| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09613486B2 |
Slots-fueled adventure
Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for executing games, processed by one or mover servers. The one or more servers are provided with access to a network for communication with one or more client computers. One method includes operations for sending an interface for a casino-type game to a client computer, and for starting an online game that is displayed with the interface for the casino-type game. The method further includes operations for detecting a bet placed in the casino-type game, and for determining an outcome of the bet in the casino-type game. A character is moved along a path of the online game, where the amount of movement of the character is based on the outcome of the bet or wager. |
| US09613480B2 |
Method and device for authenticating a tag
A method for authenticating a tag, includes: a step (205) of capturing an image, with a communicating mobile terminal, of at least a portion of a tag having at least a portion of an identifier; a step (210) of transmitting the identifier to a server; a step (215) of reading, from a memory of tag images, the image of a tag having the identifier; a step (220) of transmitting, to the communicating mobile terminal, at least a portion of the image read from the memory; and a step (230) of displaying at least a portion of the transmitted image superimposed on an image captured by the terminal. |
| US09613477B2 |
Collection of information using contactless devices in combination with mobile computing devices
An approach for collecting information in a facility including a plurality of users, wherein each of the plurality of users includes at least one contact-less device for accessing the facility, wherein the contact-less device stores an identifier, and at least one of the plurality of users includes a wireless computing device, is provided. The approach broadcasts an interrogation signal by a selected wireless computing device from at least one of the plurality of users. The approach receives a response signal to the interrogation signal by the selected wireless computing device from each of one or more proximal contact-less devices of one or more contact-less devices within the operating range of the selected wireless computing device. The approach generates a collection message from the selected wireless computing device. The approach transmits the collection message from the selected wireless computing device to a central computing system. |
| US09613473B2 |
Method and apparatus for energy usage display
A computer-implemented method includes displaying a plurality of power consuming and producing vehicle components. The method also includes determining what components are currently consuming power and what components are currently delivering power, and to what magnitude the power is flowing between components. The method additionally includes displaying one or more arrows showing a powerflow from at least one power producing component to at least one power consuming or producing component. The method further includes displaying an indicia indicating the magnitude of the powerflow associated with the one or more arrows. Also, the method includes, for at least one power consuming component, displaying a gauge relating to a level of power being consumed by the at least one power consuming component. |
| US09613471B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosing actuators in vehicle
An apparatus and a method for diagnosing actuators in a vehicle can improve accuracy and reliability of a failure diagnosis by allowing a diagnostic control apparatus in a vehicle to measure power data and implementing a fast diagnosis by reducing a separation time and a diagnosis time of a measurement apparatus. |
| US09613469B2 |
Graphical user interface with vehicle scanned function
A graphical user interface is provided that can be used on a diagnostic tool. The graphical user interface allows a technician to operate various functions of the diagnostic tool including searching for additional information on the Internet, receiving weather information that is relevant to certain diagnostic tests, and displaying in certain formats the retrieved vehicle data and when certain vehicles were last scanned or diagnosed. |
| US09613468B2 |
Systems and methods for updating maps based on telematics data
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mapping management computer system. According to various embodiments, the mapping management computer system may be configured for updating geographical maps by assessing map data and operational data including vehicle telematics data to identify portions of a vehicle path that do not correspond to known travel paths. In various embodiments, the system is configured to define these identified portions as new known travel paths corresponding to a public road, private road, parking lot lane, or the like, and update the map data to reflect the new known travel paths. |
| US09613461B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and program
Provided is a display control apparatus including a state detection unit configured to detect a state of a user who observes an image, and a display control unit configured to cause a display to display the image in which a plurality of display content items are superimposed on a photographed image, and to control a behavior of each of the display content items according to the state of the user. |
| US09613460B2 |
Augmenting a digital image
For augmenting a digital image, code identifies a structure image in a digital image. The code further augments the digital image with structure information for the structure image and/or the digital image with structure image removed. |
| US09613459B2 |
System and method for in-vehicle interaction
A system and method for interaction in a vehicle includes establishing a bi-directional interaction session between a first display and a second display via a communication link, wherein each of the first display and the second display are communicatively coupled to the vehicle and the first display is operated by a first user and the second display is operated by a second user. Upon receiving a first interaction input associated generating a first augmented reality object based on the first interaction input and transmitting via the communication link the first augmented reality object to the second display. Upon receiving a second interaction input, generating a second augmented reality object based upon the second interaction input and transmitting via the communication link the second augmented reality object to the first display. |
| US09613457B2 |
Multi-primitive fitting device and operation method thereof
Provided are a multi-primitive fitting method including an acquiring point cloud data by collecting data of each of input points, a obtaining a segment for the points using the point cloud data, and a performing primitive fitting using data of points included in the segment and the point cloud data, and a multi-primitive fitting device that performs the method. |
| US09613453B2 |
Systems and method for performing a three pass rendering of images
System and method for producing an intermediate image in three passes is provided. An initial image and a final image are identified, each image comprising an associated depthmap and corresponding to a respective camera pose from a respective angular heading. An intermediate image corresponding to an intermediate camera pose with an intermediate angular heading is rendered. A first intermediate image is rendered at a first opacity based on the final image and the associated final depthmap, a second intermediate image is rendered at a second opacity based on the initial image and the associated initial depthmap, and a third intermediate image is rendered at a third opacity based on the final image and the associated final depthmap. The rendered first, second, and third intermediate images, each of which correspond to the intermediate camera pose with the intermediate angular heading, are overlaid to produce a combined image for display. |
| US09613452B2 |
Method and system for volume rendering based 3D image filtering and real-time cinematic rendering
A method and apparatus for volume rendering based 3D image filtering and real-time cinematic volume rendering is disclosed. A set of 2D projection images of the 3D volume is generated using cinematic volume rendering. A reconstructed 3D volume is generated from the set of 2D projection images using an inverse linear volumetric ray tracing operator. The reconstructed 3D volume inherits noise suppression and structure enhancement from the projection images generated using cinematic rendering, and is thus non-linearly filtered. Real-time volume rendering can be performed on the reconstructed 3D volume using volumetric ray tracing, and each projected image of the reconstructed 3D volume is an approximation of a cinematic rendered image of the original volume. |
| US09613451B2 |
Jittered coverage accumulation path rendering
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for rendering anti-aliased paths by first generating an alpha buffer representing coverage data. To generate the alpha buffer, jittered versions of the rendered path are rendered and corresponding stencil buffers indicating sub-pixel samples of the path that should be covered are generated. After each stencil buffer is generated, the jittered path is rasterized to convert the sub-pixel coverage into coverage weights that are stored in the alpha component of a frame buffer. As each jittered path is rasterized, the coverage weights are accumulated. Finally, geometry representing the union of the jittered versions of the path is rendered to shade pixels based on the accumulated coverage weights. The anti-aliased rendered paths may be filled or stroked without tessellating the paths. |
| US09613450B2 |
Photo-realistic synthesis of three dimensional animation with facial features synchronized with speech
Dynamic texture mapping is used to create a photorealistic three dimensional animation of an individual with facial features synchronized with desired speech. Audiovisual data of an individual reading a known script is obtained and stored in an audio library and an image library. The audiovisual data is processed to extract feature vectors used to train a statistical model. An input audio feature vector corresponding to desired speech with which the animation will be synchronized is provided. The statistical model is used to generate a trajectory of visual feature vectors that corresponds to the input audio feature vector. These visual feature vectors are used to identify a matching image sequence from the image library. The resulting sequence of images, concatenated from the image library, provides a photorealistic image sequence with facial features, such as lip movements, synchronized with the desired speech. This image sequence is applied to the three-dimensional model. |
| US09613448B1 |
Augmented display of information in a device view of a display screen
Implementations relate to augmented display of information in a device view of a display screen. In some implementations, a method includes detecting a physical display screen appearing in a field of view of an augmenting device, and detecting an information pattern in output associated with the physical display screen. The method extracts displayable information and screen position information from the information pattern, where the screen position information is associated with the displayable information and indicates a screen position on the physical display screen. The method causes a display of the displayable information overlaid in the field of view of the augmenting device, where the display of the displayable information is based on the screen position information. |
| US09613446B2 |
Obscured relationship data within a graph
Techniques for generating a visual representation of a graph are described herein. The techniques may include determining a metamodel indicating relationships between objects, and determining rules for obscuring data about the objects of the metamodel. A visual representation of a graph is generated, which visual representation illustrates at least some of the data about the objects and their relationships without illustrating the obscured data. |
| US09613440B2 |
Digital breast Tomosynthesis reconstruction using adaptive voxel grid
Some embodiments are associated with generation of a volumetric image representing an imaged object associated with a patient. According to some embodiments, tomosynthesis projection data may be acquired. A computer processor may then automatically generate the volumetric image based on the acquired tomosynthesis projection data. Moreover, distances between voxels in the volumetric image may be spatially varied. |
| US09613438B2 |
X-ray diagnostic apparatus and medical image processing method
An X ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X ray tube generating X rays, a first detector detecting the X rays, at least one second detector arranged in front of a first detection surface of the first detector and including a second detection surface narrower than the first detection surface and indicator points provided on a rear surface of the second detection surface, a projection data generation unit generating first projection data based on an output from the first detector, and a positional shift detection unit detecting a positional shift of the second detector relative to the first detector in accordance with an imaging direction by using the first projection data and a predetermined positional relationship between the points and detection elements in the second detector. |
| US09613435B1 |
Color maps
A computer-implemented method for generating a color map using a color space, the generating including selecting lightness points representing lightness values, generating a lightness plot based on the lightness points, the lightness plot non-linearly increasing from a minimum lightness value to a maximum lightness value, and selecting chromaticity points, where the chromaticity points are represented using a plurality of dimensions, and the chromaticity points representing chromaticity values. The method includes generating a chromaticity plot based on the chromaticity points, and associating chromaticity values along the chromaticity plot with respective lightness values along the lightness plot, the associating specifying a plurality of colors. The method also includes identifying an in-gamut range for an RGB representation of the plurality of colors, the RGB representation provided in an RGB color space, and converting the color map from the color space to the RGB color space. |
| US09613428B2 |
Fingerprint authentication using stitch and cut
The present invention concerns a method, a system, a device of authenticating a user using a body part including biometric information. The method comprises stitching partial enrolment images comprising different views of the user's body part into at least one mosaic and thereby creating an enrolled image, acquiring an authentication image of the body part, wherein the size of the authentication image is a fraction of the enrolled image, determining at least one area of interest in the enrolled image, and matching the authentication image with image data of the determined area of interest in the enrolled image. |
| US09613427B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
The disclosure provides an information processing method applied to an electronic device. The method comprises: performing edge detection on a first image to obtain edge strength values for respective pixels of the first image; determining, according to the edge strength values of the pixels, a main information region of the first image; cropping, according to the main information region, the first image to obtain a second image which includes the main information region; and setting the second image as a background image for a graphical interactive interface of the electronic device, wherein the graphical interactive interface includes N controls, N being a positive integer. |
| US09613426B2 |
Segmentation and matching of structures in medical imaging data
A medical image processing apparatus for receiving a target phase data set and a reference phase data set at different times, obtaining a segmentation of an elongated structure in the target phase data and the reference phase data set, determining a target phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the target phase data set and a reference phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the reference phase data set, and determining a synthesized target phase line by combining the target phase line and reference phase line. |
| US09613424B2 |
Method of constructing 3D clothing model based on a single image
A method of constructing 3D clothing model based on single image, estimating a 3D model of human body of an inputted image and constructing 3D clothing plane according to the clothing silhouette of the inputted image. The method includes utilizing the 3D clothing plane and the 3D model of human body to generate a smooth 3D clothing model through a deformation algorithm. A decomposition algorithm of intrinsic image is utilized along with a shape-from-shading algorithm to acquire a set of detail information of clothing from the inputted image. A weighted Laplace editing algorithm is utilized to shift the acquired detail information of clothing to the smooth 3D clothing model to yield a final 3D clothing model. A 3D clothing model is used to generate the surface geometry details including folds, wrinkles. |
| US09613422B2 |
Using multispectral satellite data to determine littoral water depths despite varying water turbidity
Satellite data is used to determine water depth by accounting for the changing turbidity of the water over time and without requiring calibration using SONAR measurements. Radiance values at multiple wavelengths sensed at both a first time and a second time are stored in a database. Modeled reflectance values are calculated for a defined surface area on the water based on an assumed depth, assumed water constituents and assumed bottom cover. A plurality of differences between the modeled reflectance values and the reflectances sensed at the two times are calculated. A bathymetry application module minimizes the sum of the differences between the modeled and sensed subsurface reflectances by varying the assumed depth, bottom cover and water constituents. The differences are weighted based on wavelength before being summed. The depth that results in the minimized sum of the differences is the estimated depth, which is displayed on a graphical user interface. |
| US09613417B2 |
Calibration of plenoptic imaging systems using fourier transform
Calibration for a plenoptic imaging system. The plenoptic imaging system includes a detector array that is subdivided into superpixels. A plenoptic image captured by the detector array of the plenoptic imaging system is accessed. For a row of superpixels, a slice is selected through the row, the selected slice having a Fourier transform with a stronger fundamental component compared to other slices through the row. A pitch of the row of superpixels is determined based on a frequency of the fundamental component of the selected slice. A rotation of the row of superpixels is determined based on a rotation of the selected slice. |
| US09613416B1 |
Methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis and management of medical scans
The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for automated reorientation and/or analysis of medical scans and/or images. The methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis of medical scans can be configured to mark, score, grade, and/other otherwise classify medical scans that are more time-sensitive, severe, and/or the like to allow a medical professional reviewing and/or analyzing medical scans to view and/or analyze such scans more efficiently by using a common image orientation and/or taking into account knowledge of the risk of severity, time-sensitiveness, and/or other priority. |
| US09613412B1 |
Stone slab manufacturing methods and systems
This document describes systems and processes manufacturing and distributing stone slabs, such as including distributing a stone slab and a slab image file associated with the stone slab. The slab image file may include an image and associated information to facilitate one or more operations related to the stone slab. |
| US09613411B2 |
Creating defect classifiers and nuisance filters
Methods and systems for setting up a classifier for defects detected on a wafer are provided. One method includes generating a template for a defect classifier for defects detected on a wafer and applying the template to a training data set. The training data set includes information for defects detected on the wafer or another wafer. The method also includes determining one or more parameters for the defect classifier based on results of the applying step. |
| US09613407B2 |
Display management for high dynamic range video
A display management processor receives an input image with enhanced dynamic range to be displayed on a target display which has a different dynamic range than a reference display. The input image is first transformed into a perceptually-quantized (PQ) color space. A non-linear mapping function generates a tone-mapped intensity image in response to the characteristics of the source and target display and a measure of the intensity of the PQ image. After a detail-preservation step which may generate a filtered tone-mapped intensity image, an image-adaptive intensity and saturation adjustment step generates an intensity adjustment factor and a saturation adjustment factor as functions of the measure of intensity and saturation of the PQ image, which together with the filtered tone-mapped intensity image are used to generate the output image. Examples of the functions to compute the intensity and saturation adjustment factors are provided. |
| US09613405B2 |
Scalable massive parallelization of overlapping patch aggregation
Techniques for enhancing an image using pixel-specific processing are disclosed. An image can be enhanced by updating certain pixels through patch aggregation. Neighboring pixels of a selected pixel are identified. Respective patch values for patches containing the selected pixel are determined. Patch values provide update information for updating the respective pixels in the patch. Relevant patch values for the selected pixel are identified by identifying associated patches of the pixel. Information from the relevant patch values of the selected pixel may be obtained. Using this information, pixel-specific processing may be performed to determine an updated pixel value for the selected pixel or for neighboring pixels of the selected pixel. Pixel-specific processes may be executed for each of the selected or neighboring pixels. These pixel-specific processes can be executed in parallel. Therefore, through the execution of pixel-specific processes, which may be performed concurrently, an enhanced image may be determined. |
| US09613403B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for out-focusing a color image based on a depth image, the method including receiving an input of a depth region of interest (ROI) desired to be in focus for performing out-focusing in the depth image, and applying different blur models to pixels corresponding to the depth ROI, and pixels corresponding to a region, other than the depth ROI, in the color image, thereby performing out-focusing on the depth ROI. |
| US09613402B2 |
Image processing device, endoscope system, image processing method, and computer-readable storage device
An image processing device includes an evaluation value calculation section that calculates an evaluation value that is used to determine whether or not an inter-frame state of an object within a captured image is a stationary state, an estimated noise amount acquisition section that acquires an estimated noise amount of the captured image, a determination section that determines whether or not the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state based on the evaluation value and the estimated noise amount, and a noise reduction processing section that performs a first noise reduction process (time-direction noise reduction process) when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state, and performs a second noise reduction process that includes at least a spatial-direction noise reduction process when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is not the stationary state. |
| US09613401B2 |
Method to obtain 3D images of a flowing region beneath an object using speckle reflections
A method for imaging a flowing media within static regions includes obtaining a plurality of signals using the speckle properties of the flowing media. The plurality of signals are compared to one another such as by subtraction. The static regions are removed from the plurality of signals by the comparison. The remaining signals are combined (such as by summing) to produce an image of the flowing media. |
| US09613397B2 |
Display method and electronic apparatus
A display method and an electronic apparatus include a display unit with various kinds of different display modes, so that when the current display mode of the display unit is the first display mode, the first application in the electronic apparatus is initiated, and then the electronic apparatus detects the first parameter information of the first application, and then determines the correspondence relationship between the first parameter information and the display modes, determines the second display mode corresponding to the first parameter information, and adjusts the display unit from the first display mode displayed currently to the second display mode at last. Determining the display modes according to different applications running in the electronic apparatus increases the display effect of the electronic apparatus and reduces the power consumption of the display of the electronic apparatus. |
| US09613394B2 |
Lossy color compression using adaptive quantization
Techniques related to graphics rendering including techniques for color compression and/or decompression using adaptive quantization are described. |
| US09613391B2 |
Image processing architecture
An inspection system that receives image data corresponding to an image and processes the image data to produce a report corresponding to characteristics of the image. Interface cards receive the image data in a flow, where each interface card receives image data corresponding to a different portion of the image. Process nodes connect to the interface cards, and receive the image data from the interface cards. A host computer is connected to the process nodes, and job managers implemented in the host computer manage the flow of image data to and from the process nodes. The job managers remain operable during a crash of one of the process nodes. Process node programs are implemented in the process nodes, and analyze a portion of the image data and produce the report corresponding to the characteristics of the analyzed portion of the image data. At least one process node program is implemented in each process node. The process node programs rapidly analyze the image. The process node programs are isolated from the job managers so that a crash of a process node program does not crash the job manager. |
| US09613387B2 |
Universal serial bus device applied to webcams and method thereof
A universal serial bus device includes at least two input interfaces, an input interface control unit, and an image input interface. Each input interface of the at least two input interfaces is coupled to an image sensor for receiving images generated by the image sensor and an identification bit corresponding to the image sensor. The input interface control unit is coupled to the at least two input interfaces for controlling the at least two input interfaces to receive images generated by the at least two image sensors and identification bits corresponding to the at least two image sensors in turn when the images generated by the at least two image sensors are used for synthesizing three-dimensional images. The image input interface is used for receiving and transmitting the images generated by the at least two image sensors and the identification bits corresponding to the at least two image sensors. |
| US09613385B2 |
System for analyzing device performance data
A system for analyzing performance data associated with a mail processing device includes a reporting module operable to receive, over a network, first data related to the operation of a mail processing device at one of a plurality of mail processing sites, wherein each of the plurality of mail processing sites is associated with a database accessible over the network, store the first data in a database associated with the mail processing site of the mail processing device, receive, over the network, second data identifying filter criteria for the first data, filter, using a processor, the first data with the second data, generate, using a processor, a report based on the filtered first data, and communicate the report over the network. |
| US09613384B2 |
Personal learning apparatus and method based on wireless communication network
A personal learning apparatus and method using a terminal which supports an electronic book function in a wireless communication network are provided. The personal learning method includes: distributing, by a master device, learning data to the terminal within a wireless communication service area; collecting, by the master device, learning results based on the learning data from the terminal provided with the learning data; and storing, by the master device, the collected learning results. |
| US09613383B2 |
Power plant field monitoring system and method using QR code
Power plant field monitoring system and method using a QR code in which, when a user photographs a QR code attached to a monitoring field and transmits the photographed QR code to a route server, the route server transmits matching information that matches the transmitted QR code, from among process values at the monitoring field which are collected by a main control server, to a user terminal. |
| US09613382B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically synchronizing online communities
A computer-implemented method for automatically synchronizing online communities may comprise identifying login information for a first user account associated with the first online community, accessing the first user account using the login information for the first user account, obtaining information from the first user account, and modifying, based on the information obtained from the first user account, a second user account associated with a second online community. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09613379B2 |
Trader portal system and method
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented trader portal system and method for use within a trading organization supporting multiple traders. The trader portal system integrates available trader related resources from multiple sources for trader viewing and utilization. The trader portal system may include administrative controls for allowing administrative configuration of the trader related resources visible to the multiple traders within the trading organization. The trader portal system may further include a source collection engine for collecting the trader-related resources from the multiple sources and a source integration engine for integrating the collected trader related resources with the trader portal system in accordance with the administrative configuration. The trader portal system may further include multiple modules accessible to the traders through a user interface, each of the multiple modules displaying at least one of the collected trader related resources as determined by the source integration engine. |
| US09613378B2 |
Distributed ranking and matching of messages
Apparatus and methods for managing messages in a computer system are described. A plurality of order/quote messages is received via an input mechanism, and the order/quote messages are ranked based on the at least one ranking value parameter at a first ranking unit. At least one top ranked order/quote message is sent from the first ranking unit to a matching unit, and the top ranked order/quote messages are matched at the matching unit. |
| US09613376B2 |
Apparatus and method for recipient distribution and tracking
An apparatus and method of maintaining beneficiary information are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured to perform the method, which may include obtaining information for one or more recipients of one or more conveyances of property, obtaining one or more digital IDs from the one or more recipients, maintaining the one or more digital IDs from the one or more recipients by periodically sending notifications to the one or more recipients, and distributing assets with the one or more digital IDs to the one or more recipients. |
| US09613374B2 |
Presentation of candidate domain name bundles in a user interface
A system and method for the generation and presentation of candidate domain names are presented. The method includes receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request to access or purchase access to a software application, the request being received from a user. Keywords associated with at least one of the user, a website of the user, and a business of the user are generated and a candidate domain name relevant to the keywords is generated. A user interface is displayed including the candidate domain name. The user interface enables the user to register the candidate domain name. A plurality of candidate domain names may be generated and organized into carousels or stacks according to a common theme. The candidate domain names may be displayed on a user interface and arranged thereon according to a relevance score of the domain name bundles. |
| US09613372B2 |
System, method, and non-trasitory computer-readable storage media for displaying product information on websites
A system for displaying product information to a customer is described herein. The system includes a processor that is programmed to receive search data in response to a product search request received from the customer and retrieve product records associated with the search data from a database. Each product record is associated with a corresponding product and includes a product description and a plurality of item attributes having corresponding attribute values. The processor selects a set of the item attributes and generates a product summary for each of the products as a function of the selected set of item attributes. Each product summary includes corresponding attribute values associated with the selected set of item attributes. The processor generates and displays product information associated with each of the products being included in the search data. The associated product information includes a corresponding product summary and a corresponding product description. |
| US09613371B2 |
Dynamic taxonomy generation with demand-based product groups
A method of extending an existing product taxonomy for an inventory of products. The existing product taxonomy can include pages having a hierarchical tree structure. The method can include determining a first set of keywords. The first set of keywords can be a prediction of keywords searched above a predetermined threshold during a predetermined time period of one or more external search engines. The method also can include generating dynamic product groups based on the first set of keywords. The method further can include generating a relation graph of the dynamic product groups. The relation graph can include relation links between the dynamic product groups. The method also can include linking the dynamic product groups to pages in the existing product taxonomy to generate an extended product taxonomy. The extended product taxonomy can include the existing product taxonomy, the dynamic product groups, and the relation links of the relation graph between the dynamic product groups. The method further can include presenting to a user information about the dynamic product groups. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09613370B2 |
Securely and efficiently processing telephone orders
An apparatus for processing telephone orders includes a communications module that establishes a telephonic connection between a customer service representative of a merchant and a customer, and an identification module that receives an identifier linking the customer to a billing profile a billing profile access module that receives electronic access to the billing profile. The billing profile includes billing information of the customer. The apparatus includes a transaction module that processes a sales order using the billing profile of the customer in response to a customer approval of the sales order. The sales order is for a product and/or a service offered by the merchant. The billing information of the billing profile is unavailable for viewing by the customer service representative. |
| US09613368B2 |
Systems and methods for providing and dynamically updating customer-specific shipping information on an on-site server
A commerce system for serving a customer of delivery services using dynamically updated data including platform services, an operations-management server maintained by a vendor, and a local commerce server and a remote computer system maintained by a delivery services company. The operations-management server is positioned at a customer location and operatively connected to the platform services. The commerce server is operatively connected to the operations-management server and operatively connected to the platform services and includes local programs configured for providing services of the delivery services company to the customer. The remote computer system is connected to the local commerce server by a network. The remote computer system includes a message-management system, wherein at least one of the message-management compartments holds update data connected to the local commerce server for updating the commerce data, and includes remote programs. The operations-management and local commerce servers run interactively on the platform services. |
| US09613367B2 |
Assessment of users feedback data to evaluate a software object
In one embodiment, feedback data of a software object is received through a sequence of cascaded GUIs. The cascaded GUIs include an interaction portion to receive the feedback data from users at a plurality of feedback levels. Further, user role weightings of the users, account weightings of enterprises associated with the users and a time weighting corresponding to a life-cycle phase of the software object are retrieved. Furthermore, average rating of the software object corresponding to each feedback level is determined as a function of the user role weightings, the account weightings, the time weighting, the feedback data corresponding to a feedback level and a number of users submitted the feedback data. The determined average ratings and rating distribution corresponding to each feedback level are graphically displayed on the interaction portion associated with a next feedback level. |
| US09613365B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for secure near field communication of a non-secure memory element payload
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for secure near field communication (NFC) of a non-secure memory element payload. The method includes receiving, at an NFC enabled mobile device and from a content provider, a payload. The method also includes storing the received payload in a non-secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device. The method further includes transferring the stored payload from the non-secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device to a secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device, wherein transferring the stored payload includes loading the stored payload into a secure reloadable payload instance. The method further includes establishing a NFC link between the NFC enabled mobile device and an NFC reader. The method further includes communicating, via the NFC link, the transferred payload from the secure reloadable payload instance to the NFC reader. |
| US09613364B2 |
Method and system of identifying a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential
A computing device is configured to identify a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential. A Global User Search Data file (GUSD) comprising information related to a search object is read. A morpheme combination in the search object from the GUSD is identified. The morpheme combination is compared to a first set of pre-existing terms. A first score is assigned to the search object based on the comparison, wherein a higher first score is assigned if the morpheme combination is not found in the first set of pre-existing terms. An un-successfulness of the search object is determined and a second score is assigned, wherein a higher second score is assigned the more un-successful the search object is. An aggregate of all the scores for a search term is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the aggregate score is above the predetermined threshold, the search term is identified as a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential. |
| US09613358B1 |
System, method, and computer program for capturing a unique identifier for a merchant used in purchase transaction approval requests
A system, method, and computer program are provided for capturing a unique identifier for a merchant used in purchase transaction approval requests. A merchant is able to register with a payment card system via a merchant interface. A payment card number is associated with and provided to the merchant via the interface with instructions to perform a purchase transaction with the payment card number. The system receives requests for approval of payment card transactions, where each request includes a payment card number and a unique identifier for a merchant. For each request, the system determines whether the payment card number includes an indicator that the payment card number is for the purpose of capturing a unique identifier for a merchant. In response to receiving a request with a payment card number that includes the indicator, a unique identifier accompanying the request is automatically associated with the registering merchant. |
| US09613357B2 |
Authorizing the use of a biometric card
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for authorizing the use of a biometric transaction card. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a biometric card having a biometric sensor to determine whether the biometric information (fingerprint) is from human skin. In a typical embodiment, the cardholder approaches a magnetic reader with the card. The user places his/her finger on the SpO2 sensor of the card. The sensor estimates the SpO2 level. Card authorization is based, in part, on the estimated SpO2 level. |
| US09613354B2 |
Device, system and method for reducing an interaction time for a contactless transaction
Methods, devices, and systems are described for sending and receiving messages between a terminal reader and a payment device, such as a credit card. A dynamic signature is calculated on the payment device from an application transaction counter, a terminal unpredictable number, and a transaction amount, and it is sent with an application file locator (AFL) to the reader. The reader then sends a read record command to the payment device to get records associated with the AFL, among other normal processing. While the normal processing is occurring for the transaction, the dynamic signature can be recalculated and compared with that from the payment device in order to assure that nothing has surreptitiously changed the values in the messages. |
| US09613353B1 |
Passcode entry through motion sensing
A method of entering a passcode is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: calculating locations of tactile inputs on the input component to interact with the passcode entry interface based at least partially on the recorded motion readings; and determining the passcode based at least in part on the tactile inputs by mapping the tactile inputs to a geometric layout of interactive elements of the passcode entry interface. |
| US09613351B2 |
Apparatus and method for commercial transactions using a communication device
An apparatus for effecting commercial transactions with a server using a transaction card via a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes a transaction device coupled with the communication device for capturing information from the transaction card and a controller for converting the captured card information into an encrypted audio signal and for transmitting the audio signal to the communication device. The communication device delivers the audio signal to the server for processing the commercial transaction. |
| US09613345B2 |
Wireless service provider system and method for activating and selling a wireless service on a wireless device
A wireless service provider system and associated methods of using the system for the sale and/or activation of wireless services is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface for a wireless device having a unique identifier. A backend system computer of the wireless service provider system can receive a unique identifier corresponding to the wireless device; authorize the activation of the wireless service corresponding to the unique identifier of the wireless device; and record, in a database, the authorized unique identifier to improve a user's experience and ease of activation/provisioning of services for the wireless device. |
| US09613343B2 |
System and method for compositing items and authorizing transactions
A method of executing an electronic financial transaction involving two parties providing information for generating a transaction document and authorizing the document to execute the transaction. The method contemplates the maker electronically transmitting a data record representative of the financial transaction directly to a payee, such as by email. The payee can then convert the data record into a transaction acceptable to a bank of first deposit, such as by printing or imaging the data record into a form acceptable to the bank, such as a standard paper check. |
| US09613342B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire first failure information on failures that have occurred in a first device of a predetermined model of a predetermined customer, and acquire second failure information on failures that have occurred in a second device of the predetermined model; a calculating unit configured to calculate first operation information on the first device by using the first failure information, and calculate second operation information on the second device by using the second failure information; and an output unit configured to output proposal information indicating a proposal based on the first operation information and the second operation information. |
| US09613341B2 |
Calculating trust score on web based platform
A method for calculating trust level of a user on social networking sites, comprising: consolidating information related to users operatively associated with at least a web based social platform; assigning weight to each of the consolidated information; computing aggregated score for at least an information; computing weighted average of the aggregated scores of the information; and calculating trust score based on the weighted average score. It further comprises assigning a trust level to the users based upon the trust. The method enables a user to create web of trust for social contacts or friends on the web based social platform wherein the web of trust comprises of most trusted friends, average trusted friends and least trusted friends. |
| US09613339B2 |
Information exchange in the social network environment
A system and computer program product for improving information exchange in a social network environment. Actions (e.g., copying) being performed on an electronic object (e.g., e-mail) are detected. Furthermore, the entry of the electronic object in a social networking website is detected thereby identifying an association between this electronic object and this social networking website. Rule patterns are identified based on these detected actions and these associations. Indications of these associations are stored in terms of concept nodes in a hierarchical tree using the identified rule patterns. Social networking feeds of interest are then searched using the hierarchical tree as well as a current electronic object of a user (e.g., status message on a social networking feed, e-mail). The user would then be provided an opportunity to repost an information nugget from the current electronic object in one or more of these social networking feeds of interest. |
| US09613338B1 |
Reading station structures
In some examples, a reader system is provided for managing inventory items in an inventory system. The reader system may be configured to read tags associated with items stowed in an inventory holder. The inventory holder may be detachably coupled to a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder to a first position near an antenna of the reader system and the tags may begin to be read. While reading or at other times in the reading process, the mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder relative to the antenna. The identified tags may be compared to a manifest list of items expected to be stowed in the inventory holder. |
| US09613336B2 |
RFID logic tag
In embodiments of RFID logic tag, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) logic tag can interrogate multiple RFID tags, such as a first RFID tag that monitors the status of a first item, as well as a second RFID tag that monitors the status of a second item. The RFID logic tag receives status data as responses from the respective first and second RFID tags (and optionally, additional RFID tags). The RFID logic tag is implemented to then generate a logic signal based on a logic operation applied to the status data received from the RFID tags. |
| US09613330B2 |
Identity and access management
A computer-implemented process for an endpoint for automated fulfillment, includes: in an Automatic Fulfillment (AF) server: creating an endpoint on the AF server; selecting supported commands; and for each command, defining required and optional parameters and endpoint type specific implementation details; and in a Compliance Manager (CM): running discovery to find new endpoint and create metadata for it in the CM; for each command to be automated, filling in mappings for at least all required parameters; and enabling the command; enabling the endpoint; binding the endpoint to a business source; and ensuring that the business source uses a fulfillment process that uses the AF server. |
| US09613328B2 |
Workflow monitoring and analysis system and method thereof
A method of workflow monitoring and analysis includes: according to an image to generate at least one three-dimensional joint coordinate, and according to the three dimensional joint coordinate to generate at least one task posture information; according to a movement information to generate at least one three-dimensional track information, and according to the three dimensional track to generate at least one task track information; and according to a workpiece posture information, the task posture information, a workpiece movement information and the task track information to generate a task semanticist. |
| US09613323B2 |
Organizational agility determination across multiple computing domains
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for determining and/or enhancing an organization's agility across one or more computing domains. Among other things, embodiments of the present invention parse and mine organizational documents for relevant data, calculate and weight business agility scores, optimize domain elements to ensure optimal outcomes for customers, and/or provide organization agility information for transfer to consultants or the like. It is understood that these functions may be used independently or in conjunction with each other depending on the scope of improvement desired for a particular organization. |
| US09613321B2 |
System and method for establishing a dynamic meta-knowledge network
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for establishing a dynamic meta-knowledge network. More particularly, it relates to a computer implemented system and method for charting, mapping, linking, annotating, evaluating, following, broadcasting and publishing scientific, technical, medical and scholarly information, both current and historical. In an embodiment, the present system and method may be embodied in an internet application composed of a database containing scientific publication records, scientific meta-knowledge data, and user profiles. Scientific meta-knowledge stored in the database includes knowledge contexts as well as descriptive and quantitative annotations. Author names and entities within each knowledge context category and annotation category are linked to the appropriate publications. A publication webpage is generated for each publication record, and this is configured to aggregate and present stored data and links that are relevant (and specific) to each publication. |
| US09613320B2 |
Role-based product management system using proxy objects
A method and apparatus for identifying information for a product. User input selecting a proxy object in a product design on a computer system is received. The proxy object refers to a number of product standards used in the product design and is associated with a component in the product design. A role of a user is identified. A request for standards information for the component is sent to an interpreter module. The role of the user is included in the request. The standards information is received in a format based on the role of the operator such that the standards information is displayed in the computer system. |
| US09613318B2 |
Intelligent user interaction experience for mobile computing devices
A system for assessing a user interaction experience of content displayed on a mobile device, implemented by a computing processor, receives an indication of content to be displayed on the mobile device. The indication is received in response to a user attempting to access the content. The system analyzes the content to assess the user interaction experience of the content to be displayed on the mobile device. The analysis is based at least on the mobile device on which the content is to be displayed. The user interaction experience is comprised of the viewing quality of the content to be displayed on the mobile device, and/or a feasibility of user interaction with the content. Based on the user interaction experience, the system presents, on the mobile device on which the content is to be displayed, an indication of the user interaction experience and the indication of the content to be displayed on the mobile device. |
| US09613314B2 |
Fact checking method and system utilizing a bendable screen
An efficient fact checking system analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The efficient fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information efficiently and/or provides a status of the information. |
| US09613313B2 |
System and method for providing a recommendation of a game based on a game-centric relationship graph
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for providing a recommendation for a game based on a game-centric relationship graph. The relationship graph is a graph depicting relationships between game and game users. One or more recommended games may be determined by leveraging the relationship graph. For example, recommended games may be identified based on graph proximities from candidate game nodes to a target user node or a mathematical score calculated from weight metrics of relationship branches. |
| US09613309B1 |
System and method for predicting significant events using a progress curve model
Described is system for predicting significant events using a progress curve model. The system first determines Z-score values for a predetermined period of a time series to generate a Z-score time series. The Z-score time series are partitioned into a plurality of E-periods to define time frames for progress curve model (PCM) fitting. An E-period is defined as a period of escalation and de-escalation. Finally, a future event is predicted based on an absolute Z-score value that is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. |
| US09613292B1 |
Secure multi-dimensional pattern matching for secure search and recognition
Described is a protocol for multi-dimensional secure pattern matching. The protocol is to be evaluated between two parties, P1 (or Client) and P2 (or Server). P1 holds a multi-dimensional pattern, p, and P2 holds a multi-dimensional text T (where both p and T have the same number of dimensions, but where p may be of smaller length in each dimension compared to T). P1 and P2 would then engage in a protocol that allows P1 to find out whether p is present in T or not. The security and privacy requirements are that P2 does not learn any information about the pattern p nor the result of the matching. P1 should also not learn any information about T other than whether p is present in it or not. Upon implementation of the protocol, p matches T if there exists an m× . . . ×m sub-hypermatrix (or sub-array) of T that equals p. |
| US09613289B2 |
X-ray diagnosis apparatus and image processing apparatus
According to an embodiment, in an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, a detector detects a position of a feature point in the sequentially generated X-ray images. A corrector performs a correction process such that an angle of a line segment including the feature point and a single point based on the feature point detected in any one of the sequentially generated X-ray images substantially agree with an angle based on the feature point and a single point based on the feature point detected in a new X-ray image generated after the X-ray image, thereby sequentially generating corrected images in which a position different from the feature point in the images is substantially the same. Every time each of the corrected images is newly generated by the corrector, a controller sequentially generates the corrected images, thereby displaying a moving image on a display unit. |
| US09613287B2 |
Local feature descriptor extracting apparatus, method for extracting local feature descriptor, and program
The size of a feature descriptor is reduced with the accuracy of object identification maintained. A local feature descriptor extracting apparatus includes a feature point detecting unit configured to detect feature points in an image, a local region acquiring unit configured to acquire a local region for each of the feature points, a subregion dividing unit configured to divide each local region into a plurality of subregions, a subregion feature vector generating unit configured to generate a feature vector with a plurality of dimensions for each of the subregions in each local region, and a dimension selecting unit configured to select dimensions from the feature vector in each subregion so as to reduce a correlation between the feature vectors in proximate subregions based on positional relations among the subregions in each local region and output elements of the selected dimensions as a feature descriptor of the local region. |
| US09613286B2 |
Method for correcting user's gaze direction in image, machine-readable storage medium and communication terminal
A method and mobile terminal for correcting a gaze of a user in an image are provided. The method includes detecting first eye outer points that define a first eye region of the user in an original image; setting second eye outer points different from the first eye outer points; and transforming the first eye region inside of the first eye outer points to a second eye region inside of the second eye outer points. |
| US09613283B2 |
System and method for using an image to provide search results
A system and method uses an image manipulating application to define in an object image a plurality of discrete cells. Predefined image information is substituted for image information in selected ones of the plurality of discrete cells to form a translated version of the object image. The translated version of the object image may then be provided to an image recognition capable search engine to obtain search results. |
| US09613281B2 |
Methods for performing biometric recognition of a human eye and corroboration of same
A method of biometric recognition is provided. Multiple images of the face or other non-iris image and iris of an individual are acquired. If the multiple images are determined to form an expected sequence of images, the face and iris images are associated together. A single camera preferably acquires both the iris and face images by changing at least one of the zoom, position, or dynamic range of the camera. The dynamic range can be adjusted by at least one of adjusting the gain settings of the camera, adjusting the exposure time, and/or adjusting the illuminator brightness. The expected sequence determination can be made by determining if the accumulated motion vectors of the multiple images is consistent with an expected set of motion vectors and/or ensuring that the iris remains in the field of view of all of the multiple images. |
| US09613276B2 |
Detection of human actions from video data
A video action detection system uses feature a data extractor to extract feature data from video data at detected spatiotemporal interest points. A feature data quantizer assigns the extracted feature values to bins of a feature vector. Bin values are computed from a sum of contributions of spatiotemporal points of interest that have been assigned to the bin, with a bin dependent adjustment of a size of the sum and/or the contributions. The video action detection system computes a sum of match scores between the feature vector and reference vectors for the predetermined type of action. The bin dependent adjustment of the size of the sum and/or the contributions is adapted in a training step, based on partial match scores for individual bins obtained using an initial action detector. |
| US09613275B2 |
Method and system for a mobile terminal to achieve user interaction by simulating a real scene
A method and a system for a mobile terminal to achieve user interaction by simulating a real scene are disclosed. The method comprises: formulating a scene task for a 3D virtual scene; uploading the information of the 3D virtual scene and the scene task to a server to obtain a shared link; searching for and transmitting the shared link to nearby mobile terminals, sending an invitation and waiting for participation of the nearby mobile terminals; if the invitation is received by the nearby mobile terminals, then reading the information of the 3D virtual scene and the scene task and uploading corresponding personal information by the nearby mobile terminals; and changing locations of user roles in the 3D virtual scene according to positioning information of the mobile terminal, receiving a user operation instruction to make interactions via the user roles, and recording the user behaviors corresponding to the personal information. |
| US09613269B2 |
Identifying and tracking convective weather cells
A method for tracking weather cells from a moving platform includes receiving, from a detection and ranging system, reflectivity data sampled for a volume of space and generating a feature map based on the reflectivity data, wherein the feature map is a representation of the volume of space that indicates locations with significant weather and generating a first segmented feature map based on the feature map that identifies the location and spatial extent of individual weather cells. The method further includes translating the first segmented feature map and a second segmented feature map, generated from data collected at a different point in time and/or space, to a common frame of reference and comparing the first segmented feature map to the second segmented feature map. The method further includes creating one or more track hypotheses based on the comparison of the first segmented feature map and the second segmented feature map. |
| US09613267B2 |
Method and system of extracting label:value data from a document
This disclosure provides an exemplary method and system for extracting structured label and value pairwise textual data from a textual document. According to an exemplary method, initially a layout analysis is performed resulting in one or more alternatives for grouping and ordering the textual elements of interest. Next, textual elements are tagged as including a label term, a value term or a label and value term. Finally, a sequence-based method is applied to the tagged elements to generate one or more sequence listings representative of the label and value pairwise data structure(s) and label:value pairwise data is extracted. |
| US09613266B2 |
Complex background-oriented optical character recognition method and device
A complex background-oriented optical character recognition method and device are provided. The method of the present invention includes: collecting image information to obtain a collected image; according to character characteristics, acquiring a target character region from the collected image, and taking same as a target object; extracting character edge information in the target object using a differential method to obtain an extracted image; superposing the target object and the extracted image to obtain a recovery image; conducting inversion and Gaussian filtration processing on the recovery image to obtain a processed image; searching for a target character location in the processed image; and recognizing the target character location. On this basis, accurate and quick locating and recognition of characters can be realized on the basis of effectively suppressing background noise and highlighting character information. |
| US09613264B2 |
Shape recognition using partial shapes
Shape recognition is performed based on determining whether one or more ink strokes is not part of a shape or a partial shape. Ink strokes are divided into segments and the segments analyzed employing a relative angular distance histogram. The histogram analysis yields stable, incremental, and discriminating featurization results. Neural networks may also be employed along with the histogram analysis to determine complete shapes from partial shape entries and autocomplete suggestions provided to users for conversion of the shape into a known object. |
| US09613263B2 |
Ink stroke grouping based on stroke attributes
One embodiment provides a method including: receiving a plurality of handwriting ink strokes; determining, using a processor, at least one grouping of the plurality of handwriting ink strokes, wherein the grouping is determined using spacing associated with the plurality of handwriting ink strokes and at least one attribute associated with at least one portion of the plurality of handwriting ink strokes; sending the at least one grouping to a recognition engine; receiving machine input from the recognition engine; and displaying, on a display device, the machine input. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09613261B2 |
Inferring spatial object descriptions from spatial gestures
Three-dimensional (3-D) spatial image data may be received that is associated with at least one arm motion of an actor based on free-form movements of at least one hand of the actor, based on natural gesture motions of the at least one hand. A plurality of sequential 3-D spatial representations that each include 3-D spatial map data corresponding to a 3-D posture and position of the hand at sequential instances of time during the free-form movements may be determined, based on the received 3-D spatial image data. An integrated 3-D model may be generated, via a spatial object processor, based on incrementally integrating the 3-D spatial map data included in the determined sequential 3-D spatial representations and comparing a threshold time value with model time values indicating numbers of instances of time spent by the hand occupying a plurality of 3-D spatial regions during the free-form movements. |
| US09613259B2 |
System and method for matching faces
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for matching faces. The method includes receiving an image of a face of a first person from a device of a second person, comparing the image of the face of the first person to a database of known faces in a contacts list of the second person, identifying a group of potential matching faces from the database of known faces, and displaying to the second person the group of potential matching faces. In one variation, the method receives input selecting one face from the group of potential matching faces and displays additional information about the selected one face. In a related variation, the method displays additional information about one or more face in the displayed group of potential matching faces without receiving input. |
| US09613258B2 |
Image quality assessment
This disclosure concerns image quality assessment. In particular, there is described a computer implemented method, software, and computer for assessing the quality of an image. For example but not limited to, quality of the image of a face indicates the suitability of the image for use in face recognition. The invention comprises determining (112) a similarity of features of two or more sub-images of the image (608) to a model (412) of the object which is based on multiple training images (612) of multiple different objects of that type. The model (412) is comprised of sub-models (406) and each sub-model (406) corresponds to a sub-image of the image (608). Determining similarity is based on the similarity of features of each sub-image to features modelled by the corresponding sub-model. It is an advantage that no input parameters are required for quality assessment since the quality of the image can be determined from only the similarity between the image and the same, therefore single generic, model. |
| US09613257B2 |
Global identification (ID) and age verification system and method
A multi-process identity and/or age verification process and system for user's connected to a network such as the Internet. The process and system verify the identity of the user by: verifying personal information of the user; verifying identification documentation associated with the user; and conducting an online face-to-face verification of the user over the network. |
| US09613252B1 |
Fingerprint matching method and device
A fingerprint matching method and device are provided. The fingerprint matching method includes the step of capturing a plurality of registered templates, capturing a to-be-recognized data, comparing the to-be-recognized data and the plurality of registered templates, generating a plurality of comparison scores corresponding to the registered templates which overlap the to-be-recognized data, generating a comparison result according to the plurality of comparison scores, and determining whether the to-be-recognized data is verified according to the comparison result. |
| US09613251B2 |
Fingerprint matching algorithm
A method of matching a reference fingerprint image and an input fingerprint image, represented by a first set of minutiae and a second set of minutiae, including: determining a first local neighborhood for each minutia including at least one minutia neighboring the minutia, comparing the first local neighborhoods in the first set with the first local neighborhoods in the second set to determine matched minutiae, filtering the matched minutiae based on a difference between their positions, determining a second local neighborhood for each unmatched minutia including at least one matched minutia neighboring the unmatched minutia, comparing the second local neighborhoods in the first set with the second local neighborhoods in the second set to determine further matched minutiae, filtering the matched minutiae and the further matched minutiae based on a difference between their positions, and determining whether the first and second fingerprint images are the same. |
| US09613249B2 |
Finger sensor including encapsulating layer over sensing area and related methods
A fingerprint sensor may include a substrate, and a finger sensing IC on the substrate and including a finger sensing area on an upper surface thereof for sensing an adjacent finger. The fingerprint sensor may include an encapsulating material on the finger sensing IC and covering the finger sensing area, and a bezel adjacent the finger sensing area and on an uppermost surface of the encapsulating layer. |
| US09613247B2 |
Sensing method and circuit of fingerprint sensor
A sensing method and circuit of fingerprint sensor is disclosed. In a first phase, the sensing method supplies a first to third voltages to an electrode plate to be measured, a read-out circuit of the electrode plate to be measured and a conductor adjacent to the electrode plate to be measured, respectively. In a second phase, the sensing method stops supplying the first to third voltages and supplies voltage to the conductor and connects the electrode plate to be measured to the read-out circuit so the read-out circuit reads out a measurement result of the electrode plate to be measured. According to the sensing method and circuit, the measurement result of the electrode plate to be measured is not affect by capacitors between the electrode plate to be measured and the conductor. |
| US09613246B1 |
Multiple scan element array ultrasonic biometric scanner
An ultrasonic biometric scanner includes an ultrasonic multiple scan element array with multiple scan elements. The array includes piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate or polyvinylidene difluoride with a first electrode on a first surface and a second electrode on a second, opposite surface. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode include multiple electrodes wherein the number of the multiple electrodes corresponds to a number of the multiple scan elements. A substrate is electrically coupled to the second electrode and/or the first electrode. A cover may be positioned over the first electrode. The cover has an acoustic impedance matching ultrasonic signals emitted by the piezoelectric material. |
| US09613244B2 |
2D indicia pose estimation and consequent grid localization and/or synchronization
Systems and methods of operation for a machine-readable symbol reader for estimating the relative position, orientation and/or distance of a scanned target object or item labeled with two dimensional (2D) indicia, such as a digital watermark. Such estimation information may be provided to a localization process or a decoding process to assist such processes in decoding the 2D indicia from an image of the object labeled with the 2D indicia. The machine-readable symbol reader may include an aiming system which projects a light pattern onto a target object. The reader may capture one or more images of the target object while the light pattern is projected thereon and analyze at least one characteristic of the pattern to estimate position, orientation or distance of the target object relative to the machine-readable symbol reader. Such information may be used to improve decoding of the 2D indicia. |
| US09613242B2 |
Apparatus and method for communicating with an RFID transponder
A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder. |
| US09613236B2 |
Methods for recovering RFID data based upon probability using an RFID receiver
RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations do not change the determined probabilities. |
| US09613231B2 |
Movement monitoring security devices and systems
Motion sensing devices for computer security are provided herein. In one embodiment, a security device includes a sensor for detecting movement of a computing device to which the security device is coupled, a transmitter, a processor, a memory, and instructions that are executed to receive from the sensor messages indicative of the movement of the computing device, determine if the computing device has been moved using the sensor messages, and output a warning message using the transmitter, if the computing device has been moved. |
| US09613230B2 |
Plug part for forming a plug-in connection
The plug part (10) is connectable to a mating part (1), which is used as a connector of a device (50), to form a plug-in connection. The plug part (10) includes at least one non-volatile memory (13), a communication unit (15) and a microprocessor (14). A network having such plug parts (10) can be tested by means of a testing device, which is designed to generate test signals from information stored in the memory (13), which test signals can be laid on the cable wired leading out of the plug part (10) in order to generate measurement signals. The memory (13) preferably contains a list of permissible combinations of hardware and software versions, which can be compared with the current hardware and software combination of the device (50) in order to configure the device (50) and/or authorize the device (50) for normal operation. |
| US09613227B1 |
System and method to anonymize data transmitted to a destination computing device
A method and system for anonymizing data to be transmitted to a destination computing device is disclosed. Anonymization strategy for data anonymization is provided. Data to be transmitted is received from a user computer. Selective anonymization of the data is performed, based on the anonymization strategy, using an anonymization module. The received data includes a plurality of characters encoded in a first encoding scheme, with a first subset of characters assigned to a first language. The first subset of characters are encoded in a second encoding scheme to derive a modified data. The second encoding scheme has number of bits sufficient to encode total number of characters in the first language. The modified data is anonymized to derive an anonymized data. The anonymized data is transmitted to a destination computing device. |
| US09613226B2 |
Secure access to individual information
A facility for accessing information relating to a person is described. In a reader device, the facility accesses first credentials stored in a first storage device, second credentials stored in a second storage device, and third credentials stored in the reader device. In the reader device, the facility uses a combination of the first credentials, second credentials, and third credentials to decrypt information relating to the person stored in the first storage device. |
| US09613224B2 |
Integrating a user's security context in a database for access control
Techniques are provided for integrating application-level user security context with a database. A session manager, in a middle tier that includes an application, obtains the security context of a user and establishes, in the database, a light-weight session (LWS) that reflects the security context. The security context is synchronized between the middle tier and database before application code execution. The database maintains an isolated copy of the LWS for the unit of application code executed as the security context. The database sends to the session manager the identifier of the copy of LWS. Before allowing a request from an application to be sent to the database, the session manager, transparent to the application, inserts an identifier that identifies the LWS. In this way, the database processes an application request in the context of the corresponding user's security context that is the same as the security context in the middle tier. |
| US09613223B2 |
Method for application management, corresponding system, and user device
A method for application management is provided. First, an original application is received. A license code is injected into the original application through a repackaging process to generate a repackaged application. Next, the repackaged application is published for a user device to download and install, wherein the user device executes a client program. When the user device executes the repackaged application, the license code sends a license check request to activate the client program to send a license check response according to license information of the repackaged application. The license check response indicates whether the repackaged application is allowed to be further executed. When the license check response indicates that the repackage application is not allowed to be further executed, the license code terminates the repackaged application. |
| US09613220B2 |
Secure data parser method and system
The present invention provides a method and system for securing sensitive data from unauthorized access or use. The method and system of the present invention is useful in a wide variety of settings, including commercial settings generally available to the public which may be extremely large or small with respect to the number of users. The method and system of the present invention is also useful in a more private setting, such as with a corporation or governmental agency, as well as between corporation, governmental agencies or any other entity. |
| US09613216B2 |
Encryption recommendation method and encryption recommendation device
An encryption recommendation method and an encryption recommendation device are provided. The method includes: scanning user operations on an application in a terminal, and obtaining a frequency of usage of each application; obtaining a set of frequently-used applications from the applications based on the frequency of usage of the each application; and determining, based on privacy weights of the set of frequently-used applications, at least one recommended application to be encrypted from the set of frequently-used applications. |
| US09613213B2 |
Using telemetry to reduce malware definition package size
Clients send telemetry data to a cloud server, where the telemetry data includes security-related information such as file creations, timestamps and malware detected at the clients. The cloud server analyzes the telemetry data to identify malware that is currently spreading among the clients. Based on the analysis of the telemetry data, the cloud server segments malware definitions in a cloud definition database into a set of local malware definitions and a set of cloud malware definitions. The cloud server provides the set of local malware definitions to the clients as a local malware definition update, and replies to cloud definition lookup requests from clients with an indication of whether a file identified in a request contains malware. If the file is malicious, the client remediates the malware using local malware definition update. |
| US09613211B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying suspicious text-messaging applications on mobile devices
A computer-implemented method for identifying suspicious text-messaging applications on mobile devices may include (1) identifying at least one outgoing text message on a mobile device, (2) analyzing at least one attribute of the outgoing text message identified on the mobile device, (3) determining that the outgoing text message is illegitimate based at least in part on analyzing the attribute of the outgoing text message, (4) identifying, in response to the determination, a suspicious text-messaging application that created the illegitimate outgoing text message on the mobile device, and then (5) performing, in response to the determination, at least one security action on the suspicious text-messaging application to prevent the suspicious text-messaging application from creating additional illegitimate text messages on the mobile device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09613210B1 |
Evaluating malware in a virtual machine using dynamic patching
Analysis of potentially malicious software samples in a virtualized environment is disclosed. One or more modifications are applied to a first virtual machine instance. The first virtual machine instance is initialized as a copy-on-write overlay associated with an original virtual machine image. Further, at least one modification includes the installation of startup instructions. The modified virtual machine instance is stared. A first set of modifications resulting from executing the first virtual machine instance is captured. |
| US09613206B2 |
Authentication mechanism
A computer-implemented method for preventing password leakage into a non-password field includes detecting that a user of an electronic device has entered a character in a non-password field appearing on a display associated with the electronic device. The character is echoed to at least the display, and stored to provide a stored character string. The stored character string is compared to a set of valid entries for the non-password field, when length of the stored character string reaches a predetermined threshold value. An alert is transmitted when the stored character string fails to match at least a substring of an element of the set of valid entries for the non-password field. |
| US09613205B2 |
Alternate authentication
A user may utilize an existing digital identity to authorize the user's access to security-enabled device operations, where the security-enabled device comprises a cryptographic chip. The device can receive a user authentication token from the digital user identification service, which authenticates a user's identity. Further, the security-enabled device can validate the user authentication token, and provide the user access to device security operations on the security-enabled device if the user authentication token is successfully validated, allowing the user to reset their security access information for the device. |
| US09613202B2 |
System and method for motion gesture access to an application and limited resources of an information handling system
An information handling system includes a processor that determines a first orientation from orientation sensors and a sensor hub for detecting a motion gesture. The processor is further activated from a sleep state by the motion gesture and the information handling system includes a limited, ad-hoc access system that permits ad-hoc access to limited user pre-set or context-based system resources in response to the sudden motion gesture. |
| US09613198B2 |
Apparatus and method for intelligent video surveillance of industrial console operations
A method implemented in an operator console includes receiving a captured image of an operator at the operator console. The method also includes identifying whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console. The method further includes performing a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receive a captured image from a camera including an image of an operator at the operator console. The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises one or more executable instruction that, when executed by processing circuitry, also cause the processing circuitry to identify whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console and perform a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. |
| US09613194B2 |
Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices
Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices are provided. First, a flag having a specific initial value is provided in a wearable electronic device. Then, an operational state of the wearable electronic device is obtained. When the operational state is changed, the specific initial value of the flag is deleted or the flag is set to a specific value. Once the value of the flag does not match the specific initial value, at least one function of the wearable electronic device is disabled. |
| US09613191B1 |
Access to an electronic asset using content augmentation
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented and can include for instance: crowdsourcing data from a plurality of users via a computer network, the data including feedback data regarding digital rights click through documents, wherein each of the users is a party to at least one of the digital rights click through documents; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digital rights history repository; examining a digital rights click through document of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click through document controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of the feedback data of the digital rights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rights click through document based on a result of the examining. |
| US09613188B2 |
Neuroimaging database systems and methods
Systems for and methods of utilizing a neuroimaging database are presented. The systems and methods include techniques for analyzing the pathophysiological basis of a chronic brain disease and/or the effectiveness of a treatment for a chronic brain disease, obtaining data for research of a chronic brain disease, searching for chronic brain disease symptoms identified in a clinical patient, searching a database by comparing the brain scan images of patients with suspected indications of chronic brain disease with other patients in the database to identify sets of patients with similar indications in their brain scan images, displaying brain scan information regarding a person, and using image pattern matching to analyze the pathophysiological basis of a chronic brain disease and/or the effectiveness of a proposed or previously administered treatment for a chronic brain disease. |
| US09613182B2 |
Electronic custody and control system for human assay test samples
A system, method, and computer program that may used to more quickly, accurately, and efficiently identify, catalog, and track human assay samples and create documentation with respect to the human assay samples. The computer program and method include the steps of: storing donor information in a donor information database accessible by a computer; storing client information in a client information database accessible by the computer; retrieving client information necessary to determine a type of test to be performed on a specimen; storing collection facility information in a collection facility database accessible by the computer; administering a human analyte test using the computer program to guide a collector of the specimen and identify problematic exceptions; receiving the test result electronically and storing the result in a test result database accessible by the computer; and permitting the client, Medical Review Officer, and other authorized persons to electronically access the test result via a communications network. |
| US09613181B2 |
Semiconductor device structure including active region having an extension portion
A semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate with an active region provided therein, a gate structure, a dummy gate structure and two contact regions provided in the active region for forming source and drain regions. The gate structure and the dummy gate structure are formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to partially overlie the active region, and one of the contact regions is located at one side of the dummy gate structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a contact structure contacting one of the contact regions and the dummy gate for connecting this contact region and the dummy gate to one of a Vdd rail and a Vss rail. The active region has an extension portion protruding laterally away from the active region relative to the other contact region, where the contact structure is located over the extension portion. |
| US09613178B2 |
Integrated circuit topologies for discrete circuits
Various embodiments that pertain to electronic element matching are described. Having electronic elements, such as transistors, matching can be relatively easy in an integrated circuit environment. Transitioning to a discrete circuit environment, finding electronics elements that match one another can be more challenging. If the electronic elements themselves do not match, then their outputs will not match. To compensate for these mismatches, when one wants the outputs to be matched, an output of one of the electronic elements can be modified so that the outputs are matched. Therefore, a discrete circuit can be produced that functions similarly to that of an integrated circuit. |
| US09613175B2 |
Method, computer system and computer-readable storage medium for creating a layout of an integrated circuit
A method includes obtaining a plurality of design rules for an integrated circuit, including a first set of design rules and a second set of design rules. An automated layout construction process performed on the basis of the first set of design rules but not on the basis of the second set of design rules creates a layout of the integrated circuit. The layout of the integrated circuit is checked for design rule violations wherein at least one member of the second set of design rules is not satisfied. The layout of the integrated circuit is modified for bringing the layout into conformity with each of the plurality of design rules if one or more design rule violations are found in the checking of the integrated circuit. |
| US09613172B2 |
Efficient deployment of table lookup (TLU) in an enterprise-level scalable circuit simulation architecture
A system for conducting numerical analysis includes a processor that is configured to define a plurality of components in a circuit and a condition to be analyzed, a module that is configured to perform a table look-up for components of the plurality of components, a module that is configured to acquire a result for the condition to be analyzed based on table information when a component of the plurality of components is defined in a table and when the table includes the condition to be analyzed, and a module that is configured to conduct the analysis of the circuit using the result based on the table information for the component. |
| US09613168B2 |
Computer aided modeling
A solution is introduced in which, instead of providing an object with all information, some of the information is provided by means of one or more group definitions. This is achieved by performing a grouping operation during which an object having object data defining at least one property of the object is assigned to a group having at least one group definition defining at least one feature shared by objects assigned to the group; and storing as mapping information a grouping time indicating the time the grouping operation was performed to the object and a link between the object and the group. |
| US09613165B2 |
Autocomplete searching with security filtering and ranking
A system that provides secure autocomplete searching receives an autocomplete query from a user, the autocomplete query including a prefix of a search phrase, and retrieves security information of the user. The system searches one or more prefix indexes to find a set of matching objects, where the matching objects each include associated object security information. The system excludes matching objects that the user is not authorized to access from the set of matching objects based on the object security information and the user security information. The system then returns the set of matching objects to the user. |
| US09613162B1 |
Semantic database driven form validation
Embodiments of the present invention provide a means for validating electronic forms using one or more semantic databases. The invention includes processing an electronic form into individual elements and generating entities for the individual elements. The closest matching ontology is found for each entity and the pairings are grouped into a general formal ontology tree. The entities in the general formal ontology tree are traversed using generated rules. This analysis yields validation results that are combined with the original form to create an annotated form. |
| US09613152B2 |
Methods and apparatus for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, one or more records are identified according to one or more designated criteria. The records are stored in a database. The records are being followed by one or more users in an on-demand database service environment such that updates to the records are capable of being stored as feed items in one or more feed tables in the database. The feed items are capable of being published in an information feed displayed on one or more devices associated with the one or more users. The following of the identified one or more records by the one or more users is discontinued. |
| US09613150B2 |
Remote viewing of documents via the web in real-time
The present invention offers a component that enables the presenter to begin presenting the first pages of the document as they become available, without having to wait on the entire document to be processed. The present invention provides an approach that is used to monitor document processing as it taking place on a server. As each page is in the document is processed (e.g., converted), a monitoring component signals a controlling component to alert it of the specific progress events (e.g., a new page available). The controlling component can immediately interface with clients using a real-time communication component, for example letting users know when each single page is available for consumption. Once alerted, an informed client can signal all other clients which page to view. |
| US09613145B2 |
Generating contextual search presentations
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating contextual search presentations. One of the methods includes obtaining selection data identifying a term selected by a user from a document displayed to the user; determining whether or not the context data and the selection data satisfy one or more criteria for presenting any of one or more types of special case contextual search presentations; in response to determining that the context data and the selection satisfy criteria for presenting a first type of special case contextual search presentation, generating a first special case contextual search presentation of the first type; in response to determining that the context data and the selection data do not satisfy the criteria, generating a default contextual search presentation; and providing the first special case contextual search presentation or the default contextual search presentation for presentation to the user. |
| US09613142B2 |
Method and system for providing the download of transcoded files
A technique and system that generates transcoded media files from requested original compressed media files, and then transmits the transcoded media files to a requester rather than the original compressed media files. Advantageously, the disclosed solutions provide a more bandwidth efficient downloading of media files to a requesting device. In addition, the disclosed solutions also fully support the seek function that is typically employed in media player devices. By correlating the requested original compressed media files time-wise with the generated transcoded media files, seek requests generated by a requesting device can be mapped to the appropriate or a close proximity to the transcoded media file. |
| US09613139B2 |
System and methods thereof for real-time monitoring of a sentiment trend with respect of a desired phrase
A method for real-time monitoring of changes in a sentiment respective of an input non-sentiment phrase. The method comprises receiving the input non-sentiment phrase and at least one tendency parameter respective of the input non-sentiment phrase; identifying in a data storage at least one of a term taxonomy that includes the input non-sentiment phrase, wherein the data storage contains a plurality of phrases including sentiment phrases, non-sentiment phrases, and a plurality of term taxonomies; computing a sentiment trend for the at least one term taxonomy; monitoring the sentiment trend to detect real-time changes in a direction of the sentiment trend with respect to the at least one tendency parameter; and generating at least a notification when a change in the direction of the sentiment trend with respect to the input tendency parameter has occurred. |
| US09613137B2 |
Remote identification of vehicle status
Methods and systems for identification of vehicle statuses are provided. This technology requires installation of identification tags, such as, for example, RFID tags or Wi-Fi tags, on vehicles, which actively or passively emit identification signals conveying vehicle identifiers. Interested parties, such as members of the public or police officers, are equipped with electronic devices (e.g., a tablet computer) suitable for receiving and processing the identification signals and processing the signals to obtain a vehicle status. The vehicle status allows determining whether the vehicle was stolen, is wanted, should be classified as suspicious, or is associated with any offences. The vehicle status is obtained by querying a database of vehicle statuses. Once vehicle status is obtained by the electronic device, it is displayed to the interested party. The technology further enables locating vehicles that do not emit an identification signal and reporting their location to authorities. |
| US09613134B2 |
Identifying mathematical operators in natural language text for knowledge-based matching
Disclosed herein is a system and method for taking a snapshot or input from a source and identifying appropriate documents in a knowledge base that are applicable to the input. The system identifies documents that are applicable to the query by identifying comparative features/statements found in the natural language text documents and evaluating those comparative features with the conditions of the input. When the conditions of the comparative features evaluate with the input conditions the document is considered a match. The system processes the documents through a value type filter to understand the mathematical equivalent of the comparative feature and uses this mathematical equivalent in the evaluation of the document and input. |
| US09613132B2 |
Method of and system for displaying a plurality of user-selectable refinements to a search query
Method of displaying by a client application in communication with a search engine a plurality of user-selectable refinements to a search query including a search term, comprising: sending the search query; receiving search results and suggested search query refinements determined based at least in part on an analysis of groups of related search queries, each suggested search query refinement corresponding to a refined search query including the search term and an additional search term; displaying search results and, apart from a search bar, refinements, refinements being selectable by a user via a graphical object; receiving a selection of one of the refinements, the selection corresponding to a refined search query including the search term and an additional search term; receiving refined search results; and displaying refined search results and a visual representation of a refinement relationship between the search query and the refined search query. Related systems are also disclosed. |
| US09613131B2 |
Adjusting search results based on user skill and category information
An approach for adjusting ranked search results based on user data is provided. An approach includes: receiving a search query from a search user; generating a ranked result set based on the search query; generating an adjusted ranked result set by adjusting the ranked result set based on a skill rating of the search user; and providing the adjusted ranked result set to the search user. |
| US09613129B2 |
Localized data affinity system and hybrid method
A method, system, and computer program for processing records is disclosed. The records are associated with record sets, based on a record number contained in the record. Record sets are associated with physically separate processor sets, which include one or more processors. Records are electronically routed to associated processor sets for processing, based on the record set associated with the record. Records are processed on processors in the processor sets. Furthermore, various localized affinities can be established. Process affinity can link server processes with processor sets. Cache affinity can link database caches with processor sets. Data affinity can link incoming data to processor sets. |
| US09613126B2 |
Clustered index with differentiated subfields
A database system uses indexes to improve performance. The system can use one or more of the following: differentiated subfields for index clustering; set function calculations to reduce the amount of I/O; and/or using an inferred index in a circular table. |
| US09613115B2 |
Generating programs based on input-output examples using converter modules
A program generation system is described that generates a program based on a plurality of input-output examples. The input-output examples include input items and corresponding output items. The program generation system can include three component modules. A parsing module processes the input items and output items to provide a plurality of input parts and output parts, respectively. A transformation module determines, for each output part, whether the output part can be produced from a corresponding input part using one or more converter modules selected from a collection of candidate converter modules. A formatting module generates formatting instructions that transform selected output parts into a form specified by the output items. These three modules provide a generated program that embodies logic learned from the input-output examples; the generated program can be subsequently used to transform new input items into new respective output items. |
| US09613113B2 |
Parallel bootstrap aggregating in a data warehouse appliance
A method of bootstrap sampling a dataset is described. With a process node, a series of random integers is generated. An assignment map is created. The assignment map includes a row identifier for each row of data of the dataset. A plurality of bootstrap sample identifiers defined by the series are assigned to at least one row identifier. An output table created from the assignment map. Rows of the output table include each instance of the bootstrap sample identifiers, the row identifier assigned with the bootstrap sample identifier, and data of the row. |
| US09613098B2 |
Recommendation engine using inferred deep similarities for works of literature
A recommendation engine for works of literature uses patterns of flow and element similarities for scoring a first user-rated work of literature against one or more recommendation candidate works of literature. Cluster models are created using meta-data modeling the works of literature, the meta-data having literary element categories and instances within each category. Each instance is described by an index value (position in the literature) and significance value (e.g. weight or significance). Cluster finding process(es) invoked for each instance in each category find Similarity Concept clusters and Consistency Trend clusters, which are recorded into the cluster models representing each work of literature. The cluster model can be printed or displayed so that a user can visually understand the ebb and flow of each literary element in the literature, and may be digitally compared to other cluster models of other works of literature for potential recommendation to a user. |
| US09613096B2 |
Dynamic result set caching with a database accelerator
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for processing a database query stores one or more result sets for one or more first database queries in a data store. The system receives a second database query and compares the second database query to the one or more first database queries to determine presence of a corresponding result set in the data store for the second database query. The system provides the corresponding result set from the data store for the second database query based on the comparison. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for processing a database query in substantially the same manners described above. |
| US09613095B2 |
Entity-based external functionality for software developers
A system stores information identifying functions and corresponding unique identifiers. Each of the functions corresponds to external functionality available from third party applications. An application developer selects one of the functions to supplement functionality of their application. The system provides a software object to the application developer. The software object includes instructions for, in response to user selection of a user interface element, preparing a query wrapper including the corresponding unique identifier of the function and an identifier of a corresponding entity. The instructions transmit the query wrapper to a search system and receive a result set from the search system. An item in the result set includes an access mechanism for a specified state of a target application. The instructions display the result set and, in response to user selection of the item, actuate the access mechanism to open the target application to the specified state. |
| US09613094B2 |
Constant mapping optimization in a database
A database server receives a query associated with a calculation scenario that defines a data flow model that includes one or more calculation nodes. Each calculation node defines one or more operations to execute on the database server, the database server comprising a column-oriented database. Thereafter, the database server instantiates the calculation scenario and executes the operations defined by the calculation nodes of the instantiated calculation scenario to result in a responsive data set having a result table with a row for each column in the column-oriented database implicated by the query having a constant value. The database server then provides the data set to the application server. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09613090B2 |
Simplified query generation from prior query results
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for query generation from a previous result set. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for query generation from a previous result set is provided. The method includes identifying commonalities in a selection of records of a result set produced by a previously issued query against a database in a database management system executing in memory by at least one processor of a host server. The method further includes deriving a query from the identified commonalities that when executed against the database management system would produce the selection of records as the result set. Finally, the method includes storing the derived query for subsequent use in querying the database. |
| US09613086B1 |
Graphical user interface for generating and displaying data visualizations that use relationships
A method generates a graphical user interface, which includes a schema information region and a data visualization region. The schema information region includes field names, each associated with a data field from a data source, and relationship names, each associated with a relation between rows of the data source. The data visualization region includes a row shelf, a column shelf, and a connector shelf. The method detects user selection of field names and a request to associate those field names with respective shelves in the data visualization region. The method also detects user selection of relationship names and a request to associate those relationship names with respective shelves in the data visualization region. The method generates a visual graphic in the data visualization region according to the associations between the user-selected field names and corresponding shelves and the associations between the user-selected relationship names and corresponding shelves. |
| US09613082B2 |
Database auditing for bulk operations
A method facilitates auditing of database transactions by maintaining logical consistency between a source database table and a shadow database table. A bulk command is received that specifies edits to a plurality of rows in the source database table. The bulk command is executed on the source database table. The shadow database table is queried to obtain an indication of the plurality of rows edited by the bulk command. The indication is stored as part of an audit trail for the source database table. |
| US09613077B2 |
Natural language management of online social network connections
Natural language management of online social network connections may comprise receiving natural language data associated with a user's social network interactions. The natural language data associated with a user's social network interactions is analyzed and features used in the user's social network interactions are determined based on the analysis. The contexts in which the features are used in the user's social network interactions may be also determined. Point values to the features used in the user's social network interactions are assigned. A fingerprint of the user is created at least based on the features and the point values. The created fingerprint may be compared with information associated with online communities, and based on the comparison, one or more of the online communities may be recommended as user's potential social network connections. |
| US09613076B2 |
Storing state in a dynamic content routing network
A client module of an object state storage is configured to identify a live object at a client. The client module is further configured to receive an update message for the live object from storage, the update message is stored by an object ID associated with the live object, and the update message allowing the property to be updated for the live object at the client in real-time. The client module is further configured to transmit the update message for the live object to the client. |
| US09613075B2 |
Index masking based on insert contention ratio
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product, and computer system for masking indexes. The method may include masking the index if the index contention exceeds a defined threshold. The method may also include configuring the mask type for the index to insert the index without masking. In response to determining that the mask type for the index is configured to insert the index without masking, the index is masked according to a set of rules. |
| US09613074B2 |
Data generation for performance evaluation
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for generating data for performance evaluation. One computer-implemented method includes identifying a source dataset from a source database, extracting a schema defining the source database, analyzing data within the source dataset to generate a value model, the value model describing features of data in each column of each table of the source dataset, analyzing data within the source database to determine data dependency, and generating a data specification file combining the extracted schema, the value model, and the data dependencies. |
| US09613071B1 |
Deferred data storage
A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for deferred data storage are disclosed. Data sent via a local-area network is intercepted at a first hardware appliance of a plurality of hardware appliances in response to a first request for the data. A determination is performed of whether the data is locally accessible to the first hardware appliance. Instructions are transmitted to the first hardware appliance to retrieve the data locally accessible to the hardware appliance. The data is stored on at least one temporary page at a hardware appliance. The first hardware appliance and the second hardware appliance are in communication via the local-area network. |
| US09613070B2 |
Multi-entity normalization
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for normalizing data representing entities and relationships linking the entities including defining one or more graph rules describing searchable characteristics for the data representing the entities and relationships linking the entities, applying the one or more graph rules to the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities, identifying one or more matching instances between the one or more graph rules and the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities, and performing one or more actions to update the one or more matching instances between the one or more graph rules and the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities. |
| US09613068B2 |
Scalable analysis platform for semi-structured data
A data transformation system includes a schema inference module and an export module. The schema inference module is configured to dynamically create a cumulative schema for objects retrieved from a first data source. Each of the retrieved objects includes (i) data and (ii) metadata describing the data. Dynamically creating the cumulative schema includes, for each object of the retrieved objects, (i) inferring a schema from the object and (ii) selectively updating the cumulative schema to describe the object according to the inferred schema. The export module is configured to output the data of the retrieved objects to a data destination system according to the cumulative schema. |
| US09613066B2 |
Efficient pushdown of joins in a heterogeneous database system involving a large-scale low-power cluster
A database management server manages a distributed data set at least partially stored in volatile memory of a plurality of nodes. The database management server stores transaction logs in persistent storage corresponding to one or more database transactions performed on the distributed data set. In response to a query, a join operation is performed with assistance from the cluster. A snapshot identifier identifies a particular database state that is transactionally consistent. Based on the transactional logs, updated data blocks updated after the snapshot identifier of the query are identified. The cluster is instructed to perform one or more distributed join operations on the distributed data set without processing data in the updated data blocks. The database management server performs a partial join evaluation on the updated data blocks. |
| US09613056B2 |
Pedestrian navigation system and method thereof
A pedestrian navigation system for navigating a foot apparatus comprises a system communication unit, a map database, a step data generation unit, a navigation path analysis unit and a feedback unit. The system communication unit communicates with an apparatus communication unit of the foot apparatus. The step data generation unit generates step data according to the sensing data of the foot apparatus. The navigation path analysis unit determines a navigation path and determines a heading direction of the foot apparatus. A turning direction and a turning angle are generated according to the navigation path and the heading direction. The feedback unit receives the turning direction and the turning angle to generate a feedback signal. The indication unit generates an indication signal according to the feedback signal to indicate the turning direction and the turning angle. |
| US09613054B2 |
Identifying descriptive terms associated with a physical location from a location store
A social networking system generates a location store based on information received from its users. The location store includes entries having a physical location description and one or more terms associated with the physical location description. One or more entries associated with physical location descriptions within an area are identified. A local frequency of occurrence of each term in the identified entry is determined, and a global frequency of occurrence of each term in the identified entries within the location store is determined. Trending terms in the identified entries are determined based on the local frequencies and the global frequencies. Identified entries are compared to each other, with a score based on differing terms in compared entries and whether the differing terms are trending terms is generated. If a score is less than a threshold value, a combined entry is generated from the compared entries. |
| US09613050B2 |
Shared data storage leveraging dispersed storage devices
A storage system provides shared storage by utilizing dispersed storage devices while optimizing both the placement of data across the dispersed storage devices and the method for accessing the stored data. The storage system enables high level of scalability and performance while minimizing resource consumption. |
| US09613049B2 |
Document integration and distribution system, method and device
A system is configured to receive a data file from an electronic device. The system, in one embodiment, is operable to receive a user's selection of a party together with information input by the user. The system is operable to send the data file to the selected party. The system stores, in association with the selected party, the input information and data related to the sending of the data file. |
| US09613047B2 |
Automatic content item upload
A client device can be configured to perform a local index search and a server index search to automatically identify and upload content items on the client device that have not been uploaded to an online content management system. A local index search can include creating a unique local identifier of a content item and searching a local upload index that includes the unique local identifier of each content item that has been uploaded. A server index search can include creating a unique server identifier of the content item and searching a server upload index that includes the unique server identifier of each content item stored on the online content management system. Content items that are determined to have not been uploaded to the online content management system based on the results of the two searches, can be uploaded to the content management system by the client device. |
| US09613045B2 |
Synchronization of desktop images with smart image merging
Methods and systems for n-way cloning and synchronization of a user desktop image are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cloning and Synchronization System (“CSS”) which binds a server stored CVD object representing the user's desktop image to one or more endpoint devices. Each endpoint device receives a clone of the CVD object that comprises one or more layers of the server CVD depending upon the suitability of the endpoint device hardware and operating system to the server stored desktop. The cloned CVDs in the endpoint devices are then kept synchronized by synchronization operations. In one embodiment, the CSS allows only one endpoint device to push up changes to the server CVD. User files are synchronized with the all endpoints using a live sync process. System and managed applications may be intelligently merged into an inactive device rather than overwriting data modified on the inactive device. |
| US09613040B2 |
File system snapshot data management in a multi-tier storage environment
In one embodiment, a method for managing data includes receiving a request to write data to a file block on a multi-tier file system. A first logical block is associated with the file block. The method also includes determining whether the request is a first write request for the file block after creation of a snapshot of the file block. Moreover, the method includes determining an access request count for the first logical block prior to creation of the snapshot by retrieving the access request count for the first logical block from a snapshot data table accessible to an automatic tiering module. Other methods for managing data are presented in accordance with other embodiments. |
| US09613037B2 |
Resource allocation for migration within a multi-tiered system
A method and system for intelligent tiering is provided. The method includes receiving a request for enabling a tiering process with respect to data. The computer processor retrieves a migration list indicating migration engines associated with the data. Additionally, an entity list of migration entities is retrieved and each migration entity is compared to associated policy conditions. In response, it is determined if matches exist between the migration entities and the associated policy conditions and a consolidated entity list is generated. |
| US09613031B2 |
Profile for media/audio user preferences database
Systems and methods for providing a media profile that is based on receiving data from various content distributors and creating a media profile. The media profile is web-based and accessible via an API. Data can be provided to the media profile host server via the API, and an end-user's media preferences can be stored in the media profile. The media profile is accessed by content distributors such that a customized media experience may be offered to the end-user without the need for the content distributor to gather his own separate data. The media profile can also store billing information for the end-user and act as a single reputable platform to conduct financial transactions. |
| US09613027B2 |
Filled translation for bootstrapping language understanding of low-resourced languages
Annotated training data (e.g., sentences) in a first language are used to generate annotated training data for a second language. For example, annotated sentences in English are manually collected first, and then is used to generate annotated sentences in Chinese. The annotated training data includes slot labels, slot values and carrier phrases. The carrier phrases are the portions of the training data that is outside of a slot. The carrier phrases are translated from the first language to one or more translations in the second language. The translations may include machine translations as well as human translations. Entities for the slot values are determined for the translated sentences using content sources that include locale-dependent entities. The determined entities are used to fill the slots in the translations of the second language. All or a portion of the resulting sentences may be used for training models in the second language. |
| US09613024B1 |
System and methods for creating datasets representing words and objects
Systems and methods are presented for producing datasets as symbolic or associative representations of terms or objects or entities. A term can be a word or a phrase, which can also be the name of an object or a topic or concept. A dataset is produced for a specific term or object. The dataset contains a plurality of other terms or values associated with the specific term, and can serve as a representation of the specific term by other terms or values obtained using machine-based algorithms from text contents. Terms or values in the datasets also represent information about an object, or information about properties associated with the object. Methods for obtaining the datasets include discovering the relationships between terms in a plurality of text contents, based on occurrence, location, and attributes associated with the terms in the text contents. |
| US09613020B1 |
Natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems
A natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems (CAD) comprises a natural language command module including a parser, language database and a CAD model analyzer, and a natural language server module including a second, increased capability parser, a second, preferably larger language database and a CAD context database. The CAD model analyzer analyzes and retrieves associated CAD model information related to a parsed voice command and the CAD context database provides specific CAD related contextual information to facilitate parsing and interpreting CAD specific commands. The natural language server program module may also include an artificial intelligence based query generator and communicate through a network or cloud with resource providers such as third party market places or suppliers to generate queries for retrieval of third party supplied information necessary to respond to or execute CAD specific voice commands. |
| US09613018B2 |
Applying a GUI display effect formula in a hidden column to a section of data
Described are methods, systems and computer readable media for GUI display effect formatting. |
| US09613016B2 |
Dynamic preview of electronic signature appearance
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for signing an electronic document, including establishing an electronic signature appearance for an electronic signature, determining a bounding region on the electronic document for the display of the electronic signature appearance, at the time of signing an electronic document, previewing the electronic signature appearance in the bounding region and signing the electronic document with an electronic signature, the electronic signature associated with the electronic signature appearance. The electronic signature appearance can be configured at the time of signing the electronic document. |
| US09613012B2 |
System and method for automatically generating keywords
An information handling system is disclosed for generating tags of a file including a document or a webpage posting. The generating tags of a file include converting a webpage posting to a PDF document. The method further includes extracting tags provided by users. The method includes scanning the extracted data from a glossary PDF document to identify keywords of the glossary PDF document in accordance with a sentence length. The method further includes extracting data from the PDF document and scanning the extracted data to identify keywords of the PDF document in accordance with a sentence length. The method further includes reapplying selected keywords to the tags of the file. |
| US09612995B2 |
Video viewer targeting based on preference similarity
Presentation of a video clip is made to persons having a high probability of viewing the clip. A database containing viewers of previously offered video clips is analyzed to determine similarities of preferences among viewers. When a new video clip has been watched by one or more viewers in the database, those viewers who have watched the new clip with positive results are compared with others in the database who have not yet seen it. Prospective viewers with similar preferences are identified as high likelihood candidates to watch the new clip when presented. Bids to offer the clip are based on the degree of likelihood. For one embodiment, a data collection agent (DCA) is loaded to a player and/or to a web page to collect viewing and behavior information to determine viewer preferences. Viewer behavior may be monitored passively by different disclosed methods. |
| US09612992B2 |
Networking apparatus and a method for networking
This specification discloses a protocol agnostic networking apparatus and method of networking. The networking apparatus receives physical layer signal through a plurality of communications ports that interface with external computing systems. A dynamic routing module interconnects the communications ports with discrete reconfigurable data conduits. Each of the data conduits defines a transmission pathway between predetermined communications ports. A management module maintains the data conduits based on routing commands received from an external computing system. The management module interfaces with the dynamic routing module to make and/or break data conduits responsive to received routing commands. |
| US09612991B2 |
Connector interface pin mapping
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for connector interface mapping. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include detecting, at a first device, an orientation of a data connector connectable to a data interface, the data interface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled to a single port of a first type at the first device; sending, by the first device, the detected orientation information to a second device; and receiving, at the first device including the single port, data sent by the second device to the single port. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09612989B2 |
Computer system and routing control method
The present invention eliminates the shortage of bus numbers in routing control using PCIe switches. A system port address (SPA) is associated with a destination bus number and is assigned to a port (external port) connected to a server and a device. When packets sent from the server or the device are received at the external port, the system port address (SPA) corresponding to the destination bus number having the packets is determined, and the SPA is added to the packets as a label. This SPA is used to route the packets sent between ports (internal ports) that connect switches. When the packets arrive at the external port to which the target server or device is connected, the destination bus number having packets is used to send the packets to the server or device connected to the external port. |
| US09612988B2 |
Donor cores to improve integrated circuit yield
A device uses donor circuit blocks in a donor integrated circuit to replace defective circuit blocks in a recipient integrated circuit and create a functional integrated circuit. The recipient integrated circuit has a first number of cores, the first number including a recipient core, and the recipient core having a recipient circuit block, a switching element, and a recipient communication point, the first number of cores connected by a data bus. The recipient core has an intended function. The donor integrated circuit has a second number of cores, the second number smaller than the first number. The second number includes a donor core having a donor communication point electrically connected to a donor circuit block, the donor circuit block having the intended function. The recipient connection point is electrically connected to the donor connection point and the switching element switched to disable the recipient circuit block in the recipient core. |
| US09612984B2 |
Multiprocessor system with improved secondary interconnection network
Embodiments of a multiprocessor system are disclosed that may include a plurality of processors interspersed with a plurality of data memory routers, a plurality of bus interface units, a bus control circuit, and a processor interface circuit. The data memory routers may be coupled together to form a primary interconnection network. The bus interface units and the bus control circuit may be coupled together in a daisy-chain fashion to form a secondary interconnection network. Each of the bus interface units may be configured to read or write data or instructions to a respective one of the plurality of data memory routers and a respective processor. The bus control circuit coupled with the processor interface circuit may be configured to function as a bidirectional bridge between the primary and secondary networks. The bus control circuit may also couple to other interface circuits and arbitrate their access to the secondary network. |
| US09612983B2 |
Peripheral registers with flexible data width
A flexible-width peripheral register mapping is disclosed for accessing peripheral registers on a peripheral bus. |
| US09612979B2 |
Scalable memory protection mechanism
An apparatus to protect contents of a memory region is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a non-volatile memory, memory check logic to generate check values for protected memory regions, and comparison logic to compare stored check values from the non-volatile memory with generated check values from the memory check logic. The apparatus also includes security logic to prevent executing code in the protected memory regions if the comparison logic detects a mismatch between the stored check values and the generated check values. |
| US09612977B2 |
Method and system for controlling access to embedded nonvolatile memories
A system to control access to a nonvolatile memory. The system includes an embedded controller, and a nonvolatile memory including a password. The embedded controller and the nonvolatile memory may be in communication with one another. The system further includes a lock register receiving and storing the password from the nonvolatile memory, and a key register receiving a key from the embedded controller and holding the key for one machine cycle. Further, the system includes a comparator connected between the lock register and the key register. The comparator compares the password received from the lock register and the key received from the key register. Output from the comparator is provided to an access filter connected between the embedded controller and the nonvolatile memory. Based on the comparator output, the access filter may grant or block access to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US09612976B2 |
Management of memory pages
In a method for managing memory pages, responsive to determining that a server is experiencing memory pressure, one or more processors identifying a first memory page in a listing of memory pages in the server. The method further includes determining whether the first memory page corresponds to a logical partition (LPAR) of the server that is scheduled to undergo an operation to migrate data stored on memory pages of the LPAR to another server. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the first memory page does correspond to a LPAR of the server that is scheduled to undergo an operation to migrate data, determining whether to evict the first memory page based on a memory page state associated with the first memory page. The method further includes, responsive to determining to evict the first memory page, evicting data stored in the first memory page to a paging space. |
| US09612974B2 |
Storing service level agreement compliance data
A method for storing service level agreement (“SLA”) compliance data includes reserving a memory location to store SLA compliance data of a software thread. The method includes directing the software thread to run on a selected hardware device. The method includes enabling SLA compliance data to be stored in the memory location. The SLA compliance data is from a hardware counting device in communication with the selected hardware device. The SLA compliance data corresponds to operation of the software thread on the selected hardware device. |
| US09612973B2 |
Using shared virtual memory resources for performing memory-mapping
Functionality is described herein for memory-mapping an information unit (such as a file) into virtual memory by associating shared virtual memory resources with the information unit. The functionality then allows processes (or other entities) to interact with the information unit via the shared virtual memory resources, as opposed to duplicating separate private instances of the virtual memory resources for each process that requests access to the information unit. The functionality also uses a single level of address translation to convert virtual addresses to corresponding physical addresses. In one implementation, the information unit is stored on a bulk-erase type block storage device, such as a flash storage device; here, the single level of address translation incorporates any address mappings identified by wear-leveling and/or garbage collection processing, eliminating the need for the storage device to perform separate and independent address mappings. |
| US09612972B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for pre-fetching and write-back for a segmented cache memory
Apparatuses and methods for a cache memory are described. In an example method, a transaction history associated with a cache block is referenced, and requested information is read from memory. Additional information is read from memory based on the transaction history, wherein the requested information and the additional information are read together from memory. The requested information is cached in a segment of a cache line of the cache block and the additional information in cached another segment of the cache line. In another example, the transaction history is also updated to reflect the caching of the requested information and the additional information. In another example, read masks associated with the cache tag are referenced for the transaction history, the read masks identifying segments of a cache line previously accessed. |
| US09612967B1 |
Cache load balancing by reclaimable block migration
Systems and methods for cache load balancing by reclaimable block migration are described. In some embodiments, a computer system may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the computer system to: maintain a first list of reclaimable blocks that reside in a first caching device and a first advertised age for the oldest reclaimable block of the first list; maintain a second list of reclaimable blocks that reside in a second caching device and a second advertised age for the oldest reclaimable block of the second list; determine that the second advertised age is older than the first advertised age; and cause the oldest reclaimable block on the first list to be migrated from the first caching device to the second caching device. |
| US09612964B2 |
Multi-tier file storage management using file access and cache profile information
In one embodiment, a method for managing data includes determining that a cache access count for a given data block is greater than an average cache access count, receiving a list of active applications accessing the given data block with an anticipated access count for each active application, receiving a list of applications that are anticipated to access the given data block within a time window with an anticipated future access count for each anticipated application, determining that a block application access weight is greater than a block application access threshold, determining that a cache profile weight for the given data block is greater than zero, and sending the cache profile weight to a file system. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described according to more embodiments. |
| US09612962B2 |
Performing cache bank operations in offset sequences from first bank
In certain embodiments, methods and systems for multimedia data processing are provided. In an embodiment, a method for processing multimedia data includes defining one or more pixel block regions in a first cache so as to cache a plurality of reference pixel blocks corresponding to reference data. A reference pixel block from among the plurality of reference pixel blocks is assigned to a pixel block region from among the one or more pixel block regions based on a predetermined criterion. The reference pixel block is associated with a tag based on the pixel block region so as to facilitate a search of the reference data in order to process a plurality of pixel blocks associated with a multimedia frame of the multimedia data. |
| US09612956B2 |
Multi-tiered caching for data storage management in a device
A data storage device includes one or more storage media that include multiple physical storage locations. The device also includes at least one cache memory having a logical space that includes a plurality of separately managed logical block address (LBA) ranges. Additionally, a controller is included in the device. The controller is configured to receive data extents addressed by a first LBA and a logical block count. The controller is also configured to identify at least one separately managed LBA range of the plurality of separately managed LBA ranges in the at least one cache memory based on LBAs associated with at least some of the received data extents. The controller stores the at least some of the received data extents in substantially monotonically increasing LBA order in at least one physical storage location, of the at least one cache memory, assigned to the identified at least one LBA range. |
| US09612954B2 |
Recovery for non-volatile memory after power loss
Non-volatile memory array can be recovered after a power loss. In one example, pages of a memory array are scanned to find a first free page after the power loss. The first free page is marked as available, and the page marked as available is written to with the next write cycle. |
| US09612952B2 |
Automatically reconfiguring a storage memory topology
A storage cluster is provided. The storage cluster includes a plurality of storage nodes within a single chassis. Each of the plurality of storage nodes has nonvolatile solid-state memory for storage of user data. The plurality of storage nodes are configured to distribute the user data and metadata throughout the plurality of storage nodes with erasure coding of the user data such that the plurality of storage nodes can access the user data, via the erasure coding, with a failure of two of the plurality of storage nodes. The plurality of storage nodes are configured to employ the erasure coding to reconfigure redundancy of the user data responsive to one of adding or removing a storage node. |
| US09612948B2 |
Reads and writes between a contiguous data block and noncontiguous sets of logical address blocks in a persistent storage device
In the present disclosure, a persistent storage device includes both persistent storage, which includes a set of persistent storage blocks, and a storage controller. The persistent storage device stores and retrieves data in response to commands received from an external host device. The persistent storage device stores data, from a contiguous data block, to two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent storage. The persistent storage device also retrieves data, corresponding to a contiguous data block, from two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent. In both instances, the two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent storage, in aggregate, are not contiguous. |
| US09612947B2 |
Code-free testing framework
A method, system and computer program product for testing testable code of an application comprises sending a request, from a computer-implemented client to a remote test orchestrator, for a list identifying any test agents registered with the remote test orchestrator; and receiving, by the computer-implemented client from the remote test orchestrator, a list identifying the test agent registered with the remote test orchestrator. |
| US09612941B1 |
Live data fabrication
Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining multiple data fabrication rules, each of the data fabrication rules including a fabrication time and a data operation. a simulation of a software application is initiated, the simulation including a sequence of simulation times, and upon detecting, during the simulation, one or more first given fabrication rules having respective fabrication times matching one or more first simulation times, fabricated data is generated in response to performing the respective data operation of each of the detected one or more first given fabrication rules. Upon detecting, during the simulation, a second given fabrication rule whose fabrication time matches a second simulation time subsequent to the one or more first simulation times, the data operation of the second given fabrication rule is performed on a subset of the fabricated data. |
| US09612939B2 |
Diagnostic workflow for production debugging
A diagnostic workflow file can be used to control the future diagnostic actions taken by a debugger without user interaction with the debugger when it executes. The diagnostic workflow file is used by a debugger during a debug session. The debugger performs the actions directed by the diagnostic workflow file to simulate an interactive live debug session. The diagnostic workflow file can include conditional diagnostic operations whose execution depends on the state of program variables, diagnostic variables and diagnostic primitives in the debug session. |
| US09612930B2 |
Providing autonomous self-testing of a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes at least one core, a power management unit having a first test register including a first field to store a test patch identifier associated with a test patch and a second field to store a test mode indicator to request a core functionality test, and a microcode storage to store microcode to be executed by the at least one core. Responsive to the test patch identifier, the microcode may access a firmware interface table and obtain the test patch from a non-volatile storage according to an address obtained from the firmware interface table. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09612929B1 |
Efficient validation/verification of coherency and snoop filtering mechanisms in computing systems
Embodiments disclose techniques for scheduling test cases without regeneration to verify and validate a computing system. In one embodiment, a testing engine generates a test case for a plurality of processors. Each test case includes streams of instructions. The testing engine also allocates at least one cache line associated with the streams of instructions of the generated test case such that each of the plurality of processors accesses different memory locations within the at least one cache line. The testing engine further schedules the generated test case for execution by the plurality of processors to achieve at least a first test coverage among the plurality of processors. The testing engine further re-schedules the generated test case for re-execution by the plurality of processors to achieve at least a second test coverage among the plurality of processors. |
| US09612920B2 |
Hierarchical system manager rollback
Data state rollover is performed based on data state snapshots and deltas. A series of snapshots is taken of the current data state, an original data state, and data states in between. Deltas are then generated between two sequential snapshots. This results in numerous deltas which represent the difference between consecutive snapshots. Once the deltas are acquired, the deltas may be stored along with the snapshot of the present data state. As such, previous data states may be rolled back to by determining the number of deltas to apply to the current data state to achieve the desired previous data state. In cases where the rollback or rollover fails, deltas may be played against the current data state to a point where the last known trusted and working data point existed. |
| US09612919B2 |
Methods and apparatus for storing and transmitting historical configuration data associated with information technology assets
Methods and apparatus for storing and transmitting historical configuration data associated with information technology assets are disclosed. The system reads and stores a first version of data with a timestamp. The system then performs a local update by reading a second version of data with a timestamp, replacing the first set of data and timestamp, and storing the changes between the first and second versions of data. The system also may receive update requests from a remote location for the latest version of data. The changes between versions of data are sent to the remote location, where the changes between versions of data are stored and are usable to create the requested latest version of data and/or prior versions of data. |
| US09612917B2 |
Systems and methods for backing up storage volumes in a storage system
Systems and methods for backing up storage volumes are provided. One system includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a network coupling the primary and secondary sides. The secondary side includes first and second VTS including a cache and storage tape. The first VTS is configured to store a first portion of a group of storage volumes in its cache and migrate the remaining portion to its storage tape. The second VTS is configured to store the remaining portion of the storage volumes in its cache and migrate the first portion to its storage tape. One method includes receiving multiple storage volumes from a primary side, storing the storage volumes in the cache of the first and second VTS, and migrating a portion of the storage volumes from the cache to storage tape in the first VTS. |
| US09612915B2 |
Flash memory-hosted local and remote out-of-service platform manageability
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method determines whether one or more manageability conditions are present in a computer system, and then invokes an out-of-service manageability remediation environment stored within a portion of a flash device in the computer system when one or more manageability conditions are present. |
| US09612912B2 |
Centralized tape management for databases
A method, apparatus, and system for centralized tape management are provided for databases. A centralized availability machine or disk and tape backup server maintains working backup data for a plurality of database management systems (DBMSs) based on receiving, from each of the plurality of DBMSs, differential incremental updates. The updates may be at the database block level, with an index maintained to identify different versions of the blocks for snapshot recovery. The availability machine then determines a utilization schedule for distributing the working backup data to a plurality of tapes using a plurality of tape drives, and stores the working backup data as archived backup data on the plurality of tapes according to the utilization schedule. By placing each DBMS within a protection policy that indicates criteria to meet business goals with respect to tape backups, the utilization schedule can automatically schedule tape backup jobs with optimized hardware resource assignments. |
| US09612906B1 |
Managing distributed system performance using accelerated data retrieval operations
A distributed system is adapted to manage the performance of distributed processes. In one aspect, multiple stripes associated with a data item are stored in a distributed storage. The stored stripes include one or more stripes of redundancy information for the data item. A distributed process including at least one task is performed. During performance of the distributed process, a determination is made as to whether to perform an accelerated data retrieval operation. Responsive to a determination to perform an accelerated data retrieval operation, at least one of the one or more stripes of redundancy information for the data item is requested from the distributed storage. Other stripes associated with the data item may also be requested from the distributed storage. After a sufficient subset of stripes associated with the data item is received, the data item is reconstructed using the subset. |
| US09612905B2 |
Encoding and writing of data on multitrack tape
A block of data is partitioned into a plurality of sub-blocks each including a logical array having rows and columns of data symbols, encoded using a row linear block code and a column linear block code. Each product codeword includes a logical array of code symbols having rows which include respective row codewords and columns which include respective column codewords. The product codewords are encoded by encoding groups of L symbols, using a rate-L/(L+M) linear block code to produce a plurality of (L+M)-symbol codewords which are logically arranged in nQ encoded blocks (where n is an integer greater than zero). Each of the nQ encoded blocks includes an array having rows and columns of code symbols in which each column includes a codeword of the column code. |
| US09612904B2 |
Memory system and method for securing volatile memory during sleep mode using the same ECC module used to secure non-volatile memory during active mode
In one embodiment, a memory system is provided comprising a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and an error correction code (ECC) module. The ECC module is configured to encode, decode, and correct data stored in the volatile memory when the memory system enters and exits a sleep mode and is further configured to encode, decode, and correct data stored in the non-volatile memory when the memory system is in an active mode. |
| US09612900B2 |
Centralized configuration control of reconfigurable computing devices
Methods, systems, and devices for configuration and upset recovery of reconfigurable devices are provided. A central program/recovery manager (CPRM) is coupled with each of a number of reconfigurable devices. The reconfigurable devices are programmed/configured by the CPRM, which then periodically monitors each of the reconfigurable devices to detect if one or more of the devices has experienced an upset. In the event of an upset, the CPRM may attempt to reset the reconfigurable device, scrub a memory of the reconfigurable device, or reprogram the reconfigurable device. A memory module is coupled with the CPRM and each of the reconfigurable devices that stores bit or programming files that may be used to program and/or reprogram the reconfigurable devices. |
| US09612897B1 |
Method and system for detecting system outages using application event logs
Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for detecting system outages using application event logs. Various aspects may include obtaining several application event logs where the status of the system is known at the time the application event logs were recorded. Additionally, various aspects may include determining characteristics of application event logs which were recorded during a system outage, and/or determining characteristics of application event logs which were recorded while the system was available. Based upon the characteristics, various aspects include training using various machine learning techniques. When current application event logs are obtained where the status of the system is unknown at the time the current application event logs are recorded, various aspects include using the training data to determine a likelihood that a system outage has occurred based upon the obtained current application event logs. |
| US09612896B1 |
Prediction of disk failure
Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting failure of a hard disk in a storage system. Embodiments are disclosed that predict failure of at least one hard disk in a storage system having a plurality hard disks. A data center reports to a data collection center than a hard disk has reported an initial non-zero medium error count (NMEC). The data collection center stores historic data of initial NMEC for many hard disks, and subsequent failure of those hard disks. From the historic data, the data collection center can report to the data center a prediction of when a hard disk reporting an initial NMEC may fail. Different models of hard disks fail at different times relative to a reported initial NMEC. The data collection center can track historic hard disk data by manufacturer, model of hard disk, and by model of storage system and thus can predict, by hard disk model, a probability of failure of a hard disk. |
| US09612891B2 |
Memory controller, information processing apparatus, and method of controlling information processing apparatus
A memory controller is provided between a CPU and a main memory, controls access from the CPU to the main memory, and includes a data storage area and a controller. In a case where error information indicating that an error occurs is included in write data from the CPU to the main memory, the controller stores the write data in a data storage area in association with a writing destination address. Therefore, even in a case where the error information is not written in the main memory, the error information can be recorded. |
| US09612888B2 |
System and method of providing inter-application communications
A method of operating an operating system for providing inter-application communications between a publisher application and a subscriber application. The method includes receiving a publication request from the publisher application at an operating system, receiving a subscriber application from the subscriber application at the operating system, performing an operating system based event brokering procedure based on the publication request and the subscription request, and publishing an event based on the procedure. |
| US09612885B1 |
System and method for providing a transient and removable inflection point
Methods include identifying when a first event associated with a program occurs. The methods also include determining whether to control a behavior of the program when the first event occurs. Moreover, the methods include identifying a location in a memory to add an inflection point in response to determining to control the behavior of the program. The memory comprises a loaded version of the program. The inflection point comprises an instruction corresponding to the behavior. The methods further include adding the inflection point to the memory at the identified location. |
| US09612882B2 |
Retrieving multi-generational stored data in a dispersed storage network
Methods for use by processing modules in a dispersed storage network (DSN) to retrieve a data object stored in one of a plurality of storage generations of the DSN, each of the storage generations including a plurality of storage units. In various examples, a first retrieval request is generated to retrieve metadata addressing information. Based on the metadata addressing information, a second retrieval request is generated to retrieve the metadata. Using the metadata, a third retrieval request is then generated to retrieve at least a portion of the data object. The metadata addressing information, the metadata, and the data object may be retrieved from differing storage generations. Each of the first, second, and third retrieval requests are formatted in accordance with a read request format of the DSN, the read request format including a storage generation identifier field. |
| US09612881B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for unambiguous parameter sampling in a heterogeneous multi-core or multi-threaded processor environment
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are configured to perform unambiguous parameter sampling in a heterogeneous multi-core or multi-threaded environment by masking one or more thread requests; and, in response to bus activity ceasing for the one or more masked thread requests and completing any routine being processed for the one or more masked threads, processing a command by executing at least one of a command routine or a command thread, wherein the command routine or the command thread reads the parameter using thread atomicity with deterministic synchronization. One or more thread requests may be selected for masking by monitoring thread activity for each of a plurality of threads. |
| US09612874B1 |
Systems and methods for managing the execution of processing jobs
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing the execution of processing jobs. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a processing job associated with a set of processing job parameters. The processing job is sent from a user interfacing device associated with a user. The method also includes determining a processing job priority for the processing job using the set of processing job parameters, identifying a destination processing device capable of executing the processing job using the set of processing job parameters, and initiating execution of the processing job at the destination processing device to form processed data in response to determining to execute the processing job based on the processing job priority. |
| US09612872B2 |
Data plane resource allocation
A method for allocating data plane resources. The method allocates segments of hardware data plane resources to individual domains. In particular, in one or more embodiments, a new domain data plane request may request multiple segments of hardware data plane resources. In response to the request, a segment is reserved for a domain by assigning a domain identifier of the domain to the segment. Thus, the domain may use the allocated segment. |
| US09612867B2 |
Apparatus and method for data partition and allocation in heterogeneous multi-processor environment
An apparatus for data processing in a heterogeneous multi-processor environment are provided. The apparatus including an analysis unit configured to analyze 1) operations to be run in connection with data processing and 2) types and a number of processors available for the data processing, a partition unit configured to dynamically partition data into a plurality of data regions having different sizes based on the analyzed operations and operation-specific processor priority information, which is stored in advance of running the operations, and a scheduling unit configured to perform scheduling by allocating operations to be run in the data regions between the available processors. |
| US09612864B2 |
Method for singleton process control
A method for singleton process control in a computer environment is provided. A process identification (PID) for a background process is stored in a first temporary file. A determination operation is performed for determining if the parent process is alive for a predetermined number of tries. The PID of the background process is written from the first temporary file into a first PID variable when the parent process ends. A determination operation is performed for determining whether a second, global temporary file is empty. The background process is exited if an active PID is determined to exist in a second, global temporary file. The PID from the first temporary file is stored into the second, global temporary file. A singleton code block is then executed. |
| US09612858B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
Administering VMs in a distributed computing environment that includes hosts that execute a VMM, with each VMM supporting execution of one or more VMs, includes: assigning the VMMs to a logical tree topology with one as a root; and executing, by the VMMs of the tree topology, a reduce operation, including: sending, by the root VMM to each of other VMMs of the tree topology, a request for an instance of a particular VM; pausing, by each of the other VMMs, the requested instance of the particular VM; providing, by each of the other VMMs to the root VMM in response to the root VMM's request, the requested instance of the particular VM; and identifying, by the root VMM, differences among the requested instances of the particular VM including, performing a bitwise XOR operation amongst the instances of the particular VM. |
| US09612857B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
Administering VMs in a distributed computing environment that includes hosts that execute a VMM, with each VMM supporting execution of one or more VMs, includes: assigning the VMMs to a logical tree topology with one as a root; and executing, by the VMMs of the tree topology, a reduce operation, including: sending, by the root VMM to each of other VMMs of the tree topology, a request for an instance of a particular VM; pausing, by each of the other VMMs, the requested instance of the particular VM; providing, by each of the other VMMs to the root VMM in response to the root VMM's request, the requested instance of the particular VM; and identifying, by the root VMM, differences among the requested instances of the particular VM including, performing a bitwise XOR operation amongst the instances of the particular VM. |
| US09612856B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
In a distributed computing environment that includes which each execute a VMM, where each VMM supports execution of one or more VMs, administering the VMs may include: assigning, by a VMM manager, the VMMs of the distributed computing environment to a logical tree topology, including assigning one of the VMMs as a root VMM of the tree topology; and executing, amongst the VMMs of the tree topology, a gather operation, including: sending, by the root VMM, to other VMMs in the tree topology, a request to retrieve one or more VMs supported by the other VMMs; pausing, by the other VMMs, each VM requested to be retrieved; and providing, by the other VMMs to the root VMM, the VMs requested to be retrieved. |
| US09612854B2 |
System and method for virtualizing a remote device
A scheme for virtualizing a remote physical device, e.g., customer premises equipment (CPE), at a cloud-based data center connected to a network. In one embodiment, a virtual switch operating at the CPE is operative to monitor device events at the CPE. When a device is connected to a CPE port, a virtual device port is created that is operative with a Software Defined Network (SDN) architecture. Responsive to an indication that a new SDN-compliant virtual device port is created, an SDN controller is operative to facilitate creation of a data tunnel between the CPE's virtual switch and a virtual switch of the data center. |
| US09612853B2 |
Virtual machine monitoring in cloud infrastructures
A computer system, and computer program product monitor resource usage of a virtual machine. When a virtual machine is instantiated, resource usage of the virtual machine is monitored to form monitoring data. The monitoring is performed externally from the virtual machine. When the virtual machine is later suspended, the monitoring data is stored as metadata associated with the virtual machine. |
| US09612846B2 |
Out-of-band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices using advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) services
Systems and methods for providing Out-of-Band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices using Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) services. In an embodiment, a method may include, during the booting of an Operating System (OS) and under control of an UEFI firmware, creating an OEM runtime-defined table configured to store a list of Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) associated with OEM devices, where each OEM device corresponds to an OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service, and where each OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service is configured to enable operations after the booting of the OS; and load an ACPI OEM driver configured to interpret the OEM runtime-defined table and to invoke one or more corresponding OEM vendor-owned UEFI runtime services, and inform a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) coupled to the processor that the ACPI OEM driver is available. |
| US09612845B2 |
Wireless initialization of electronic devices for first time use
Apparatuses, devices, and methods of initializing an electronic device such as a wrist-worn device are provided. An optical input device may read the display of the wrist-worn device to obtain input corresponding to a pairing token presented at the display. An optical input processor may process the input to identify the pairing token. The pairing token may be provided to the wrist-worn device during a handshake process in order to establish a wireless communications session with the wrist-worn device. An initialization process may be performed via the wireless communication session. The initialization process may initialize the wrist-worn device such that a user may operate the wrist-worn device following the initialization process. |
| US09612844B2 |
Scheduling execution of instructions on a processor having multiple hardware threads with different execution resources
A method and apparatus are provided for executing instructions of a multi-threaded processor having multiple hardware threads (32, 34) with differing hardware resources comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of streams of instructions (38, 44) and determining which hardware threads are able to receive instructions for execution (40, 46), determining whether a thread determined to be available for executing an instructions has the hardware resources available required by that instructions (36) and executing the instruction in dependence on the result of the determination (50). |
| US09612840B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a dynamic out-of-order processor pipeline
A hardware/software co-design for an optimized dynamic out-of-order Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) pipeline. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an instruction fetch unit to fetch Very Long Instruction Words (VLIWs) in their program order from memory, each of the VLIWs comprising a plurality of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) instruction syllables grouped into the VLIWs in an order which removes data-flow dependencies and false output dependencies between the syllables; a decode unit to decode the VLIWs in their program order and output the syllables of each decoded VLIW in parallel; and an out-of-order execution engine to execute the syllables preferably in parallel with other syllables, wherein at least some of the syllables are to be executed in a different order than the order in which they are received from the decode unit, the out-of-order execution engine having one or more processing stages which do not check for data-flow dependencies and false output dependencies between the syllables when performing operations. |
| US09612839B2 |
Higher accuracy Z-culling in a tile-based architecture
A graphics processing pipeline configured for z-cull operations. The graphics processing pipeline comprising a screen-space pipeline and a tiling unit. The screen-space pipeline includes a z-cull unit configured to perform z-culling operations. The tiling unit is configured to determine that a first set of primitives overlaps a first cache tile. The tiling unit is also configured to transmit the first set of primitives to the screen-space pipeline for processing. The tiling unit is further configured to select between processing the first set of primitives in a full-surface z-cull mode or processing the first set of primitives in a partial-surface z-cull mode. The tiling unit is also configured to cause the z-cull unit to process the first set of primitives in the full-surface z-cull mode or to process the first set of primitives in the partial-surface z-cull mode. |
| US09612834B2 |
Processor with variable instruction atomicity
A processor includes a plurality of execution units. At least one of the execution units is configured to execute a complex instruction that requires multiple instruction cycles to execute, and to enforce atomic execution of the complex instruction during a first-portion of the multiple instruction cycles required to execute the complex instruction. The at least one of the execution units is further configured to enable execution of the complex instruction to be interrupted for execution of a different instruction by the at least one execution unit during execution of a second portion of the multiple instruction cycles. The first portion and the second portion are non-overlapping. |
| US09612829B2 |
System and method for pattern based services extraction
The present invention relates to a method and system comprising service pattern definitions and automated extraction of Services from the legacy code based on the pattern matching. |
| US09612828B2 |
Logging and profiling content space data and coverage metric self-reporting
A computer-implemented method for generating user stories for a software product, includes collecting, by a processor, a plurality of requirements, creating, by the processor, a plurality of content space specification files that includes the plurality of requirements, processing, by the processor, the plurality of content space specification files to generate the user stories that are related to real time data of the software product, defining, by the processor, a content space, mapping, by the processor, the user stories to the content space and embedding, by the processor, the content space with the software product, wherein user stories include at least one of real time log data, profile statistics data, and coverage metric self-reporting data. |
| US09612826B2 |
Attributing authorship to segments of source code
An electronic device accesses a comparison of at least a portion of a second version of a software program to a corresponding portion of a first version of the software program. The device determines an attribution value for a first author based in part on one or more differences between a respective segment of source code in the second version of the software and a corresponding segment of source code in the first version of the software, and determines an attribution value for a second author based in part on one or more differences between the respective segment of source code in the second version of the software and the corresponding segment of source code in the first version of the software. The device displays or sends instructions for displaying indicia of at least one attribution value with the respective segment of source code in the second version. |
| US09612822B2 |
Telecommunications node configuration management
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing device firmware. In one aspect, a system includes a file server; a subtending device coupled to the file server, and a telecommunications node coupled to the subtending device. The subtending device can include one or more line cards that connect one or more telecommunications nodes to a network. The telecommunications node receives, from the subtending device, a group name and replaces a wildcard in a firmware filename to derive a first network path of firmware files. The telecommunications node installs the firmware files and subsequently receives an updated group name. The telecommunications node replaces the wildcard with the updated group name to derive an updated path, and obtains different firmware files from the updated path. The firmware installed on the telecommunications node is managed based on the first firmware and the different firmware. |
| US09612821B2 |
Predicting the success of a continuous software deployment pipeline
A method for predicting deployment success of a continuous deployment pipeline is provided. Initially, a user request may be received for node data from nodes that correspond to steps in the pipeline. The requests for node data may then be distributed to the appropriate nodes in the pipeline based on the received user request. Thereafter, the requested node data may be received as a response from the appropriate nodes in the pipeline and stored in a data repository. Then, a success prediction score may be calculated based on the stored node data and historical data. Finally, the calculated success prediction score may be displayed to the user through a dashboard. |
| US09612820B2 |
Updating software products on virtual machines with software images of new levels
A solution for updating at least one software product installed on a virtual machine, including providing a software image of at least one new virtual disk storing a new level of the software product together with new metadata including an indication of at least one new activation procedure of the new level of the software product, and replacing a current level of the software product with the new level of the software product, the current level of the software product being stored in at least one current virtual disk of the virtual machine together with current metadata including current activation information of the current level of the software product, where the replacing includes removing at least one current virtual disk from the virtual machine; adding at least one new virtual disk to the virtual machine; and running at least one new activation procedure according to the current activation information. |
| US09612818B2 |
Information processing apparatus, program management method for information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus provided with an extension unit, the extension unit comprises a unit that performs control to download an introduction program that provides information about an extension program for extending functionality which can be downloaded and to install the introduction program; a unit that obtains, from the installed introduction program, information about an extension program which can be downloaded; a unit that performs control to download the extension program that can be downloaded and install the extension program that can be downloaded, based on the information obtained from the introduction program, in response to receiving an instruction to install the extension program which can be downloaded; and a unit that performs control to uninstall the installed extension program, based on limitation information for the extension program, which is included in the information obtained from the introduction program. |
| US09612816B2 |
Method for operating software defined radio application
Disclosed is a structure for operating a unified radio application for a software defined radio terminal. The structure for operating a unified radio application according to the present invention can be classified into two types depending on whether a configuration code (configcode) of the radio application is constituted by an executable code or implemented in an intermediate representation (IR) code. With the structure for operating a unified radio application according to the present invention, it is possible to develop and distribute a radio application capable of operating on all radio platforms. |
| US09612815B1 |
Method and tool for automating deployment of reference implementation architectures for pre-integrated multi-product solutions
A system, apparatus, method, and computer program product that automate the deployment of reference implementation architectures for pre-integrated multi-product or sub-product capability cloud IT service delivery solutions. The apparatus comprises a sizing tool and a deployment automation tool. The sizing tool determines the attributes of the resources that are required to provide the service delivery solution, and determines the quantity those resources that are required to provide a particular service level based on those attributes. And the deployment automation tool generates software bundles or virtual appliances that operate together to provide the service delivery solution when they are installed on the resources. The service delivery solution comprises a base console that is configured to invoke processes on a plurality of interchangeable containers, wherein each of the plurality containers provides different functionality for delivering different services or service offerings. |
| US09612812B2 |
Method and system for distributed application stack test certification
Method, system, and programs for automatically certifying a configuration of a distributed application stack to be deployed on a cluster. A request is first received to certify the configuration of the distributed application stack to be deployed on the cluster based on a baseline configuration of the distributed application stack. The configuration of the distributed application stack includes a version of each of the plurality of software artifacts. Based on the configuration in the request, the distributed application stack is then deployed on the cluster. A record is received from each node of the cluster indicating a status during the deployment and/or a result after the deployment for the respective node. Based on the received records, a certification record is then created for the configuration in the request. |
| US09612808B1 |
Memory use for string object creation
Conventionally compiled byte code, such as that produced by compiling Java source code, contains calls to string buffer creation methods. The compiled byte code is processed by a machined that performs an optimizer tool. The optimizer tool refactors the compiled byte code to produce a modified byte code that is functionally equivalent to the compiled byte code with respect to string creation, but which creates fewer string buffer and character array objects to accomplish that string creation. The optimizer tool replaces a call to build a new string buffer object with a call to an existing string buffer object and code setting length of the existing string buffer object to zero and appending new string characters this existing string buffer object. |
| US09612806B2 |
Verification of computer-executable code generated from a model
In an embodiment, a model is sliced into a plurality of slices. A slice in the plurality of slices is selected. A portion of code, that corresponds to the selected slice, is identified from code generated from the model. The identified code is verified to be equivalent to the selected slice. Equivalence may include equivalent functionality, equivalent data types, equivalent performance, and or other forms of equivalence between the selected slice and the identified generated code. |
| US09612803B2 |
System and method for use of a virtual assembly builder
A virtual assembly builder for use in virtualization environments, which can be used as a tool for virtualizing installed components in a reference environment, modifying those components if necessary, and then deploying them into another/target environment. Using the virtual assembly builder, a user (e.g., an administrator) can capture the configuration and product/component binaries of existing software components into software appliance artifacts. Appliances can be grouped, and their relationships defined, into software assembly artifacts. Logical connections between appliances within an assembly can be reconfigured by a process of assembly editing. When a desired assembly configuration has been achieved, the assembly can be prepared for, and deployed into, the target environment. |
| US09612802B1 |
Contextual interactive program feedback
The subject disclosure is directed towards collecting feedback from users of a program in the current context in which the user is interacting with a part of the program. The collected feedback is thus likely relevant to that part of the program. By associating the collected feedback with metadata that corresponds to the context of the program at the current program location of collection, more meaningful, useful data is obtainable for improving an existing program, developing new programs, debugging and so forth. |
| US09612801B2 |
Power supply for ring-oscillator based true random number generator and method of generating true random numbers
A true random number generator, a method of generating a true random number and a system incorporating the generator or the method. In one embodiment, the generator includes: (1) a ring oscillator including inverting gates having power inputs and (2) a time-varying power supply coupled to the power inputs to provide power thereto and including power perturbation circuitry operable to perturb the power provided to at least one of the power inputs. |
| US09612799B2 |
Method, device, and computer program for merge-sorting record groups having tree structure efficiently
A first record group and a second record group having a tree structure are merge-sorted. The first record group and the second record group are acquired, and depth information indicative of the hierarchical depth of the tree structure is attached as metadata to key information on each node of each record included in the acquired first record group and second record group. The depth information is compared in preference to the key information to perform merge sort sequentially. |
| US09612798B2 |
Address information showing method and electronic device using the same
An address information showing method and an electronic device using the same are provided. The address information showing method includes the following steps. An address information is transformed to a binary code. A light of an unit identification LED is flashed to show the binary code. |
| US09612787B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method thereof
To preferably present setting values serving as choices of a setting item on a print setting screen, an information processing apparatus comprises: a first setting unit configured to accept setting of a setting value to a predetermined print setting item via a first user interface screen configured to select one setting value from a first set including a plurality of setting values; a second setting unit configured to accept setting of a setting value to the predetermined print setting item via a second user interface screen configured to select one setting value from a second set serving as a subset of the first set; and an addition unit configured to, if the setting value set by the first setting unit is not included in the second set, add the setting value set by the first setting unit to the second set. |
| US09612786B2 |
Document output processing
The invention relates to printing and other output of documents using data processors, and particularly to methods, apparatus, and computer programming useful for controlling output processes. In various aspects the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for minimizing the number of command inputs required from a user to complete printing or other output of multiple documents. In other aspects, the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for printing documents using content data received from users or other sources, together with previously-provided form data, according to predetermined formats. |
| US09612783B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of searching for peripheral device
Information on a peripheral device in short distance wireless communication is obtained, it is determined whether the information contains an address of the peripheral device, and peripheral devices on a network is searched for if it is determined that the information does not contain the address of the peripheral device. |
| US09612780B2 |
System for utilizing a cache effectively
An information processing system of the present invention includes a data generation device that generates variable data, and a rendering device that performs rendering of the variable data. A first data storing unit of the data generation device stores, as a first correspondence relationship, the generated variable data and identification information for identifying the variable data in association with each other, and a first data management unit manages the first correspondence relationship based on a predetermined management scheme. A cache search unit searches for predetermined variable data from the first correspondence relationship, and a cache hit determination unit determines that rendering data obtained by performing rendering on the variable data is cached when there is predetermined variable data in the first correspondence relationship. |
| US09612774B2 |
Metadata structures for low latency and high throughput inline data compression
Improved techniques of managing storage in a data storage system involve compressing a subset of block and macroblock metadata. Advantageously, a data storage system operating according to the improved techniques is able to store more metadata in volatile memory even for huge data objects. |
| US09612771B2 |
Method and system for processing hot topic message
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for processing hot topic message. The method includes: receiving, by an interface machine, a read request for a message, and determining whether the interface machine has buffered the message and whether buffering duration of the message does not exceed preset valid duration; feeding back, if the message has been buffered and the buffering duration of the message does not exceed the preset valid duration, the message that the interface machine has buffered; and determining, if the message has been buffered but the buffering duration of the message exceeds the preset valid duration or the message is not buffered, whether the message is a hot topic message, and retrieving, if the message is a hot topic message, the hot topic message from a storage machine, buffering the hot topic message, recording a buffering moment, and feeding back the hot topic message. |
| US09612768B2 |
Methods and systems for storing data at different storage tiers of a storage system
Methods and systems for a storage server are provided. One method includes storing data at a first storage tier by a processor executable storage operating system; tracking the data stored at the first storage tier for moving the data to a second storage tier; transferring the data from the first storage tier to the second storage tier; and updating a data structure that tracks a transfer block number of a block that stores the data, where the transfer block number is based on a virtual identifier, a generation count and an offset value of a storage chunk that is a portion of a physical volume block number address space. |
| US09612767B2 |
Context aware dynamic composition of migration plans to cloud
Context aware dynamic composition of migration plans may be provided. A request for application or image migration may be received. Target machines and associated configuration may be identified. Resources and a schedule may be allocated. An appropriate tooling for each migration action may be selected. An artificial intelligence aspect of the migration planning process may continuously replan migration based on monitored changes in the context of source or target environment. |
| US09612761B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to transition a part of the volatile memory to a self-refresh mode when a request for stopping supplying of power to the nonvolatile memory is received. |
| US09612760B2 |
Modular block-allocator for data storage systems
A modular block allocator receives a cleaner message requesting dirty buffers associated with an inode be cleaned. The modular block allocator provides at least one bucket cache comprising a plurality of buckets, wherein each bucket represents a plurality of free data blocks. The dirty buffers are cleaned by allocating the data blocks of one of the buckets to the dirty buffers. The allocated data blocks are mapped to a stripe set and when the stripe set is full, the stripe set is sent to a storage system. In one embodiment of the invention, a modular block allocator includes a front end module and a back end module communicating with each other via an application programming interface (API). The front end module contains write allocation policies that define how blocks are laid out on disk. The back end module creates data structures for execution of the policies. |
| US09612759B2 |
Systems and methods for RAID storage configuration using hetereogenous physical disk (PD) set up
Systems and methods are provided that may be used to automatically create RAID configuration with heterogeneous Physical Disk (PD) set up using Virtual Disk (VD) RAID Level and size, for example, to allow replication of a given RAID configuration across multiple different RAID platform systems regardless of the underlying storage disk sizes and/or storage disk types. |
| US09612758B1 |
Performing a pre-warm-up procedure via intelligently forecasting as to when a host computer will access certain host data
A technique operates data storage equipment. The technique involves, during a first time period and while processing circuitry performs host I/O operations on behalf of a set of hosts, performing a data identification operation which provides a data identification result identifying particular data which is routinely accessed by the processing circuitry. The technique further involves, during a second time period after the first time period and in response to the data identification result, copying the particular data from secondary storage to an extension cache which forms part of primary storage to pre-fetch the particular data from the secondary storage for subsequent use by the processing circuitry. The technique further involves, during a third time period after the second time period and while the processing circuitry performs further host I/O operations on behalf of the set of hosts, accessing the particular data from the extension cache. |
| US09612754B1 |
Data storage system with window allocation using window cache
A method of operating a data storage system includes writing the file system data as sequential data and non-sequential data to a storage volume, the sequential data being stored in windows each having a predetermined number of consecutive data blocks and being allocated dynamically as the sequential data is written. The method includes maintaining and using a window cache to identify existing windows for storing respective newly written sequential file system data in sequence with respective earlier-written file system data for which the existing windows were previously allocated, the window cache including a set of entries indexed by an identifier of (1) a file of the file system and (2) a window-size region of the file to which sequential data is being written, the entries including respective physical window addresses identifying respective ones of the existing windows and being obtained by lookup operations using respective values of the identifier. |
| US09612753B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and data processing method
A semiconductor memory apparatus is provided. The semiconductor memory apparatus does not require additional identification information to perform data scrambling and improves the reliability, where the identification information is used to identify whether it is an erased data or a programmed data. A flash memory of the present disclosure includes a scrambling unit 120 scrambling data between an input/output buffer 110 and a page buffer 160. The scrambling unit 120 includes a writing encoder 200 and a reading decoder 220. When an input data is equal to a predetermined bit string, the writing encoder 200 skips the scrambling of the input data. When a read data of the page buffer 160 is equal to the predetermined bit string, the reading decoder 220 skips the descrambling of the read data. |
| US09612751B2 |
Provisioning advisor
A method and system for a provisioning advisor are described which estimates the input/output operation performance of a workload on a storage system. A regression module in a provisioning advisor estimates a maximum IOPS on the storage system for buckets, or combinations of values, for various characteristics of the workloads running on the system by modeling a relationship between the workload characteristics and performance metrics gathered from the storage system. A performance module can use the estimated maximum IOPS for each bucket to update a set of working tables for the provisioning advisor, which can then be used to predict the input/output performance of a new workload to be provisioned on the storage system. |
| US09612743B2 |
Multi-touch integrated desktop environment
A technique for integrating a multi-touch surface into a desktop environment is disclosed. One or more multi-touch display devices are placed on the horizontal surface surrounding or beneath a keyboard or mouse. At least one region on the multi-touch surface is defined to display one or more user interface tools on the multi-touch surface. The one or more user interface tools displayed via the multi-touch surface may control or display information associated with desktop applications displayed via a primary display device. |
| US09612741B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying additional information in response to a user contact
An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The device detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface while a focus selector corresponding to the contact is at a respective location on the display associated with additional information not initially displayed on the display. While the focus selector is at the respective location, upon determining that the contact has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold before a predefined delay time has elapsed with the focus selector at the respective location, the device displays the additional information associated with the respective location without waiting until the predefined delay time has elapsed; and upon determining that the contact has an intensity below the respective intensity threshold, the device waits until the predefined delay time has elapsed to display the additional information associated with the respective location. |
| US09612734B1 |
Random access browser scrolling for large pages
A method includes (a) loading into system memory of a computing device a set of records of a plurality of equally-spaced records which are to be visible in a GUI window, (b) placing the loaded set of records within a dynamic markup page for display within the GUI window, (c) placing a container within the dynamic markup page, the container representing non-visible records of the plurality of equally-spaced records, the container having a height representative of a combined height of the represented non-visible records, and (d) displaying, on the display device, a scroll bar adjunctive to the GUI window, the scroll bar allowing a user of the computing device to scroll to any arbitrary position in the document for display within the GUI window. Other embodiments are directed to a computerized apparatus and computer program products for performing methods similar to that described above. |
| US09612727B2 |
Task changing apparatus, task changing method, and task changing program
A task changing apparatus changes a task program executed by a robot. The task changing apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores a task program including a plurality of hierarchical levels arranged in a tree-like structure representing a plurality of pieces of task information executed by the robot and lower-order task information associated with the task information; a display control unit that causes the task information to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit so as to allow setting of the task information, the task information being associated with each other for each hierarchical level of the task program stored in the storage unit; and a change unit that changes the task program for the robot based on a series of pieces of task information set on the display screen of the display unit. |
| US09612726B1 |
Time-marked hyperlinking to video content
In one example, a method includes: receiving from a first user interface a first input from a first user specifying a first particular instant in a video other than a beginning of the video; in response to the first input, generating by one or more computer systems first data for inclusion in a link to the video, the first data representing the first particular instant in the video and being operable automatically to direct playback of the video at a second user interface to start at the first particular instant in the video in response to a second user selecting the link at the second user interface; and communicating the first data to a link generator for inclusion in the link to the video. |
| US09612713B2 |
Intelligent window management
A computer-implemented method for managing the placement one or more windows, the method comprising, defining a grid for a desktop display area, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of grid contours that are regularly spaced within the desktop display area, receiving user input for placing a selected window into a new position within the desktop display area and associating one or more edges of the selected window with one or more of the plurality of grid contours. In certain aspects, the method further comprises steps for snapping the window to the grid based on the association between the one or more edges and the one or more of the plurality of grid contours. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided. |
| US09612712B2 |
Screen cleaning system for a motor vehicle
A screen cleaning system for a motor vehicle includes a screen cleaning device and a dedicated receiver for holding the screen cleaning device. That receiver is integrated into the interior trim of the motor vehicle. |
| US09612710B2 |
Storage medium having stored thereon image processing program and image processing apparatus
Image generation means generates an input image corresponding to an output from a pointing device. Image display control means displays the input image generated by the image generation means on a display means. Image change control means disassembles the input image generated by the image generation means into a plurality of partial images, and changes at least one of a display position and a display form of each of the partial images. |
| US09612707B1 |
Lenses and filters for complete network page content
Content lenses are used to manage the display of content in network documents. Lens content objects associated with a content lens are displayed upon activation of the content lens, allowing a user to control the amount of information provided in the network document. Content lenses are activated based on selection of a corresponding lens activation object. An activated content lens remains active as a user views additional network documents. |
| US09612706B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying items related to contents
Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying contents-related items. The method includes using a correlation between a first attribute and a second attribute to determine values of the second attribute, wherein the first attribute is one of a plurality of attributes of the contents-related items, the second attribute is one of a plurality of attributes of a plurality of blocks which is a part or a region of a screen, and each one of the plurality of blocks corresponds to each one contents-related item; and displaying the one or more contents-related items by displaying each corresponding block having the determined value of the second attribute on the screen, wherein the first attribute and the second attribute can be quantitatively represented. |
| US09612697B2 |
Touch control method of capacitive and electromagnetic dual-mode touch screen and handheld electronic device
A touch control method of a capacitive and electromagnetic dual-mode touch screen and handheld electronic device are disclosed. The method includes receiving a touch instruction generated on the touch screen; judging whether the touch instruction is a capacitive induction instruction or an electromagnetic induction instruction; processing the touch instruction according to a handwriting input mode if the touch instruction is a capacitive induction instruction, or processing the touch instruction according to a touch control mode if the touch instruction is an electromagnetic induction instruction. By the above method, the invention can fulfill the demand for presenting original handwriting by a user, as well as the requirement for a simple and convenient operation. |
| US09612693B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor having correlation with a receiver
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for digital signal processing (DSP) techniques for generally improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of capacitive touch sensors. |
| US09612691B2 |
Inducing capacitance detector and capacitive position detector of using same
One aspect of the present invention relates to an inducing capacitance detector. In one embodiment, the inducing capacitance detector has an input terminal for receiving a supply voltage; a capacitive sensor array with a first output terminal and a second output terminal; an operational amplifier having an inventing input terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal of the capacitive sensor array, a non-inventing input terminal electrically connected to the second output terminal of the capacitive sensor array and the input terminal, and an output terminal for outputting an output signal, a feedback capacitor electrically connected between the inventing input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier. |
| US09612690B2 |
Printed piezoelectric pressure sensing foil
There is provided an sensing device, comprising: a substrate; a sensor ink printed onto the substrate; a conductive polymer ink printed onto the sensor ink; a conductive carbon paste formed on the polymer ink; and a conductive silver ink printed on the conductive carbon paste. There is also provided a sensing device for processing a signal generated by the input device, the sensing device comprising: an operational amplifier to amplify the signal; a filter to filter signal noise from the signal; an adder to apply an offset and attenuation to the signal; a microcontroller comprising an analog to digital converter to convert the signal into a digital output signal. |
| US09612689B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying a touch event on a touchscreen as related to one of multiple function generating interaction layers and activating a function in the selected interaction layer
A system for classifying touch events of different interaction layers includes a touch screen configured to display an interactive element, one or more vibro-acoustic sensors coupled to the touch screen, a touch event detector configured to monitor the one or more vibro-acoustic sensors and to save vibro-acoustic signals sensed by the one or more vibro acoustic sensors, wherein the touch event detector is further configured to detect touch events in which the interactive element is touched by a first or a second finger part of a user, and wherein the touch events result in generating the vibro-acoustic signals, and a vibro-acoustic classifier is configured to classify the vibro-acoustic signals and activate corresponding functions in the different layers dependent upon which finger part is used. |
| US09612685B2 |
Force-sensitive touch sensor compensation
An electronic device includes a memory in which input instructions, force level assessment instructions, and output instructions are stored, and further includes a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured through execution of the input instructions to obtain measurement data for a user interaction with a force-sensitive touch sensor, the measurement data being indicative of position information for the user interaction, amplitude information for the user interaction, and size information for the user interaction. The processor is further configured through execution of the force level assessment instructions to apply force level calibration data to the amplitude information and the size information in a force level assessment of the user interaction, the force level calibration data varying with user interaction size. The processor is further configured through execution of the output instructions to provide an output in accordance with the force level assessment. |
| US09612681B2 |
3D display apparatus and control method for same
The present disclosure discloses a three dimensional (3D) display apparatus and a control method for the 3D display apparatus, the 3D display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal optical grating located on a liquid crystal display module, wherein the liquid crystal optical grating is provided with a respective probe terminal on each of the four corners of an electrode layer thereof, for detection of an electric current value; and a controller signally connected with the four probe terminals, wherein the controller is used for calculation of a touch point position of a touch object on the 3D display apparatus based on the electric current values detected at the four probe terminals. The 3D display apparatus has both a 3D display function and a touch screen function. |
| US09612680B2 |
Optimizing the use of sensors to improve pressure sensing
Sensor data from a sensor system of a mobile device may be used for determining a level of pressure exerted by a user on the mobile device. The sensor system may include one or more types of sensors, such as a microphone and one or more inertial sensors. The inertial sensors may include one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers. Based on the inertial sensor data, it may be determined whether and/or how the mobile device is being held. A process for determining a level of pressure exerted by a user on the mobile device may be adapted based, at least in part, on whether and/or how the mobile device is being held. The pressure-determining process may be adapted according to various other criteria, such as a position of a touch target in a display, ambient noise levels, etc. |
| US09612678B2 |
Touch display screen and driving method thereof
Embodiments disclose a touch display screen and a driving method thereof, which relates to a field of display, capable of decreasing a thickness of a panel and a width of the bezel and reducing a cost. The touch display screen according to the embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a color film substrate and an array substrate, wherein common electrodes, which has a shape of strip, are disposed on the color film substrate or the array substrate, one or more of the common electrodes act as a touch driving electrodes; the touch display screen further includes: a driving circuit, connected with the common electrodes acting as the touch driving electrodes, for applying touch driving pulses to the common electrodes acting as the touch driving electrodes and applying a common voltage in a period during which no touch driving pulse is applied. |
| US09612676B2 |
Method for improving touch response and an electronic device thereof
A method and an apparatus for processing touch information in an electronic device are provided. The method for processing touch information includes determining one or more regions for performing a touch event corresponding to touch information in the electronic device displayed on a touch screen, and when detecting a first touch, determining whether to process an event of the first touch in an electronic document by considering a first touch point and the one or more regions. |
| US09612673B2 |
Simultaneous display of multiple maximized applications on touch screen electronic devices
The present disclosure provides for a touch screen electronic device to display two or more running applications simultaneously in a side-by-side layout in a split screen mode of the device. Two or more applications that are running on an operating system of the device can be easily displayed simultaneously in the split screen mode while maintaining one of the displayed applications as active so that the user can provide user inputs to the active application. |
| US09612668B2 |
Human interface apparatus having input unit for pointer location information and pointer command execution unit
A human interface apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving text input from a user; switching to input mode for pointing location information; receiving input for pointing location information from the user; and switching the human interface apparatus to a text input mode, wherein the text input area and the pointing location information input area have at least a part of the area in common. |
| US09612665B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A distance measuring unit measures a distance from a picked-up image by an image pickup unit to a tip portion of a finger. When the measured distance is less than a reference distance, a CPU displays an identification mark at a position corresponding to the finger on a display image, and takes in a locus of the finger as a handwritten character/figure. When the measured distance is the reference distance or more, the CPU hides the identification mark, and does not take in the locus of the finger as the handwritten character/figure. |
| US09612663B2 |
Multimodal system and method facilitating gesture creation through scalar and vector data
A device and a method facilitating generation of one or more intuitive gesture sets for the interpretation of a specific purpose are disclosed. Data is captured in a scalar and a vector form which is further fused and stored. The intuitive gesture sets generated after the fusion are further used by one or more components/devices/modules for one or more specific purpose. Also incorporated is a system for playing a game. The system receives one or more actions in a scalar and a vector from one or more user in order to map the action with at least one pre stored gesture to identify a user in control amongst a plurality of users and interpret the action of user for playing the game. In accordance with the interpretation, an act is generated by the one or more component of the system for playing the game. |
| US09612660B2 |
Innovative knob with variable haptic feedback
A touch screen with haptic feedback knob arrangement. The arrangement includes an interactive surface having a controllable electrostatic pressure region across a portion of the interactive surface. The arrangement further includes a controller having an algorithm programmed thereon for controlling the amount of electrostatic pressure applied to the portion of the interactive surface where the electrostatic pressure region is located. A knob is rotatably mounted to the interactive surface and receives rotational resistance from the electrostatic pressure region of the interactive surface. |
| US09612659B2 |
User interface system
A user interface system of one embodiment includes a layer defining a surface; a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity; a displacement coupled to the cavity that expands the cavity, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface. The layer and the substrate are connected at an attachment point, and the location of the attachment point relative to the layer, substrate, and cavity at least partially defines the shape of the deformed particular region of the surface. |
| US09612658B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations
The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device.The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation. |
| US09612648B2 |
System and method for memory channel interleaving with selective power or performance optimization
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing memory channel interleaving with selective power or performance optimization. One such method involves configuring a memory address map for two or more memory devices accessed via two or more respective memory channels with an interleaved region and a linear region. The interleaved region comprises an interleaved address space for relatively higher performance use cases. The linear region comprises a linear address space for relatively lower power use cases. Memory requests are received from one or more clients. The memory requests comprise a preference for power savings or performance. Received memory requests are assigned to the linear region or the interleaved region according to the preference for power savings or performance. |
| US09612645B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and storage medium for reducing power consumption in response to a transition
When a printing apparatus operates in a normal power mode, a control unit specifies a time of receipt of a packet and a reception interval between packets by using an RTC. On the other hand, when the printing apparatus operates in a power-saving mode, a communication unit specifies a time of receipt of a packet and a reception interval between packets on the basis of time-of-day information acquired from an SNTP server. |
| US09612639B2 |
Electronic device having chargeable battery, method of charging, and storage medium
An electronic device includes a chargeable battery, a system section, and a charging control section. The charging control system allocates electrical current supplied from the external device to the system section for use thereby and the battery for charging. The charging control section stops charging of the battery temporarily when a prescribed condition is met in the system section and the electrical current supplied via the cable is not a maximum current for the cable, and regulates the electrical current supplied via the cable to be at a constant level below the maximum current. The charging control section supplies electrical current from the battery to the system section as needed to meet a power demand by the system section that is not met by the electric current via the cable, while the electrical current supplied via the cable is being regulated to be at the constant level. |
| US09612638B1 |
Systems and methods for automatic detection and configuration of voltage regulator phases in a multi-rail voltage regulator
A method may include, in an information handling system comprising a power system having a plurality of voltage regulator phases, during a configuration mode of the power system, determining connectivity between the plurality of voltage regulator phases and a primary power rail and connectivity between the plurality of voltage regulator phases and a secondary power rail based on population of output inductors in one or more of a plurality of first phase output inductor footprint locations or one or more of a plurality of second phase output inductor footprint locations, wherein each of the plurality of phase output inductor footprint locations is respectively coupled to an first output of a respective voltage regulator phase of the plurality of voltage regulator phases and is coupled to a respective power rail of the information handling system. |
| US09612632B2 |
Wireless electronic device with component cooling structures
An electronic device may have a hard disk drive mounted diagonally within a housing. Electromagnetic interference shielding structures may enclose the hard disk drive. The shielding structures may include conductive elastomeric structures. A printed circuit board may be mounted diagonally in parallel with the hard disk drive. Connectors on the printed circuit board may be angled away from the printed circuit board at a non-zero angle and may be retained against the housing with a slide and lock connector retention member. An accelerometer may detect when the device is tipped over so that control circuitry may protect the hard disk drive. A fan may cause air to flow upwards on one side of the device and downwards on the other side of the device. The housing may rest on housing support structures with angled air vents and integral elastomeric feet. |
| US09612631B2 |
Electronic device having security structure
A electronic device includes a chassis, a panel, a cover and a security structure. The panel covers a side of the chassis. The cover covers another side of the chassis. The security structure includes a locking component, a positioning component and a linking shaft. The locking component is disposed on the panel and interfered with the chassis to lock the panel. The positioning component is disposed on the cover and interfered with the chassis to position the cover. The linking shaft is disposed between the locking component and the positioning component and stops the positioning component from being separated from the chassis. When a position of the locking component is adjusted to release the interference between the locking component and the chassis, the linking shaft is driven by the locking component to release the positioning component and move along a direction away the panel. |
| US09612629B2 |
Sealed storage canister
A sealed storage canister is provided. The sealed storage canister in one example includes a sealed enclosure configured to be substantially hermetically sealed for retaining a predetermined gas or gas mixture, multiple unsealed Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the sealed enclosure, with the multiple unsealed HDDs configured to allow the predetermined gas or gas mixture to move through the multiple unsealed HDDs, at least one mounting element configured to receive the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the multiple unsealed HDDs. |
| US09612625B2 |
System and method of rendering data based on an angle of a carrying case flap
A system and method of rendering data based on an angle of a carrying case flap is provided. The system comprises: a mobile device comprising: a processor and a display device; a carrying case configured to mate with the mobile device, the carrying case comprising a flap having an open position and a closed position, the flap at least partially obscuring the display device in the closed position when the mobile device is mated with the carrying case; and, a sensor located at one or more of the mobile device and the carrying case, the sensor configured to measure an angle between the flap and the display device as the flap moves between the closed position and the open position, the processor of the mobile device configured to: render data at the display device based on the angle. |
| US09612622B2 |
Electronic device housing
An anti-shock device is disclosed to protect a portable electronic device from impact on a hard surface. The device includes shock absorbers which may be deployed upon sensing a triggering event by an accelerometer. The shock absorbers may include bumpers of buoyant material to allow the portable electronic device to float if the device contacts a water surface. |
| US09612620B2 |
Display device and a driving method thereof
Provided are a display device and a driving method thereof, the display device including: a display panel having a curvature radius; a driver driving the display panel; a timing controller controlling the driver; an image processor supplying an image signal to the timing controller; and an image corrector compressing or expanding the image signal in response to the curvature radius of the display panel. |
| US09612616B2 |
Computer docking station
A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer, and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The latching member engages the handle portion of the portable computer in the second position. |
| US09612611B1 |
Glitch-free clock multiplexer
In a system having a first clock domain with a first clock and a second clock domain with a second clock, the first and second clocks are monitored to determine whether one or both clocks are active. The first clock is selected to be an output clock if the first clock is active and the second clock is disabled irrespective of the clock selection signal. The second clock is selected to be the output clock if the second clock is active and the first clock is disabled irrespective of the clock selection signal. If both the first clock and the second clock are active, either the first clock or the second clock is selected according to a received clock selection signal. |
| US09612610B2 |
Data storage device and mode-detection method thereof
A data storage device including a flash memory and a controller. The controller enables the flash memory to transmit a predetermined parameter stored in the flash memory according to a first predetermined trigger edge of a clock signal and reads the predetermined parameter transmitted by the flash memory according to the first predetermined trigger edge of the clock signal to obtain a first reference parameter in an asynchronous mode. The controller enables the flash memory to switch to a synchronous mode and transmit the predetermined parameter and reads the predetermined parameter transmitted by the flash memory according to the first predetermined trigger edge of the clock signal to obtain a second reference parameter in a detection mode. |
| US09612606B2 |
Bandgap reference circuit
A bandgap reference circuit including two sets of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). A first set of two or more BJTs configured to electrically connect in a parallel arrangement. The first set of BJTs is configured to produce a first proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) signal. A second set of two or more BJTs configured to electrically connect in a parallel arrangement. The second set of BJTs is configured to produce a second PTAT signal. A circuitry configured to electrically connect to the first set of BJTs and the second set of BJTs. The circuitry is configured to combine the first PTAT signal and the second PTAT signal to produce a reference voltage. |
| US09612597B2 |
Apparatus for controlling autonomously navigating utility vehicle
In an autonomously navigating utility vehicle adapted to run a working area defined by a laid boundary wire autonomously having a pair of magnetic sensors installed on either sides of the vehicle at positions laterally symmetrical with respect to a vehicle straight forward center line to produce outputs indicating intensity of magnetic field of the wire, an angular velocity sensor adapted to produce an output indicating angular velocity around a vertical axis of the vehicle, the vehicle is controlled to move to a prescribed position at which an angle of the center line relative to the laid wire becomes a reference angle based on the outputs of the magnetic sensors, and to turn by 180 degrees, and calibrates the output of the angular velocity sensor by outputs of the angular velocity sensor obtained at the turning. |
| US09612596B2 |
Hands-off steering wheel governed by pedestrian detection
A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object. |
| US09612593B2 |
Methods and apparatus to configure a process control device
Example methods and apparatus are provided for configuring a process control device. An example method includes implementing a first configuration at the process control device based on a first configuration request. The example method includes setting a configuration flag. The configuration flag indicates the first configuration is being implemented. The example method includes denying a second configuration request while the configuration flag is set. |
| US09612587B2 |
Mobile extension for industrial operator consoles
A system includes an operator console having at least one graphical display configured to present information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes a mobile extension associated with the operator console. The mobile extension is configured to present first process-related information to an operator and receive second process-related information from the operator for the control system. The operator console is configured to provide state information to the mobile extension, where the state information is associated with operations of the operator console. The mobile extension could be configured to base at least part of the first process-related information or at least part of the second process-related information on a location of the apparatus. The operator console could be configured to provide an indication that the mobile extension is currently in use by the operator. |
| US09612585B2 |
Distributed building control system
An example of a building automation system utilizes intelligent system elements, some of which are lighting devices having light sources, and some of which are utility building control and automation elements. Some utility building control and automation elements include a controllable mechanism for use in control of some aspect of the building other than lighting. Another intelligent system element may include either a user interface component and be configured as a building controller, or include a detector and be configured as a sensor. Each intelligent system element includes a network communication interface, processor, memory and programming to configure the intelligent system element as a lighting device, utility building control and automation element, controller or sensor. At least one of the intelligent lighting devices is configured as a building control and automation system server. Several examples, however, implement the overall control using distributed processing. |
| US09612577B2 |
Device displaying a series of sequential timekeeping periods
A timekeeping device including a first dial including a plurality of first dial display regions, each of the plurality of first dial display regions disposed at an angle of 90-degrees with respect to each adjacent first dial display region and a center of the first dial, a second dial disposed adjacent the first dial and configured to rotate in two directions about a central axis of rotation of the second dial, and a set of two adjacent third dials disposed adjacent the second dial, each dial of the set of two adjacent third dials configured to rotate about a respective central axis of rotation, the set of two adjacent third dials each comprising indicia representing at least one value configured to represent a date of a month. |
| US09612572B2 |
Process unit
A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint. |
| US09612571B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same
A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a first wall having a first opening, a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening, and a first operating portion configured to operate together with the first shutter. The second cartridge is mountable onto and demountable from the first cartridge and contains a developer. The second cartridge includes a second wall facing the first wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening, and a second operating portion configured to operate together with the second shutter. The first cartridge further includes a third operating portion. When the second cartridge is mounted onto the first cartridge, the first operating portion and the third operating portion operate together through the second operating portion. |
| US09612562B2 |
Unit pulling-out mechanism and image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a first pullout unit, a second pullout unit, and a first lock mechanism. The first unit is movable along a first axis between a first retracted position where the first unit is fully retracted in the apparatus, and a first exposed position where at least one side surface thereof is fully exposed to the front of the apparatus. The second unit is movable along a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, between a second retracted position where the second unit is fully retracted in the first unit, and a second exposed position where the second unit is exposed to a side of the side surface of the first unit. The first lock mechanism prevents movement of the second unit from the second retracted position to the second exposed position when the first unit is not in the first exposed position. |
| US09612558B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an area coverage calculation section, and an image data rotating section. The image forming device forms a toner image in accordance with image data without setting margins at edges of a first recording medium. The area coverage calculation section calculates an area coverage of the image data for a certain region at each of the edges of the first recording medium. The image data rotating section rotates the image data by a certain angle, when the calculated area coverage at one of the edges is a certain value or more, so that the one of the edges is not on a leading edge side of the first recording medium in a transport direction. |
| US09612557B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an all contact full color mode and an all contact monochrome mode. During an image forming job in which image forming is successively performed on a plurality of recording materials, in case that an image is formed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member after an image has been formed using both of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, the controller determines whether the all contact full color mode or the all contact monochrome mode is performed based on an image forming speed to be performed or other criteria. |
| US09612546B2 |
External additive for toner, method of producing the same, and toner comprising the same
An external additive for toner includes a particulate obtained from a silicone compound selected from a silane compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, Si(OR1)4, wherein each R1 is independently a C1 to C6 monovalent hydrocarbon group, a hydrolysis-condensation product of the silane compound, and a combination thereof, wherein the particulate has an average particle diameter ranging from about 50 nm to about 250 nm and a true density ranging from about 1.80 g/cm3 to about 2.00 g/cm3. |
| US09612541B2 |
Qualifying patterns for microlithography
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for qualifying a photolithographic reticle. A reticle inspection tool is used to acquire at least two images at different imaging configurations from each pattern area of the reticle. A reticle pattern is reconstructed based on each at least two images from each pattern area of the reticle. For each reconstructed reticle pattern, a lithographic process with two or more different process conditions is modeled on such reconstructed reticle pattern to generate two or more corresponding modeled test wafer patterns. Each two or more modelled test wafer patterns is analyzed to identify hot spot patterns of the reticle patterns that are susceptible to the different process conditions altering wafer patterns formed with such hot spot patterns. |
| US09612537B2 |
Illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography
An EUV projection lithography illumination optical unit guides illumination light toward an object field, the illumination optical unit comprising. The unit includes: a first facet mirror comprising a plurality of first monolithic facets; and a second facet mirror downstream of the first facet mirror in a beam path of the illumination light, the second facet mirror comprising a plurality of second facets, each second facet being configured to contribute to imaging a corresponding first monolithic facet of the first facet mirror into the object field via an illumination channel. Individual parts of the first monolithic facets are configured so that illumination light is guided from the individual parts of the first monolithic facets toward different target locations on the corresponding second facet of the second facet mirror. |
| US09612536B2 |
Developer for lithography
A method for lithography patterning includes forming a material layer over a substrate; exposing a portion of the material layer to a radiation; and removing the exposed portion of the material layer in a developer, resulting in a patterned material layer. The developer comprises an organic solvent and a basic solute, wherein the organic solvent is more than 50% of the developer by weight. In an embodiment, the developer further comprises water that is less than 50% of the developer by weight. |
| US09612535B2 |
Pattern forming method, electron beam- or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition, resist film using the same, method of manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern forming method comprising, in this order: (1) forming a film by using an electron beam- or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition containing, in a specific amount, a resin (Aa) having a specific atom or substituent; (2) exposing the film by using an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet ray; and (3) forming a negative pattern by performing development using a developer including an organic solvent after the exposure. |
| US09612529B2 |
Pellicle frame and a pellicle
A pellicle is proposed in which the frame is formed with an external horizontal slit for the purpose of receiving a pressing means, which can urge the pellicle to be adhered to a photomask, in which the slit forms a vertically protruding part of a thickness of 5-30% of the width of a pellicle frame main body and a horizontally protruding part of a thickness of 0.3-1 mm; also the method of adhering the pellicle to the photomask is proposed. |
| US09612528B2 |
Methods of manufacturing pellicles having graphite layers
Provided is a method of manufacturing a pellicle. The method includes preparing a substrate, forming a membrane on the substrate by performing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, separating the membrane from the substrate in a first solvent, rinsing the separated membrane in a second solvent, and transferring the separated membrane to a frame in a third solvent. |
| US09612525B2 |
Titania-doped quartz glass and making method
Titania-doped quartz glass is manufactured by mixing a silicon-providing reactant gas and a titanium-providing reactant gas, preheating the reactant gas mixture at 200-400° C., and subjecting the mixture to oxidation or flame hydrolysis. A substrate of the glass is free of concave defects having a volume of at least 30,000 nm3 in an effective region of the EUV light-reflecting surface and is suited for use in the EUV lithography. |
| US09612524B2 |
Reflective mask and method of fabricating the same
A reflective mask includes a first reflection layer disposed on a mask substrate, a first capping layer disposed on the first reflection layer, a second reflection pattern disposed on a portion of the first capping layer, and a phase shifter disposed between the second reflection pattern and the first capping layer to cause a phase difference between a first light reflecting from the first reflection layer and a second light reflecting from the second reflection pattern. Related methods are also provided. |
| US09612523B2 |
Structure and method for reflective-type mask
A reflective mask includes a substrate; a reflective multilayer formed on the substrate; an absorber layer formed on the reflective multilayer, wherein the absorber layer is patterned to have openings according to an integrated circuit layout; and a protection layer formed over the reflective multilayer within the openings. |
| US09612522B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet mask blank production system with thin absorber and manufacturing system therefor
An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a multi-layer stack, formed above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, and an absorber layer, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm includes the absorber layer has a thickness of less than 80 nm and less than 2% reflectivity. |
| US09612520B2 |
Polarized projection device and polarized projection system using the same
A polarized projection device includes a light source, a light modulator, and a lens module. The light source is configured for providing a light beam. The light modulator is configured for modulating the light beam into an image. The lens module is configured for converting the image into a polarized image, and includes a polarized prism group, a first polarized module, a second polarized module, a lens, and a half wave plate. The polarized prism group has an incident surface, a light-emitting surface, a first relay surface, and a second relay surface. The image enters the polarized prism group from the incident surface. The first (second) polarized module is disposed off axis at the first (second) relay surface and includes a first (second) reflector and a first (second) quarter wave plate. The lens is disposed at the light-emitting surface. The half wave plate is partially disposed on the lens. |
| US09612519B2 |
Method and system for organising image recordings and sound recordings
Method and system for organising image recordings of takes recorded by an image recorder and sound recordings of the takes recorded by a sound recorder are provided. Each of the image recordings comprises a visual information code (VIC). Each of the sound recordings comprises an audible information code (AIC). The method comprises the steps of: searching through the digital image recordings for the visual information codes (VIC) and decoding it to acquire identification code (IC), searching through the digital sound recordings for the audible information codes (AIC) and decoding it to acquire identification code (IC), and organising sets of image recordings and sound recordings based on their identification codes (IC). |
| US09612511B2 |
Projection system using excitable wavelength conversion material in the light source
A solid state light source device for generating a constant broad band light useful in multiple SLM projectors. The light source device includes a blue or UV/near UV excitation light and a moving plate carrying wavelength conversion materials to convert the excitation light into a broad band light. The wavelength conversion materials include red, green, yellow and/or blue phosphors, and may pass some of the blue excitation light. The broad band light outputted by the phosphor plate includes at least two primary color components and has a constant intensity and spectrum as a function of time. The solid state light source device further includes a second light source such as a blue light source, and a light combination device which combines the output light of the moving phosphor plate and the light from the second light source into one beam of constant, broad band light. |
| US09612509B2 |
Vibrating body mounting structure and projection-type image display device including same
Provided is a vibrating body mounting structure capable of reducing vibrations generated from a plurality of vibrating bodies. Vibrating body mounting structure (48) includes base member (40), a plurality of retaining members (39, 45), and connecting damper (49). The retaining members include first portions (39a, 45a) secured to the base member, and second portions (39b, 45b) adjacent to the first portions and retaining vibrating bodies (24, 25). The connecting damper connects second portion (39b) of one retaining member (39) of the plurality of retaining members to second portion (45b) of the other retaining member (45) of the plurality of retaining members. |
| US09612502B2 |
Electro-optic display with edge seal
Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display. |
| US09612501B2 |
Method and apparatus for front-lit semi-retro-reflective display
The disclosure generally relates to a front-lit display having transparent and selectively emissive light directionality. The disclosed semi-retro-reflective, semi-specular and specular displays include directional front light systems that reflect light in a manner to preserve the non-Lambertian characteristic of the light output. This leads to brighter displays with a higher degree of luminance as compared to conventional microencapsulated electrophoretic displays with substantially Lambertian reflectance where much of the light is not reflected back towards the viewer. |
| US09612500B2 |
Electro-optic device with conductive seal
An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces. |
| US09612496B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display device whose power consumption is reduced while image quality is prevented from being degraded is provided. Further, a method for driving a liquid crystal display device whose power consumption is reduced while image quality is prevented from being degraded is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a transistor whose leakage current in an off state is reduced and a liquid crystal element. The capacitance of a pixel satisfies the formula (1) and the formula (2). |
| US09612495B2 |
Array substrate and display device
An array substrate and a display device are provided. A common electrode line with the same extending direction as a gate line is disposed at one end near a thin film transistor, and forms a storage capacitor with a drain electrode of the thin film transistor. As compared with the case in the prior art that a common electrode line and a thin film transistor in an array substrate are disposed at both ends of a pixel, respectively, and it is necessary to separately provide a storage capacitance electrode useful for forming a storage capacitor with the common electrode line, the pixel region occupied by the thin film transistor and the common electrode line can be effectively decreased. Thus, the aperture ratio is increased, and the display brightness of an IPS liquid crystal display device is enhanced. |
| US09612493B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method thereof
A gate line (40) has a two-layered structure comprising a lower gate line (40a) made of material identical to a pixel electrode (70), and positioned in the same layer as the pixel electrode (70), and an upper gate line (40b) layered on the lower gate line (40b), and made of material having a higher electrical conductivity than the transparent conductive material. According to this structure, it is possible to reduce the number of times performing exposure processes in manufacturing an in-plane switching type liquid crystal panel. |
| US09612490B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display having the advantage of higher resolution and lower power consumption while having high transmittance. The present invention is a liquid crystal display provided with a first substrate, a second substrate and a horizontal orientation-type liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a plurality of source bus lines, a plurality of gate bus lines, a pixel electrode, a first common electrode, a first interlayer insulation film on the plurality of source bus lines, a first conductive layer on the first interlayer insulation film, a second interlayer insulation film on the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on the second interlayer insulation film. The first common electrode includes a plurality of first linear portions having a linear shape. The pixel electrode includes one or more second linear portions. The plurality of first linear portions and one or more second linear portions are alternately disposed. All or every other two or more of the first linear portions are disposed on the source bus lines or the gate bus lines in parallel therewith, and are provided in one of the first and second conductive layers. The second linear portions are transparent, and are provided in the other of the first and second conductive layers. |
| US09612487B2 |
Array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display device
The present invention provides an array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device, relates to the field of liquid crystal display technology, and can solve the problem of low aperture ratio of the existing array substrate. The array substrate of the present invention comprises: a light filtering layer provided on a substrate a thin film transistor formed thereon, a planarization layer covering the light filtering layer, and a pixel electrode provided above the planarization layer, the array substrate further comprises: a third electrode layer connected to a drain of the thin film transistor and extending onto the light filtering layer; and a contacting via penetrating through the planarization layer and provided above a portion of the third electrode layer on the light filtering layer, the pixel electrode being connected to the third electrode layer through the contacting via. |
| US09612486B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is provided that has favorable display characteristics in a display mode using a vertical electric field and a horizontal electric field. This liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer has liquid crystal molecules having a negative dielectric anisotropy, and the first substrate has a plate-shaped first common electrode and a pixel electrode formed in a separate layer from the first common electrode with an insulating film therebetween. The pixel electrode has a comb-shaped structure, and the second substrate has a second common electrode with a liquid crystal orientation structure that is linear in a plan view. |
| US09612485B2 |
Method of manufacturing display apparatus
A method of manufacturing a display apparatus includes: applying a first sealing material along both sides in a row direction of array substrate areas on a first mother board including a plurality of the array substrate areas formed in a matrix pattern, applying a second sealing material along both sides in a column direction of counter substrate areas on a second mother board including a plurality of the counter substrate areas formed in a matrix pattern, filling the first mother board with a liquid crystal material; and adhering the first mother board and the second mother board to each other. |
| US09612484B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulating substrate; a plurality of color filters positioned on the first insulating substrate; a light blocking member positioned on the plurality of color filters; a second insulating substrate facing the first insulating substrate; and a spacer positioned between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate, wherein the spacer includes a main column spacer and first and second sub-column spacers, and the first and second sub-column spacers are positioned at both sides of the main column spacer. |
| US09612482B2 |
Substrate fitting process and substrate assembly to be fitted
The present invention provides a substrate fitting process and a substrate assembly to be fitted, wherein the substrate assembly to be fitted of the present invention, a periphery mold frame is disposed on a surface of a substrate, a cell mold frame is disposed inside said periphery mold frame, the height of said cell mold frame is larger than the height of said periphery mold frame. A substrate fitting process of the present invention comprises: providing a cell mold frame on a surface of a first substrate, providing a cell mold frame inside the periphery mold frame for sealing liquid crystal, the height of said cell mold frame is larger than the height of the periphery mold frame; extracting the air between the first substrate and the second substrate; making the first substrate fit with the second substrate preliminarily; filling the air between the first substrate and the second substrate; making the first substrate further fit with the second substrate. With the technical solution of the present invention, the puncture caused by the impact of the in-cell liquid crystal onto the cell mold frame is prevented, and the time and the costs of the process is decreased, meanwhile the probability of the circuit metal wire and the component switch on the liquid crystal panel suffering corrode of the thinning acid is decreased. |
| US09612480B2 |
Method of producing a phase device based on a twisted liquid crystal having optimized structure operating under unpolarized light
The invention relates to a method of producing a phase device operating at at least one wavelength (λ) comprising a cell containing a liquid crystal possessing a helical structure, inserted between two alignment layers possessing rubbing axes and means for applying a voltage to said cell, said helical structure exhibits a number of helical turns k, said liquid crystal exhibiting a defined angle of twist Θ between the rubbing axes of the two alignment layers, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: —the determination of a compensation angle ε satisfying the following equation: (formula) with: N the integer closest to (formula) the angle of twist Θ=2Kπ−εΔn: the birefringence of the liquid crystal; d: the thickness of the liquid crystal cell; λ: the wavelength of the light beam which passes through the liquid crystal cell; the rubbing of one of the faces in a direction of alignment of said liquid crystal molecules, defining the angle of twist: θ=2Kπ−ε. ɛ = 2 k π - N π 1 - d 2 Δ n 2 N 2 λ 2 ) 2 k ( 1 + d 2 Δ n 2 4 k 2 λ 2 ) |
| US09612479B2 |
Pixel structure and array substrate
The present invention provides a pixel structure disposed on a substrate, and the pixel structure includes an alignment layer, a common electrode, and a pixel electrode. The alignment layer is disposed on the substrate, and the alignment layer has a first section and a second section. The first section has a first alignment direction, and the second section has a second alignment direction perpendicular to the first alignment direction. The common electrode is disposed between the substrate and the alignment layer, and the pixel electrode is disposed between the substrate and the alignment layer. |
| US09612472B2 |
Color filter substrate and manufacturing method therefor, and display device
Embodiments of the invention disclose a color filter substrate comprising: an underlying substrate; a semi-transparent and semi-reflecting layer formed on the underlying substrate; and a black matrix and a color filter layer formed on the semi-transparent and semi-reflecting layer. The black matrix and the color filter layer are formed on a side of the semi-transparent and semi-reflecting layer opposite from the underlying substrate. Other embodiments of the invention further disclose a method for manufacturing the color filter substrate, and a display device comprising the color filter substrate. |
| US09612470B2 |
Display with column spacer structures
A display may have a layer of liquid crystal material between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. Column spacer structures may be formed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer to maintain a desired separation between the color filter and thin-film transistor layers. Column spacers may be deposited in column spacer regions of the color filter layer. The color filter layer may include rows of red, green, and blue color filter elements. Blue color filter material that forms blue color filter elements in the color filter layer may also be used to form a planar surface over red and green color filter elements in the column spacer regions. Using the blue color filter material to planarize the surface on which column spacers are formed ensures that the column spacers provide sufficient support for the display without requiring an additional planarization layer. |
| US09612468B1 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus including a display device, a first prism and a second prism is provided. A part of a light beam from a display area of the display device that is covered by a first light entering surface of the first prism penetrates the first light entering surface and is sequentially refracted by a reflective refractive surface of the first prism to above the display area. Another part of the light beam from the display area that is covered by the first light entering surface penetrates the first light entering surface, is reflected by the reflective refractive surface, penetrates a first light exiting surface of the first prism, a gap, a second light entering surface of the second prism and a second light exiting surface of the second prism sequentially, and is transmitted to above a frame area of the display device. |
| US09612465B2 |
Source driving circuit and LCD device
The present invention provides a source driving circuit and an LCD device. The source driving circuit includes output channels, and each output channel includes a first switch element, a second switch element, a first output end, and a second output end. The first switch element and the second switch element are respectively connected to the first output end and the second output end. When the first switch element is turned on, the output channel outputs a display signal, and when the second switch element is turned on, the output channel provides recycled charges which are generated when the display signal is changed from a positive voltage to a negative voltage. The source driving circuit can recycle charges to make the most of charges generated when the display signals change from positive voltages to negative voltages and reduce power consumption of the LCD device. |
| US09612463B2 |
Display device having a liquid crystal display and method for protecting a liquid crystal display
A display device with a liquid crystal display and a method for protecting the liquid crystal display are provided. The display device includes a liquid crystal display for displaying an image, a sensor system for detecting the illuminance of an incident optical radiation and for determining the current position of the Sun relative to the liquid crystal display, an adjustable shading device for protecting the liquid crystal display from the incident optical radiation, and a control unit. The control unit checks if the illuminance detected by the sensor system exceeds a predefined threshold value and if the current position of the Sun is in a predefined angle range, and controls the shading device according to a result of the check such that the shading device interrupts a beam path of a part of the optical radiation incident on the liquid crystal display. |
| US09612462B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel poor alignment repairing apparatus
A liquid crystal display panel poor alignment repairing apparatus includes: a shell including an accommodation space which includes a separate first chamber and a separate second chamber; and a temperature control device, which is to control temperatures in the first chamber and the second chamber in such a manner of heating a to-be-repaired liquid crystal display panel in the first chamber and simultaneously cooling a to-be-repaired liquid crystal display panel in the second chamber. |
| US09612455B2 |
Extended wear ophthalmic lens
A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen. |
| US09612453B2 |
Glasses-type terminal
Provided is a glasses-type terminal including: a frame that is worn on a user's head; a display unit provided to the frame, on which visual information is displayed; a control module that controls the display unit; and a bridge that is combined with the frame along a length direction of the frame and with which a nose-supported portion that is supported by a user' nose is combined, in which the frame includes an external frame that is exposed to the outside, and an internal frame that is combined with an internal side of the external frame and comes into contact with the user's head, and in which the bridge is arranged between the external frame and the internal frame. |
| US09612452B2 |
Wavy structure of spectacle frame
The present invention relates to a wavy structure of a spectacle frame, and the technical object of the present invention is to provide a wavy structure of a spectacle frame which is compatible to multiple different lenses, is convenient to install, and is firm and stable when in use. The wavy structure of the present invention includes a spectacle lens frame and frame temple, and an inner ring of the spectacle lens frame is shaped as a wavy structure. The present invention not only has elasticity and can be compatible to lens of different models, but also can firmly stabilize the lens, and is applied to the production and use of man-rated spectacle field. |
| US09612451B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens consists of four or five lens groups, consisting of, in order from the object side, a positive first group a negative second group, one or two middle groups including a positive mp group, and a positive rearmost group at the most image-side position of the entire system. Zooming is effected by changing all distances between the adjacent groups. The rearmost group consists of, in order from the object side, a positive front group, a negative middle group, and a positive rear group. Air spaces between the front and middle groups, and between the middle and rear groups are constant during zooming and focusing. The front group includes two positive lenses and one negative lens. Image stabilization is effected by shifting the middle group perpendicularly to the optical axis. The rear group includes one positive lens and two negative lenses. The zoom lens satisfies a given condition expression. |
| US09612446B2 |
Stereoscopic ophthalmic lens viewing sets
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for forming a Viewing Set of Ophthalmic Lenses for Three-dimensional Perception of stereoscopic media and includes the resulting Viewing Set devices. The Viewing Sets include a left Ophthalmic Lens and a right Ophthalmic Lens, wherein each Ophthalmic Lens includes a translation filter that, when combined, allow for Three-dimensional Perception. The present invention also includes embodiments where the translation filters are included in an encapsulated Rigid Insert or Media Insert, wherein the Media Insert includes a variable optic zone. |
| US09612445B2 |
Lens element
The invention provides a switchable lens element comprising an inverse lens structure formed by an isotropic material and an isotropic cover sheet wherein the resulting lens structure comprises an electrically switchable polymer stabilized blue phase LC medium having the same refractive index in its isotropic state. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a lens element in an electro-optical device i.e. an autostereoscopic display device operable in a 2D mode or a 3D mode, in which a lens arrangement directs the output from different pixels to different spatial positions to enable a stereoscopic image to be viewed and wherein the lens arrangement comprises a plurality of said switchable lens elements. |
| US09612442B2 |
Keyboard magnifying device
A keyboard magnifying device for allowing users to more easily view the keys on a keyboard. The keyboard magnifying device includes a base on which a keyboard can be positioned, an upstanding post extending upwardly from a rear portion of the base, and a frame pivotally attached to the upper end of the upstanding post. The frame includes an open central area, wherein a magnifying lens is positioned over the open central area. The frame and magnifying lens are vertically aligned with the base so that a user can look through the magnifying lens at the keyboard disposed on the base in order to provide an enlarged view of the keys thereon. The keyboard magnifying device may further include one or more lights directed at the base so as to illuminate the keyboard positioned thereon. |
| US09612441B2 |
Glass type terminal
Disclosed is a glasses-type terminal including a display, a controller, a power supply, and a frame. The frame includes a main frame configured to mount to a front portion of a head of a user, a first sub frame connected to a first end of the main frame and configured to be received by a first ear of the user, and a second sub frame detachably connected to a second end of the main frame and including the power supply unit, wherein the first sub frame includes the controller and wherein the power supply unit is electrically connected to the controller when the first sub frame and second sub frame are respectively connected to the first end and second end of the main frame. |
| US09612440B2 |
Composite wearable electronic communication device
A wearable electronic communication device includes a neck loop with a first electrical connector; a frame comprising a second electrical connector, a front bar with nose pads, and two temples, wherein each temple is connected to one of two lateral ends of the front bar; a first wire connected to one of the lateral temples; and a second wire connected to the other lateral temple. The first or second wire is electrically connected to the second electrical connector, and the other end of the same wire is electrically connected to the first electrical connector. The first and second wires are connected to the neck loop close to each other and form a dorsal wire node on the neck. The first and second wires are mechanically connected to each other between the frame and the dorsal wire node to form a suboccipital wire node below an occiput of the user. |
| US09612437B1 |
Optical lens module with plastic barrel, imaging apparatus including same module and electronic device including same apparatus
An optical lens module includes a lens assembly and a plastic barrel. The lens assembly includes a plurality of lens elements and is disposed in the plastic barrel. The plastic barrel includes an object-end portion, an image-end portion, an outer tube portion, an inner tube portion and at least one reflection reduction area. The image-end portion includes an image-end opening. The inner tube portion includes a plurality of parallel inner surfaces and a plurality of inclined inner surfaces, wherein the parallel inner surfaces are parallel to the central axis, and each of the inclined inner surfaces has an angle with the central axis. The reflection reduction area is disposed on one of the inclined inner surfaces closest to the image-end opening, wherein the reflection reduction area and the plastic barrel are integrally formed by an injection molding method. |
| US09612429B2 |
Circuit and method for controlling a microscope
A circuit for controlling a microscope using a controller includes a slow memory configured to store control information. The controller is configured to control microscope parameters based on the control information. The circuit includes a data loader and at least two fast memories. The data loader is configured such that control information is written from the slow memory alternately into one of the at least two fast memories. The circuit also includes a multiplexer configured to permit access by the controller to one of the at least two fast memories in alternating fashion so as to read control information. The data loader is configured to control the multiplexer in such a way that a write operation by the data loader and a read operation by the controller will not occur simultaneously on the same fast memory. |
| US09612428B2 |
Apparatus for confocal observation of a specimen
An apparatus for confocal observation of a specimen includes an illumination device. The illumination device generates illumination radiations of at least two different wavelengths. With the aid of a mask device illuminated by the illumination radiations, one mask image is generated per wavelength. An objective serves for imaging said mask images in the specimen. With the aid of a beam splitter device, the emission radiations emitted by the specimen are divided based on the wavelengths, and are detected based on the wavelengths by a detection device. |
| US09612424B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consists of a first lens group, a second lens group, an aperture stop and a third lens group that has positive refractive power in this order from an object side. The first lens group consists of an L11 lens having positive refractive power, an L12 lens having negative refractive power, an L13 meniscus lens having negative refractive power with its concave surface facing an image side, an L14 lens having negative refractive power with its concave surface facing the object side and two or three lenses, each having positive refractive power, in this order from the object side. The second lens group consists of an L2p lens having positive refractive power and an L2n lens having negative refractive power. |
| US09612423B2 |
Camera lens system
A camera lens system is disclosed. The camera lens system includes a first lens group having a first lens which has a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a second lens which has a negative refractive power and a third lens which has a negative refractive power; a third lens group having a fourth lens which has a concave image side surface and a positive refractive power; a fourth lens group including a fifth lens which has a convex image side surface and a positive refractive power; a fifth lens group having a sixth lens which has a concave image side surface and a negative refractive power. An image side surface of the second lens is connected to an object side surface of the third lens. |
| US09612420B2 |
Lens assembly
A lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is a biconvex lens with positive refractive power. The second lens is a meniscus lens with negative refractive power. The third lens is with positive refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the image side. The fourth lens is a meniscus lens with negative refractive power. The fifth lens is a meniscus lens with negative refractive power. The sixth lens is a meniscus lens with positive refractive power. |
| US09612419B2 |
Lens assembly
A lens assembly includes a first lens group, a stop and a second lens group, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens group includes a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first lens is with negative refractive power and the second lens is with positive refractive power. The second lens group includes a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, wherein the third lens and the fifth lens are with negative refractive power, and the fourth lens and the sixth lens are with positive refractive power. The lens assembly satisfies 0.23≦f/TL≦0.45, wherein f is an effective focal length of the lens assembly and TL is a distance from an object side surface of the first lens to an image plane along the optical axis. |
| US09612418B1 |
Adjustable clamp sleeve for breakaway bundled interlocking drop fiber
The present disclosure relates to a clamp sleeve for a bundled fiber cable. The clamp sleeve includes a first actuating arm, a second actuating arm, and a hinge connecting the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm. The first actuating arm includes a first protuberance, a second protuberance, and a third protuberance, such that a slot forms between each protuberance. The second actuating arm a fourth protuberance, a fifth protuberance, and a sixth protuberance with a slot formed between the fourth, fifth, and sixth protuberances. |
| US09612416B2 |
Fiber demarcation box for layering and storing coiled fiber optic cabling
A fiber demarcation box includes a rear panel extending along a plane in height and width directions that are perpendicular to one another. Outer sidewalls extend away from a perimeter of the rear panel in a depth direction that is perpendicular to the height and width directions. A bulkhead that adjoins the rear panel and the outer sidewalls 104 extends between opposite facing ones of the outer sidewalls in the height direction so as to divide the fiber demarcation box into first and second interior volumes. A cable plane divider in the first interior volume adjacent to the bulkhead includes a first planar section that extends away from the bulkhead in the width direction and is spaced apart from the rear panel in the depth direction. |
| US09612404B2 |
Plate system for securing loose fiber tubes
A device for retaining a plurality of fiber tubes includes a bottom side, a top side, and outer sidewalls extending between the top and bottom sides. First and second groups of fiber tube receptacles in the top side and extend between first and second opposite facing outer sidewalls. First, second and third anchor points of the device each have a pair of fastener perforations extending through the top and bottom sides. First and second anchor points are arranged outside of the first and second groups of fiber tube receptacles. The third anchor point is arranged between the first and second groups. Each of the fiber tube receptacles has a first diameter in outer longitudinal regions and a second diameter in a central longitudinal region, the central longitudinal region being disposed between the outer regions. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. |
| US09612403B2 |
Planar waveguide apparatus with diffraction element(s) and system employing same
A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip. |
| US09612401B2 |
Method and system for providing optical connections
A system for providing optical connections that may include an optical grating structure and an optical waveguide coupled to the optical grating structure. The optical grating structure may be configured to receive an optical wave, through an interposer, from an optical source. The optical grating structure may be configured to transform the optical wave into a predetermined electromagnetic propagation mode. |
| US09612397B2 |
Photoelectric hybrid substrate
A photoelectric hybrid substrate according to the present invention includes an insulating layer that contains a fluororesin as a main component, and conductor layers stacked on two surfaces of the insulating layer. The photoelectric hybrid substrate includes an optical communication mechanism configured to propagate an optical signal in the insulating layer by using reflection at inner surfaces of the conductor layers. |
| US09612396B2 |
Optical printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical printed circuit board, including: a first insulating layer on which at least one receiving groove with an inclined angle on at least one end is formed; an optical waveguide which is formed in the receiving groove of the first insulating layer; and a second insulating layer which is formed on the first insulating layer and buries the optical waveguide formed in the receiving groove. |
| US09612394B2 |
Fibre-optic sensor and use thereof
The invention relates to a fiber-optic sensor comprising an optical waveguide having at least one first core and a cladding surrounding the first core, wherein the first core extends substantially over the entire length of the optical waveguide, wherein the sensor has at least one second core which is at least partly surrounded by the cladding, wherein the longitudinal extent of the second core is less than the total length of the optical waveguide and at least one Bragg grating is introduced into the second core. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the fiber-optic sensor. |
| US09612390B2 |
Diffractive luminaires
Extended area lighting devices, which are useful e.g. as luminaires, include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features are tailored to extract guided-mode light from the light guide. The light guides can be combined with other components and features such as light source(s) to inject guided-mode light into the light guide, light source(s) to project light through the light guide as non-guided-mode light, a framework of interconnected support members (attached to multiple such light guides), and/or a patterned low index subsurface layer that selectively blocks some guided mode light from reaching the diffractive surface features, to provide unique and useful lighting devices. Related optical devices, and optical films having diffractive features that can be used to construct such devices and light guides, are also disclosed. |
| US09612389B2 |
Display device having light guide component
A display device includes a casing, a display panel, a backlight module and a light guide component. The display panel is disposed in the casing. The backlight module is disposed in the casing and includes a light guide plate and a light source. The light guide plate has a light emitting surface and at least one side surface. The light source is adapted to provide a light beam to the light guide plate. A part of the light beam is illuminated toward the display panel from the light emitting surface. The light guide component is disposed in the casing and has a light incident end and a light emitting end. Another part of the light beam is illuminated toward the light incident end from the side surface, and is illuminated out of the casing from the light emitting end after being transmitted in the light guide component. |
| US09612376B2 |
Preparing method for thin polarizer, thin polarizer and polarizing plate comprising the same
Provided are a method for preparing a thin polarizer, including forming a film laminate by bonding a non-stretched polyvinyl alcohol-based film having a thickness of 10 to 60 μm to at least one surface of a non-stretched base film using an adhesive including an amine-based metal compound crosslinking agent and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin containing an acetoacetyl group, and stretching the film laminate so as to allow the polyvinyl alcohol-based film to have a thickness of 10 μm or less, and a thin polarizer manufactured through the same. |
| US09612374B2 |
Color filter, display panel and display device
The present invention provides a color filter, a display panel and a display device. The color filter comprises a substrate, on which a plurality of pixel regions are formed, in each of the plurality of pixel regions, a color film and a black matrix is provided, and a reflecting layer for reflecting ambient light entering into the color film is provided on a surface of the black matrix. Compared to the prior art, the present invention can improve the utilization rate of ambient light and improve the display effect. |
| US09612372B2 |
Diffractive optical element and manufacturing method for the same
An Al film is formed so that film forming particles are incident at normal incidence to grating wall surfaces of a diffraction grating having multiple grating portions and are incident at oblique incidence to optical effective surfaces. After that, oxidation treatment is performed from a direction to be incident at normal incidence to the optical effective surface so that the Al layer on the optical effective surface is changed to Al2O3 layer. Hence, in the diffraction grating having the multiple grating portions, the Al2O3 layer is formed on the optical effective surface for transmitting light, and the Al layer is formed on the grating wall surfaces as a light shielding layer. Thus, flare of the diffractive optical element can be suppressed. |
| US09612370B1 |
EUV light source with spectral purity filter and power recycling
A plasma-generated EUV light source uses an EUV-diffracting collection mirror to channel spectrally pure in-band radiation through an intermediate-focus aperture and through EUV illumination optics. Out-of-band radiation is either undiffracted by the collection mirror or is diffractively scattered away from the aperture. The undiffracted portion, plus plasma-emitted radiation that does not intercept the collection mirror, can be efficiently recycled back to the plasma via retroreflecting mirrors, cat's-eye reflectors, or corner-cube reflectors, to enhance generation of in-band EUV radiation by the plasma. |
| US09612367B2 |
Method of producing optical device, optical device, optical system, and imaging device
A method of producing an optical device, which includes a center region where a light absorbing part is substantially absent, a peripheral region, and an intermediate region between the center and peripheral regions, where the thickness of the light absorbing part gradually increases in a direction from the center region to the peripheral region, includes applying a resin material that absorbs light onto a transparent base material. A forming mold including a convex and a concave corresponding to the shape of the light absorbing part is pressed against the applied resin material. The light absorbing part is formed by curing the resin material through exposure to ultraviolet radiation with the forming mold being pressed against the resin material. A surface of the convex that faces the resin material when the forming mold is pressed against the resin material corresponds to the center region of the optical device and is flat. |
| US09612366B2 |
Composite tungsten oxide particle dispersion polycarbonate resin composition and heat-ray shielding sintered compact and heat-ray shielding laminate using the composition
There is provided a composite tungsten oxide particle dispersion polycarbonate resin composition containing composite tungsten oxide particles expressed by a general formula MxWyOz, metal salt, and polycarbonate resin, wherein the metal salt is a salt of one or more kinds of metal elements selected from Mg, Ni, Zn, In, and Sn. |
| US09612365B2 |
Silicone hydrogels having desirable water content and oxygen permeability
The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a reactive mixture comprising at least one silicone-containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, and at least one diluent to form an ophthalmic device having an advancing contact angle of less than about 80°; and contacting the ophthalmic device with an aqueous extraction solution at an elevated extraction temperature, wherein said at least one diluent has a boiling point at least about 10° higher than said extraction temperature. |
| US09612363B2 |
Silicone hydrogel reactive mixtures comprising borates
Disclosed in this specification is a method for forming a silicone hydrogel material that is useful for forming contact lens materials. The method includes using an effective amount of a borate additive to reduce the gel time of the silicone hydrogel reactive mixture and/or enhance the optical properties of the resulting cured material. |
| US09612360B2 |
Well testing apparatus and methods for measuring the properties and performance of oil and gas wells
To determine properties of multiple oil and gas wells, oscillations at different test frequencies are applied to the flow rate and/or pressure of multiple wells. Measurements of flow rate and/or pressure and temperature in flows downstream of a production header of the multiple wells are then obtained. Such measurements from the flows of the multiple wells are subjected to a frequency analysis of the pressure, flow rate and/or temperature measurements to determine pressure, flow rate and/or temperature variations induced by the applied oscillations. Properties of the different wells of the multiple wells based on the results of the frequency analysis are thus determined. |
| US09612359B2 |
Generation of fracture networks using seismic data
An embodiment of a method for constructing a fracture network includes: receiving seismic data collected from a stimulation operation in an earth formation, the seismic data including seismic event data including a first seismic event associated with a first time increment and a second seismic event associated with a subsequent second time increment; and constructing a fracture network model. The model is constructed by: constructing an initial portion of the model based on the first seismic event; and subsequently updating the initial portion of the model based on the second seismic event. |
| US09612356B2 |
Low-temperature superconducting device for measuring gravity
A low-temperature superconducting device for measuring gravity, includes a low-temperature container, a cryocooler, a rotor chamber, a superconducting rotor, an upper levitation coil, a lower levitation coil, an upper electrode, an intermediate electrode, a lower electrode, a magnetic shielding chamber and a superconducting quantum interference device. By cooling the whole low-temperature superconducting device using a cryocooler, the intermediate electrode disposed in the body of the magnetic shielding chamber will generate an output voltage when the superconducting rotor is displaced due to a change of gravity. Thus, the superconducting quantum interference device can make the superconducting rotor return to the central balance position by adjusting the operating current of the upper levitation coil or the lower levitation coil. A change of gravity can be determined based on the operating current fed back to the upper levitation coil or the lower levitation coil. |
| US09612355B2 |
Imaging and sensing of subterranean reservoirs
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of sensing and/or mapping a subterranean reservoir. In various embodiments, arrangements of electromagnetic sensors are disposed relative to a subterranean reservoir such that a signal received by electromagnetic sensors of one arrangement, in response to activation of an electromagnetic transmitter, can be analyzed to map the subterranean reservoir. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09612354B2 |
Geophysical survey system using hybrid aircraft
There are systems and methods for performing a geophysical survey using a hybrid aircraft which includes an apparatus configured to perform the geophysical survey. The system including: three mutually orthogonal transmitters configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) waveforms towards the ground which creates a secondary magnetic field, wherein the three mutually orthogonal transmitters are attached to the hybrid aircraft; three mutually orthogonal null-coupled receivers configured to obtain measurements associated with the secondary magnetic field, wherein the three mutually orthogonal null-coupled receivers are attached to the hybrid aircraft; and three mutually orthogonal gradient receivers configured to obtain measurements, wherein the three mutually orthogonal gradient receivers are attached to the hybrid aircraft. |
| US09612353B2 |
Detection device, energy receiver, energy transmitter, power transmission system, and detection method
A detection device includes a coil configured to be electromagnetically coupled with an outside, and a detection section connected to a circuit including the coil. The detection section is configured to measure a Q value of the circuit using an alternating-current signal at a frequency different from a frequency of an alternating-current signal of contactless power feed. |
| US09612350B2 |
Controlled damping geophone
Vibration transducers, sensors including the vibration transducers, and methods for manufacturing the same. The vibration transducer may include a magnet. The vibration transducer may include a bobbin disposed about the magnet. The vibration transducer may include a first coil disposed about the bobbin. The vibration transducer may include a controllable damping coil disposed about the bobbin. The first coil is movable relative to the magnet. The magnet is polarized with respect to the axis of the vibration transducer. |
| US09612348B2 |
Digital air gun
A marine air gun generates an acoustic signal in water, for example, during a marine seismic survey. The marine air gun includes digital electronic circuitry. The digital electronic circuitry may control an actuator of the marine air gun, digitize and store data from sensors located on or near the marine air gun, send and/or receive digital communications, store and/or output electrical energy, and/or perform other functions. A marine seismic source system that includes multiple air gun clusters may have a separate digital communication link between a command center and each air gun cluster. Each communication link may provide power and digital communication between the command center and one of the air gun clusters. |
| US09612339B2 |
Detecting satellite signals by storing signal sets spanning code period
A GNSS receiver configured to detect a presence of at least one GNSS satellite signal in a received signal is provided. The GNSS receiver includes a buffer loaded with sample sets corresponding to the received signal and a Doppler derotation block configured to perform a Doppler derotation corresponding to at least one Doppler frequency on a sample set received from the buffer. The GNSS receiver further includes an accumulator block configured to perform a coherent accumulation of a plurality of sample sets upon or subsequent to the Doppler derotation corresponding to a Doppler frequency, and, a first memory configured to store the results of the coherent accumulation. A register array is configured to be loaded with the results stored in the first memory and a correlator engine is configured to generate correlation results by correlating the results in the register array with a plurality of code phases of GNSS satellites. |
| US09612338B2 |
Method to improve satellite signal detection
A method of acquiring a satellite signal in a GNSS receiver includes multiplying a received signal with a hypothesized doppler frequency signal to generate a frequency shifted signal. A PN code sequence signal is multiplied with the frequency shifted signal to generate a PN wiped signal. A windowing function signal is multiplied with the PN wiped signal to generate a windowed signal. The windowed signal is integrated coherently for a first predefined time to generate a coherent accumulated data. |
| US09612328B1 |
Weather radar system and method for estimating vertically integrated liquid content
A hazard warning system includes a processing system. The processing system determines a vertically integrated liquid (VIL) parameter. The processing system receives radar reflectivity data associated with an aircraft radar antenna and determines the VIL parameter by determining a first reflectivity value at a first altitude and a second reflectivity value at a second altitude using the radar reflectivity data. The processing system determines the VIL parameter using a base storm altitude and a top storm altitude. |
| US09612327B2 |
Methods and apparatus for persistent deployment of aerial vehicles
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for persistent deployment of aerial vehicles. The present application discloses a mission control system that is configured to control and manage one or more aerial vehicles for deployment to and from one or more docking stations. The one or more docking stations may be configured with a battery swapping device for removing the depleted battery from an aerial vehicle and for refilling a charged battery into the aerial vehicle. The mission control system may be configured to generate a priority list used to determine the recharging order of the one or more aerial vehicles. |
| US09612326B2 |
Methods and apparatus for detection system having fusion of radar and audio data
Methods and apparatus for locating a weapon by fusing audio and radar data. An exemplary embodiment comprises detecting a weapon firing event with an audio sensor system, detecting a projectile fired from the weapon with a radar system, calculating a state vector associated with the projectile detection, identifying a location of the weapon by backtracking the state vector to the detected time of the weapon firing event time, and communicating the location of the weapon. |
| US09612325B2 |
Unwrapping and prediction of distance and velocity measurements using carrier signals
Systems and methods for performing distance and velocity measurements, such as by using carrier signals, are disclosed. A measurement method may include transmitting a first signal from an originator device to a transponder device and determining a carrier phase of the first signal at the transponder device. The measurement method may also include transmitting a second signal from the transponder device to the originator device and determining a carrier phase of the second signal at the originator device. The measurement method may include estimating a relative distance between the originator device and the transponder device using the carrier phase of the first carrier signal, the carrier phase of the second carrier signal. The method may also include estimating the relative distance using a frequency difference. The method may include using an adjusted relative distance to determine a total distance between the originator device and the transponder device. |
| US09612323B2 |
Radar apparatus
On a radar apparatus, a direction derivation part derives a peak angle related to an angle of a target based on reception signals received by a plurality of reception antennas. Then, a detection information derivation part derives, based on the peak angle, target data that are internal data about the target, and stores the derived target data into a memory. A reliability determination part determines a reliability of an object peak angle upon which the target data about the target was derived, the reliability of the object peak angle being determined based on a different peak angle derived concurrently with the object peak angle by the direction derivation part. Then, a data erasure part deletes, based on the reliability of the object peak angle determined by the reliability determination part, the target data relevant to the object peak angle from the memory to exclude the target data from further processing. |
| US09612318B2 |
Device and method of tracking target object
A target object tracking device is provided. The device includes a memory for storing association information in which a selecting order of target objects is associated with symbols indicating the target objects, respectively, a starting selection accepting module for accepting a selection of the target objects to start tracking thereof, a symbol reading module for reading the symbols for the selected target objects corresponding to the selecting order of the target objects based on the association information, a tracking module for tracking the selected target objects, a symbol displaying module for displaying the symbols read by the symbol reading module, at positions where the target objects tracked by the tracking module are displayed, and a symbol changing module for changing, according to an operation of a user, the association information and displaying the symbols at the positions where the target objects are displayed, based on the changed association information. |
| US09612317B2 |
Beam forming network for feeding short wall slotted waveguide arrays
An example method for a beamforming network for feeding short wall slotted waveguide arrays. The beamforming network may include six beamforming network outputs, where each beamforming network output is coupled to one of a set of waveguide inputs. Further, the beamforming network may include a cascaded set of dividers configured to split electromagnetic energy from a beamforming network input to the six phase-adjustment sections. The cascade may include a first level of the cascade configured to split the electromagnetic energy from the beamforming network input into two first-level beamforming waveguides, a second level configured to split the electromagnetic energy from each of two first-level beamforming waveguides into two respective second-level beamforming waveguides, and a third level of the cascade configured to split the electromagnetic energy from one of two respective second-level beamforming waveguides into two respective third-level beamforming waveguides. |
| US09612314B2 |
Method and system for guiding the position
The present invention discloses a system for guiding the position and the method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of position navigation, wherein it comprises a position capturing device and a treatment device. The position capturing device is connected to the treatment device, which comprises a positioning component, an angular speed detection component and a direction detection component. The treatment device is connected to the display screen of the mobile terminal. The method comprises capturing the current position and the preconfigured target position of the mobile terminal by the said system; and the treatment device acquires the route between the current position and the target position by processing the preconfigured map data. The advantageous effects of the above technical scheme are that as follows: adopting the system for guiding the position and the method thereof makes the navigation more accurately and satisfies the demand of the user. |
| US09612312B2 |
Flight guidance system
The invention relates to a flight guidance system for the flight support of a aircraft (1), said system comprising a plurality of fixed ground stations (4a to 4e) respectively comprising a transmitting and/or receiving unit (5a to 5e), and at least one transmitting and/or receiving unit (6) that is arranged on the aircraft (1), the transmitting units being act up to send position signals (7) and the receiving units being set up to receive said position signals (7). The flight guidance system comprises at least one position determination unit (9, 10) that is connected to at least some of the transmitting and/or receiving units (5a to 5e, 6, 6a to 6c) and set up to determine locations of the transmitting and/or receiving unit (6) arranged on the aircraft, according to the position signals (7) that are sent by the fixed transmitting units and received by the at least one receiving unit arranged on the aircraft and/or sent by the at least one transmitting nail arranged on the aircraft and received by the fixed receiving units. The flight guidance system is designed for flight support of the aircraft according to the determined locations. |
| US09612310B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the direction of arrival of a sonic boom
A method and apparatus for determining a direction of arrival of an acoustic event of interest that arrives at an array. Data acquired from the array is received. A portion of the data that represents an acoustic signature for the acoustic event of interest is identified. An azimuth angle may be computed for an acoustic event using the portion of the data identified. An elevation angle for the acoustic event is computed using a beamforming process customized based on the azimuth angle computed. |
| US09612308B2 |
Ultra-fast magnetic field for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging used in monitoring dose from proton or hadron therapy
Instrumentation and methodologies are provided that enable the direct measurement of free radicals generated in patients as a result of radiation therapy through the use of proton beams and other forms of ionizing radiation. As a result, in accordance with at least one disclosed embodiment, the instrumentation and methodologies may be used in conjunction with radiation therapy to detect, monitor and/or control generation of free radicals in cancerous tissue during such radiation therapy. |
| US09612306B2 |
Method for assessing repetitive head injuries with two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy
A method for producing a biomarker indicative of a repetitive head injury in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Two-dimensional spectroscopic data is acquired from a subject using an MRI system. From the two-dimensional spectroscopic data, a two-dimensional spectrum is produced. The two-dimensional spectrum contains spectral information indicated by a first spectral dimension and a second spectral dimension. Such a two-dimensional spectrum may include diagonal peaks and off-diagonal, or cross-peaks. In such an instance, each cross peak may indicate, for example, scalar coupling between the two protons it connects on the diagonal. However, depending on the type of method used, different types of coupling may also be present. Using the two-dimensional spectrum, a biomarker indicative of repetitive head injury in the subject is identified, and may be used to produce a report indicating a status or regression of a neurological dysfunction. |
| US09612304B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus with wireless transmission from MRI receive coils to receiver
A magnetic resonance apparatus includes receive coils and a receiver device for processing magnetic resonance signals received by coil elements of the receive coils. The receive coils are subdivided into at least a first group having at least one receive coil and a second group having at least one receive coil. The receive coils of the first group are connected to the receiver device via a hardwired communications link, and the receive coils of the second group are each connectable or connected to the receiver device via a wireless communications link. |
| US09612303B2 |
System and method for magnetic resonance coil arrangement
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system includes a main field magnet generating a main magnetic field B0. Moreover, the system further includes radio frequency (RF) receiver coils including a first combination of two coils, the two coils of the first combination decoupled based on quadrature decoupling such that the two coils of the first combination are able to receive signals orthogonal to each other and to B0. The two coils can be butterfly coils, the loop-plain of the butterfly coils arranged along a surface, the longitudinal axis of the butterfly coils being substantially orthogonal and crossing at substantially midpoint. The surface can be substantially orthogonal to B0 and be curved. The first of the two coils can also be a loop coil and the second of the two coils a butterfly coil. |
| US09612302B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with RF coil elements having crossing conductive layers
Provided is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The MRI apparatus includes a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic field coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field and the magnetic field coil is disposed inside the magnet; and a radio-frequency (RF) coil unit comprising RF coil elements and the RF coil unit is disposed inside the magnetic field coil. |
| US09612299B2 |
Group III-V ferromagnetic/non-magnetic semiconductor heterojunctions and magnetodiodes and related methods of monitoring magnetoresistance
Ferromagnetic Group III-V semiconductor/non-magnetic Group III-V semiconductor heterojunctions, with a magnetodiode device, to detect heterojunction magnetoresistance responsive to an applied magnetic field. |
| US09612296B2 |
Methods and apparatus for testing of wireless power transmitters and systems
This disclosure provides methods and apparatus for wireless power field testing. A method for generating testing the interoperability of a wireless power transmitter with one or more wireless power receivers is provided. The method includes generating a magnetic field via a transmit antenna. The method further includes measuring a first uniformity of the magnetic field at all the locations within the magnetic field on a charging surface of the wireless power transmitter. The method also includes determining that the measure first uniformity of the magnetic field is within a range of values at all locations on the charging surface of the wireless power transmitter. In some implementations, the method further includes applying a load to the magnetic field, measuring a second uniformity of the magnetic field while the load is applied, and determining if the first uniformity of the magnetic field is substantially similar to the second uniformity. |
| US09612294B2 |
Programmable sensors
Disclosed are methods, systems, devices, sensors, and other implementations, including a programmable sensor system that includes a variable voltage source (“VVS”) to receive an external input voltage and provide a variable output voltage from the input voltage, the VVS configured to be controlled to adjust behavior of the VVS, and a programmable sensor coupled to an output of the VVS to receive the variable output voltage. The sensor is configured to be programmed when a programming voltage of at least a predetermined level is provided by the VVS to power the sensor, and to perform regular sensor operations when regular-operation voltage is provided by the VVS to power the sensor. The sensor system further includes a controller to cause controllable adjustment of the VVS to provide the programming voltage for a predetermined period of time to power the sensor so as to cause the sensor to be programmed. |
| US09612292B1 |
Method for small-signal stability assessment of power systems using source side and load side perturbations and unit circle criterion
A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side, and perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the simultaneous perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing unit circle criterion. |
| US09612290B2 |
Reducing or avoiding noise in measured signals of a tested battery cell(s) in a battery power system used to determine state of health (SOH)
Reducing or avoiding noise in measured signals of a tested battery cell(s) in a battery power system is disclosed. A battery monitoring device(s) coupled to a tested battery cell(s) applies test current pulses at a predetermined frequency to place an effective alternating current (AC) load on the tested battery cell(s). The resulting AC voltage signal generated across the tested battery cell(s) is sampled at the frequency of the test current to convert the AC voltage signal to a direct current (DC) voltage signal to be measured to determine the state-of-health of the tested battery cell(s). To avoid or reduce noise in the DC voltage signal, a noise spectrum of noise signals at defined frequencies induced on the tested battery cell(s) is determined. The battery monitoring device sets the frequency of the test current pulse at a determined reduced-noise frequency to avoid noise signals being present in the DC voltage signal. |
| US09612289B2 |
Detection diagnostic for communication loss between a battery system manager controller and a plurality of battery cell sensing boards
A method of identifying a non-communicative battery Cell Sensing Board (CSB) within a plurality of battery CSBs arranged in a serial chain includes sequentially reconfiguring the serial chain of the battery CSBs to sequentially define each of the plurality of battery CSBs as a last battery CSB in a temporary test serial chain. Communication with the last battery CSB of each temporary test serial chain is sequentially established with a loopback feature of the battery CSBs. When a disruption in communication between the battery system manager controller and the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is detected, the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is identified as the non-communicative battery CSB. |
| US09612287B2 |
Non-sequential monitoring of battery cells in battery monitoring systems, and related components, systems, and methods
Non-sequential monitoring of battery cells in battery monitoring systems, and related components, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery monitoring system control unit is provided. The battery monitoring system control unit is configured to control battery monitoring devices. Each battery monitoring device is configured to be coupled to a subset of battery cells electrically connected in series in a sequential order to form a battery. The battery monitoring system control unit is further configured to instruct the battery monitoring devices to test an ohmic value of each battery cell of the battery cells of the battery in a non-sequential order. In this manner, heat generated in the battery monitoring devices from the testing may be more effectively dissipated, which can also allow for the battery monitoring devices to be employed in higher operating temperature environments. |
| US09612286B2 |
Systems and methods for improving the accuracy of appliance level disaggregation in non-intrusive appliance load monitoring techniques
The present invention generally teaches systems and methods for creating appliance signatures based upon whole house composite load profiles. Methods may includes steps such as identifying primitive elements including transients and absolute steady state levels; clustering the primitive elements along multiple dimensions to form impulses; combining impulses to form simple bundles; combining simple bundles with each other or impulses to form complex bundles; and determining specific appliance signatures that substantially match the complex bundles. Methods may also include steps such as determining transitions within the whole house composite load profile; determining household specific appliance state machines for each appliance in the household; and disaggregating the whole house composite load profile into individual appliance energy loads by assigning the determined transitions to the determined household specific appliance state machines. |
| US09612283B2 |
Blocking the effects of scan chain testing upon a change in scan chain topology
A system comprises a plurality of components, scan chain selection logic coupled to the components, and override selection logic coupled to the scan chain selection logic. The scan chain selection logic selects various of the components to be members of a scan chain under the direction of a host computer. The override selection logic detects a change in the scan chain and, as a result, blocks the entire scan chain from progressing. |
| US09612281B2 |
High-speed flip-flop with robust scan-in path hold time
A flip-flop is provided that includes a master latch clocked according to a first delay during a normal mode of operation and clocked by a smaller second delay during a scan mode of operation. |
| US09612280B2 |
Partial scan cell
An integrated circuit 2 is provided with a serial scan chain. Disposed between at least some serial scan cells 32, 34 forming a serial scan chain there is provided a partial scan cells 36. These partial scan cells are arranged such that during a scan mode in which serial data is being shifted into and out of the serial scan cells, a fixed value is captured and stored into the partial scan cell 36. This avoids the presence of unknown data values within the signal paths between the functional logic 38, 40 which is to be tested. |
| US09612277B2 |
System and method for functional verification of multi-die 3D ICs
A system and method is disclosed for functional verification of multi-die 3D ICs. The system and method include a reusable verification environment for testing each die in a stack of dies individually without having to simultaneously operate all of the dies in the stack. The system and method includes converting an input/output (“IO”) trace from a die verification test from a first format to a second format to improve performance. |
| US09612276B2 |
Test device and test system including the same
A test device includes a test unit and a voltage selection circuit. The test unit is configured to detect a voltage at a test pad of a semiconductor device under test by applying a test current to the test pad. The voltage selection circuit is configured to apply a selection voltage to a ground pad of the semiconductor device under test by selecting one of a plurality of voltages according to a test mode. |
| US09612275B2 |
Power device including current transformer and method for compensating of current transformer
A power device having a current transformer according to an embodiment includes: first to Nth current transformers; an integrated measurement panel connected to the first to Nth transformers and configured to measure actual current values of locations where the first to Nth transformers are installed using current values detected by the first to Nth transformers, wherein the integrated measurement panel stores compensation values for compensating errors of linearity characteristics of the first to Nth current transformers, and measures the actual current values by applying the stored compensation values. |
| US09612273B2 |
Distributed wafer inspection
A system and method for inspecting a surface with cloud based processing, comprising: generating surface data by inspecting a surface; transferring said surface data from a client to a cloud, wherein said cloud comprises multiple interconnected computing nodes that are remotely located from said client; computing surface properties using said surface data on said cloud; generating surface analytics from said surface properties and a prior information set, with said prior information set comprising surface properties previously stored in said cloud; and transferring said surface properties and said surface analytics from said cloud to said client, whereby said surface properties and said surface analytics are generated with processing power, memory, and storage that are scalable, reliable, and upgradable on demand. A method for improving production yield of an article with cloud based processing, comprising: storing said process information in said cloud; transferring functional results to said cloud, with said functional results comprising identifying information of said articles that have failed a functional test and identifying information of said articles that have passed said functional test; generating a probable cause list from said process information in said cloud, wherein said probable cause list comprises a list of differences between said process information of one or more failed articles and said process information of one or more passed articles; and generating a root cause list from said probable cause list in said cloud, wherein said root cause list comprises process information responsible for failure in failed articles, whereby root causes of failures are analytically determined with processing power, memory, and storage that are scalable, reliable, and upgradable on demand. |
| US09612272B2 |
Testing memory devices with parallel processing operations
An ATE system performs RA over NAND flash memory DUTs. A first UBM captures fresh failure related data from a DUT. A second UBM transmits existing failure related data. A fail engine accesses the stored existing failure related data and generates a failure list based thereon. The storing and the accessing the existing failure related data, and/or the generating the failure list, are performed in parallel contemporaneously in relation to the capturing the fresh data. The generated failure list is queued. A failure processor, which may be operable for controlling the capturing, computes a redundancy analysis based on the queued failure list. The first and second UBMs then ping-pong operably. |
| US09612270B2 |
Metering continuity tester
A testing device for a meter socket assembly, including breaker load lugs, includes a base unit having a plurality of test probes, a ground node, and a breaker node having a plurality of breaker probes. To perform the test, the base unit is inserted into a jaw meter socket such that each of the plurality of test probes are in contact with jaws of the jaw meter socket, at least two of the plurality of breaker probes are in contact with each of a plurality of breaker load lugs of a main breaker, and the breaker node is electrically connected to the base unit. The testing device determines the jaw type of the meter socket assembly and can output results of tests relating to phase to phase, phase to ground, crossed cables, and interruption of electrical paths. The testing device can output results of the test audibly and visually. |
| US09612267B2 |
Arc fault detection system and method and circuit interrupter employing same
An AC arc fault detection module includes a current detecting section having at least one output and being structured to determine whether at least one signal based on a current measured from an AC phase line exceeds at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level and cause the at least one output to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded. The module also includes a processing device structured to: (i) receive the at least one output, (ii) determine whether an arc fault in the AC electrical system has occurred based on at least the at least one output, (iii) determine an estimation of background noise based on at least one signal indicative of a current on the AC phase line, and (iv) adjust the at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level based on the estimation of background noise. |
| US09612265B1 |
Methods and apparatus to detect a conductive object
A method and apparatus scan a first capacitive sensor element that is located in a first scan region for a presence of a conductive object and then scan a second capacitive sensor element that is located in a second scan region for the presence of the conductive object. The scan of the first capacitive sensor element includes applying a ground voltage to a ground element through the second capacitive sensor element, the ground element located in the first scan region. |
| US09612258B2 |
Probe configuration and method of fabrication thereof
The disclosed technology relates generally to probe configurations, and more particularly to probe configurations and methods of making probe configurations that have a diamond body and a diamond layer covering at least an apex region of the diamond body. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a probe configuration includes forming a probe tip. Forming the probe tip includes providing a substrate and forming a recessed mold into the substrate on a first side of the substrate, wherein the recessed mold is shaped to form a probe body having an apex region. Forming the probe tip additionally includes forming a first diamond layer on the substrate on the first side, wherein forming the first diamond layer includes at least partially filling the recessed mold with the first diamond layer such that a probe body having an apex region is formed in the recessed mold. Forming the probe tip additionally includes patterning to remove at least partially the first diamond layer which surrounds the probe body, removing a substrate material surrounding at least the apex region of the probe body, and forming a second diamond layer covering at least the apex region of the probe body. The method additionally includes attaching the probe tip to a first end of a cantilever and attaching the second end of the cantilever to a holder. |
| US09612255B2 |
Range-dependent bias calibration of an accelerometer sensor system
One embodiment of the invention includes an accelerometer sensor system. The system includes a sensor comprising a proofmass and electrodes and being configured to generate acceleration feedback signals based on control signals applied to the electrodes in response to an input acceleration. The system also includes an acceleration component configured to measure the input acceleration based on the acceleration feedback signals. The system further includes an acceleration controller configured to generate the control signals to define a first scale-factor range associated with the sensor and to define a second scale-factor range associated with the sensor. The control system includes a calibration component configured to calibrate the accelerometer sensor system with respect to range-dependent bias error based on a difference between the measured input acceleration at each of the first scale-factor range and the second scale-factor range. |
| US09612245B2 |
Multiple-pulse pumping for enhanced fluorescence detection and molecular imaging in cells and tissue
The present invention includes a method and system for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio in emission detection comprising: selecting a probe capable of at least one of fluorescence, phosphorescence, or delayed fluorescence in or about a sample that comprises interfering background signal; and exposing the probe to one or more controllable bursts, each burst comprising two or more pulses, wherein the one or more controllable bursts of high repetition energy pulses enhance the signal from the probe above that of the background signal. |
| US09612244B2 |
Fluorescent labeling of transfer RNA and study of protein synthesis
Provided are methods for labeling transfer RNA comprising replacing the uracil component of a dihydrouridine of said transfer RNA with a fluorophore. The disclosed methods may comprise fluorescent labeling of natural tRNAs (i.e., tRNAs that have been synthesized in a cell, for example, in a bacterium, a yeast cell, or a vertebrate cell) at dihydrouridine (D) positions, or fluorescent labeling of synthetic tRNAs. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for assessing protein synthesis in a translation system comprise providing a tRNA having a fluorophore substitution for the uracil component of a dihydrouridine in a D loop of the tRNA; introducing the labeled tRNA into the translation system; irradiating the translation system with electromagnetic radiation, thereby generating a fluorescence signal from the fluorophore; detecting the fluorescence signal; and, correlating the fluorescence signal to one or more characteristics of the protein synthesis in the translation system. The disclosed methods are useful in single molecule as well as in ensemble settings. |
| US09612241B2 |
Optical readout imaging system and biochemical detection method using the same
The present disclosure provides an optical readout imaging system may include first electrode, a thin film disposed on the first electrode, a biomolecule transfer layer disposed on the thin film, and a second electrode disposed on the biomolecule transfer layer. The present disclosure also provides a biochemical detection method using the optical readout imaging system. |
| US09612238B2 |
High-throughput screening for compounds modulating expression of cellular macro-molecules
A method of screening for compounds that module expression of specific macromolecules, the “target”. The method is particularly useful in that it does not require separation of target-bound and excess ligand and therefore enables, but is not limited to, High Throughput Screening for compounds that increase or decrease the levels or amounts of a target present in a biological sample. The method can also be used for high-throughput diagnosis of a condition leading to an increase or decrease of a cellular macromolecule. |
| US09612235B2 |
Herbicidal compound screening
The instant disclosure provides methods to identify herbicidal compositions that consist of a combination of compounds that inhibit the growth of or kill undesired plant species in a synergistic manner. Also provided are herbicidal compositions identified using this method. |
| US09612234B2 |
Data analysis of impedance-based cardiomyocyte-beating signals as detected on real-time cell analysis (RTCA) cardio instruments
A method of determining one or more beating parameters for use in cardiomyocyte beating analysis including: providing a cell analysis device including wells, each well including a sensor capable of monitoring beating of cardiomyoctes in millisecond time resolution; adding cardiomyocytes to the wells; monitoring the beating of the cardiomyocytes in millisecond time resolution to obtain a plurality of beating measurements; and calculating one or more beating parameters from the plurality of beating measurements. |
| US09612232B2 |
Static gel strength measurement apparatus and method
A fluid properties measurement apparatus for use with a conventional high temperature high pressure test cell includes a load cell assembly and a drive motor that drives a rotating shaft magnetically connected to a vane assembly having multiple vane elements, wherein the motor rotates in response to reactive forces of a fluid sample and the load cell assembly measures reactive forces of the sample. In one embodiment, a stepper motor allows for precise shaft rotation. A method of measuring fluid properties includes frequent measurements throughout a complete rotation cycle of a vane assembly within a test cell. A system interference profile is generated which identifies stress variations resulting from various system components throughout the cycle. Measurements of a sample's fluid properties are likewise performed to obtain a profile. Comparison of the sample profile with the interference profile provides fluid properties measurement independent of stress variations resulting from various system components. |
| US09612231B2 |
Exploration method and system for detection of hydrocarbons
A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes performing a remote sensing survey of a survey location to identify a target location. Then, an underwater vehicle (UV) is deployed into a body of water and directed to the target location. The UV collects measurement data within the body of water at the target location, which is then analyzed to determine whether hydrocarbons are present at the target location. |
| US09612229B2 |
Method and measuring apparatus for determining physical properties of gas
A method for determining physical properties of combustion including: flowing a gas a critical nozzle and past a microthermal sensor wherein the mass flow of the gas through the critical nozzle is the same as the mass flow through the microthermal sensor; measuring the pressure drop in a reservoir of gas flowing to the nozzle; determining a first gas property factor based on the measured pressure drop; determining a second gas property factor based on a flow signal generated by the microthermal sensor; determining a thermal conductivity of the gas using the microthermal sensor; and determining a physical property of the combustion based on a correlation of the first and/or second gas property factors and the thermal conductivity. |
| US09612228B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting a gas sample
An apparatus for detecting a presence of at least one analyte in a gas sample. The apparatus comprises a pump for drawing a gas sample from an ambient air, a passage having first and second ends, a chamber connected to the first end and containing a concentrating element for collecting at least one analyte from the gas sample, a chromatographic separator connected to a second end of the passage, and a gas source for streaming a carrier gas via the chamber to transfer the at least one analyte toward at least one chemical detector, via the chromatographic separator, in a first direction. The pump draws the gas sample via the chamber in a second direction and the first and second directions are substantially opposing to one another. |
| US09612223B2 |
Method for manufacturing sensor intermediate product and method for manufacturing sensor
A method for manufacturing a sensor intermediate product includes: disposing a tubular holder and a tubular compact in a tubular metallic shell, and inserting a metallic pin into a first insertion hole of the holder and a second insertion hole of the compact; compressing the compact so as to form a filling member intermediate having a shape which brings the filling member intermediate into pressure contact with the inner wall surface of the metallic shell and allows removal of the metallic pin from the second insertion hole; pulling out the metallic pin from the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole; inserting a sensor element into the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole; and compressing the filling member intermediate to thereby form a filling member which fixes the sensor element inside of the metallic shell. |
| US09612222B2 |
Detection of target DNA sequences using double-stranded oligonucleotides
A method of detection and discrimination of target DNA sequences and of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) directly on double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) samples without the need for denaturation of the target dsDNAs. This is achieved by the use of a PNA chain as a probe. This probe is self-assembled on a gold electrode; hybridization of the probe with the target dsDNA forms a PNA-dsDNA hybrid. The hybrid is then labeled with a mediator, and the PNA-dsDNA hybridization is monitored. Monitoring of the hybrid formation can be achieved using an electrochemical approach. This method is able to detect and discriminate target DNA sequences and SNPs on ds-oligonucleotides. Furthermore, this method is able to detect and discriminate target DNA sequences and SNPs on double-stranded PCR products. |
| US09612218B2 |
Method for determining whether acidic aqueous solution is usable
This method for determining whether an acidic aqueous solution is usable or not comprises: a first detection step (S21) in which the solution concentration of an acidic aqueous solution resulting from pickling is determined; a second detection step (S23a, S23b) in which the concentration of a specific metal in the acidic aqueous solution resulting from pickling is determined, the metal having been contained in the coating layer; a concentrated-solution addition step (S25b) in which in cases when the solution concentration is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold, a concentrated acidic aqueous solution is newly added; and a determination step (S24a, S24b) in which in cases when the concentration of the specific metal is equal to or higher than a predetermined second threshold, it is determined that the acidic aqueous solution is unusable. |
| US09612216B2 |
Bag seal inspection device
A device to inspect a longitudinal heat seal in tubular bag material. The seal is formed by a heated sealing bar (14). Downstream of the bar (14) is a heat sensing camera (20) that sends a signal to a central processing unit (21). The unit (21) will then identify any faults in the seal. |
| US09612210B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically inspecting wire segments
A wire inspection system is provided. The wire inspection system includes a mirror assembly including an odd number of sides arranged to form a pyramid structure configured to surround a wire segment, wherein a plurality of the sides include a mirror, a light source configured to illuminate the wire segment, and at least one camera configured to acquire a plurality of images of the wire segment that are reflected by the plurality of mirrors, wherein each image of the plurality of images shows a different side of the wire segment. |
| US09612207B2 |
Smart window for semiconductor processing tool
Semiconductor processing tool smart window kits, and smart windows for semiconductor processing tools and semiconductor processing tool doors, are discussed herein. Some smart windows may include a smart film with an active area that is electronically controllable between an opaque state and a transparent state, and that may be configured to prevent light from passing through the smart window and entering into a semiconductor processing tool and/or semiconductor processing chamber when in the opaque state. Additional components, configurations, and/or systems of some kits and smart windows are further discussed herein, which may include an electrical contact cover that may be configured to electrically connect the smart film to a power source and a smart film controller that may be configured to cause a smart film to transition between the opaque and transparent states. |
| US09612201B2 |
Surface-enhanced raman scattering element
A surface-enhanced Raman scattering element comprises a substrate having a principal surface; a molded layer having a support part formed on the principal surface of the substrate so as to extend along the principal surface and a fine structure part formed on the support part; and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure part and constituting an optical functional part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; the molded layer being relatively thinner in a direction intersecting the principal surface of the substrate at an outer edge part of a fine structure area formed with the fine structure part in the molded layer than at a center part of the fine structure area. |
| US09612199B2 |
System for imaging captured cells
A system for imaging captured cells comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target object; a platform configured to position the target object in relation to the illumination module; a filter module configured to filter light transmitted to the target object and/or to filter light received from the target object, an optical sensor configured to receive light from the target object and to generate image data; and a focusing and optics module configured to manipulate light transmitted to the optical sensor. The system can further comprise one or more of: a control system configured to control at least one of the illumination module, the platform, the focusing and optics module, the filter module, and the optical sensor; a tag identifying system configured to identify and communicate tag information from system elements; a thermal control module configured to adjust temperature parameters of the system; and an image stabilization module. |
| US09612196B2 |
In-situ optical density sensor
The present invention relates to optical measurement devices and systems, and methods of using these systems and devices, and more particularly but not exclusively it relates to a system and apparatus adapted to measure optical properties in-situ. |
| US09612195B1 |
Gas detector and method for monitoring gas in a confined space
A gas detector for use in a confined space is described. The gas detector includes a plurality of gas sensors, a location module, at least one geometry sensor, a communication module, and a processing unit. The processing unit receives gas data from the plurality of gas sensors, location data from the location module, and geometry data from the at least one geometry sensor. The processing unit further calculates space data based on at least one of the gas data and the geometry data. The communication module transmits a signal based on at least two selected from the group consisting of the gas data, the location data, the geometry data, and the space data. |
| US09612191B2 |
Inspection device and inspection system for display substrate
An inspection device for a substrate includes a support member, a turning table and a first drive device. The turning table includes: a carrier pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft, the carrier having an observation aperture through its thickness direction; and positioning clamps which are mounted on the carrier and are used to retain the display substrate in the range of the observation aperture. The first drive device is in transmission connection with the pivot shaft of the carrier in order to drive the turning table to rotate around the pivot shaft. In use, an omnidirectional inspection of the display substrate can be achieved by turning the turning table. Moreover, the contact between the inspector and the display substrate can be avoided, the risk of damaging the display substrate during appearance inspection can be decreased, and therefore defects of the display substrate caused by appearance inspection can be reduced. |
| US09612190B2 |
Bond evaluation using piezochromic fluorescence
A composite bonded structure with integral stress sensing and bond evaluation system incorporates a bonded structure having a first component, a second component and a layer of adhesive bonding the first and second components. The layer of adhesive includes multiple embedded fluorescing particles which emit a first spectral intensity in an unstressed condition and a second spectral intensity in a stressed condition. A bond evaluation apparatus is then employed for measuring spectral intensity. |
| US09612184B2 |
Mixer sensors and methods for using same
Apparatuses for measuring rheological properties of fluids and methods for using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a mixer sensor that is configured to be attached to a rheometer drive head and used to measure rheological properties of a fluid having particulates over a wide range of temperatures and shear rates. Apparatuses capable of obtaining rheological data of a fluid having particulates over a wide range of temperatures and shear rates provides for more precise rheological measurements. The temperatures may be very high temperatures that exceed 100° C., and the shear rates may includes a range of shear rates that are typically found in a processing pipeline system. |
| US09612183B2 |
Modular capillary bridge viscometer
A capillary bridge viscometer (120), comprises at least two at least generally balanced bridge arm conduits (R1, R2) a bulkhead supporting structure (122,134) supporting removable connection portions for each of a plurality of the arms in a bridge configuration, a bridge supporting structure (124,136) supporting the bridge arm conduits (R1,R2) and supporting two further removable connection portions (132) for each of the bridge arm conduits, wherein each of the further removable connection portions (132) supported by the bridge supporting structure are positioned to mate with a corresponding one of the removable connection portions (130) supported by the bulkhead supporting structure concurrently to hydraulically connect the bridge arm conduits in the bridge configuration; and a balance detector having hydraulic connections for connection between first and second differential detection points in the bridge when the removable connection portions on the bridge are mated to corresponding ones of the removable connection portions supported by the bulkhead supporting structure. |
| US09612173B2 |
Transmission device
In a pressure and pressure difference transmitter that seals a sealing liquid for transmitting the pressure inside a pressure leading passage, the pressure and pressure difference transmitter forming a space between a diaphragm and a main body side wall surface, including the pressure leading passage connected to the main body side wall surface, and transmitting the pressure received by the diaphragm to a sensor through the sealing liquid sealed in the space and the pressure leading passage, a hydrogen occluding material for occluding hydrogen atoms of the sealing liquid is disposed at least in the sealing liquid, the main body side wall surface, or a part of a portion from the main body side wall surface to the sensor, with the hydrogen occluding material being formed with an uneven shape on the surface or being attached with a granular hydrogen occluding material. |
| US09612166B2 |
Method and device for determining a temperature of a sheathed-element glow plug during operation in an internal combustion engine
A method for determining the temperature of a sheathed-element glow plug during operation in an internal combustion engine is described, in which a temperature-resistance reference correlation is determined. In order to reduce the tolerance range of a sheathed-element glow plug, after the sheathed-element glow plug has been installed in the internal combustion engine, a calibration step is carried out in which, with the aid of the temperature-resistance reference correlation determined prior to the installation of the sheathed-element glow plug in the internal combustion engine, a temperature-resistance correlation specific to the sheathed-element glow plug is ascertained, from which the temperature of the sheathed-element glow plug during operation of the sheathed-element glow plug in the internal combustion engine is determined. |
| US09612165B2 |
Multi-directional in-duct combining air-temperature monitor
A combining air-temperature monitor includes a faceted central shaft, a plurality of air-foil rings positioned about the faceted central shaft and a mixing zone proximate the faceted central shaft. The air-foil rings and the faceted central shaft cooperate to direct a plurality of air streams into the mixing zone. A temperature sensor is disposed within the mixing zone. The temperature sensor selectively measures a combined temperature of the plurality of air streams within the mixing zone. The faceted central shaft is adapted for insertion into an air-handling duct, wherein the faceted central shaft is free of a predetermined rotational orientation within the air handling duct. |
| US09612158B2 |
Device for determining the temperature of a substrate
An apparatus for determining the temperature of a substrate, in particular of a semiconductor wafer during a heating thereof by means of a first radiation source is described. Furthermore, an apparatus and a method for thermally treating substrates are described, in which the substrate is heated by means of at least one first radiation source. The apparatus comprises a first grating structure having grating lines, which are opaque with respect to a substantial portion of the radiation of the first radiation source, wherein the grating structure is arranged between the first radiation source and the substrate, and a drive unit for moving the first grating structure. Furthermore, a first radiation detector is provided, which is directed directly onto the surface of the substrate facing the grating structure, and a device for determining radiation emitted by the substrate due to its own temperature and for determining the temperature of the substrate on the basis of the radiation detected by the first radiation detector. |
| US09612152B2 |
Ambient light sensor with internal light cancellation
An electronic device includes a transparent surface, a light emitting device that emits light through the transparent surface, and a light sensor for receiving ambient light and providing an ambient light value. A retarder and a linear polarizer are placed between the transparent surface and the light emitting device. The retarder and linear polarizer may attenuate internal reflections from the transparent surface. The light sensor may have two channels and a second linear polarizer may attenuate the ambient light directed toward a second channel. A second retarder may be used with the second linear polarizer to attenuate the ambient light directed toward the second channel. A light detection circuit may use the difference between the two channels of the light sensor to provide the ambient light value. |
| US09612150B2 |
Load cell weigh module hat limits horizontal floating movement of the top plate
A weigh module (1) includes a load cell (2), a base plate (3), a top plate (6), a force-transmitting member (8) serving to transmit the weighing force from the top plate (6) to the load cell (2), and movement-restricting means (9, 10) which serve to limit the horizontal floating movement of the top plate (6) relative to the base plate (3) within a confined range of free play and to transmit lateral force components directly from the top plate (6) to the base plate (3). One part of the movement-restricting means (9, 10) has the form of a channel whose top edges (11) are rigidly connected to the top plate (6) and whose flat bottom extends parallel to the base plate (3) at a clear distance from the latter. The other part of the movement-restricting means (9, 10) is a bolt whose shaft (15) is anchored in the base plate (3) and passes with all-around clearance through a passage (14) in the channel bottom (13), and whose head (16) is larger than the passage (14) and arranged above the channel bottom (13) with a vertical clearance gap from the latter. |
| US09612148B2 |
Sensor detecting multiple weights of multiple items
An apparatus includes: an elongated conductor (e.g., having a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension); an elongated resistor contacting the elongated conductor; and secondary conductors contacting the elongated resistor. The elongated resistor is positioned between the elongated conductor and the secondary conductors. A cover surrounds the elongated conductor, the elongated resistor, and the secondary conductors. The electrical resistance of the elongated resistor changes in proportion to an amount of force exerted upon the elongated resistor. The secondary conductors output electrical resistance measurements of corresponding areas of elongated resistor that the secondary conductors contact. A processor (that is operatively connected to the secondary conductors) automatically calculates the force applied to the elongated resistor based on the electrical resistance measurements output by the secondary conductors to produce different weight measurements. This allows the processor to automatically output the different weight measurements of the items applying force against the apparatus. |
| US09612147B2 |
Radar level gauge system with multiple receiver branches
The present invention relates to a radar level gauge system comprising a first receiver branch for converting a reflection signal to a first digital measurement signal, and a second receiver branch configured to convert the reflection signal to a second digital measurement signal. The first receiver branch modulates an amplitude of the first measurement signal according to a first gain function, and the second receiver branch modulates an amplitude of the second measurement signal according to a second gain function different from the first gain function. The radar level gauge system further comprises processing circuitry configured to determine the filling level based on the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal. |
| US09612145B2 |
Revolving ultrasound field multiphase flowmeter
The present invention includes a device and method for determining the flow of one or more phases of a multiphase fluid mixture comprising: a tube, a pipe, a main body or any combinations thereof comprising an interior and an exterior, wherein the interior receives a multiphase fluid mixture for the determination of the fractions in the multiphase; a first ultrasound field detector ring comprising: two or more pairs of transversal paired dual frequency ultrasound transmitter/receivers are on the same normal plane and are positioned in a transversal direction to a flow of the multiphase fluid mixture on the exterior of the tube, pipe, or main body, wherein the sampled volume covers a part of or the whole cross-section of the flow volume; and a computer connected to the ultrasound transmitter/receivers that determines the one or more phases of a multiphase fluid mixture. |
| US09612142B2 |
Method and system for measuring flow through a heart valve
A system for presenting multiple parallel slices comprises a display for displaying ultrasound data comprising 3D Doppler data over time. A user interface defines a proximal plane and a distal plane within the ultrasound data that are parallel to one another. The proximal and distal planes define a region of interest (ROI). A signal processor automatically extracts at least two slices based on the ultrasound data within the ROI. The at least two slices are parallel with respect to each other and are displayed on the display. |
| US09612137B2 |
Instrument housing with embedded liquid crystal display within plastic layer
A process transmitter has a housing that contains transmitter circuitry. The transmitter circuitry is configured to provide a display output and is also configured to couple to a process control loop. A LCD display is embedded within a transparent or translucent polymeric layer in the housing. The LCD display is coupled to the display output and is configured to display information through the polymeric layer. |
| US09612129B2 |
Controlling media output during consecutive navigation interruptions
In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device, media, and performing, by the computing device and prior to output of a first navigation instruction from a plurality of navigation instructions, an adjustment to the outputting of the media. In this example, the method also includes determining, based at least in part on a second navigation instruction from the plurality of navigation instructions, that an interruption condition will be satisfied until after output of the second navigation instruction, and responsive to the determining, maintaining the adjustment to the outputting of the media until after output of the second navigation instruction. |
| US09612128B2 |
Controlling travel route planning module based upon user travel preference
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for controlling a travel route planning module associated with a user device. Travel related data, for a user and regarding previously traveled routes by the user, may be indicative of user travel preferences and/or behaviors. The travel related data is evaluated against computed routes derived from different weighting values applied to travel metrics (e.g., a cost associated with a U-turn, a highway, an industrial zone, etc.). For example, weighting values may be iteratively adjusted to generate a plurality of modified computed routes that may be evaluated to identify a target computed route having a similarity to a previously traveled route of the user above a threshold. User preference weighted travel metrics, generated based upon weighted travel metrics of the target computed route, are used to control a travel route planning module to generate a customized travel route for the user. |
| US09612126B2 |
Visual travel guide
A novel method, apparatus, and system are disclosed that provide a mobile terminal user with up to date information regarding a point/location of interest. A user may identify a destination, and subsequently select points of interest at the destination from photos, audio or other media displayed to the user. Each media item may be geo-tagged or otherwise associated with a particular point of interest, tourist location, museum, etc. For example, when visiting Washington, D.C., the user may be shown photos of the Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House. The user may select one or more of the points of interest, and the system then generates an itinerary and/or a walking/driving/biking travel route responsive to the selected media items. |
| US09612124B2 |
Navigation system and method with location-aware accuracy and/or power adjustments
In a navigation system and method, location-aware adjustments may be made to the accuracy and/or power of the navigation system by changing at least one setting of a navigation system receiver in response to at least one characteristic of a navigation route and/or an estimated current position of the receiver. By providing location-aware adjustments, the accuracy may be increased when a higher accuracy is desired and may be decreased when a lower accuracy is sufficient based on the receiver location. A higher accuracy setting may be used, for example, when the estimated current position of a navigation system receiver is within the vicinity of a waypoint along the navigation route and a lower accuracy setting may be used at other times to reduce power consumption. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US09612122B2 |
Intelligent reverse geocoding
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for obtaining location information from a location source. A geographic reference point is determined based on accuracy of the location information. The geographic reference point is incorporated into a location result. |
| US09612121B2 |
Locating position within enclosure
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for locating a position within an enclosure. In one example, known global coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates of latitude/longitude) associated with the position within the enclosure may be transformed into local coordinates (e.g., x/y coordinates) for the position. The local coordinates may be used for tracking a location of the position within the enclosure. In another example, known local coordinates of the position within the enclosure may be transformed into global coordinates for the position, which may be used for tracking a location of the position within the enclosure. In another example, a blueprint image of the enclosure may be used to track a location of the position within the enclosure. In this way, location tracking may be provided for objects within indoor spaces (e.g., a mapping application may track a current position of a mobile device within a building). |
| US09612115B2 |
Target-correlated electronic rangefinder
A viewing device includes a laser rangefinder circuit configured to capture range data associated with a target within a view area and at least one sensor configured to capture orientation data associated with an aim-point of the laser rangefinder circuit concurrently with capturing the range data. The viewing device further includes a controller coupled to the laser rangefinder and to the at least one sensor and configured to automatically determine a range to the target from the range data based on the orientation data and a target location within the view area. |
| US09612109B2 |
Inner diameter measuring device
An inner diameter measuring device for measuring a shape of an inner surface of a cylindrical member, comprising an image pickup unit (2) disposed on a base end side of a frame unit (10) and for picking up an image of a forward end side, a cone mirror unit (30) provided on a forward end side of the frame unit and having a cone mirror (29) with a conical reflection surface at a forward end, and a laser beam emitting unit (14) for emitting a laser beam (17) toward a forward end of the cone mirror, wherein the cone mirror unit can be replaced by another cone mirror unit having a cone mirror with a different vertical angle to suit measuring condition. |
| US09612108B2 |
Measurement apparatus and measurement method
In accordance with an embodiment, a measurement apparatus includes a library creation unit, a spectral profile acquiring unit, and a measurement unit. The library creation unit creates a library in which a layer stack model is matched to a theoretical profile regarding a pattern of stacked layers. The spectral profile acquiring unit acquires an actual measured profile by applying light to a measurement target pattern obtained when the pattern is actually created. The measurement unit measures the sectional shape of the measurement target pattern by performing fitting of the theoretical profile to the actual measured profile. The layer stack model is created by calculating a feature value that reflects the intensity of reflected light from an interface for each of the layers, determining a priority order of analysis from the feature value, and sequentially performing fitting of the theoretical profile to the measured profile in the determined priority order. |
| US09612107B2 |
Length artifact and method of measurement
A length artifact has a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base portion, the first side wall and the second side wall separated by an air gap at least four millimeters wide, the base portion being attached to a bottom of the first side wall and the second side wall, the base portion further having a first platform region that includes a first nest and a second platform region that includes a second nest, the first nest and the second nest configured to accept a spherical surface of a retroreflector target. |
| US09612106B2 |
Device and method for measuring the running gear of a motor vehicle
An apparatus for measuring the running gear of a motor vehicle includes: a left measuring unit for positioning on a left side of the motor vehicle, in such a way that a measurement target on a left front wheel and a measurement target on a left rear wheel of the motor vehicle can be sensed from the left measuring unit; a right measuring unit for positioning on a right side of the vehicle, in such a way that a measurement target on a right front wheel and a measurement target on a right rear wheel of the motor vehicle can be sensed from the right measuring unit; and an evaluation device embodied to identify the vehicle geometry data from images of the measurement targets of the front wheels and of the measurement targets of the rear wheels by way of a comparison with reference images of the measurement targets. |
| US09612099B2 |
Compliant thumb wheel assembly coupled to a caliper jaw
A compliant thumb wheel assembly coupled to a caliper jaw that moves along a caliper scale member along a measuring axis direction in a caliper comprises a thumb wheel, a compliant element, and a thumb wheel mounting portion rigidly coupled to the caliper jaw. The compliant element is configured to locate the thumb wheel in an operational arrangement for driving the caliper jaw while at the same time transmitting forces between the thumb wheel and the thumb wheel mounting portion by elastic deformation. When a force is applied to the thumb wheel along the measuring axis direction, the compliant element flexes such that the thumb wheel displaces along the measuring axis direction relative to the thumb wheel mounting portion and the caliper jaw, and generates a measuring force that depends on that relative displacement and which is applied to the caliper jaw along the measuring axis direction. |
| US09612089B2 |
Multiband flash detection system
A multiband imaging system comprising: an optical module configured for acquiring simultaneously images from a common field-of-view (FOV) scene in a short wavelength spectral band and in a long wavelength spectral band, the optical module comprising a polarizer configured for applying polarization filtering to electromagnetic radiation of the long wavelength spectral band; and a processing module configured to analyze data indicative of received irradiance distribution between the short and long wavelength spectral bands. |
| US09612088B2 |
Shooting system with aim assist
A shooting system for improving the accuracy of a shot at a target as fired from a hand-held firearm. The shooting system can comprise a targeting system operable with the firearm, the targeting system operable with one or more sensors to obtain targeting information pertaining to a target. The targeting system can further determine an optimal aiming vector and an aim deviation of the optimal aiming vector from an actual aiming vector based on the targeting information. The shooting system can further comprise an aim assist system in communication with the targeting system that functions to receive information corresponding to the aim deviation, the aim assist system comprising a momentum transfer system supported by the firearm and operable to induce a motion within the firearm to manipulate the actual aiming vector of the firearm and to correct for the aim deviation. |
| US09612087B2 |
Sliding archery sight
An adjustable mechanism for an archery sight is characterized by a unique elevation and tension adjustment assemblies which allow a user to quickly and easily set the sight for optimum performance. The mechanism includes an elevation base having an elevation rail and carriage assembly connected therewith for sliding movement along the base in a first direction. A windage carriage is connected with the elevation carriage for movement in a second direction, and a sight is connected with the windage carriage. A tension assembly including a unique traction wheel, yoke and cam mechanism is provided for adjusting the tension between the rail and the base, and an adjustable detent assembly is provided to stop movement of the elevation rail and carriage in selected elevation locations relative to the base. |
| US09612083B2 |
Adjustable length slide-action rifle stock
A manually-actuated slide-action handle (22) for a semi-automatic firearm. The handle has a chassis portion (58) and a length-adjustable shoulder stock portion (60) to enable a user to alter the trigger pull length of the firearm. A finger rest (82) stabilizes the end of a user's trigger finger stretched in front of the firearm trigger. The finger rest is detachable from the chassis and has a generally U-shaped configuration that is adapted to connect to the handle in either a right-handed position or an inverted left-handed position. A lock switch (116) is located on the grip base of a pistol grip feature (66) to selectively arrest relative sliding movement between the firing unit and the handle. A brake (76) is controlled by an engagement lever to selectively remove play between the handle and the firing unit portion of the firearm for competitive slow shooting. |
| US09612082B2 |
Adjustable slide-action stock for firearms
A slide-action stock assembly for a semi-automatic firearm enables adjustment of the trigger pull length. An adjustable length interface interconnects a commercial off-the-shelf shoulder stock with a conjoined pistol grip and finger rest into a handle unit that slidably supports the firing unit portion of the firearm. The adjustable length interface includes a stem that is constrained to back-and-forth movement within a stem channel under the buffer tube. The stem includes a row of holes into which a plunger of the adjustable shoulder stock is set by the user to achieve a desired trigger pull length. A lock-out feature selectively impedes the slide-action mode. The finger rest can be positioned on either the right or left side of the pistol grip. |
| US09612081B2 |
Cartridge for air gun
Disclosed is a cartridge for an air gun that facilitates the loading of a bullet into the cartridge. The cartridge includes cylindrical unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted, a cartridge assembly in which the unitary cartridges are coupled to each other and continuously disposed between both ends to form a strip shape, and a magazine case that houses the cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is transported by a cartridge transport unit. Further, the unitary cartridges each include two cylindrical parts. The cylindrical parts of neighboring unitary cartridges are sequentially fit-coupled to each other in order to form the cartridge assembly. |
| US09612079B2 |
Rubber band gun, method of use, and method of assembly
An elastic rubber band launching toy gun that uses a new method to launches 24 elastic bands in rapid succession using a simple assembly of only 13 individual parts, and featuring an optional, adjustable, sliding shoulder support stock. It is designed to resemble a Heckler & Koch MP5 firearm, as manufactured by Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. The rubber band gun includes a slideable, lockable stock which can be slid and locked into multiple lengths away from the butt of the firearm. |
| US09612074B2 |
Less-lethal force device impact ratio
Improvements in a less-lethal force device are disclosed. The less-lethal projectile device generally comprising a projectile, such as a rubber-encapsulated metal block, that is mated to a docking base by way of a mounting pins or base. The projectile may be made with a cavity located in its rearward section for enabling the projectile to fit onto the mounting pins portion of the docking base through compression or interference fit. The projectile captures a fired bullet and is propelled along the original path of the bullet at a less lethal velocity. The disclosed system results in converting a normally lethal weapon into a less-lethal blunt impact system. The mounting pins are configured to provide clearance to the sighting mechanism on the firearm. |
| US09612071B2 |
Speed reloader for bolt action fixed rifle
A loading apparatus and method for use with a firearm, which may be most suited for use with a bolt-action rifle having an internal magazine. The loading apparatus comprises an arcuate shaped body having a coextensive track, flap member, and access slot, and a guidance element, all of which combine to provide an apparatus that increases the ease and speed of loading the firearm. |
| US09612064B2 |
Thermally conductive composite element based on expanded graphite and production method
A thermally conductive composite element is particularly suited for use in a surface heating system or in a surface cooling system. The composite element has at least one main part which contains expanded graphite and at least one flat textile structure disposed on one face of the main part. The textile structure is connected to the face of the main part by an inorganic adhesive. |
| US09612061B2 |
Method and apparatus for absorbing thermal energy
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for storing thermal energy. The subject thermal energy storage apparatus can function as a heat absorber in a cooling system. A cooling system can incorporate a cooling cycle that utilizes thermal energy storage and has two coolant loops. The primary cooling loop acquires the waste heat from a heat source, such as an electronic device, by heat transfer to the primary coolant via, for example, a sensible heat process (where sensible heat is heat absorbed or transmitted by a substance during a change in temperature which is not accompanied by a change of state) or by evaporating the primary coolant through a latent heat phase change process. The waste heat absorbed by the primary coolant is transferred to the host material of the heat absorber. The subject invention uses a high thermal conductivity host material to house a lower thermal conductivity phase change material, in order to achieve a thermal energy absorber that has a high effective thermal conductivity. In a specific embodiment, the high thermal conductivity host material has voids within the structure that can be filled by the phase change material. The increased surface area of phase change material in thermal contact with the host material per volume of phase change material allows the thermal energy to be stored or released quickly, because of the enhanced effective thermal conductivity. |
| US09612055B1 |
Selective circulation and transfer in a molten metal furnace
A kit enables selective circulation and transfer of molten metal of a furnace. The kit includes a transfer block of refractory material adapted to be disposed downstream of a refractory pump wall of a pump well. The block includes a transfer passageway that extends from alignment with an opening in the pump wall toward an exterior vessel outside the furnace. A support structure can be adapted to be fixed over the furnace. Pulleys can be carried by the support structure. An actuator can be positioned outside of the furnace. A cable can be fastened at one end portion to the transfer block and at another end portion to the actuator and extends around the pulleys. When actuated in one stroke the actuator moves the cable so as to move the block upward out of alignment with the pump wall opening to cause molten metal circulation. When actuated in another stroke the actuator moves the cable to permit the transfer block to move downward into alignment with the pump wall opening to carry out transfer of molten metal to the vessel. Also featured is a furnace including a kit or a selective transfer and circulation device, and a method of installing the kit or device in a furnace. |
| US09612053B2 |
System for maintaining interior volume integrity in an induction vacuum furnace and method of making same
An induction furnace for heating a workpiece includes a chamber and an insulation cylinder positioned therein, with the insulation cylinder including a base cover movable between first and second positions, and the first position positioning the workpiece within a heating zone and the second position positioning the workpiece within a cooling zone. A translation system in the furnace includes a first member coupled to the base cover of the insulation cylinder and extending through a wall of the chamber, an actuator coupled to the first member, the actuator configured to translate the first member to move the base cover of the insulation cylinder between the first and second positions, and an expansion member encircling a portion of the first member and configured to hermetically seal an interior volume of the chamber from an environment volume external to the chamber. |
| US09612052B2 |
Drying device
A drying device that includes a drying furnace having an inlet and an outlet, a drying unit installed inside the drying furnace and for drying a to-be-dried object, a number of upper and lower rolls alternately arranged at internal top and bottom portions of the drying furnace, and a roll driver connected to the plurality of upper and lower rolls and moving the upper rolls upwardly and the lower rolls downwardly, wherein after the to-be-dried object is transferred from the inlet to the outlet, the roller driver moves the upper rolls downwardly, moves the lower rolls upwardly, or moves the upper rolls downwardly and the lower rolls upwardly. |
| US09612050B2 |
Simplified LNG process
A simplified method for production of a commercial supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied in a pressurized vessel includes taking a supply of natural gas including contaminants from a stranded well or from a pipe line and extracting from the supply gas water vapor and CO2 in a fixed bed absorption system. In a first stage the supply gas is separated into first and second streams where the first stream contains all the cold energy available from the feed stream and sufficient of the contaminants are removed to meet a product specification for the composition of the LNG supply. In a second stage the first stream is liquefied by the available cool energy for commercial pressurized supply container The second stream contains natural gas which is as much as 75% of the feed stream together with substantially all the contaminants and is used as a natural gas supply. |
| US09612049B2 |
Sensor mount for a mobile refrigeration system
A refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes a refrigeration loop (32), an air duct (70), a sensor (34) and a shock absorption unit (36). The refrigeration loop includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant regulator and an evaporator (64). The air duct directs air from an air inlet to the evaporator, which air duct is defined by first and second panels. The sensor is disposed in the air duct. The shock absorption unit mounts the sensor to and provides a limited thermal conduction path between the sensor and the first panel (22). |
| US09612043B2 |
Mixed hydrocarbon refrigeration system with reduced work-energy requirements using a hybrid compression/adsorption heat cycle
A refrigeration method reduces compressor energy usage in a hydrocarbon refrigeration system by incorporating a distillation/adsorption cycle. The method and related systems can use waste or other heat sources to replace a portion of the mechanical energy of the compression cycle in a novel process scheme easily adapted to either new or existing refrigeration systems. The present hybrid vapor compression-adsorption cycle combines both the refrigerant and adsorption medium in the compression cycle and separates these components using conventional multi-stage distillation to then separate them for the refrigeration and adsorption cycles. |
| US09612039B2 |
Mobile solar power rack
An assembly for positioning photovoltaic panels on a structure includes a main frame connectable to the structure, and a subassembly connectable to the main frame to support a photovoltaic panel, in which the subassembly is rotatable with respect to the main frame to place the subassembly in a deployed position. The assembly may further include a stop-arm connectable to the main frame to support the subassembly when in the deployed position. |
| US09612038B2 |
Method for manufacturing all-glass solar collector tube without exhaust tail tube
A method for manufacturing an all-glass solar heat collecting tube without a tail pipe. The bottom of one end of an inner glass tube plated by a selective absorbing coating layer is rounded, the other end is connected to a first glass outer tube. The bottom of one end of a second glass outer tube is rounded and the other end is flared. The connected inner glass tube/first glass outer tube is inserted into the second glass outer tube. A gap is formed between the first glass outer tube and the second glass outer tube to serve as an air exhausting channel. The first glass outer tube is inserted into the flared opening of the second glass outer tube. The contact point between the first glass outer tube and the second glass outer tube is heated to frit seal and butt joint. |
| US09612035B1 |
Mirror defogger
An adaptable system for defogging a mirror in a steamy bathroom having a tube assembly with a plurality of openings with an impeller and a plurality of heating elements for blowing hot air through the openings onto the fogged mirror. In one example embodiment, the tube assembly has louvers directing the hot air from the openings. The system has a plurality of mounting assemblies configured for all types of mirrors operative for coupling to the tube assembly, such as a portable mounting assembly with a rechargeable battery that selectively attaches on or adjacent to a mirror. The system has an articulated arm mounting assembly in one example embodiment. The system has a mounting assembly fixture in another example embodiment. A kit comprises the tube assembly and at least one mounting assembly. |
| US09612034B1 |
Air conditioner water drop noise blocker
Eliminating a noise from water dropping on an air conditioner unit is disclosed. This device has an upper panel with a layer of plastic material on a surface, a lower panel having a layer of plastic material on a surface, and a hinge. The lower panel includes a plurality of magnets for attachment to the air conditioner unit. The upper and lower panels are bent at a certain angle so water droplets slide on the upper panel surface, in embodiments of the invention. |
| US09612033B2 |
Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures
Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension. |
| US09612032B2 |
User friendly interface for control unit
A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a circular body having a large central display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated an pressed inward by a user so as to receive user input in a simple elegant fashion. Different colors can be displayed to the user to indicate currently active HVAC functions, and different shades of colors can be displayed to a user to indicate an estimated amount of time and/or energy for reaching a target temperature. The thermostat is wall mountable and is made up of a head unit removeably mounted to a backplate. A locking mechanism can be provided so as to increase security against unauthorized removal of the head unit. The backplate can be adapted to be mounted on a wall so as to be level, for example by including a bubble level on the backplate. One or more vents are preferably located on the sides of the body, such as in a gap beneath the translatably mounted ring, and/or in a gap between the head unit and the backplate. The target temperature for the device can be altered in response to sensing rotation of the rotating ring, and the programmed schedule can be displayed to and altered by the user in response to sensing rotation of the ring and the translational movement of the ring. Historical information such as temperature and cost information can be displayed to a user in response to sensing rotating of the rotating ring. One or more device settings can be displayed to and edited by a user in response to sensing rotating of the rotating member and the translational movement. According to some embodiments, text characters can be entered by the user. |
| US09612031B2 |
Thermostat switching circuitry robust against anomalous HVAC control line conditions
A thermostat may include HVAC wire connectors that receive a call relay wire and a power return wire, switching elements having a first operating state in which they create a connection between the call relay wire and the power return wire and a second operating state in which the connection between the call relay wire and the power return wire is interrupted. The thermostat may also include control circuitry configured to cause the switching elements to operate in the first operating state to actuate an HVAC function; detect an anomaly associated with measurements from power monitoring circuitry; cause the switching elements to operate in the second operating state for at least a first time interval; and after the expiration of the first time interval, cause the one or more switching elements to operate in the first operating state and determine whether the anomaly is still present. |
| US09612030B2 |
Arrangement and method for automatically determined time constant for a control device
A method includes a step of obtaining in a processing circuit a sequence of elements between a first device and a supply air temperature sensor of an air handling unit. The processing circuit also obtains an estimate for time constants associated with each element of the sequence. The processing circuit adds the time constants to obtain a process time constant estimate. The method further includes controlling a device based at least in part on the process time constant estimate. |
| US09612028B2 |
Air check valve system and method of mounting same
An air check valve system configured to be mounted for fluid communication with a fan can include a ring having a generally circular inner diameter that defines an air passage through a plane of the ring. A first and a second flange can extend from the ring. A rod can have a first end mounted to the first flange and a second end mounted to the second flange. The rod can define a pivot axis. A first and a second damper plate can be mounted to the rod for rotation around the pivot axis between an open and a closed position. |
| US09612027B2 |
Cooling system for forming a mist and methods of repairing or replacing a component thereof
Cooling system and method suitable for cooling a blast furnace with a cooling fluid during its operation. The cooling system includes a source of a gaseous fluid that feeds the gaseous fluid to multiple flow paths. A liquid is atomized into each of the multiple flow paths, within which the atomized liquid is mixed with the gaseous fluid to form a mist. The system further includes means for selectively closing each of the multiple flow paths while at least one other of the multiple flow paths remains open. |
| US09612025B2 |
Air conditioning system with multiple-effect evaporative condenser
An air conditioning system includes a multiple effect evaporative condenser, at least one compressor, at least one heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and at least one multiple-effect evaporative condensers. The multiple effect evaporative condenser and the heat exchanger utilize a highly efficient heat exchanging pipe for performing heat exchange between water and refrigerant. |
| US09612023B2 |
Filters, filter mounts, and methods of mounting filters
A filter assembly includes: a filter pad including fibers selected from wool fibers, wood-based viscose fibers, and cellulose-based synthetic fibers, the fibers configured to absorb grease particulates; a baffle-type filter; and a support bracket configured to support the filter pad. The support bracket includes: a clip portion that is substantially u-shaped; an attachment portion including a mounting hole formed in a surface thereof; and a support portion arranged between the clip portion and the attachment portion, the support portion configured to support the disposable filter thereon. The filter assembly includes a hanging bracket configured to support the filter pad therein, the hanging bracket including a front wall, an attachment wall including a mounting hole formed in a surface thereof, and a top wall arranged between the front wall and attachment wall. The support bracket and the hanging bracket are configured to mount the filter assembly to an exhaust hood. |
| US09612019B2 |
Method and system for increasing the safety of gas-operated cooking appliances
A safety system for gas-operated cooking appliances which include at least one burner which is connected to the mains gas network via a distributor, the gas flow of which is controlled by a manually operated gas tap, includes a position switch, a flame detection device, an electrically controlled control valve which is installed in the mains gas network, a manually actuated restoring switch in operable communication with the control valve, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to open the control valve after the latter was shut off by the flame detector of the burner only when the control circuit simultaneously receives a signal from the restoring switch and the position switch. The safety system serves as a child safety measure which prevents an inadvertent re-activation of a gas flow system that has been shut off. |