. |
| US09255970B2 |
On-line monitoring of stator insulation in motors and generators
Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of the stator insulation of an AC motor or an electric generator. In certain embodiments, the system includes a transformer surrounding each pair of input and output cables associated with a given phase of power provided to the AC motor or generated by the electric generator. In another embodiment, a transformer surrounds the three input cables (for an AC motor) or the three output cables (for an electric generator) that correspond to phases of the AC motor or electric generator. In both embodiments, the transformers generate voltages that may be used to monitor leakage currents associated with the cables. A microcontroller monitors the voltages generated by the transformers and determines the condition of the stator insulation of the AC motor or the electric generator based on the voltages. |
| US09255967B2 |
System and method for measuring an integrated circuit age
A system and method are provided for measuring an integrated circuit age. A first clock generator is provided for generating a first clock signal and a second clock generator is provided for generating a second clock signal. Further, a phase detector in communication with the first clock generator and the second clock generator is provided for receiving the first clock signal from the first clock generator and the second clock signal from the second clock generator, and outputting a phase difference signal that is capable of being used as a measure of an integrated circuit age. Still yet, a circuit in communication with the phase detector and the first clock generator is provided for receiving the first clock signal from the first clock generator and the phase difference signal from the phase detector and for synchronizing the phase difference signal from the phase detector with the first clock signal from the first clock generator. |
| US09255966B2 |
Receiver circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit, and test method
A receiver circuit includes a CDR circuit, a jitter generator unit, a test pattern generator unit, and a comparator unit. The jitter generator unit generates jitter having first characteristics (frequency and amplitude). The test pattern generator unit generates a test pattern to which the jitter is added, and supplies the test pattern to the CDR circuit. The comparator unit compares a value outputted from the CDR circuit with an expected value and outputs a comparison result. |
| US09255962B2 |
Determining intra-die variation of an integrated circuit
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus and method to determine the intra-chip variation of an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a test macro that includes two or more test structures; wherein each test structure includes identical copies of the same performance monitor; wherein each performance monitor has a unique bounding circuitry that encompasses the performance monitor; and wherein the two or more test structures are positioned close enough to each other as to reduce systematic across chip variation between the two or more test structures. |
| US09255959B2 |
Test apparatus for semiconductor package
A test apparatus for a semiconductor package comprising an X-ray analyzer acquiring an X-ray image of the semiconductor package and detecting a thickness of the semiconductor package from the X-ray image, and a thermal reaction analyzer applying a voltage to the semiconductor package and detecting a failure position of the semiconductor package using a surface temperature of the semiconductor package and the thickness of the semiconductor package may be provided. |
| US09255954B2 |
Method and apparatus for phase identification in a three-phase power distribution network using servers
A remote phase identification system identifies the unknown phase attribute of any energized conductor within a three-phase power distribution network. A base station at a reference location obtains a reference phase each GPS second and stores it on one or more servers. A field probe at a remote location obtains an instantaneous phase measurement at a GPS second and communicates this phase to a field client. The field client communicates with the server either by wireless Internet or satellite modem to compare its field location phase measurement with the reference location phase measurement taken at the same GPS second. Field client tagging reference phase configuration files are automatically created for any circuit. Configuration files can be named, saved, and loaded and are used by the field client to identify and display the unknown field location phase attribute. A field client can be any personal computer, smartphone, or personal digital assistant. |
| US09255950B2 |
Method and arrangement for frequency determination
In a method for determining a frequency of an input signal, a first count value is determined by counting clock edges of a reference clock signal while the input signal corresponds to a first level value. Further, a second count value is determined by counting clock edges of the reference clock signal while the input signal corresponds to a second level value. The frequency of the input signal is determined as a function of the first and the second count value. |
| US09255949B2 |
Local transformer level grid management systems and methods
At least one exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head that comprises one or more metering points, the meter head operable to connect and disconnect service on each one of a plurality of electricity consumer lines, and the meter head operable to measure electricity usage for each of the plurality of electricity consumer lines; and (b) a housing containing the meter head and a distribution transformer. In another aspect, an apparatus comprising a meter head is operable, in response to an interruption in flow of electricity being received from a distribution transformer, to actuate corresponding relays to disconnect service on one or more of the electricity consumer lines. In another aspect, an apparatus comprising a meter head is in communication with one or more sensors operable to sense environmental conditions in a distribution transformer housing. |
| US09255947B2 |
Sensor circuit
A method of measuring signals related to a photodiode based sensor and calculating a corrected data value thereof is disclosed. A nominal reset voltage value of the photodiode may be measured. A knee point voltage may be applied to the photodiode and resets a voltage on the photodiode to the knee point voltage when the voltage on the photodiode falls below the knee point voltage. Applying the knee point voltage may extend the dynamic range of the sensor. An output voltage of the photodiode at end of an integration time of the photodiode may be measured. The knee point voltage may be applied again after the end of the integration time. A voltage value of the photodiode of the knee point voltage may be measured. The nominal reset voltage value, the output voltage of a sensor and the knee point voltage may be reported to calculate the corrected data value. |
| US09255936B2 |
Sample storage cassette for ultra-low or cryogenic temperatures
A storage cassette including a plurality of generally vertical compartments for storing sample tube racks and/or SBS formatted plates is constructed to be flexible along its substantially vertical axis thereby facilitating reliable robotic placement and retrieval of the cassette from nesting tubes located within a horizontal freezer compartment. Insulated walls and solid shelves minimize heat transfer from storage racks or plates placed in the storage cassette when the cassette is removed from an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer. The outer walls of the cassette includes mechanical indexing locations to ensure appropriate positioning when robotically removing storage racks or plates from the cassette. |
| US09255933B2 |
Imaging beta-amyloid peptides and inhibition of beta-amyloid peptide aggregation
The present invention is in the field of pharmaceuticals and chemical industries. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for labeling, imaging and detecting the beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, oligomers, and fibrils in vitro by using carbazole-based fluorophores. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of reducing and preventing aggregation of beta-amyloid peptides for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as of treating and/or preventing Alzheimer's disease by using carbazole-based fluorophores. |
| US09255928B2 |
Method for the characterization of intermolecular interactions
The invention relates to a method for identifying in a sample molecules with the capacity to bind to the different members of a molecule library, wherein the molecules which are in the sample are fractionated based on a physicochemical property of the sample and subsequently transferred from the support in which said molecules have been separated to a second support in which the different members of the molecule library are grouped into microarrays such that they uniformly coat the surface of the support. This technique is especially interesting for the identification in a sample of glycoproteins with affinity for a lectin library as well as for the identification of compounds capable of modulating the glycosylation of proteins and for the rapid characterization of alterations in the glycosylation pattern of a sample of proteins, which can be useful in the diagnosis of diseases in which there are alterations in cell glycosylation. |
| US09255927B2 |
Methods of developing a prognosis for pancreatic cancer and predicting responsiveness to cancer therapeutics
Methods of predicting responsiveness of a cancer in a subject to a cancer therapy including a VEGF targeting agent are provided herein. The methods include detecting the expression level of at least one biomarker selected from ANG-2, SDF-1 and VEGF-D in a sample from the subject and using the expression levels to determine whether the VEGF targeting agent will be effective to treat the cancer in the subject. The predictions may be used to develop treatment plans for the subjects. Methods of developing a prognosis for a subject with pancreatic cancer are also provided. These methods include determining the expression level of IGFBP-1, PDGF-AA and at least one of IL-6 or CRP in a sample from a subject with pancreatic cancer. |
| US09255925B2 |
ELISA detection of urine DEK to predict and diagnose bladder cancer in humans
The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a DEK protein in a human urine sample using an ELISA assay. Methods and compositions for detection of DEK using mAb 260-6F9F6 (as detection antibody) and mAb 16-2C9C3 (as capture antibody) in human urine are provided herein. Specifically, the ELISA assay utilizes a capture mAb and a detection mAb to yield a high sensitivity of <50 ng/mL. The presence of DEK in urine is useful in predicting or diagnosing the occurrence of bladder cancer in humans. |
| US09255924B2 |
Exosomes and diagnostic biomarkers
The invention provides methods for the detection of M. tuberculosis proteins in or on exosomes derived from infected individuals. The methods can use a proteomic approach including mass spectroscopy, data mining and multiplex reaction monitoring to quickly examine a large amount of M. tuberculosis proteins to determine the best biomarkers for use in diagnostic tests to identify active TB patients. |
| US09255921B2 |
Diagnostic system and diagnosing method, housing component of a lubricant container
Diagnostic system including a sensor device with a sensor for generating signals corresponding to a first operational condition, a control device with a timer and function for performance of measurements, and a signal transmission device. The system includes a device for determination of a second operational condition of the system component and configured where the sensor value of the signal transmission device corresponding to the first operational condition is furnished when the sensor value corresponding to a second operational condition of the transmission mechanism is higher or lower than a comparative value, and housing component of a lubricant container and a closure device for sealing an opening of the housing component from a lubricant present in the operational use thereof in an internal space thereof, having arranged therein: at least one sensor device including at least one sensor for determining the water content in the lubricant. |
| US09255920B1 |
Wireless sensor
Disclosed is a sensor for detecting a target material. The sensor includes a ferromagnetic metal and a molecular recognition reagent coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The molecular recognition reagent is operable to expand upon exposure to vapor or liquid from the target material such that the molecular recognition reagent changes a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal. The target material is detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the changes in the tensile stress. |
| US09255918B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining gaseous hydrogen concentrations in a mechanical vacuum pump gas stream of a BWR
An apparatus adapted to measure gaseous hydrogen concentrations in a mechanical vacuum pump (MVP) gas stream includes connection ports adapted to allow the apparatus to be connected to an MVP system and allow a gas stream sample to be taken from the MVP gas stream. The apparatus further includes a hydrogen concentration analyzer to measure H2 concentrations of the gas stream sample taken from the MVP gas stream. |
| US09255917B2 |
Analyzer calibrating system and exhaust gas analyzing system
An analyzer calibrating system intended to reduce calibration time and a consumption amount of calibration gas in the case of concurrently calibrating a plurality of analyzers and includes: a calibration gas line for concurrently supplying the same calibration gas to a plurality of analyzers; and a control unit adapted to determine whether or not an output value of each of the plurality of analyzers supplied with the same calibration gas is stable. The control unit calibrates the analyzer having the output value determined to be stable and stops the supply of the calibration gas to the analyzer having completed with the calibration. |
| US09255910B2 |
System and method for performing ultrasonic pipeline wall property measurements
Pipeline wall thickness is measured as a function of position using ultrasound propagation. A series of predictive models is used, which define predictions of the ultrasound response signals as a function of different sets of parameters. The different sets that are determine of position dependent ultrasound speed at different sound frequencies and different spatial resolution. Successive iterative fitting process are executed, each fitting a combination of values of a successive set of parameters to the detected ultrasound response signals according to a respective model, using the values fitted values from the previous fitting process to initialize the next set of parameters for iterative fitting. At least the first model defines predictions of wave vector values as a function of circumferential position in successive rings around the pipe as sums of wave vector value for a plurality of circumferential positions in a preceding one of the rings multiplied by propagation coefficients, using propagation coefficients that depend on a first set of parameters. |
| US09255908B2 |
Tightness measuring apparatus and measuring method
According to a method by a frequency analysis of tap tones at the time when a tightness of a ripple member fixed by an elastic force has been tapped by a hammer or a method of detecting a response at the time when the ripple member has been vibrated, an enough precision cannot be obtained for a tightness estimation. A tapping force is applied to a plurality of positions on the member surface, thereby allowing a plurality of tap tones to be generated. Feature amounts are obtained from the plurality of tap tones. An average feature amount is obtained by averaging the feature amounts. The tightness of the ripple member is estimated from the average feature amount by using a correlation between the tightness of the ripple member and the average feature amount. |
| US09255904B2 |
Step-change sensor for pumped and unpumped operation
A sensor device for sensing at least a proportion of at least one gas component of a gas in a measurement gas space, in particular for detecting oxygen in an exhaust gas of a combustion machine, is proposed. The sensor device includes at least one sensor element. The sensor element includes at least one first electrode and at least one first reference electrode and at least one second reference electrode. The second reference electrode is connected to at least one reference gas channel. The first electrode is connected to the first reference electrode and the second reference electrode by at least one respective solid electrolyte. The sensor element has at least one diffusion element between the first reference electrode and the reference gas channel. |
| US09255903B2 |
Methods of producing an electrochemical sensor for determining an analyte concentration
The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor for the determination of a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, in particular a body tissue and/or a body fluid, to an apparatus that includes the electrochemical sensor, and to a use of the electrochemical sensor, and finally to a method for producing it. The electrochemical sensor has an isolation element and at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes comprise at least one working electrode and at least one further electrode, in particular at least one counter electrode and/or at least one reference electrode. The at least two electrodes run parallel to one another and form an electrochemical measuring cell of the electrochemical sensor. |
| US09255897B1 |
Compact scanner apparatus
The present invention provides a compact scanner apparatus having a tunnel with a conveyor passing therethrough. A scanning beam, e.g. an X-ray beam, is mounted in the tunnel to view an object being moved on the conveyor. Upper and lower isolation device curtains are mounted at the tunnel entry. Either a single curtain or multiple curtains are mounted at the exit of the tunnel. The lower curtains are opposed pairs hinged to pivot as the object passes through. The upper curtains may be hinged pairs or a single swinging curtain hanging down from a support bar. Alternate embodiments provide bi-directional hinged curtains or multiple tiers of hinged curtains. |
| US09255892B2 |
Substrate, a method of measuring a property, an inspection apparatus and a lithographic apparatus
A second set of superimposed gratings are superposed over a first set of superimposed gratings. The second set of gratings have a different periodicity from the first set of gratings or a different orientation. Consequently the first order diffraction pattern from the second set of superimposed gratings can be distinguished from the first order diffraction pattern from the first set of superimposed gratings. |
| US09255891B2 |
Inspection beam shaping for improved detection sensitivity
Methods and systems for reshaping the beam intensity distribution of an illumination light supplied to a specimen under inspection are presented. A scanning surface inspection system includes a beam shaping element that flattens the beam intensity distribution of a beam of light generated by an illumination source. The reshaped illumination light is directed to the wafer surface over an illumination spot. With a flattened beam intensity distribution, the incident beam power can be increased without the beam intensity exceeding the damage threshold of the wafer at any particular location. In addition, the illumination spot is shaped by the beam shaping element to have a variable beam width in a direction parallel to the inspection track. The location of a defect within an inspection area having a variable beam width is estimated based on an analysis of the output of the detector. |
| US09255889B2 |
Method for monitoring quality of yarn by electronic yarn cleaner and detector for carrying out the method
A method and sensor are provided for monitoring the quality of yarn by an electronic cleaner of yarn by means of an optical detector having a sensor with one or two rows of individual optical elements that are rectangular-shaped and have analog outputs. Each of the optical elements has a photodiode and an amplifier of its output signal. The amplifier has a variable amplification, whose size is modified according to the required sensitivity of a respective optical element to light. |
| US09255880B2 |
Apparatus and method for evaluating power transmission conductors
An apparatus and method for evaluating power transmission conductors is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to evaluate a charged power transmission conductor at a distance and includes a telescope assembly configured to transmit light to the conductor and receive a reflected light, in response to the transmitted light, from the conductor. The apparatus further includes control electronics configured to analyze the reflected light and determine a ratio based on two pre-determined frequencies, wherein the ratio is correlated with levels of iron oxide corrosion to confirm the presence of oxides that have leached through strands of the conductor. |
| US09255878B2 |
Measurement of nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil based on absorption spectroscopy
The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum. |
| US09255877B2 |
Metrology system optimization for parameter tracking
Methods and systems for evaluating the capability of a measurement system to track measurement parameters through a given process window are presented herein. Performance evaluations include random perturbations, systematic perturbations, or both to effectively characterize the impact of model errors, metrology system imperfections, and calibration errors, among others. In some examples, metrology target parameters are predetermined as part of a Design of Experiments (DOE). Estimated values of the metrology target parameters are compared to the known DOE parameter values to determine the tracking capability of the particular measurement. In some examples, the measurement model is parameterized by principal components to reduce the number of degrees of freedom of the measurement model. In addition, exemplary methods and systems for optimizing the measurement capability of semiconductor metrology systems for metrology applications subject to process variations are presented. |
| US09255873B2 |
Sensor controller
A sensor controller for a particulate matter detection sensor includes a signal output circuit connected to the particulate matter detection sensor such that a sensor detection value is changeable in a predetermined output range by the signal output circuit, a heater configured to heat an attachment portion so as to burn and remove particulate matter attached to the attachment portion, a learning portion for calculating a sensor standard value in a state where the resistance between a pair of opposed electrodes is reduced based on an obtained sensor detection value and for storing the sensor standard value as a learning value, and a correcting portion for correcting the sensor detection value based on the sensor standard value stored by the learning portion. |
| US09255867B2 |
Wire-pull test location identification on a wire of a microelectronic package
A mechanism is provided for identifying a wire-pull test location on a wire of a microelectronic package. A first distance between a first terminating location of the wire on the microelectronic package and a second terminating location of the wire on the microelectronic package is determined. Based on the first distance, a second distance from either the first terminating location or the second terminating location is determined as the wire-pull test location for testing a strength of a connection of the wire to at least one of the first terminating location or the second terminating location. An adjustment is performed such that a visual guide is oriented on the wire at the wire-pull test location. |
| US09255862B2 |
Gasoline blend spot sampling system and method
A gasoline blend spot sampling system and method including an adjustable volume mechanism for retaining an adjustable volume of gasoline for sampling, a coolant system integrated with the adjustable volume mechanism, and a sample collection assembly using a blunt-end tube for use with an open-mouthed bottle. Various three-way valves are actuated to route gasoline through various stages of a sampling process, from a gasoline fast loop to a purge loop to a gasoline capture stage to a sample bottling stage. |
| US09255861B2 |
Method of measuring optical loss and apparatus for measuring optical loss
The invention is to provide an optical loss measuring method and an optical loss measuring apparatus capable of efficiently measuring an optical loss occurring to a target for measurement. The other optical loss measurement method comprising the steps of inputting light outputted from a light source to a target for measurement to thereby measure an output level of the target for measurement with the use of an optical power meter, maintaining the output level of the light source at a predetermined fixed value, and finding the optical loss occurring to the target for measurement on the basis of the output level of the light source maintained at the fixed value for use as the reference value. |
| US09255857B2 |
Torque detecting device and electric power steering system
A torque detecting device includes a permanent magnet; a first magnetic yoke; a second magnetic yoke; two magnetic elements; a terminal; a case; and an external housing. The two magnetic elements are electrically connected to the terminal. The case accommodates the two magnetic elements and the terminal. The external housing accommodates the permanent magnet, the first magnetic yoke, and the second magnetic yoke, covers an outer side surface of the case, and is formed integrally with the case. |
| US09255854B2 |
Torque sensor
A torque sensor includes an output shaft, and a stator holder into which the output shaft is inserted and coupled. A second coupling piece is connected to the stator holder and configured to come in contact with an outer surface of the output shaft. A through-hole is formed in the second coupling piece in a circumferential direction, and a second hog ring is disposed in the through-hole to contract the second coupling piece in a central direction. |
| US09255848B2 |
Probe thermometer
A probe thermometer comprises a main body, a probe, a self-tapping thread, a temperature sensing unit and a display unit. The interior of the main body has a circuit board. The probe includes a measuring end and a coupling end which couples the main body. The self-tapping thread is formed on the measuring end. The temperature sensing unit is disposed within the probe and the temperature sensing unit is electrically connected to the circuit board. The display unit is disposed on the main body. The display unit, the temperature sensing unit and the circuit board are electrically connected. Thereby, the probe thermometer of the instant disclosure is convenient and effectively reduces cost. |
| US09255847B1 |
Thermo-optical array devices and methods of processing thermo-optical array devices
Thermo-optical array devices and methods of processing thermo-optical array devices are disclosed. One method of processing thermo-optical array devices includes forming a (001) oriented titanium dioxide material on a bolometer material, and forming a vanadium dioxide material on the (001) oriented titanium dioxide material. One thermo-optical array device includes a bolometer material, a titanium dioxide material on the bolometer material, and a vanadium dioxide material on the titanium dioxide material, wherein the vanadium dioxide material has an optical transition temperature of less than 67 degrees Celsius. |
| US09255844B2 |
System and method for optical measurement of a target at multiple positions
The invention relates to a system and a method for optical measurement of a target, wherein the target is illuminated, either actively illuminated, reflecting ambient light, or self illuminating, and a measurement radiation beam received from the target or through it is detected. The measurement system has optical fibers for guiding radiation from/to target positions. Radiation of several target positions is simultaneously filtered by a Fabry-Perot interferometer and detected by a row detector, for example. |
| US09255843B2 |
Porous SERS analytical devices and methods of detecting a target analyte
A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analytical device includes a substrate having a porous structure, and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles embedding in the porous structure and forming a sensing region. A method of detecting a target analyte in a sample includes contacting the sample with the substrate, whereby the target analyte, if present in the sample, is concentrated in the sensing matrix. The substrate may then be analyzed using SERS detection equipment. |
| US09255839B2 |
Detector of single microwave photons propagating in a guide
The present invention introduces a detector that is able to detect single microwave photons propagating in a waveguide. The waveguide of the invention is lowered to a temperature where it becomes superconductive. Disposed between a middle wire and a ground plane of the waveguide is a very small piece of a desired normal metal, whereby so-called SN contacts are formed between these materials. A separate reflection measurement circuit is coupled to the normal metal piece. When the impedance of the waveguide is matched to the impedance of the normal metal piece as well as possible, a photon propagating in the waveguide is most likely absorbed in the normal metal. The absorption slightly raises the temperature of the piece, which further changes the impedance observed in a so-called SIN junction between the reflection measurement circuit and the piece. The changed amplitude and phase are detectable at the outlet obtained from a mixer of the reflection measurement circuit, whereby a single absorbed photon can be detected. In principle, the present method and device enable quantum calculation in view of future applications. |
| US09255838B2 |
System for measuring light intensity distribution
A system for measuring intensity distribution of light includes a carbon nanotube array and an imaging element. The carbon nanotube array is placed in an environment of inert gas or a vacuum environment. The carbon nanotube array absorbs photons of a light source and radiates radiation light. The imaging element is used to image the radiation light. The carbon nanotube array is between the light source and the imaging element. |
| US09255834B2 |
System and method for detecting objects in a fluid system
A system is provided in one embodiment for real-time detection of an object in a fluid without interfering with fluid flow. The system may include a sensor element coupled to a fluid passage, which can transmit energy substantially parallel to the flow direction of a fluid in the fluid passage and receive energy reflected from an incident object in the fluid. Reflected energy can also be analyzed as a function of object size and material such that an object can be classified or characterized through appropriate signal analysis. A method is provided in another embodiment for detecting an object in a fluid passage. The method may include transmitting ultrasonic energy through an interface membrane into the fluid and receiving ultrasonic energy reflected from the object. A pressure change in the reflected ultrasonic energy may be measured and converted to a signal for an output device. |
| US09255833B2 |
Fan vibration testing apparatus
According to an example, a fan vibration testing apparatus includes a beam. The fan vibration testing apparatus further includes a fan mounting head disposed at a first location on the beam and including a cut-out, and a rod including first and second opposite rod ends. The rod may be attached at the first rod end to the fan mounting head, and the second rod end may be exposed to retain a fan within the cut-out. |
| US09255827B2 |
Computer based fluid flow velocity estimation from concentrations of a reacting constituent for products and services
A method for estimating a fluid flow velocity may include receiving, with a processing device, a plurality of observations corresponding to a concentration of a constituent of a flowing fluid mixture, and computing a final estimate of an average velocity of the flowing fluid mixture based at least in part on the observations, wherein the constituent is undergoing a chemical reaction and the computing implements a reactive transport model. |
| US09255817B2 |
Rotation-angle detection device, image processing apparatus, and rotation-angle detection method
A rotation-angle detection device includes: an amplitude adjustment unit that performs correction to match amplitude values of multiple detection signals output from multiple rotation detection units to output corrected signals, the rotation detection units changing outputs in accordance with a rotation angle of a rotor and being provided such that the rotation detection units output the detection signals having different phases; a vector generation unit that performs addition and subtraction on two signals out of the corrected signals to generate two vector component signals that are perpendicular to each other; an amplitude correction unit that performs correction to match amplitudes of the two vector component signals to output corrected vector component signals; and a rotation-angle searching unit that searches for the rotation angle of the rotor on basis of a vector that is represented by the two corrected vector component signals to output a detection angle. |
| US09255814B2 |
Systems and methods for transitioning between pedometer modes
Systems and methods are provided that allow steps to be counted in multiple pedometer modes. For example, a pedometer application on an electronic device can count steps in an ambient mode of operation and a session mode of operation. By maintaining separate counters for each pedometer mode and continuously monitoring the desired mode of operation, the pedometer application can accurately count the number of steps during a certain time period. In response to detecting a change in the desired mode, the pedometer application can seamlessly switch to the corresponding mode counter. In some embodiments, the pedometer application can display graphical representations of historical step information for one or more pedometer modes. |
| US09255812B2 |
Navigation system and navigation method
There is provided a navigation system having a guidance-controller, the guidance-controller controlling the sequence of guidances, and priority, according to an execution condition set depending on the type of a relevant guidance, while determining whether or not a guidance is executed according to the execution condition to thereby alter the teaching of guidance-execution. If overlapping by plural guidances using speech, and screen display occurs, the simple display of the guidance lower in priority is executed, and if the guidance falls outside an effective range, the guidance is interrupted, or the guidance during standby-display is not executed. Thereby, plural guidances are concurrently displayed, and a meaningless guidance is not displayed. |
| US09255811B2 |
Visual guidance system
A visual guidance system is presented. The system includes a vehicle with an implement connected thereto. The vehicle has a windshield through which the operator looks while steering the vehicle. A guidance image is displayed in the operator's sight path and provides a point of reference for the operator that indicates the outer most position of the implement. The position of this guidance image is calculated by a control system and the image is displayed by a display unit. As the operator steers the vehicle, the operator positions the guidance image at the border of the field or road. This allows the user to precisely control the vehicle and the implement in a convenient and efficient manner. |
| US09255810B2 |
Vehicle contents inventory system interface
A vehicle inventory interface system may include a user interface configured to present a plurality of vehicle icons each representing a vehicle in a fleet, present at least one list icon associated with each vehicle icon, receive a selection of one of the list icons, and display, in response to the selection, an inventory list associated with the selected list icon and indicating whether items specified by the inventory list are present within the vehicle. |
| US09255806B2 |
Method for visualizing a position of a vehicle navigating a pipe
A method for visualizing a position of a vehicle configured for navigating a pipe within the pipe on a display device wherein the visualization on the display device is at least partially performed based on a virtual representation and the pipe is graphically represented at least in sections and preferably in a form of lines defining its enveloping surfaces on the display device, wherein the vehicle and preferably its movement is also represented on the display device thus within the pipe. |
| US09255803B2 |
Devices, program products and computer implemented methods for touchless metrology having virtual zero-velocity and position update
Embodiments of a metrology device and a computer-implemented method generate survey data without touching the subsea objects being surveyed. The metrology device can include an inertial navigation system (INS) outputting position and orientation data of the metrology device; an aiding device positioned at a known distance and orientation with respect to the INS for collecting image data of the subsea objects; and a computer having one or more computer programs that use the image data to calculate measured velocity of the metrology device at first and second subsea objects to perform virtual zero velocity updates, and uses an apparent difference in the position of the first subsea object measured prior and subsequent to measuring the second subsea object to perform virtual position update. |
| US09255799B2 |
Determining and correcting error of positional vector-valued sensors using a fixed angle calibration process
Systems and methods described herein relate to the correction of positional vector-valued sensors using a variety of calibration processes including fixed-angle calibration, known-angle calibration, ortho-calibration and 3-axis gimbal calibration further including various weighting schemes to provide fine-tuned functions or interpolated data which may be used for real-time sensor correction calculation or to populate a look-up table of corrected values. |
| US09255785B2 |
Method and device for high resolution full field interference microscopy
A device for three-dimensional imaging by full-field interferential microscopy of a volumic and scattering sample includes an imaging interferometer of variable magnification, allowing for the acquisition of at least one first and one second interferometric images resulting from the interference of a reference wave obtained by reflection of the incident wave on a reference mirror and an object wave obtained by backscattering of the incident wave by a slice of the sample at a given depth of the sample. The invention also relates to a processing unit that processes the interferometric images, a unit for axially displacing the interferometer relative to the sample for the acquisition of tomographic images for slices at different depths of the sample, and a unit for varying the magnification of the imaging interferometer for the acquisition of interferometric images of a slice for different magnification values. |
| US09255783B2 |
Sensor arrangement for capturing a torque
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (2) for capturing a torque acting on a shaft (14), wherein the sensor arrangement (2) comprises a sensor unit (4) with a sleeve (34), on which at least one sliding element and at least one first sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields are arranged, and a magnetic-flux unit (6) with two magnetic flux-conducting rings (28, 30), wherein the at least one sliding element is arranged between the magnetic flux-conducting rings (28, 30), wherein the sensor unit and the magnetic-flux unit (6) are rotated relative to one another during a rotation of the shaft (14), and wherein the at least one sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields captures a magnetic flux conducted by the rings (28, 30). |
| US09255781B2 |
Method and system for determining proximity of an object
A first sensor detects whether an object is within a first region that surrounds the first sensor. A second sensor detects whether the object is within a second region that surrounds the second sensor. The first and second sensors are omnidirectional capacitive electrodes. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is not within the first region, a device determines that the object is not proximate to a particular side of the first and second sensors. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is within the first region, and the second sensor detecting that the object is within the second region, the device determines that the object is not proximate to the particular side. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is within the first region, yet the second sensor detecting that the object is not within the second region, the device determines that the object is proximate to the particular side. |
| US09255779B2 |
Wireless taper gauge and method of using same
A taper gauge that includes an elongate taper assembly that has a tip section and an electronics section that includes a location determining element that collects data related to a measurement area when the tip section is inserted in the measurement area and a power source. An embodiment allows for increased precision, accuracy, and speed for wireless measurement of gaps. A method and system that uses the taper gauge. |
| US09255773B1 |
Target holder
A target holder comprising a frame including a vertical frame assembly and a horizontal frame assembly connected to a bottom portion of the vertical frame assembly. The target holder includes a supply roll assembly disposed along a top portion of the vertical frame assembly, a motor support disposed on the vertical frame assembly below the supply roll assembly and a motor having a rotatable drive shaft, the motor fastened to the motor support assembly. The target holder includes a take-up roll assembly rotatingly engaged with the drive shaft and target roll rotatingly disposed on the supply roll assembly, the target roll including a plurality of targets. The target holder may include a motor control circuit for controlling the operation of the motor, remote receiver in communication with the motor control circuit and a remote transmitter for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver. |
| US09255771B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets. |
| US09255769B2 |
Apparatus and method for powering and networking a rail of a firearm
A method, apparatus and system for networking and powering accessories to a firearm or weapon wherein the accessories are conductively powered from the rail via at least one pin having a tungsten carbide surface and data is transferred between the accessories and the rail via conductive coupling using the at least one pin. In one embodiment, a weapon is provided, the weapon having: an upper receiver; a lower receiver, the upper receiver being removably mounted to the lower receiver; a powered accessory removably mounted to a rail of the upper receiver; and an apparatus for conductively networking a microcontroller of the powered accessory to a microcontroller of the upper receiver and a microcontroller of the lower receiver. |
| US09255765B2 |
Spear gun safety device
A spear gun safety device for shielding at least one spike of a spear is provided. The safety device may include a tube assembly having a firing end and an opposing handle end, forming a barrel through the length of the tube assembly, wherein the barrel is dimensioned and adapted to house the spear, including the at least one spike, but not including a perpendicularly joined band post. The tube assembly provides an elongated notch extending from the firing end toward the handle end, wherein the elongated notch is configured to guide the band post protruding therethrough. The tube assembly provides a pair of band connectors disposed near the firing end, each band connector straddling opposing sides of the elongate notch, whereby tension bands extend from the band connectors to the band post. |
| US09255764B2 |
Crossbow
A crossbow includes a bowstring for firing an arrow combined therewith in the lengthwise direction of the crossbow body so as to be manufactured in a structure that does not have a bow on the crossbow body. Thus, carrying convenience can be provided, and at the same time, the maximum effective range of the crossbow can be adjusted by adjusting the tension of the bowstring. |
| US09255763B2 |
Leveling devices and methods for use in tuning and installing accessories on archery bows
Leveling devices and methods are provided for use in tuning and installing accessories on archery bows such as compound bows. For example, devices and methods are provided for leveling bow risers and arrow rest components of archery bows to enable proper accessory installation and tuning of archery bows. |
| US09255761B2 |
Rope locking device
A rope locking device which cooperates with the yoke on an archery wrist strap is used to lock a rope which connects an archery release with the wrist strap. The locking device includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a contoured outer surface. At one end of the body portion is a head portion containing a pair of openings for receiving the rope. The rope passes through the openings and along the contoured outer surface of the locking device body portion. When the locking device is wedged into an opening in the yoke, the rope is cinched between the locking device and the yoke to lock the rope in place. |
| US09255759B1 |
Compound bow draw weight adjuster operable at full draw and loft adjusting release and trolley arm
A compound bow draw weight adjuster permitting the draw weight to be adjusted with the bowstring at full draw. A toggle arm is pivotally mounted to the bow's riser. A limb deflector is positioned on the riser at the loading end segment of each limb. Each limb deflector has a cam cap spaced from the loading end segment of the limb, a cam interposed between the cam cap and the loading end segment, a fastener extending through the cam cap and through the loading end segment of the limb and anchored in the riser and a cam extension lever fixed to the cam for rotating the cam. A first cam link is connected between the toggle arm and a first one of the cam extension levers for rotating its cam. A second cam link is connected between the toggle arm and a second one of the cam extension levers for rotating its cam. |
| US09255756B1 |
Multifunctional crossbow
The present invention is directed to a crossbow operable for shooting missiles. The crossbow comprises: (a) a left-side bowhead and a right-side bowhead; (b) a left-side bow limb and a right-side bow limb; (c) a cam wheel affixed to the anterior end and the posterior end of each of the left-side and right-side bowheads and the left-side and right-side bow limbs; (d) a left-side bowhead string and a right-side bowhead string; (e) a connecting string; (f) a retention base affixed to the connecting string; and (h) a tiller capable of cocking and firing the crossbow. |
| US09255755B1 |
Crossbow arrow retainer
An arrow retainer for a crossbow including a projection extending from a hood of the crossbow to retain an arrow on a stock of the crossbow. A plurality of projections may be affixed to a retainer insert that is detachably disposed within a receptacle in the hood of the crossbow. Alternatively, the retainer insert may be detachably disposed within a recess of a housing that is detachably connected to the hood of the crossbow. A spring may bias the projection toward the stock. The projection may be formed of bristles or of a circumferential surface of a wheel member. |
| US09255754B1 |
Crossbow lock mechanism
An improved crossbow lock mechanism includes a trigger housing, a seer lever, a seer lock lever, a latch and a trigger. The seer lever includes an anti-dryfiring projection and a latch projection. The seer lever pivots relative to the trigger housing. The latch includes an arrow shaft yoke and a seer notch. The latch pivots relative to trigger housing. The seer notch engages the latch projection. The seer lock lever includes a latch finger and an impact finger. The latch finger is sized to capture the anti-dryfiring projection. A bow string is pulled back, until the seer notch of the latch is locked behind the latch projection. A nock of an arrow shaft is inserted over the bow string. The trigger lever is pulled, which causes the trigger linkage to push the latch projection downward and allow the latch to release the bow string. |
| US09255751B1 |
Bipod firearm support
A bipod includes a mount body, a clutch assembly, a clamp member, a side plate assembly including spaced side plates and legs. The mount body is suitable for mounting to a firearm. The clutch assembly is rotatably mounted to the mount body and is divided into lower and upper portions which define side plate slots suitable for receiving the side plates of the side plate assembly. The clamp member is common to the mount body and the clutch assembly. The clamp member can be tightened to fix the side plate assembly relative to the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly relative to the mount body or can be loosened to allow the side plate assembly to slide through the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly to rotate relative to the mount body. The bipod is supported by the legs which extend downwardly from opposite ends of the side plate assembly. |
| US09255744B2 |
Coated membranes for enthalpy exchange and other applications
Coated membranes comprise a porous desiccant-loaded polymer substrate that is coated on one surface with a thin layer of water permeable polymer. Such membranes are particularly suitable for use in enthalpy exchangers and other applications involving exchange of moisture and optionally heat between gas streams with little or no mixing of the gas streams through the membrane. Such membranes have favorable heat and humidity transfer properties, have suitable mechanical properties, are resistant to the crossover of gases when the membranes are either wet or dry, and are generally low cost. |
| US09255740B2 |
Heat exchanger with heat accumulator
A plate (20) for a heat transfer tube (4) made from a metal sheet includes a peripheral outer wall (10) and having at least one first cavity (24) and least one second cavity (26) respectively formed in the metal sheet. The first cavity (24) is in contact with the peripheral outer wall (10) and the second cavity (26) is arranged at a distance from the outer wall (10). A heat transfer tube (4) of a heat exchanger (1) includes a pair of such plates (20) and a heat exchanger (1) includes a plurality of such tubes (4). |
| US09255739B2 |
Cooling tower with indirect heat exchanger
A heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section. The indirect evaporative heat exchange section includes a series of serpentine tubes, and an evaporative liquid is passed downwardly onto the indirect heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again across the indirect heat exchange section. An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section including a series of serpentine tubes with run sections and return bend sections of both normal and increased height. A secondary spray system or a direct heat exchange section may be provided in the vertical spacing between run section formed by the increased height return bends. |
| US09255738B2 |
Method and apparatus for heating a sheet-like product
A method and apparatus for heating a sheet-like material to a predetermined temperature profile along the length and across the width of the material. The sheet-like material is transported within a furnace relative to at least one burner holder above or below, or above and below, the material. Each burner holder includes a number of direct flame impingement burners located side-by-side in a row. The burners are directed toward the sheet-like material, and the individual burners in each burner holder are oriented and controlled so that heat output from the burners provides the predetermined temperature profile within the sheet-like material. |
| US09255736B2 |
Vertical-type heat treatment apparatus
A heat treatment apparatus and control method enabling the apparatus to settle down an internal temperature of a treating vessel to a target temperature accurately and quickly. The heat treatment apparatus includes a furnace body with a heater on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the treating vessel disposed inside the furnace body, a cooling medium supply blower and cooling medium release blower each connected to the furnace body, and a temperature sensor provided inside the treating vessel. A signal from the temperature sensor is sent to a heater output computing unit and blower output computing unit included in a controller. The heater output computing unit determines a heater output level based on a heater output numerical model and the signal from the temperature sensor. The blower output computing unit determines a blower output level based on a blower output numerical model and the signal from the temperature sensor. |
| US09255729B2 |
Apparatus and method for accessing refrigerated items
A rotatable shelf for use in a refrigerator that may include a support bracket configured to support a turntable but is not required. A bearing ring may be disposed between the support bracket and the turntable, wherein the bearing ring is configured to facilitate the rotation of the turntable relative to the support bracket. The support bracket may further be configured to be installed into an interior space of a refrigerator such that the rotatable shelf assembly is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. A user may then place items onto the turntable and manually or automatically rotate the turntable to access the items. Sensors may be configured to receive user input. |
| US09255728B2 |
Refrigerator with temperature control
An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. |
| US09255726B2 |
Support mechanism for thermal receivers in the solar trough systems
A solar trough system of the invention comprises at least one trough-shaped reflector surface (1) directing beams coming from the sun to the focal axis (F); at least one thermal receiver (2) disposed at the focal axis (F) and extending along the reflector (1). Furthermore, the system comprises at least one first arm (L1) and a second arm (L2), one end of each of which are connected to two fixed points (P1, P2) with swivel joint; at least one third arm (L3) which is connected to the other ends of these two arms (L, L2) from two points (P3, P4) with swivel joint wherein the thermal receiver (2) is connected with swivel joint to a linear movement point (E1) on the third arm (L3) which moves with rotation of the first and second arms (L1, L2). |
| US09255724B2 |
System for supporting an evaporable getter or vacuum gauge
System for supporting an evaporable getter, which can be installed in any type of solar power receiving tube and which is mounted using an automated method. The system consists of a clip-type supporting element having a substantially thin profile and an S-shaped base, the upper part thereof including a ring in which the pellet of evaporable getter is housed. The pellet is supported by the pins of the supporting element, dispensing with the need for an additional contact part in order to secure the pellet. The clip is secured to the bellows-type expansion compensator, such that it remains inside the vacuum zone of the solar power receiving tube. |
| US09255723B2 |
Device for converting heat into electrical power
A device for converting heat into electrical power. The device comprises a base made of a heat conducting material. The base has a substantially flat bottom surface for being placed onto a flat outside surface of a heat source. At least a thermoelectric generator element is disposed onto a top surface of the base such that a high temperature surface of the thermoelectric generator element is in thermal contact with the top surface of the base. A heat sink structure is in thermal contact with a low temperature surface of the at least a thermoelectric generator element. Electrical circuitry is connected to the at least a thermoelectric generator element for receiving the electrical power therefrom. At least an electrical output port is connected to the electrical circuitry for providing the electrical power. |
| US09255718B1 |
Add a vent window system
A small window has upper, lower, forward and rearward edges. A support assembly includes tubular upper and lower cylindrical sections. The upper cylindrical section is removably positioned within an upper slot. The lower cylindrical section is removably positioned within a lower slot. |
| US09255714B2 |
Cookery air purification and exhaust system
An air filtration and exhaust system is described. The system comprises a microcontroller, a power supply, and a series of sensors that detect the presence of airborne contaminants such as ultra fine particles, smoke, natural gas and radon gas. In the presence of these airborne contaminants, the system is designed to inactivate and prevent operation of nearby food preparation appliances. Once these contaminants have been safely removed, the operation of these appliances is restored. In addition, the ventilation system may be equipped with a purification subassembly, which safely and efficiently removes such containments from the area. The system may also comprise an alarm that is activatable in the presence of these contaminants. |
| US09255707B2 |
Illuminated water bottle cage
An illuminated water bottle cage includes a cage forming a receiving space for a water bottle and including a bottom and a backing extending from a top edge of the bottom. The backing includes two barriers on two respective lateral sides thereof. The bottom, the backing, and the two barriers delimit the receiving space. An illuminating device engages with the cage and includes an illuminating member. The illuminating member in use projects light rays in a direction toward the receiving space. |
| US09255706B2 |
Self-defense flashlight
A self-defense device that includes a flashlight with a weapon end, tissue-abrading and tissue-collecting features, and with or without a writing instrument. |
| US09255703B2 |
Light pipe heat sink element
An assembly for use with a heat producing electronic device is disclosed. The assembly may include a heat sink in thermally conductive contact with a shell containing the electronic device, and a light pipe having a first thermal conductivity and configured to transmit light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to a front side of the heat sink. The light pipe may include at least a portion having a thermally conductive layer with a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity. The thermally conductive layer may cover at least a portion of an outer surface of the light pipe, and be positioned between, and in thermally conductive contact with a portion of the heat sink protrusions. The thermally conductive layer may be designed to conduct and radiate heat away from at least a portion of the heat sink protrusions. |
| US09255702B2 |
LED lighting module for vehicle headlight
A light emitting diode (LED) lightning module is disclosed. The LED lighting module includes a heat sink, a circuit board, a carrier, semiconductor chips such as LEDs arranged on an upper surface of the carrier, and at least one holding device pressing a lower surface of the substrate against an upper surface of the heat sink. The semiconductor chips are electrically connected to the carrier. The carrier is electrically connected to the circuit board. |
| US09255701B2 |
Lighting device, and lighting system
A lighting device (100) has a support structure having lighting elements (422) arranged thereon. The support structure has an internal cooling duct having a duct wall. At least a part of duct wall is in thermal contact with the lighting elements. The cooling duct is configured to allow a natural air flow absorbing heat generated by the lighting elements from the duct wall. The cooling duct extends through the support structure from a first opening having a first cross-sectional area to a second opening having a second cross-sectional area. The cooling duct contains a filler body (412) having a substantially bi-conical shape. The filler body and the duct wall form a cooling duct portion with a third cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area and/or the second cross-sectional area. The lighting device is part of a lighting system. The system comprises a control unit (700) coupled to the lighting device. |
| US09255699B2 |
Motion sensing dock lighting systems
Motion sensing dock lighting systems are disclosed. An example lighting system for use at a loading dock where a material handling device is used to load or unload a vehicle parked at the loading dock includes a motion sensing system to be spaced apart from the material handling device. The motion sensing system is to provide an operation signal in response to the material handling device undergoing a change in travel direction within the vehicle. The example lighting system also includes a lamp to be operatively connected in signal communication with the motion sensing system so as to receive the operation signal from the motion sensing system. The lamp is to have a first illuminating mode and a second illuminating mode, and the lamp is to switch between the first illuminating mode and the second illuminating mode in response to the operation signal. |
| US09255698B2 |
Mounting device for lighting sources
A device for mounting planar lighting sources having a light emitting surface on a substrate includes a frame provided with fixing formations for fixing the frame on the substrate with the planar lighting source sandwiched between the frame and the substrate. The frame has an opening to surround the light emitting surface of said lighting source and is provided with elastic formations to elastically urge the lighting source toward the substrate. The fixing formations include at least one resilient formation to resiliently urge the frame toward the substrate. |
| US09255690B2 |
Luminaire for indoor horticulture
A reflector hood for a luminaire having a lamp in an upper portion thereof and first and second air flow ducts formed in first and second opposite sides of said reflector hood for ventilation. First and second secondary reflecting panels are respectively disposed within the hood over and spaced a predetermined distance from each first and second air flow duct such that light emitted by the lamp is reflected from said reflecting panels instead of passing through the first and second air flow ducts. |
| US09255688B2 |
Oscillating interface for light mixing lenses
In some aspects, an optic is disclosed that includes a light input interface having a rippled surface that can mix the light incident thereon as the light propagates within the optic from the rippled surface to a peripheral surface of the optic, which is configured to redirect the light incident thereon to an output surface through which the light exits the optic. |
| US09255685B2 |
Luminaire with prismatic optic
A luminaire with a prismatic optic permits the nearly uniform distribution of light about the luminaire. The prismatic optic permits the use of directional light sources, such as light emitting diodes, while maintaining the uniform light distribution. Furthermore, a concave shape of the optic further enables uniform light distribution. When light emitting diodes are used, the luminaire further includes a heat sink to maintain a desirable operational temperature without negatively affecting the light distribution properties of the luminaire. |
| US09255684B2 |
Motor vehicle component with mounting clip
A motor vehicle component is provided, in particular turn signal lamp, having a clip for mounting to edges of motor vehicle supports, in particular fenders, having different wall thicknesses, wherein the clip has a first mounting face, which is provided for mounting to an edge having a first wall thickness, and a second mounting face, which is stepped with respect to this, which is provided for mounting to an edge having a second wall thickness that is different. |
| US09255683B2 |
Light module of a lighting device of a motor vehicle
A light module of a lighting device comprises one passing-light sub-module for production of a dimmed-light distribution below a horizontal “light/dark” boundary, one high-beam sub-module for production of a light distribution above the boundary, a common projection-lens system for production of an overall light distribution, and one element deflecting a course of light beams of the sub-module(s) before it falls on the system. To realize the smallest system and a reduction of non-homogeneities in the overall light distribution in a region of the boundary, a majority of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on a common segment of the system as a majority of the light beams of the passing-light sub-module, a smaller portion of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on another segment of the system, and the system exhibits a deflector that deflects at least a portion of the light beams falling on the other segment downward. |
| US09255682B2 |
Laser lamp system for a vehicle
A lamp system includes a laser source and a reflecting plate for reflecting light generated from the laser source. The laser source includes a laser diode, a light splitter for splitting light generated from the laser diode into a plurality of beams, a phosphor layer for changing color of the beams transmitted from the light splitter, and a diffusing layer for diffusing the beams transmitted from the light splitter, to thereby form a surface light source. The lamp system is configured to be used in a vehicle. |
| US09255677B2 |
Multi-tiered lighting system
The present disclosure relates to a multi-tiered lighting system that has a pole and at least two light sources. A first light source is mounted to the pole at a first height, and a second light source is mounted to the pole at a second height that is substantially different than the first height. The first light source is configured to project a first beam of light that primarily lights up a first portion of a target coverage area, and the second light source is configured to project a beam of light that primarily lights up a second portion of the target coverage area, which is different from the first target coverage area. The first beam of light may spill onto the second target area, and the second beam of light may spill onto the first target area. |
| US09255674B2 |
Method of manufacturing a light emitting diode lighting assembly
A method of manufacturing a light emitting diode lighting assembly that includes producing a heat sink and securing a platform assembly having a plurality of light emitting diode dies on a single plane. A bulb is formed by securing a first lens section made of a first material to a second lens section made of a second material such that only the bulb determines the lamp type of the light emitting diode lighting assembly. |
| US09255672B2 |
High luminance solid state light source
A solid-state light source includes laser diodes that emit a laser beam with a first wavelength, a rotatable support that is arranged in a beam path of the laser beam and a reflector that is arranged between the laser diodes and the rotatable support. The rotatable support is formed of a ring or of an optically transparent disc. Further, the rotatable support is mounted to be rotatable around a rotation axis such that the laser beam impinges on a ring-shaped area of the rotatable support during rotation. Segments of the ring-shaped area include wavelength converting material that emits radiation of a second wavelength upon impingement of the laser beam. The rotatable support is mounted in a bearing that is arranged distant from the rotation axis to allow unhindered passage of the radiation directed by the reflector to the emission direction. |
| US09255671B2 |
Multi-wavelength-emitting lens to reduce blending of light over long distances
A lamp for safety signalling is disclosed. The lamp uses quantum dot phosphors to down-convert light from a primary light source and provide red or green light. |
| US09255668B2 |
Base, round tube housing and lamp including base and round tube housing
A base configured to carry a light emitting body and to be inserted into a round tube housing, may include: a rectangular portion configured to carry the light emitting body on a first surface of the rectangular portion; and first and second fixing portions configured to extend from first and second long edges of the rectangular portion respectively in a space that a second surface of the rectangular portion faces, such that when the base is inserted into the round tube housing, at least a part of each of the first and second fixing portions presses against the inner wall of the round tube housing, and a first part close to the first long edge and a second part close to the second long edge in the first surface of the rectangular portion press against first and second protrusions on the inner wall of the round tube housing respectively. |
| US09255664B2 |
Cryogenic fuel system with auxiliary power provided by boil-off gas
A system in one embodiment includes a detection unit, a boil-off auxiliary power unit, and a controller. The detection unit is configured to detect a characteristic of a boil-off gas stream from a cryotank configured to hold a cryogenic fluid. The boil-off auxiliary power unit is configured to receive the boil-off gas stream and use the boil-off gas stream to provide auxiliary power to a vehicle system. The controller is configured to acquire information from the detection unit corresponding to the characteristic; determine, using the information acquired from the detection unit, an available boil-off auxiliary energy that is available from the boil-off auxiliary power unit; determine a mode of operation of the vehicle system; determine a required auxiliary energy for the vehicle system; and to operate the auxiliary power unit based on the available boil-off auxiliary energy, the mode of operation, and the required auxiliary energy. |
| US09255659B2 |
Light-weight device for loading solid particles
The invention relates to a light-weight device for loading solid particles into an enclosure including at least one pipe (18, 20) for the circulation of said solid particles and at least one movable element for controlling the fall velocity of the particles, which is designed to be slidably moved inside of said pipe (18, 20). The device further includes a plurality of identical guide plates (12a, 12b) connected to each other by attachment means. Said at least one pipe (18, 20) is made of a flexible material and each guide plate (12a, 12b) has at least one through opening for receiving and guiding said at least one pipe (18, 20) in a position in which the longitudinal axis of the pipe extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of each guide plate. |
| US09255658B2 |
Connection device
A connection device may include an insertion section having an annular outer groove. A housing may be configured to receive the insertion section and a blocking element may be configured to lock the insertion section in the housing. The blocking element may have a band-shaped core and a plurality of teeth arranged adjacent in the peripheral direction along the core. Each of the teeth may include an outer tooth section and an inner tooth section. A core profile may have a core principal direction determined by a maximum diameter. The teeth may have a tooth profile which has a tooth principal direction determined by an inner flank of the teeth lying radially on an interior of the outer tooth section and the core principal direction may be inclined with respect to the tooth principal direction. |
| US09255657B2 |
Pipe joint
A pipe joint includes a soft pipe, a hard pipe and a sleeve. The hard pipe includes an insert portion inserted into an inside of the soft pipe from an end portion of the soft pipe. The sleeve is arranged radially outside of the insert portion and the soft pipe, and presses the soft pipe toward the insert portion. The insert portion includes a corrugated surface, which is arranged on an outer surface of the insert portion, and a column surface, which is arranged on the outer surface at a tip side of the insert portion. The sleeve includes a first small diameter portion, which is arranged radially outside of the corrugated surface and presses the soft pipe toward the corrugated surface, and a second small diameter portion arranged radially outside of the column surface and presses the soft pipe toward the column surface. |
| US09255656B2 |
Fitting for a heat pump and method of installation
A fitting for a heat pump having at least one heat exchanger includes a first fitting element configured for connection with a tubing portion of the heat exchanger and a second fitting element removably connectable to the first fitting element and configured for connection with a tubing portion of the heat exchanger. A non-conductive element is disposed between at least a portion of the first fitting element and at least a portion of the second fitting element such that, when connected, the non-conducting element deforms between the first fitting element and the second fitting element to electrically isolate the second fitting element from the first fitting element. |
| US09255655B2 |
Fluid coupling assembly
A coupling for joining fluid conduits includes a nut portion having a circumferential groove that extends at least partially along an interior surface thereof. The nut portion further includes a tab opening extending therethrough. A cylindrical shaft portion extends from the nut portion. A retaining clip is disposed within the circumferential groove of the nut portion and includes a tab disposed within the tab opening. A first arc of the retaining clip extends from the tab in a first circumferential direction, and a second arc of the retaining clip extends from the tab in a second, opposing circumferential direction. The first arc includes a first knob and terminates in a second knob, and the second arc includes a third knob and terminates in a fourth knob. The second and fourth knobs are larger than the first and third knobs, respectively. |
| US09255653B2 |
Wrap bracket damper assembly
A wrap bracket assembly is provided for securing an elongated member. The assembly includes a bracket with a clamp extending from a base to wrap around the elongated member. The clamp defines an aperture, and includes side edges that extend around the elongated member. The assembly also includes a grommet forming a split tubular body that defines a substantially cylindrical cavity. The body has an axially extending opening through which the elongated member is inserted into the cavity. The body includes a pair of flanges, each of which engages one of the first and second side edges to nest the grommet within the clamp. A projection is provided that extends radially outward from the body and is received in the aperture to circumferentially align the grommet with the bracket. |
| US09255646B2 |
Excess flow shutoff valve
Excess flow shutoff valve comprising a valve body, a valve plug, a partition, and an activation component where the valve plug, the partition, and activation component are disposed within the valve body. A suitable flow restriction is provided to create a pressure difference between the upstream end of the valve plug and the downstream end of the valve plug when fluid flows through the valve body. The pressure difference exceeds a target pressure difference needed to activate the activation component when fluid flow through the valve body is higher than a desired rate, and thereby closes the valve. |
| US09255640B1 |
Park lock mechanism
A park lock having an actuator assembly for pivoting a pawl relative to a dog ring. The actuator assembly has a first linear actuator, a locking mechanism, a first biasing spring and a second linear actuator. The first linear actuator has a first output member that is movable along a movement axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively couple the first output member and a cam for common movement along the movement axis. The first biasing spring is configured to move the cam along the movement axis relative to the first output member when the locking mechanism decouples the cam from the first output member. The second linear actuator is configured to move the cam along the movement axis and against the first biasing spring when the cam is decoupled from the first output member. |
| US09255637B2 |
Electric oil pump control system and control method for automatic transmission
A control method of an electric oil pump for an automatic transmission that minimizes power loss by normally controlling driving of the electric oil pump when a start intention of a driver is detected after a power source is turned on is provided. The method includes driving an electric oil pump at ‘A’ RPM which is a maximum velocity when the power source is turned on. The driving of the electric oil pump is stopped when a set time t determined by the temperature of the automatic transmission oil has elapsed. The electric oil pump is driven at ‘A’ RPM for the time t, and thereafter, the electric oil pump is driven at ‘B’ RPM when a selection of a driving shift stage is detected. |
| US09255635B2 |
Fastening device on the underbody of a motor vehicle
A fastening device on an underbody of a motor vehicle is provided, via which a shifting device may be fastened to the underbody. The shifting device comprises a floor shift protruding into the vehicle interior and is covered by a central console, which may be fixedly connected to the underbody via at least one retaining element. A damping cap is provided, covering the shifting device and having a through-passage for the floor shift, and the retaining element may be fastened to the underbody by the interposition of the damping cap. |
| US09255631B2 |
Transmission of a control force
A control force transmission arrangement for an aircraft is provided. A transmission device has a first and a second force transmission point, and a coupling unit disposed between them. The coupling unit has a first and a second side element and a connecting element. The first and the second side elements are each connected to the first force transmission point and to the connecting element. At least the first side element has an element for altering the length of the side element. The second force transmission point is provided on the connecting element and is adjustable at least between a first and a second position. |
| US09255629B2 |
Transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
The present invention is installed with a unidirectional transmission device at the active side, so when a transmission belt is tightened while the active pulley driving a passive pulley in periodically varied speed ratios, an auxiliary pulley (312) is linked simultaneously so as to form a prestressed force for storing energy, when the force applied by the active pulley to the passive pulley through the transmission belt is zero or relatively smaller, the auxiliary pulley (312) is enabled to release energy for recovering so as to apply force to the transmission belt, because the transmission belt is coupled to the active pulley and/or one end of the active wheel shaft combined with the active pulley is restrained by the unidirectional transmission device, the transmission belt is enabled to link the passive pulley to operate in the original revolving direction for feeding back the kinetic energy. |
| US09255624B2 |
Bicycle chain
A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The first end portion, the second end portion and the first intermediate portion defines a first outer peripheral edge. The first outer peripheral edge comprises a first end edge, a second end edge, a pair of first intermediate edges, and a first recessed edge. The first end edge extends about the first end portion. The second end edge extends about the second end portion. The pair of first intermediate edges extends along the first intermediate portion between the first end edge and the second end edge. The first recessed edge is provided between the first end edge and one of the first intermediate edges. |
| US09255618B2 |
Internally ventilated motor vehicle brake disc made of fibre composite material
An internally ventilated motor vehicle brake disc which includes at least in parts of a fiber composite material, having two parallel friction surfaces on one or more friction rings with cooling channels, wherein the friction ring or rings are arranged on a brake disc hub in a non-rotating manner, and wherein the two friction surfaces include fiber composite material, a disc-shaped carrier for the friction surfaces is provided parallel to the friction surfaces, and wherein the carrier is connected to the brake disc hub as one piece. |
| US09255612B2 |
Overtorque release drive
A torque-release coupling can be remotely reset after an over-torque condition. A threshold torque may be adjusted while the coupling is running. A pressure of pressurized fluid adjusts a force required to release a detent mechanism that holds a torque transmitting member in engagement across an interface between moving parts. |
| US09255611B2 |
Constant velocity universal joint
A constant velocity universal joint smoothly operates under load and during speed rotation, and also suppresses heat generation and has enhanced durability. An offset in an axial direction between a center of curvature of each of track grooves and a center of curvature of an inner surface of an outer joint member, and an offset in the axial direction between a center of curvature of each of track grooves and a center of curvature of an outer surface of an inner joint member are each set to zero. The track grooves of the outer and inner joint members are each inclined with respect to an axial line. A circumferential length of each of pockets of a cage is set so that two pockets allow balls to be assembled therein at one time under a state in which the two pockets are exposed. |
| US09255610B2 |
Torque transmission device
A torque transmission device for a drive train of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. The device includes an input part and an output part having a common axis of rotation around which the input part and the output part are jointly rotatable relative to one another, and a spring damper arrangement that has at least one energy storage device. A friction device is effective between the input part and the output part and is arranged radially outside the at least one energy storage device, in order to provide a torque transmission device having a construction that is optimized with respect to the installation space. |
| US09255608B2 |
Linear guide apparatus
A linear guide apparatus is provided such that even if the length of an underseal is changed, the adhesion of the underlip and the side lip can be maintained and the lubricant leakage from the slider is preventable. In the linear guide apparatus, the underseal (10) includes a gap seal protrusion part (20) formed to protrude toward a side seal (17) side to seal the gap between the underseal and the side seal. The gap seal protrusion part (20) is integrally formed adjacently to an underlip (10b) of the underseal (10), and is in contact with a terminal end face (17e) of the side lip (17b) of the side seal (17) without a gap. |
| US09255607B2 |
Slewing bearing with a through-hole and plug
A slewing bearing having two rings and rollers arranged between the rings, wherein one of the rings is provided with a through-hole for inserting the rollers for assembly and maintenance, and with a plug for closing the through-hole. The through-hole is formed as a bore including an inner portion with a smaller bore diameter and an outer portion with a larger bore diameter. The smaller diameter portion is reduced in order to facilitate the assembly, while avoiding an increased diameter in the innermost part of the thorough hole in order to secure stability and robustness. |
| US09255606B2 |
Slide bearing device and compressor
A slide bearing device and a compressor are capable of stably achieving a low friction condition from the early stage of the start of friction. The slide bearing device includes a bearing, a shaft supported by the bearing while being subjected to sliding, and a gas supply section for supplying a dry gas to a bearing slide section where the bearing and the shaft slide against each other. A slide surface of the bearing is formed of a resin composite material, which is a mixture of a carbon material and a resin. The shaft is made of a metal and includes a groove formed on a slide surface of the shaft, the groove extending in a direction different from the sliding direction. Plural grooves may be provided and the grooves may extend in arbitrary directions. The shaft may include a collection of plural recesses on the slide surface thereof. |
| US09255604B2 |
Hydro dynamic bearing device
A hydro dynamic bearing device comprising an upper half of a main bearing and a lower half of the main bearing, wherein the upper half of the main bearing is lined with a low-strength metal such as a Babbitt metal, wherein a circumferential groove is formed in the lower half of the main bearing, and wherein the low-strength metal of the upper half of the main bearing, which is formed at a region opposed to a downstream side of the circumferential groove formed in the lower half of the main bearing, is partially removed to cause a high-strength bearing base metal to be partially exposed. |
| US09255600B2 |
Ratchet locking mechanism for threaded fastener
A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer. |
| US09255592B2 |
Support for flat rigid objects
A drop in receptacle for generally flat and rigid objects that is particularly useful for supporting electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones. The support includes corner catches for at least two corners of the device. The corner catches include rotating latches and cornerpieces. The rotating latches are shaped and configured so that they rotate when the corner of an object is pressed against the top surface of the latch. The cornerpieces are shaped to accept and support the corner of the device. After the devices passes the top surface of the latch, the latch returns to its original state and a spring presses the device against the bottom of the latch, securing the device in place. |
| US09255590B2 |
Ventilation device for a hydraulic cylinder
A ventilation device for a hydraulic cylinder providing a housing having a fluid passageway with an inlet and an outlet, and a closure member disposed in said passageway displaceable in obstructing relation with such inlet upon application of a first fluid force in such inlet, obstructing relation with such outlet upon application of a second fluid force on such inlet and in nonobstructing relation with either of such inlet and outlet upon application of a third fluid force between such first and second fluid forces. |
| US09255589B2 |
Hydraulic pressure supply apparatus for automatic transmission
In a hydraulic pressure supply apparatus for an automatic transmission having hydraulic pressure supply destinations comprising at least three hydraulic actuators different from one another in required hydraulic pressure and a lubrication system, there are provided with at least three, actually five, hydraulic pumps, at least three, actually five, regulator valves capable of regulating hydraulic pressures delivered from the hydraulic pumps to values corresponding to the respective required pressures to be supplied to the hydraulic pressure supply destinations, and the selector valves installed between the hydraulic pumps and the regulator valves, wherein the operation of the selector valves is controlled to connect the hydraulic pumps to the regulator valves in accordance with the flow rates required by five hydraulic pressure supply destinations comprising the hydraulic actuators and the lubrication system. |
| US09255584B2 |
Combined ceiling fan and light fitting
There is provided a combined ceiling fan and light fitting (10) having blades (1-4) that when the ceiling fan is not in use retract and are stowed above an enclosure (12) containing a light emitting device and that when the fan is in use are extended under centrifugal force. The blades are formed in such a way as to both stow compactly above the enclosure and provide reasonable aerodynamic performance. Each blade partially overlies a neighbouring blade when in its stowed position and the blades are so formed as to permit such stacking while limiting the overall height of the assemblage of stowed blades. |
| US09255582B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger for use with an internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to an exhaust-gas turbocharger for use in an internal combustion engine and to a method for assembling and/or setting an exhaust-gas turbocharger. According to the invention, the exhaust-gas turbocharger comprises a regulating mechanism and an actuator device for actuating the regulating mechanism, wherein the actuator device comprises a control rod with a first part and a second part. The second part of the control rod has a guide, which is designed in such a way that it at least partially surrounds the first part. Moreover, the second part has at least one hole, wherein the first part is connected to the second part by a welded or assembly joint, which is arranged in the at least one hole. |
| US09255580B2 |
Systems and methods for operating and validating a compressor
Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatus for operating and validating a compressor. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for validating compressor operation. The method can include receiving compressor operating parameter data from a plurality of sensors; and adjusting a portion of a variable flow area downstream of a compressor discharge to achieve a desired compressor pressure ratio. |
| US09255577B2 |
Large-scale submersible sewage pump
Disclosed is a large-scale submersible sewage pump assembly that includes a pump and a pump seat installation structure, wherein the pump seat installation structure has a concrete installation base layer, and a pump seat for installing the pump. The pump seat is fixed to the pump installation layer, and the bottom of the pump is directly connected onto the pump seat. The pump has a motor cooling apparatus, wherein the cooling apparatus has an internal cooling apparatus installed inside the case of the motor, and an external cooling apparatus installed outside the motor. The pump seat installation structure can stably mount and support the large-scale submersible sewage pump, preventing potential safety hazard during running of the pump. |
| US09255576B2 |
Cutter apparatus for centrifugal pump
A centrifugal pump with a cutter mechanism consisting of a toothed cutter rotor, integral with the impeller wear ring, affixed to the impeller and a toothed cutter stator affixed to the casing, separately from the casing wear ring. A cutter mechanism consisting of a stator and rotor set such that they may be installed on the centrifugal pump impeller and casing as original equipment or as a retrofit. A cutter mechanism such that when installed in a centrifugal pump they prevent stringy materials, garbage and other agglomerated soft wastewater solids from partially restricting or totally blocking the inlet to the pump impeller. A cutter mechanism such that when it prevents solids from restricting or blocking the impeller inlet, it does so without significant decrease of flow throughput or significant increase in absorbed hydraulic horsepower. |
| US09255575B2 |
Component having reduced metal adhesion
The invention relates to an assembly (1) having at least two metallic components (2, 3) which are subject to sliding stress and each have a sliding surface and in operation slide against one another, wherein at least one of the components (2, 3) consists of a metallic sintered material having an iron-based matrix containing iron together with carbon and up to 10% by weight of at least one non-ferrous metal at least in the region of the sliding stress, where the carbon content is at least 1% by weight and not more than 10% by weight and at least part of the carbon is present in unbound particulate form in the matrix. |
| US09255574B2 |
Rotary pump for a vehicle
A rotary pump can pump a liquid for pollution control of exhaust gases in a system on board a vehicle and can include a rotor and a stator that are positioned in a casing. The casing can include a wall delimiting a main internal volume and an integral outlet pipe for the pump. A pressure sensor can be positioned within the main internal volume of the casing. |
| US09255573B2 |
Testing apparatus for an outer housing of a pump and method for the testing of an outer housing of a pump
Disclosed is a testing apparatus for an outer housing of a pump, wherein the testing apparatus includes a separation element; a first and a second closure element, wherein the first and second closure element respectively close an axial end of the outer housing in a sealing manner; a middle pressure line which is arranged in the first or the second closure element; and a bounding element, wherein the bounding element closes the outlet outside of the outer housing, and wherein a high pressure line is arranged in the bounding element. The separation element is configured and arranged in the outer housing such that the separation element bounds the outlet of the outer housing and the outer housing is divided into a first pressure region and a second pressure region, wherein the first pressure region and the second pressure region are configured as pressure regions independent from one another. |
| US09255571B2 |
Air pump with two pressure gauges for high/low pressure indication
An air pump includes an air pump body for pumping air, and a high pressure gauge and a low pressure gauge mounted in the air pump body for measuring and indicating the air pumped by the air pump body. |
| US09255570B2 |
Metered pump stand
A metered pump system periodically pumps measured amounts of chemical or biological material into a septic or sewage system. The metered pump system includes a metered pump stand having a main panel with first and second sides, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. A pair of feet extends from the first side of the main panel near the bottom edge. An upper flange extends from the second side of the main panel near the top edge. A metered pump may be attached to the first side of the main panel. The upper flange of the metered pump stand is disposed above a portion of a material container that supplies chemical or biological material to the metered pump. The disclosed metered pump system is customizable by interchanging components while using the same metered pump stand. |
| US09255569B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for operating a solar thermal electricity generating system
In a startup period for a solar thermal electricity generating system, a non-solar source of steam heats a downstream receiver (for example, a superheating receiver) prior to insolation being available. Insolation, once available, heats an upstream receiver (for example, an evaporator). The upstream receiver can be arranged in a recirculation loop with a steam separation drum, which may be bypassed during the initial heating of the upstream receiver by insolation. Once sufficient temperature and pressure have been reached, steam from the upstream receiver is directed to the downstream receiver by way of the steam separation drum to replace the non-solar source of steam. Heating of the downstream receiver using steam from the upstream receiver continues until a threshold temperature and pressure are reached. Insolation is then directed at both the upstream and downstream receivers to generate steam for electricity production by a turbine. |
| US09255565B2 |
Laser ignition system based diagnostics
Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion. |
| US09255563B2 |
Method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine and ignition device for an internal combustion engine for carrying out the method
A method is disclosed for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, said device having an ignition coil designed as a transformer, an igniter plug connected to the ignition coil secondary winding, a controllable switching element connected in series to the ignition coil primary winding and a control unit connected to the ignition coil primary winding and the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil and a control signal for the switching element depending upon the flows through the ignition coil primary and secondary winding and the voltage between the connection point of the ignition coil primary winding to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, to provide an adjustable alternating current for the igniter plug, to provide a targeted supply of power distributed over the ignition time interval. |
| US09255561B2 |
Engine starting device
The engine starting device includes a starter motor, a pinion portion, a pushing mechanism for pushing a pinion gear of the pinion portion to a position at which the pinion gear comes into meshing engagement with a ring gear, and an integrated switch for operating a motor-energization switch to pull a plunger after the pinion gear is pushed, by configuring a switch for actuating the pushing mechanism and turning ON/OFF an energization current to the starter motor by a single plunger coil. When a restart request is issued after an engine stop is requested and therefore the integrated switch is placed in an ON state, operation timing of the pushing mechanism and coil-operation timing of the plunger coil are set so that the starter motor avoids operating until the pinion gear comes into contact or meshing engagement with the ring gear. |
| US09255552B2 |
Engine system having dedicated donor cylinders for EGR
An engine system for a machine is disclosed. The engine system may have a first intake manifold configured to distribute air into a first cylinder bank of an engine. The engine system may also have a second intake manifold configured to distribute air into a second cylinder bank of the engine. The engine system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the first cylinder bank to the atmosphere. The engine system may further have a second exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from non-donor cylinders in the second cylinder bank to the atmosphere. In addition, the engine system may have a third exhaust manifold separate from the first and second exhaust manifolds and configured to recirculate exhaust from donor cylinders in the second cylinder bank to the first and second intake manifolds. |
| US09255545B2 |
Piston skirt coating consisting of a low-friction running-in layer and a low-wear base layer
A piston for internal combustion engines has a skirt coating consisting of a wear resistant inner layer consisting of a polymer matrix having ceramic particles, aramide fibers and/or carbon fibers dispersed therein and an outer layer consisting of a polymer matrix having solid lubricants dispersed therein and an outer layer consisting of a polymer matrix having solid lubricants dispersed therein. |
| US09255544B2 |
Piston type internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder of which the interior is divided into two in the longitudinal direction. The lower chamber serves as a mechanical driving portion in which the piston is reciprocated. The upper chamber serves as a power portion in which combustion gas is drawn in, compressed, burned and exhausted. A cylindrical portion with a lid which moves into the power portion is continuously provided on top of the piston. A gap is defined between the cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the power portion of the cylinder. The inner peripheral surface of the power portion is defined by a heat shield tube fitted in the cylinder. A heat insulating tube is provided on the outer periphery of the heat shield tube. |
| US09255542B2 |
System and method for compensating biodiesel fuel
Methods and systems for adjusting a plurality of fuel injections supplied to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder are described. In one example, fuel amounts are adjusted in response to a biodiesel concentration in fuel supplied to an engine. |
| US09255540B2 |
Method for the operation of an internal combustion engine, and internal combustion engine
A method for operating an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine are described. In order to recognize and correct the drift in the amount of fuel injected over the service life of the injectors of the injection system of the internal combustion engine, multiple different corrective functions are used to establish corrected individual characteristics relative to nominal characteristics. Each offset of the corrected individual characteristic from the nominal characteristics is determined, offset curves are created, and the sections of the individual offset curves representing a minimal offset are used as control data for the amount of fuel to be injected, thus making it possible to always achieve overall optimal control with a minimal difference in the amount of injected fuel. |
| US09255539B2 |
Spark-ignition direct injection engine
A spark-ignition engine is provided. The engine includes an engine body, a fuel injection valve, an ignition plug, an EGR introduction system, and a controller for operating the engine body by controlling the fuel injection valve, the ignition plug, and the EGR introduction system. The controller controls to combust mixture gas by compressing to self-ignite within a compression self-ignition combustion applying range, and to combust the mixture gas by a spark-ignition using the ignition plug within a spark-ignition combustion applying range. Substantially throughout the spark-ignition combustion applying range, the controller controls the EGR introduction system to introduce cooled EGR gas, and within the compression self-ignition applying range, the controller controls the EGR introduction system to introduce hot EGR gas. The controller controls the EGR introduction system to introduce the hot EGR gas and the cooled EGR gas within a low engine load part of the spark-ignition combustion applying range. |
| US09255538B1 |
Control systems and methods for marine engines emitting exhaust gas
Control systems and methods are for a marine engine emitting exhaust gas. A sensor senses a characteristic of the exhaust gas. An electrical heater heats the sensor. A control circuit monitors current drawn by the heater. The control circuit controls an operational characteristic of the engine based upon the characteristic of the exhaust gas and modifies its control of the operational characteristic of the engine when the current drawn by the heater changes by a predetermined amount. |
| US09255537B2 |
Rejuvenation control of palladium-only diesel oxidation catalyst
A palladium-only (i.e., platinum free) oxidation catalyst body is used to oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream of a diesel engine powered vehicle, which is operated at a fuel-lean air-to-fuel ratio (A/F) for much of the time it powers a vehicle. Periodically, a recent history of the temperatures of the exhaust gas at the inlet to the palladium oxidation catalyst body is prepared in a computer control module. And a recent history of the A/F of the operating engine is considered. These temperature and A/F values are then used in determining whether the engine should be temporarily operated in a fuel-rich or stoichiometric A/F mode to provide an exhaust gas composition suitable for rejuvenation of the palladium by reducing its oxide formed during lean operation of the engine. |
| US09255533B2 |
Method for checking the outgassing of fuel and control unit
A control unit and a method for checking the outgassing of fuel from the lubricant of an internal combustion engine are provided, wherein, in a first method step, the outgassing of fuel from the lubricant is estimated on the basis of at least one operating parameter using a theoretical model during the normal operation of the internal combustion engine, and wherein, after the estimation of defined outgassing of fuel on the basis of the model, the outgassing of fuel is estimated in a second method step on the basis of at least one further operating parameter during a defined operating state. |
| US09255531B2 |
Multi fuel engine substitution optimization for transient performance
In an engine system of a machine having a multi fuel engine system, the occurrence of transient events such as gear shifts, grade changes and machine speed changes may be anticipated, and a fuel substitution strategy may be adjusted if necessary to optimize performance during the transient events. Transient events at a worksite may be anticipated and mapped by evaluating shift control logic strategies and worksite maps with truck route, speed and topographical information and determining where the fuel substitution strategy cannot meet the power requirements for the transient event. When it is determined that the machine is approaching an anticipated transient event, an appropriate fuel substitution adjustment can be executed to ensure the engine has sufficient power for the transient event. |
| US09255530B2 |
Method for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine having at least two cylinders
An example for operating a spark ignition engine comprises discharging exhaust gases via an exhaust system comprising exhaust pipes from the at least two cylinders coming together to form an exhaust manifold; and initiating autoignition with exhaust gas from a first, exhaust-gas-supplying cylinder, which is discharged from the first cylinder into the exhaust system, the exhaust gas is introduced into an adjacent, exhaust-gas-receiving cylinder via the exhaust system. Exhaust gas from the first cylinder mixes with the air-fuel mixture of an adjacent cylinder raising the temperature therein. Under high loads the higher temperature and density of the aircharge is suitable to undergo autoignition. |
| US09255528B2 |
System and method for controlling an exhaust brake of a vehicle
A system and method for controlling an exhaust brake of a vehicle may measure rotation speed (RPM) of an engine, transmit the rotation speed of the engine to a control unit, determine an opening of a valve which opens/closes an exhaust pipe of the engine in the control unit based on the rotation speed of the engine to maintain the back pressure of exhaust gas generated by the exhaust brake to be constant, and control the valve according to the valve opening determined by the control unit. |
| US09255526B2 |
System and method for on line monitoring within a gas turbine combustor section
An on-line optical inspection and monitoring system is externally mounted to existing man way service access within the combustor housing. A replacement man way cover having an optical window is mounted to the combustor housing. One or more optical cameras are oriented so that the camera field of view (FOV) is directed through the man way cover optical window. The camera FOV is moved to plural positions within the combustion section, such as under control of an automated motion control system, and images are captured. Multiple images are combined to form a composite image, which may include an image of an entire transition within the combustion section. Visual images and/or infrared (IR) thermal images may be captured. Thermal image information is correlated with component temperature. Image information is utilized to determine vibration characteristics of the imaged components. |
| US09255525B2 |
System and method for gas turbine operation
A system includes a controller configured to control one or more parameters of a gas turbine engine based on a feedback and a predicted lifespan of one or more components of the gas turbine engine to substantially maintain at least one of power output or heat rate above a threshold level in response to degradation or fouling of the gas turbine engine. |
| US09255523B2 |
Fastening element and de-icing device of an aircraft gas-turbine engine
The present invention relates to a fastening element, in particular to its use in a de-icing device of an aircraft gas-turbine engine, for connecting two components, with the fastening element ensuring a connection of the components with a predetermined relative movability to each other, with the fastening element including two struts arranged at an angle to each other, where two first end areas, spacedly arranged to each other, can be fastened to one of the components, and the two other second end areas can be connected to each other and fastened to the other component. |
| US09255522B2 |
Modular drop-in transition assembly for industrial gas turbine and method for installation
A preassembled modular drop-in transition having internal components in conformity with assembly and function specifications prior to and after insertion into an industrial gas turbine access port. The transition assembly maintains conformity with those specifications after insertion into the combustor case if it does not inadvertently impact other turbine components during its installation. Inadvertent impact is avoided by having a combustor service zone proximal the combustor case, enabling slidable insertion of each transition and/or combustor assembly into its corresponding access port along its corresponding insertion path without contacting other turbine system components. A multi-axis motion transition handling tool (THT) in the combustor service zone, preferably under automatic control, is coupled to a transition and facilitates precise alignment along the insertion path. Automatic control facilitates consistent repetitive transition installation and removal by executing a sequence of stored pre-determined manipulation steps. |
| US09255521B2 |
Gas turbine engine installation including a flexible printed circuit board harness for transferring electrical signals around the gas turbine engine installation
A gas turbine engine installation is provided that has a plurality of flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) harnesses to transfer electrical signals, including electrical power, around a gas turbine engine. The plurality of FPCB harnesses is held to the gas turbine engine installation using generally U-shaped clips that have a base from which first and second sidewalls extend. The FPCB harness is held between the tips of base-teeth extending from the base, and side-teeth extending from the first and second sidewalls. In this way, the FPCB harness can be held securely in position by the clip. |
| US09255520B2 |
Modular adsorption-enhanced compressed air energy storage system with regenerative thermal energy recycling
A compressed air energy storage module including an integrated thermal energy storage and recovery apparatus is provided. The compressed air energy storage module contains no moving parts and is constructed onsite, underground and out-of-sight. The compressed air energy storage module comprises a first regenerative heat exchanger including a first tank filled with a first particulate material that stores thermal energy and adsorbs air, and a second regenerative heat exchanger including a second tank filled with a second particulate material that stores thermal energy. A first end of the first tank is connected to a first end of the second tank via a first piping system. A second end of the first tank is connected to a second end of the second tank via a second piping system. The first piping system and the second piping system form a circular path for the air to circulate through the first and second regenerative heat exchangers. |
| US09255518B2 |
System and method for an aftercooler bypass
Embodiments of systems and methods for bypassing an aftercooler are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the bypass valve system may include a turbocharger, an air temperature sensor, an aftercooler, a three-way bypass valve, an aftercooler conduit, a bypass conduit, a pipe fitting, an engine, a radiator, an expansion tank, a pump, a bypass control system and a locomotive control system. The temperature of the charge air is measured and sent to the bypass control system. The locomotive control system sends engine throttle conditions, such as engine notch position, to bypass control system. Bypass control system determines whether to circulate coolant through the aftercooler or bypass the aftercooler based on the temperature measurements and the engine throttle conditions. Bypass control system then sends a signal to the bypass valve to either to circulate coolant through the aftercooler or bypass the aftercooler through the conduit. |
| US09255515B2 |
Method for determining if an injector is in a blocked state
A method for determining if an injector (10) is in a blocked state, the injector including a coil of resistance R and of inductance L, passed through by a power supply current of maximum intensity (Imax), and powered by a voltage E, the method includes: controlling the opening of the injector, measuring the intensity I passing through a measurement resistance r as a function of time t, determining a necessary duration τ to reach a predetermined intensity value (Ipred), lower than the maximum intensity (Imax), computing the inductance L as a function of the necessary duration, if L≧Lth, then the injector is blocked in the closed position, otherwise if L |
| US09255512B2 |
Urea injection systems wash cycles
Urea injection system wash cycle methods and systems are disclosed. An exemplary wash cycle method includes operating a urea injection system to provide urea solution to a first inlet of a blending chamber, provide pressurized gas to a second inlet of the blending chamber, and output a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea solution from the blending chamber. A pressure of the combined flow at a location downstream from the first inlet and the second inlet is monitored. A wash cycle is performed based upon the monitored pressure wherein the flow of pressurized gas is turned off and urea solution is provided to the blending chamber. An exemplary system includes a controller configured to control a urea injection system to perform a wash cycle in accordance with the exemplary method. |
| US09255509B2 |
Exhaust cleaner for internal combustion engine
The exhaust cleaner for internal combustion engine is equipped with NOx storage reduction catalyst (161, 162) which is disposed in exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and which absorb and reduce the NOx contained in exhaust gas. The NOx storage reduction catalyst (161, 162) each include a coating layer that has been formed on the inner wall of cells through which the exhaust passage, the coating layer having the catalytic function. The coating layers have been formed so that the thickness of the coating layer of the NOx storage reduction catalyst (161) located upstream in the flow of the exhaust gas is smaller than the thickness of the coating layer of the NOx storage reduction catalyst (162) located downstream. Due to this configuration, the NOx storage reduction catalyst (161, 162) are inhibit from being poisoned by sulfur and high NOx removal percentage is maintained. |
| US09255500B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A resin member may include a first side wall, which is placed between a first housing and a laminated body, and a second side wall, which is placed between a second housing and the laminated body. A vane rotor may include a pressing oil passage that is configured to guide hydraulic oil to a first seal member and a second seal member to exert a pressing force, which radially outwardly and axially urge the first seal member and the second seal member. |
| US09255494B2 |
Steam turbine power plant
Disclosed is a steam turbine power plant adapted to start operating safely even if prediction accuracy of its startup constraints cannot be obtained. The system calculates predictive values and current values of startup constraints of a steam turbine from process variables of plant physical quantities, next calculates in parallel both a first control input variable for a heat medium flow controller based on predictive values, and a second control input variable for a main steam control valve based on the current values, and while preferentially selecting the first control input variable, if the first control input variable is not calculated, selects the second control input variable instead. After the selection of at least one of the first and second control input variables, the system outputs an appropriate command value to the heat medium flow controller and the main steam control valve according to the kind of selected control input variable. |
| US09255491B2 |
Surface area augmentation of hot-section turbomachine component
An example turbomachine hot-section component protrusion extends away from a base surface of a hot-section component along a longitudinal axis. A radial cross-section of the protrusion has a profile that is non-circular. |
| US09255488B2 |
Sealing arrangement for a thermal machine
A sealing arrangement for sealing a gap (22) between two adjacent, thermally loaded components (14, 14′) of a thermal machine, especially a turbomachine or gas turbine, includes a seal (25) which is supported in a recess (23) which extends transversely to the gap (22) and traverses said gap (22). An efficient and simple improvement of the sealing arrangement is made by the seal (25) being formed at least partially of a shape memory alloy in such a way that, when a pre-specified temperature limit is exceeded, the seal changes its sealing behavior. |
| US09255482B2 |
Electrical wiring system for a rotor hub
The electrical harness system is configured for routing a harness between a rotor yoke and a rotor blade. A recess in an inboard cap member is configured to house a connector and an associated harness. As the recess extends along a radial path in the chordwise direction of the rotor blade, the harness is configured to lie within the recess. Operationally induced centrifugal forces promote positioning the slack of harness within the recess, while the slack in the harness remains available for relative dynamic movements between the rotor blade and the rotor yoke. Such a routing of the harness reduces aerodynamic drag and minimizes damage that could otherwise occur to the harness. |
| US09255476B2 |
Shaft construction in the earth and method thereof
A method of constructing a shaft in the earth for use as, for example, a launch shaft or a retrieval shaft, may include several steps. One step includes installing a secant pile wall into the earth. The secant pile wall encloses a portion of the earth. Another step includes excavating the portion of the earth enclosed by the secant pile wall. The excavated portion leaves an interior of the shaft and exposes an inside surface of the secant pile wall. Yet another step includes placing a metal liner within the interior of the shaft. And yet another step includes partially or more filling a space located between the inside surface of the secant pile wall and the metal liner with a grout material. |
| US09255473B2 |
Methods and systems for real-time monitoring and processing of wellbore data
An integrated digital ecosystem comprises an applied fluid optimization specialist and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the applied fluid optimization specialist. The applied fluid optimization specialist receives data relating to performance of subterranean operations from the one or more sensors and interprets the data received. The applied fluid optimization specialist then regulates the performance of subterranean operations based on the interpretation of the data received. |
| US09255466B2 |
Liner hanger fluid diverter tool and related methods
A downhole fluid diverter tool includes a tool body having a central bore therethrough and a bypass port formed in an outer diameter thereof, a spring-biased piston disposed within the tool body, a piston port in the spring-biased piston configured to axially align with the bypass port to control fluid flow outward from the central bore, and a rotatable ball valve aligned within the central bore of the tool body and configured to control fluid flow through the central bore, wherein the bypass port and the ball valve are configured to be cycled multiple times between open and closed positions while in a wellbore. |
| US09255461B2 |
Removable fracturing plug of particulate material housed in a sheath set by expansion of a passage through the sheath
The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A swage is moved through a passage in the container to enlarge the passage and move the container to a borehole wall. The passage is then closed such as with a flapper valve or by moving in a mandrel into the expanded passage and lodging the mandrel in the expanded passage. Various release techniques are described. |
| US09255459B2 |
Collapsible casing device for use in controlling flow
A collapsible casing device, comprising an insert housing, said insert housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface fluidly isolated from an external environment, said inner surface having a profile, and a connection between said outer surface and said inner surface, wherein said connection is capable of fluidly connecting to a tubular element; a deformable insert, said deformable insert having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface fitting within said profile of said insert housing, said inner surface capable of containing a fluid and having a first inner diameter, said deformable insert having properties that are conducive to deformation; an explosive material that generates a pressure pulse in response to an activation signal, said explosive material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a composition, said outer surface fitting within said profile of said insert housing, said inner surface external to said outer surface of said deformable insert; and a trigger, said trigger capable of generating said activation signal. |
| US09255456B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a positive displacement motor for drilling and oil or gas well
A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a drill string that includes drilling pipe, a dump valve, a positive displacement motor and a rotary drill bit driven by the motor utilize a dump valve that does not depend upon a pressure loss to maintain the dump valve in a position which closes communication between the drilling string and the annulus between the drilling string and the well bore or casing. The dump valve includes a flow sleeve that is axially moved to close outlet passages to the annulus by the flow of fluid through the outlet passages rather than a pressure drop across the flow sleeve. |
| US09255454B2 |
Set-delayed cement compositions comprising pumice and associated methods
Set-delayed cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. Embodiments include a method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising: circulating a drilling fluid comprising a set-delayed cement composition in the wellbore while drilling the wellbore, wherein the set-delayed cement composition comprises: pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and water. A method of displacing a fluid in a wellbore comprising: introducing a spacer fluid comprising a set-delayed cement composition into a wellbore such that the spacer fluid displaces one or more prior fluids from the wellbore, and wherein the set-delayed cement composition comprises: pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and water. |
| US09255452B2 |
Flush fitting pipe lining system
A liner assembly includes a first ring member, a second ring member, a corrosion barrier ring, a first liner, and a second liner. The first ring member includes a body member having a first end and a second end. The first end has a flange extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The second ring member includes a body member having a first end and a second end. The second end has a flange extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The body member of the first ring member extends along a face of the first liner a first distance beyond an inner diameter of the first liner. The body member of the second ring member extends along a face of the second liner a second distance beyond an inner diameter of the second liner. |
| US09255450B2 |
Drill bit with self-adjusting pads
A drill bit including a bit body and a pad. The pad extends from a retracted position to an extended position from a bit surface at a first rate and retracts from the extended position to a retracted position at a second rate that is less than the first rate. |
| US09255446B2 |
Pre-positioned capping device for source control with independent management system
Systems and methods contain fluids discharged from a subsea well or at the surface by capping the well blowout with a pre-positioned capping device. The capping device includes at least one blind shear ram and is separate from a blowout preventer. Different personnel offsite of a rig drilling the well may have access and control to operate the device. |
| US09255442B2 |
Double glazing system
A double glazing system, including a first sheet of glass, a second sheet of glass, a spacer element including a first surface for coupling with the first sheet of glass and a second surface for coupling with the second sheet of glass, a blind, or a screen, said spacer element made from low thermally conductive material including rubber and/or silicone foam. The spacer element includes support means including a housing made of a substantially “T”-shaped groove made on a surface perpendicular to the first surface and to the second surface. The support means include two lateral sections for guiding said blind, screen or the like having respective substantially “T”-shaped portions and being able to be engaged in said housing, the lateral sections including respective free ends for supporting respective end portions of said blind, screen or the like. |
| US09255436B2 |
Spindle drive for the motorized adjustment of an adjustment element of a motor vehicle
Described herein is a spindle drive for the motorized adjustment of an adjustment element of a motor vehicle comprising a drive portion on the spindle side and a drive portion on the spindle nut side, in which the drive portions are able to be adjusted relative to one another in a linear manner for producing drive movements between a refracted position and an extended position and in each case comprising a coupling means for transferring the drive movements and a spring arrangement provided which pretensions the two drive portions in the extended position, wherein a predetermined rupture point is provided in the drive train of the spindle drive which fractures at a predetermined critical load acting via the coupling means on the spindle drive, and which is located outside the flux of force of the spring arrangement. |
| US09255425B2 |
Closing device for a door
A door closing device for a door is described. The device includes an externally powered and/or spring force-powered catch device F for mounting to the stationary door frame TR or the door leaf TF. The catch device has a movably mounted catch element F and an externally powered and/or force storage means-powered drive assembly M connected to the catch element F. It is essential that the catch element F can be connected to and disconnected from the counterpart element, for example the lock latch S, so that the catch element F can be brought into engagement with the counterpart element S for pulling the door leaf TF shut and can be brought out of engagement with the counterpart element S outside of the pulling-shut movement. |
| US09255420B2 |
Passenger and vehicle elevator system
The passenger and vehicle elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars arrayed substantially equidistantly and equiangularly from a central shaft of the building. Each elevator car includes a housing and at least one door. The housing has a floor, a ceiling, and at least one sidewall. A linearly translating platform is mounted on the floor of each of the housings. The linearly translating platform is adapted for automatically carrying the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the at least one door. Further, the vehicle may be rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform or the floor, allowing for selective angular positioning of the vehicle with respect to the housing. The elevator car ascends and descends within a corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar to that of a conventional elevator. |
| US09255418B2 |
Retractable curtain system
A retractable curtain system including a first curtain region, a motor assembly and a mounting arm assembly. The first curtain region is capable of substantially covering the at least one opening when in an unrolled configuration. The motor assembly operably is attached to the first curtain region for moving the first curtain region between the unrolled configuration and a rolled configuration. The mounting arm assembly includes at least one mounting arm for pivotally mounting the motor assembly with respect to the building. |
| US09255417B2 |
Independent aisle containment system
An aisle containment system is disclosed. The aisle containment system includes a frame defined by wall beams, header frames, and a plurality of posts secured to the wall beams and header frames. The header frames extend the width of the frame and the wall beams extend the length of the frame. A plurality of blanking panels extend from the floor to one of the wall beams. The plurality of blanking panels have a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. Vertical stiffeners are positioned along at least one of the first side and the second side of each blanking panel. The blanking panels overlap adjacent blanking panels along the length of the frame. The blanking panels are laterally adjusted to fill openings in the aisle containment system. |
| US09255414B2 |
Building panels
Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member. |
| US09255412B2 |
Peripheral sealing gland for elongate objects passing through a surface or beyond a pipe end
The invention relates to a peripheral sealing gland to form a seal, between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface. The gland has an at least in part tapered skirt or frustoconical shaped skirt through which the elongate member is to pass and defining at the upper periphery of the skirt and deformable upper seal to deform about and seal to a periphery of said elongate member. A flange depends from the lower periphery of the skirt including on its outward from the skirt presented surface, at least one endless lip to seal when brought into contact, against said substantially flat surface. A compression ring is able to bear on said flange, to be fastened to said substantially flat surface to capture the flange therebetween. |
| US09255411B1 |
Rain gutter with cyclonic debris ejection
An open fluid channel with wind powered cyclonic separation for debris removal. The present disclosure is a channel shape, applied to a rain gutter, that harnesses wind energy to create cyclonic separation wherein channel debris, excited to rotary motion by a vortex are, upon gaining sufficient angular momentum ejected from the channel, reducing the need to manually clear the rain gutter. |
| US09255410B2 |
Raised roof edge to seal and protect membrane and eliminate the need for gutters
A lightweight, raised roof edge segmented to accommodate narrow openings for scupper-fed downspouts. The edge's segments include at least one pair of elongated, inflatable or otherwise fillable, membrane-covered barriers, each of which spans about 20 feet, making it compatible with typical spacings between industrial building downspouts. Retrofitted onto a flat or low pitch roof at the latter's joint with an exterior wall, the barrier, still in its flattened state, is secured and sealed not only to the roof but also to the wall. So secured, the barrier straddles the joint between them longitudinally. Subsequently filled with gas or solids, the barrier functions as a check dam, collecting and temporarily storing storm water and/or funneling it, via scupper, into a downspout. Barriers with rigid, longitudinally extending, angular peaks also tend to break up and lift high winds, further reducing potential roof damage. |
| US09255409B2 |
Pole base bolt template
A pole base bolt template that provides easy and accurate means to hold pole anchor bolts and a rebar cage in a pole base form while pouring concrete or other filling material into the form. The pole base bolt template comprises a plurality of arms disposed around a central hub, each arm comprising a slotted bolt hole, bolt diameter markings, and a form hook adaptable to secure the template to a form, and each arm being shaped so as to raise the entire template above the top of the form. The template further comprises a plurality of gaps between the arms that allow easy access to the form and the filling material. |
| US09255405B2 |
Wood fibre based panels with a thin surface layer
A method of manufacturing a building panel, including mixing wood fiber particles and a binder to form a first mix, applying the first mix, while the first mix is in powder form, on a core for forming a sub layer on the core, applying a surface layer on the sub layer, wherein the surface layer comprises a second mix of wood fiber particles and a binder, pressing the core, the surface layer, and the sub layer, under increased pressure and temperature, and forming them into a building panel. A building panel formed by the method. |
| US09255404B2 |
Methods for producing precast pervious concrete panels
Methods directed to a producing precast pervious concrete panels. Each pervious concrete panel has a plurality of layers of concrete mixture, wherein the aggregate used in each layer may be a different size and each layer is compacted after being laid. The method may further include providing a slip-former machine or an extruder machine to lay the layers of pervious concrete mixture. |
| US09255401B2 |
Lightweight building structure produced by using a mortar
The invention concerns the field of a lightweight building structure produced by using a mortar containing foamed polystyrene and cement. It includes at least one layer of prefabricated foam concrete panel affixed to a reinforcing frame structure wherein interspaces between elements of the reinforcing frame structure are at least partially filled with a mortar providing a first surface contacting the foam concrete panel. The mortar includes granules of 0.5-10 mm size produced by grinding a pressed foamed concrete that has been allowed to mature, 50-200 kg of unbound, anhydrous cement, and 150-300 liters of water added before application per one cubic meter of ground material, respectively. |
| US09255398B2 |
Fire proof oriented strand board and its manufacture
The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a fire proof board from strands of wood, the method comprising the following steps in the given order: (a) providing strands of wood having a humidity between 5% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 20%, even more preferably between 8% and 20%, (b) immersing the strands of wood in a watery solution of a flame retardant chemical composition, (c) separating the strands of wood from each other, (d) at least in part drying the strands of wood thereby providing dry impregnated strands of wood, (e) applying an adhesive to the strands of wood, and (f) forming a board of a predetermined shape from the strands. The invention furthermore pertains to a board formed by a plurality of strands of wood that are compressed and bonded together with an adhesive, wherein the board further comprises a flame retardant chemical composition, said composition comprising a phosphate compound. |
| US09255396B2 |
Bolted structural connection systems
Systems and methods directed to the art of connectors and assembling structures, such as securing rail members together to form an assembled structure. A connector system capable of inducing a clamping stress in a connector and thereby securing at least one rail within the connector. The connector has a plurality of channel openings and a plurality of brace members extending outward from the connector and between the plurality of channel openings, each brace member has at least one brace aperture therethrough, and each brace member faces one other brace member with the respective brace member apertures aligned. |
| US09255395B2 |
Flange of a wind turbine
An improved flange in a wind turbine is provided. The flange has a flange plate that is connected to a part of the wind turbine. The flange plate and the part of the wind turbine are connected via an edge to form an L-shaped flange. The flange plate includes a connection side to be detachable connected to a counterpart. The flange plate includes a plurality of holes to be used with a connector when the flange is connected to the counterpart. A recess is arranged in the surface of the connection side between the edge of the flange plate and the plurality of holes, to reduce fatigue loads in the area of the holes of the flange plate. |
| US09255387B2 |
Quick assembly structure of faucet handle base
A quick assembly structure of a faucet handle base, which is fixed in a valve assembly, the valve assembly includes a valve core, a directional connector, a locking element having a peripheral groove, a connecting portion, and a tilted guiding face. The handle mount includes: a fixing ring having a central orifice; a flexible fastening sleeve having a lower engagement portion and an upper engagement portion; the upper engagement portion having a plurality of flexible retaining paws; a coupling column having a fitting portion and a snapping insertion; the sapping insertion having plural first recesses; an operating member having a covering portion and a handle extending; and a coupling element employed to join a top end of the sapping insertion of the coupling column with the covering portion of the operating member. |
| US09255385B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
A hybrid construction machine according to the present invention includes a controller for controlling an engine with a droop characteristic. The controller includes: a target engine output calculation unit (2-4) that calculates a target output of the engine; a target speed setting unit (2-7) that sets a target speed command of a motor-generator; a target droop calculation unit (2-8) that obtains an intersection point of a constant output line with the target output value of the engine and a constant speed line with the target speed command of the motor-generator on a speed-torque characteristic diagram, and determines a governor characteristic of the engine so that the governor characteristic passes through the intersection point; a governor characteristic changing unit (2-10) that changes the governor characteristic of the engine; and a motor-generator control unit (2-9) that controls the motor-generator in accordance with the target speed command value. |
| US09255381B2 |
Construction machine
A cooling fan (12) generating a cooling air in a suctioning direction, a radiator (20) provided by facing the cooling fan (12) and cooling an engine coolant by passage of the cooling air, and an oil cooler (21) arranged in parallel with the radiator (20) so as to be in parallel with respect to a flow direction of the cooling air and cooling a hydraulic oil by passage of the cooling air are provided. On a suction side of the cooling air with respect to the radiator (20) and the oil cooler (21), a cooling-air adjusting member (26) for adjusting a ratio of a cooling air amount to be supplied to the radiator (20) and a cooling air amount to be supplied to the oil cooler (21) is provided. |
| US09255380B2 |
Hydraulic suspension hitch system
The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts. |
| US09255378B2 |
Arm for construction machine
An arm of a hydraulic excavator is formed as a box-shaped structural body surrounded by left and right side plates, an upper plate joined to each of the upper end sides of each side plate, a lower plate joined to each of the lower end sides of each side plate, and a thick rear plate joined to each of the rear end sides of each side plate and the upper plate. The side plates are formed by joining a rear thick side plate and a front thin side plate. The upper plate is formed by joining two members, that is, a rear thick upper plate and a front thin upper plate, and the lower plate is formed by joining two members, that is, a rear thick lower plate and a front thin lower plate. |
| US09255377B2 |
Controlling the operation of an industrial machine based on wire rope dead wraps
An industrial machine that includes a dipper, a hoist drum, a wire rope connected between the hoist drum and the dipper, a hoist motor, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor generates a signal related to a number of wire wraps of the wire rope around the hoist drum, which is received by the controller. The controller determines, based on the signal from the sensor, the number of wire wraps around the hoist drum. If the controller determines that there are an insufficient number of dead wraps around the hoist drum, the controller sets one or more parameters of the hoist motor. The controller sets each of the one or more parameters of the hoist motor to a value that is lower than a normal operational value for the parameter. |
| US09255376B2 |
Modular system of mutli-purpose rods for drilling soil
A modular system of multipurpose rods for drilling soil is constituted by rods (1) crossed by an internal passage (2) for the passage of concrete, of substantially cylindrical shape, that completely crosses the rod; each of the rods is provided at the endings with a male insert (5) and a female insert (6) respectively, adapted to be plugged in one to the other for permitting the assembly in batteries of any length. The inserts (5, 6) are provided with transmitters (11, 11a) for transmitting the rotation along the whole battery of rods (1) and arranged for fixing elements that reduce the internal passage (2). |
| US09255375B2 |
Helmet adapter for pile drivers
An adapter assembly for transmitting a drive force from a pile driving system defining a drive axis to a pile defining a pile axis comprising a base assembly and an adapter assembly. The base assembly is operatively supported such that the drive force is transmitted to the base assembly. The adapter assembly comprises a plate member, a skirt member defining a skirt chamber, and an adapter connector configured to support the skirt member relative to the base assembly, the plate member, and the pile member. The adapter assembly substantially aligns the drive axis with the pile axis. The drive force is transmitted from the base assembly to the plate member. The pile is received within the skirt chamber such that the drive force is transmitted from the plate member to the pile. The skirt member is substantially isolated from the drive force. |
| US09255374B2 |
Icebreaking vessel and method of breaking ice
To keep the water around an off-shore installation (1) free from a harmful impact of ice, a vessel (5) is used to deploy an anchor (6) in a position at a distance from the off-shore installation (1) and in a direction which, seen from the off-shore installation (1), is substantially in parallel with the direction of movement (P) of the ice. By means of the machinery of the vessel, which preferably comprises azimuth propellers, the direction of the anchor line is adjusted and so is the orientation of the vessel relative to the anchor line to the effect that then propellers can be used to crush and dispose of the ice without using energy to hold the vessel up against the pressure of the ice. |
| US09255371B1 |
Vehicle pulled snow scraper systems
The vehicle pulled snow scraper system is an adjustable width snow blade having a pivotally attached blade in which the forward-backward tilt of the blade is adjusted via the winch. The forward-backward tilt function also may raise and lower the bottom edge of the blade in relation to the ground surface. The invention has a two piece hitch receiver bar having two different diameters of tubing, with an impact spring between the tubes to absorb impacts when the blade catches an immovable object. The outside edges of the blade assembly extend outward to greatly increase the width of the snow plow blade as desired by the user. |
| US09255369B2 |
Collapsable shovel handle
One embodiment relates to a snow shovel system with an extended and collapsed state. The system includes a blade member, handle, lower shaft member, and upper shaft member. One end of the lower shaft member is coupled to the blade member and the other is slidably coupled with the upper shaft member. A first end of the upper shaft member is coupled to a handle and the second end is slidably coupled with the lower shaft member. The slidable coupling between the lower and upper shaft members includes an extended state and a collapsed state in which the handle is separated from the blade member a greater distance in the extended state. The collapsed state includes translating a portion of the lower shaft member beyond the first end of the upper shaft member. |
| US09255363B2 |
Manually operated arrangement
The present invention embraces a manually operated arrangement (“A”) and a method, adaptable for a transfer along a longitudinal extension of a rail (1) and intended to be able to secure said rail to a subjacent crosstie (2) by a horizontal transfer of clips (3: 3a), included in fastening elements (4), and displaceably oriented in relation to a holder (5) included in the fastening element (4), where the holder (5, 5a) co-operates firmly with said crosstie (2). The respective one of said clips (3; 3a) is adapted to, by a movement, allow displacing the clips (3: 3a) horizontally for a clamping of the rail base (1c) in relation to the holder (5). An opposed first pair (6a, 6b) of a first lever-shaped means (6) is adapted to, via its lower end areas (6aa, 6ab) co-operate with the clips. For this purpose, the invention provides a means (20, 21, 23) lifting the crosstie (2) with holders (5) and clips (3) up to the rail base, which means is adapted adjustable in height (“D”). |
| US09255362B2 |
Rail anchor
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus that is a rail anchor comprising a head, a tail, and a belly section. The belly section comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces. Each side surface comprises a contact-bearing surface area. The head comprises a bend along a length of the head. The tail comprises a notch. Each contact-bearing surface area has a surface area of at least 3 square inches and is adapted to extend at least 1.5 inches downward from the top of a railroad track crosstie along a side of the railroad track crosstie. |
| US09255357B2 |
Laundry treatment apparatus
A laundry treatment apparatus may facilitate input and removal of laundry items. The laundry treatment apparatus may include a door which may selectively open and close an opening into a receiving space formed in a cabinet in which laundry items may be received for treatment. The door may serve as a laundry guide when positioned at an angle relative to the cabinet so as to guide laundry items into the receiving space, and may serve as a shelf to support laundry items thereon when positioned at another angle relative to the cabinet. |
| US09255350B2 |
Branched poly(arylene sulfide) resin and method for producing same
Disclosed are a branched poly(arylene sulfide) resin having a melt viscosity measured at a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1200 sec−1 of 65 to 450 Pa·s, a maximum draft ratio of 6500 or more, and a degree of whiteness of 65 or more; moreover, a branched poly(arylene sulfide) resin preferably having a dependence of melt viscosity on shear rate of 1.4 to 2.6 or a melt stability of 0.85 to 1.30; and a method for producing a branched poly(arylene sulfide) resin, wherein a sulfur source and a dihaloaromatic compound are caused to undergo a polymerization reaction at a temperature of 170 to 290° C. in the organic amide solvent in the presence of a polyhaloaromatic compound in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.01 mol per mol of the fed sulfur source. |
| US09255349B2 |
Terpolymer for melt blown media for air filtration
Melt-blown fiber comprising a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and a C4 to C10 α-olefin, wherein further said melt blown fiber and/or said terpolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR25 (230° C.) of at least 300 g/10 min, the amount of propylene in said terpolymer is at least 90.0 wt.-%, the weight ratio of ethylene and α-olefin within said terpolymer is 1/100 to below 1/1, and the terpolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of below 0.4 mol.-% 0.10. |
| US09255348B2 |
Systems and methods for biodosimetry with biochip using gene expression signatures
Exposure to ionizing radiation can produce a well-defined dose dependent signature in terms of changes in gene expression. In approaches and devices described herein, such a signature can be used to generate and use a self-contained radiation biodosimeter device, based on, for example, a blood finger stick. Various aspects of the invention are directed to biodosimetry with a fully integrated biochip using gene expression signatures. |
| US09255345B2 |
Method for growing germanium/silicon—germanium superlattice
A bulk manufacturing method for growing silicon-germanium stained-layer superlattice (SLS) using an ultra-high vacuum-chemical vapor deposition (UHV-CVD) system and a detector using it is disclosed. The growth method overcomes the stress caused by silicon and germanium lattice mismatch, and leads to uniform, defect-free layer-by-layer growth. Flushing hydrogen between the layer growths creates abrupt junctions between superlattice structure (SLS) layers. Steps include flowing a mixture of phosphine and germane gases over a germanium seed layer. This in-situ doped germanium growth step produces an n-doped germanium layer. Some of the phosphorus diffuses into the underlying germanium and reduces the stress in the underlying germanium that is initially created by the lattice mismatch between germanium and silicon. Phosphine can be replaced by diborane if a p-doped layer is desired. The reduction of stress results in a smooth bulk germanium growth. |
| US09255343B2 |
Iron-based composition for magnetocaloric effect (MCE) applications and method of making a single crystal
A method of making a single crystal comprises heating a material comprising magnetic anisotropy to a temperature T sufficient to form a melt of the material. A magnetic field of at least about 1 Tesla is applied to the melt at the temperature T, where a magnetic free energy difference ΔGm between different crystallographic axes is greater than a thermal energy kT. While applying the magnetic field, the melt is cooled at a rate of about 30° C./min or higher, and the melt solidifies to form a single crystal of the material. |
| US09255341B2 |
Method, apparatus, and electrolytic solution for electropolishing metallic stents
An apparatus, a method, and an electrolytic solution are described for electropolishing metallic stents made, for example, of high-strength medical alloys. The apparatus may include an electropolishing container made from material of low thermal conductivity. The apparatus may include at least one spiral cathode for optimization of solution agitation and/or voltage distribution in the electrolytic solution. Further, an electrolytic solution including at least dimethylsulfate is described. A method for improved electropolishing to consistently produce smooth surfaces is also described. |
| US09255337B2 |
Methods and apparatus for processing of rare earth metal ore
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. The methods and apparatuses described herein generate rare earth metals from ores with reduced requisite pre-removal of metal oxides found as natural impurities in ores. |
| US09255328B2 |
Metamaterial and method for forming a metamaterial using atomic layer deposition
A metamaterial includes a first continuous layer formed with a first material by atomic layer deposition (ALD), a first non-continuous layer formed with a second material by ALD on first upper surface portions of a first upper surface of the first continuous layer, and a second continuous layer formed with the first material by ALD on second upper surface portions of the first upper surface of the first continuous layer and on a second upper surface of the first non-continuous layer. |
| US09255326B2 |
Systems and methods for remote plasma atomic layer deposition
Systems and methods deposit a film on a substrate by introducing a precursor gas into a reaction volume of a processing chamber. A substrate is arranged in the reaction volume. After a predetermined soak period, the precursor gas is purged from the reaction volume. The substrate is exposed with plasma gas using a remote plasma source. |
| US09255325B2 |
Method and apparatus for igniting silicon rods outside a CVD-reactor
A method and a device for igniting silicon rods outside a CVD-reactor. A silicon rod is disposed inside a chamber of a casing of an ignition device. At least one pair of contact electrodes applies a first voltage supplied by a transformer with an open circuit voltage sufficiently high to initialize a current flow in and ignite the silicon rod. Optionally, the silicon rod may be heated by a current flow and/or an external heating unit to a temperature within a predetermined range. The silicon rod is removed from the ignition device and may be exposed to a depositing process inside a CVD-reactor. The ignition of the silicon rod outside the CVD-reactor facilitates a new ignition for the depositing process. |
| US09255323B2 |
Sputtering target including a feature to reduce chalcogen build up and arcing on a backing tube
A sputtering target has a cylindrical backing tube having two edges and a sidewall comprising a middle portion located between two end portions. The sputtering material is on the backing tube. The sputtering material does not cover at least one end portion of the backing tube. The sputtering target also has a feature which prevents or reduces at least one of chalcogen buildup and arcing at the at least one end portion of the backing tube not covered by the sputtering material. |
| US09255322B2 |
Substrate processing system having symmetric RF distribution and return paths
A processing system may include a target having a central axis normal thereto; a source distribution plate having a target facing side opposing a backside of the target, wherein the source distribution plate includes a plurality of first features such that a first distance of a first radial RF distribution path along a given first diameter is about equal to a second distance of an opposing second radial RF distribution path along the given first diameter; and a ground plate opposing a target opposing side of the source distribution plate and having a plurality of second features disposed about the central axis and corresponding to the plurality of first features, wherein a third distance of a first radial RF return path along a given second diameter is about equal to a fourth distance of an opposing second radial RF return path along the given second diameter. |
| US09255318B2 |
High-steel galvanized steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
A high-strength galvanized steel sheet has a low YP, good stretch flangeability, and excellent corrosion resistance and contains, on a percent by mass basis, more than 0.015% to less than 0.10% of C, 0.5% or less of Si, 1.0% to 1.9% of Mn, 0.015% to 0.050% of P, 0.03% or less of S, 0.01% to 0.5% of sol. Al, 0.005% or less of N, less than 0.40% of Cr, 0.005% or less of B, less than 0.15% of Mo, 0.4% or less of V, and less than 0.020% of Ti, in which 2.2≦[Mneq]≦3.1 and [% Mn]+3.3[% Mo]≦1.9, and [% Mn]+3.3[% Mo])/(1.3[% Cr]+8[% P]+150B*)<3.5 are satisfied. |