| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09158723B2 |
Expanded protocol adapter for in-vehicle networks
A protocol adapter for in-vehicle networks that provides diagnostics, analysis and monitoring. The protocol adapter has a pass-through feature (voltage translator)/smart mode that allows the protocol adapter to emulate older boxes. Visual indicators (LEDs) indicate the pass through feature is in operation. LEDs also indicate activity on the RS232 bus between the adapter and a PC. Single color and multiple color emitting LEDs indicate a program is being executed and identify the program that is being executed. The protocol adapter supports RP1202 and RP1210, J1708 and J1939 and J1939 Transport Layer. The protocol adapter has a Real Time Clock, Standard COMM port connection, 7-32 Volt Supply and is CE compliant. The adapter can be used wirelessly. |
| US09158721B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method, and program
An information processing apparatus capable of USB-connecting a device compatible with USB connection, the apparatus has a management unit configured to manage driver information representing whether to activate a device driver when the device is USB-connected. The information processing apparatus also has a device information acquisition unit configured to acquire device information of the device. The information processing apparatus also has a setting unit configured to set up the driver under control of an USB core driver to control the device using a device driver corresponding to the driver information when the driver information matches the device information. |
| US09158711B2 |
Creating a program product or system for executing a perform frame management instruction
Creating a computer program product or a computer system to execute a frame management instruction which identifies a first and second general register. The first general register contains a frame management field having a key field with access-protection bits and a block-size indication. If the block-size indication indicates a large block then an operand address of a large block of data is obtained from the second general register. The large block of data has a plurality of small blocks each of which is associated with a corresponding storage key having a plurality of storage key access-protection bits. If the block size indication indicates a large block, the storage key access-protection bits of each corresponding storage key of each small block within the large block is set with the access-protection bits of the key field. |
| US09158709B2 |
Power cycling event counters for invoking security action
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory devices and security of same. |
| US09158707B2 |
Statistical cache promotion
Storing data in a cache is disclosed. It is determined that a data record is not stored in a cache. A random value is generated using a threshold value. It is determined whether to store the data record in the cache based at least in part on the generated random value. |
| US09158706B2 |
Selective space reclamation of data storage memory employing heat and relocation metrics
Space of a data storage memory of a data storage memory system is reclaimed by determining heat metrics of data stored in the data storage memory; determining relocation metrics related to relocation of the data within the data storage memory; determining utility metrics of the data relating the heat metrics to the relocation metrics for the data; and making the data whose utility metric fails a utility metric threshold, available for space reclamation. Thus, data that otherwise may be evicted or demoted, but that meets or exceeds the utility metric threshold, is exempted from space reclamation and is instead maintained in the data storage memory. |
| US09158704B2 |
Virtual memory management system with reduced latency
A computer system using virtual memory provides hybrid memory access either through a conventional translation between virtual memory and physical memory using a page table possibly with a translation lookaside buffer, or a high-speed translation using a fixed offset value between virtual memory and physical memory. Selection between these modes of access may be encoded into the address space of virtual memory eliminating the need for a separate tagging operation of specific memory addresses. |
| US09158703B2 |
Linear to physical address translation with support for page attributes
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for linear to physical address translation with support for page attributes. In some embodiments, a system receives an instruction to translate a memory pointer to a physical memory address for a memory location. The system may return the physical memory address and one or more page attributes. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09158701B2 |
Process-specific views of large frame pages with variable granularity
The page tables in existing art are modified to allow virtual address resolution by mapping to multiple overlapping entries, and resolving a physical address from the most specific entry. This enables more efficient use of system resources by allowing smaller frames to shadow larger frames. A page table is selected. When a virtual address in a request corresponds to an entry in the page table, which identifies a next page table associated with the large frame, a determination is made that the virtual address corresponds to an entry in the next page table, the entry in the next page table referencing a small frame overlay for the large frame. The virtual address is mapped to a physical address in the small frame overlay using data of the entry in the next page table. The physical address in a process-specific view of the large frame is returned. |
| US09158700B2 |
Storing cached data in over-provisioned memory in response to power loss
A power loss condition is detected that affects volatile data that is cached in preparation for storage in a non-volatile, solid-state memory device. The volatile cached data is stored in an over-provisioned portion of the non-volatile, solid-state memory device in response to the power loss condition. |
| US09158695B2 |
System for dynamically adaptive caching
The present disclosure is directed to a system for dynamically adaptive caching. The system includes a storage device having a physical capacity for storing data received from a host. The system may also include a control module for receiving data from the host and compressing the data to a compressed data size. Alternatively, the data may also be compressed by the storage device. The control module may be configured for determining an amount of available space on the storage device and also determining a reclaimed space, the reclaimed space being according to a difference between the size of the data received from the host and the compressed data size. The system may also include an interface module for presenting a logical capacity to the host. The logical capacity has a variable size and may include at least a portion of the reclaimed space. |
| US09158691B2 |
Cross dependency checking logic
Systems and methods for maintaining an order of transactions in the coherence point. The coherence point stores attributes associated with received transactions in an input request queue (IRQ). When a new transaction is received by the coherence point, the IRQ is searched for other entries with the same request address or the same victim address as the new transaction. If one or more matches are found, the new transaction entry points to the entry storing the most recently received transaction with the same address. The new transaction is stalled until the transaction it points to has been completed in the coherence point. |
| US09158690B2 |
Performing zero-copy sends in a networked file system with cryptographic signing
A method and system for sending data in a file system that uses cryptographic signatures to protect data integrity. A computer system calculates a signature based on the content of a page of a memory. The memory is shared by processes that run on the computer system. The computer system write-protects the page while the page is used for calculation of the signature. When a first process attempts to modify the page, a page fault is triggered. In response to the page fault, the content of the page in memory is copied to a new page in the memory. The new page is accessible by the processes. Access to the page by the first process is redirected to the new page. Subsequent to the page fault, access to the page by the second process is also redirected to the new page. |
| US09158689B2 |
Aggregating cache eviction notifications to a directory
Technologies are described herein generally relate to aggregation of cache eviction notifications to a directory. Some example technologies may be utilized to update an aggregation table to reflect evictions of a plurality of blocks from a plurality of block addresses of at least one cache memory. An aggregate message can be generated, where the message specifies the evictions of the plurality of blocks as reflected in the aggregation table. The aggregate message can be sent to the directory. The directory can parse the aggregate message and update a plurality of directory entries to reflect the evictions from the cache memory as specified in the aggregate message. |
| US09158682B2 |
Cache memory garbage collector
A method for managing objects stored in a cache memory of a processing unit. The cache memory includes a set of entries corresponding to an object. The method includes: checking, for each entry of at least a subset of entries of the set of entries of the cache memory, whether an object corresponding to each entry includes one or more references to one or more other objects stored in the cache memory and storing the references; determining among the objects stored in the cache memory, which objects are not referenced by other objects, based on the stored references; marking entries as checked to distinguish entries corresponding to objects determined as being not referenced from other entries of the checked entries, and casting out, according to the marking, entries corresponding to objects determined as being not referenced. |
| US09158680B2 |
Numeric representation to improve life of solid state storage devices
Technologies and implementations for improving life of a solid state storage device are generally disclosed. |
| US09158678B2 |
Memory address management system and method
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including first blocks configured to store an address indicating a data storage position, and second blocks configured to store the data, a first table configured to store a first address including first information and second information, the second information indicating a data storage position in the first block, and a second table configured to convert the first information into third information, the first information having a first data size by which one entry of the second table can be identified, the third information having a second data size which is larger than the first data size and by which one of the first blocks and the second blocks can be identified. |
| US09158675B2 |
Architecture for storage of data on NAND flash memory
Systems, methods, apparatus, and techniques are provided for processing data from a storage medium. A stripe of data stored on the storage medium is read, where the stripe comprises a plurality of data allocation units (AUs) and a parity AU. Error correction decoding is applied to each of the plurality of data AUs to produce a plurality of decoded data AUs. It is determined whether a value of the parity AU is satisfied by values of bytes in the plurality of decoded data AUs. The plurality of decoded data AUs are output in response to a determination that the value of the parity AU is satisfied by the values of bytes in the plurality of decoded data AUs. |
| US09158670B1 |
System and method for dynamically adjusting garbage collection policies in solid-state memory
Embodiments of the invention are directed to optimizing the selection of memory blocks for garbage collection in solid state devices to efficiently maximize the amount of memory freed by garbage collection operations. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide for the efficient selection of optimal or near-optimal garbage collection candidate blocks, with the most optimal selection defined as block(s) with the most invalid pages. In one embodiment, a controller classifies memory blocks into various invalid block pools by the amount of invalid pages each block contains. In one embodiment, the controller selects for garbage collection a block from a non-empty pool of blocks with the highest minimum amount of invalid pages. One or more of the pools have minimum thresholds that can be dynamically adjusted according to an observed usage condition, such as a change of an over-provisioning amount in the storage state device. |
| US09158666B2 |
Computer system and computer system information storage method
If simultaneous replacement main system and standby system of a management module was necessary due to a failure, fault or other problem in a structure containing redundant management modules, then the management information retained in the management module will be lost. A computer system contains an external storage device that is outside the manager module. This external storage device stores the same information as the management information held by the main system management module, and after replacing the management modules the management information held in the external storage device is restored in the management module. A switch is further included between the external storage device and the management module, and controlling this switch from the management module allows the plurality of management modules to exclusively access the external memory device. |
| US09158648B2 |
Reporting product status information using a visual code
A system facilitates reporting product status information using a visual code. The system includes a code generator and a communication device. The code generator reports a product status with aggregate information in a visual code. In order to achieve this functionality, the code generator recognizes a status event trigger for a product. The code generator also compiles the aggregate information in response to the status event trigger for the product. The aggregate information includes product status information and product identification information. The code generator also generates the visual code representative of the aggregate information. The communication device facilitates communication of the visual code to a user. |
| US09158647B2 |
Formatting system monitoring information
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to formatting system monitoring information. In one embodiment, a processor formats information related to monitoring a system. The formatted information may be related to components in a system. In one embodiment, the processor formats received information related to the system. The processor may output the formatted information. |
| US09158645B2 |
Continuously transferring data using a USB mass storage device
A method for continuous data transfer when a USB mass storage device is disconnected and reconnected is provided. The method may include monitoring state information from one or more mass storage devices, using a software driver to detect a change in state of the mass storage device on the computer. Active I/O transfers using the USB mass storage device are paused when the software driver detects that the USB mass storage device is detached from the computer. A configurable timer is started. The software drive may detect the attaching of a USB device. If, prior to the expiration of the timer, the software driver verifies that the USB mass storage device is the same that was previously attached to the computer, active I/O transfers are continued. |
| US09158639B2 |
Method and apparatus for correlating input and output messages of system under test
A method and apparatus for determining correlation between input and output messages in a system under test (SUT) is provided in the present invention. The SUT is provided with preset watch-points, and the running of the SUT is detected by triggering watch-points in a test platform at its run time. The method includes the steps of: upon detecting a message input operation, finding a variable that stores an input message, associating the variable with a tag of the input message, and adding a watch-point for the variable in the test platform; as well as, upon detecting network output operation, finding a variable that stores an output message of the SUT; and determining correlation between the output message and an input message according to a tag associated with the variable that stores the output message. |
| US09158632B1 |
Efficient file browsing using key value databases for virtual backups
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. This includes using a directory to identify keys in a key value database, walking through each identified key to identify values, identifying a file based on the walk through, and restoring the identified file to a storage device. |
| US09158628B2 |
Bios failover update with service processor having direct serial peripheral interface (SPI) access
Certain aspects direct to systems and methods of BIOS failover update with a service processor (SP) having direct serial peripheral interface (SPI) access to a basic input/output system (BIOS) chip of a host computer. In certain embodiments, the SP receives a failover backup image from a BIOS being executed at a CPU of the host computer through a system interface, and stores the failover backup image in the volatile memory. Then the SP monitors operation of the BIOS by receiving, from the BIOS, a notification signal. When the SP detects an error in the operation of the BIOS based on the notification signal, the SP sends a copy of the failover backup image to the BIOS chip of the host computer through the SPI to replace a current BIOS image stored in the BIOS chip of the host computer with the copy of the failover backup image. |
| US09158625B2 |
Acquiring a trusted set of encoded data slices
A method for execution by a computing device, the method begins in response to a data segment access request, generating a set of access requests regarding a set of encoded data slices. The method continues by sending a subset of the access requests to storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN) and sending an access request of the set of access requests to a trusted storage unit of the DSN. The method continues by receiving a trusted encoded data slice from the trusted storage unit and receiving a subset of encoded data slices from the storage units, wherein the trusted encoded data slice is utilized to authenticate the subset of encoded data slices and when the subset of encoded data slices are authenticated, the trusted encoded data slice and the subset of encoded data slices are decoded to recover the data segment. |
| US09158623B2 |
Flash subsystem organized into pairs of upper and lower page locations
A memory system includes a flash subsystem for storing data identified by page numbers. The memory system further includes a central processing unit (CPU), and a flash controller coupled to the CPU, the CPU being operable to pair a lower with an upper page. Further included in the memory system is a buffer including a page of data to be programmed in a block of the flash subsystem, wherein split segments of pages are formed and concatenated with split error correcting code (ECC), the ECC having a code rate associated therewith. |
| US09158621B2 |
System and method of copying data
A method of copying data includes receiving a command instructing copying of data from a source location in the memory die to a destination location in the memory die. The method includes determining if a criterion is met, including comparing a predefined parameter to a dynamic threshold. In response to determining that the criterion is met, the method includes executing the copying by moving the data from the source location in the memory die to the controller die and, after moving the data to the controller die, moving an error-corrected version of the data from the controller die to the destination location in the memory die. In response to determining that the criterion is not met, the method includes executing the copying by moving the data inside the memory die source location to the destination location without moving the data to the controller die. |
| US09158612B2 |
Refresh of non-volatile memory cells based on fatigue conditions
In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, memory cells in a memory device are refreshed upon an indication of a fatigue condition. In one such embodiment, controller monitors behavior parameters of the cells and determines if any of the parameters are outside of a normal range set for each one, thus indicating a fatigue condition. If any cell indicates a fatigue condition, the data from the block of cells indicating the fatigue is moved to another block. In one embodiment, an error detection and correction process is performed on the data prior to being written into another memory block. |
| US09158611B2 |
Telecommunications methods for increasing reliability of early termination of transmission
An embodiment of the invention provides a telecommunications method performed by a second telecommunications device. According to the embodiment, the second telecommunications device first tries to use a received part of a data block to decode the data block, wherein the received part is received from a first telecommunications device. Next, the second telecommunications device determines whether a code metric derived based on the received part indicates that the data block is decodable. If the code metric indicates that the data block is decodable, the second telecommunications device further determines whether a set of confirmation criteria is satisfied. |
| US09158609B2 |
Universal serial bus testing device
A USB testing device is provided for an electronic device having a USB port. The USB testing device includes a first USB control unit, a second USB control unit, and a micro-processor. When the first USB control unit has received power, the first USB control unit processes a connection test via a first data port. When the second USB control unit has received the power, the second USB control unit processes a connection test via a second data port. When the USB testing device is connected to the USB port, the micro-processor provides power to the first USB control unit. When the first USB control unit receives power, the first USB control unit provides power to the second USB control unit after waiting for a predetermined period of time. The electronic device determines whether the first and second data ports are operating properly. |
| US09158605B2 |
Method, system and device for validating repair files and repairing corrupt software
A system and method for repairing corrupt software components of a computer system. Corrupt software is detected and repaired utilizing an automated component repair service. Repair files are downloaded from an external storage location and used to repair the corruption. The downloaded files are preferably the smallest amount of data necessary to repair the identified corruption. The process of repairing corrupt files is used in conjunction with a software updating service to resolve problems that occur when corrupt software is updated by allowing a corrupt component to be repaired and then uninstalled such that an updated component can be properly installed. |
| US09158603B2 |
Message processing method and device
The present invention provides a message processing method and device, wherein the method comprises: creating a message queue by an application; taking out all current messages from a message queue created by an operating system; performing order adjustment for the taken-out messages and placing them in the message queue created by the application; performing delivery-processing for each message according to an order of messages in the message queue created by the application. Through the present invention, the messages in the message queue may be processed more flexibly. |
| US09158599B2 |
Programming framework for applications
An application comprises program code that includes API tags, which during execution of the application may be resolved to reference-able data objects. The data objects may be objects in a knowledge base. The API tags decouple the program code from the specific data contained in the knowledge base, allowing for applications that access the knowledge base to be written independently of the knowledge base; even before the knowledge base is loaded with data. |
| US09158588B2 |
Flexible task and thread binding with preferred processors based on thread layout
Embodiments of thread binding are provided. An aspect includes generating a thread layout for an application. Another aspect includes determining a task count for the application; determining a task rank for each task of the task count; determining a thread count for each task associated with the application, wherein a thread count for a first task associated with the application is unequal to a thread count of a second task associated with the application; and indicating one or more preferred processors of a plurality of processors for each task associated with the application. Another aspect includes allocating system for each of the tasks of the application based on the thread layout. Another aspect includes affinitizing the tasks by generating child threads for each of the tasks, wherein a number of threads generated for each task corresponds to the thread count for the task in the thread layout. |
| US09158587B2 |
Flexible task and thread binding with preferred processors based on thread layout
Embodiments of thread binding are provided. An aspect includes generating a thread layout for an application. Another aspect includes determining a task count for the application; determining a task rank for each task of the task count; determining a thread count for each task associated with the application, wherein a thread count for a first task associated with the application is unequal to a thread count of a second task associated with the application; and indicating one or more preferred processors of a plurality of processors for each task associated with the application. Another aspect includes allocating system for each of the tasks of the application based on the thread layout. Another aspect includes affinitizing the tasks by generating child threads for each of the tasks, wherein a number of threads generated for each task corresponds to the thread count for the task in the thread layout. |
| US09158586B2 |
Systems and methods for managing cloud computing resources
Systems and methods for managing cloud computing resources are provided. A plurality of available cloud computing servers may be identified by a cloud computing resource manager (“CCRM”). The CCRM may include one or more computers. The initiation of one or more processes on one or more servers included in the plurality of cloud computing servers may be directed by the CCRM. Operational data associated with the operation of the one or more processes and network data associated with network timing delays between the one or more servers and one or more client devices in communication with the one or more servers may be obtained by the CCRM. Based at least in part upon the operational data and the network data, the distribution of resources among the plurality of cloud computing servers may be managed by the CCRM. |
| US09158585B2 |
Method and apparatus for workflow validation and execution
A computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium; and a description of a first block comprising: a definition of one or more output port groups each comprising one or more output ports; a definition of two or more input ports, the input ports receive object streams of identical length; one or more instructions for processing input data received in the input ports and for outputting processed data in the output port groups, wherein the instructions are operative to output a same number of output objects to each output port in a same output port group, whereby the output ports of the output port group are operative to output objects stream of identical length, and wherein the instructions are operative to receive a same number of input objects from each input port, whereby the input ports are operative to receive object streams of identical length; and an indication of whether there is a constant ratio between a number of items in input streams received by the first block and a number of items in output streams outputted by the first block; and wherein said description of a first block is stored on said non-transitory computer readable medium. |
| US09158584B2 |
Distributed application execution in a heterogeneous processing system
A method for distributing execution of a computer program to a plurality of hardware architectures of different types including: analyzing the computer program to identify a plurality of execution boundaries; selecting one or more execution boundaries from the plurality of execution boundaries; linking the computer program to the selected one or more execution boundaries; executing the computer program with linked execution boundaries; saving a hardware agnostic state of the execution of the computer program, when the execution encounters a boundary from the selected one or more execution boundaries; and transmitting the hardware agnostic state to a remote hardware architecture to be executed on the remote hardware architecture, responsive to the hardware agnostic state. |
| US09158583B1 |
Management of computing devices processing workflow stages of a resource dependent workflow
Systems and method for the management of resource dependent workflows are provided. One or more resource control devices monitor usage of a computing resource by server computing devices. Each resource control device may direct a server computing device to proceed with a workflow or to pause processing a workflow. A resource control device may further direct a server computing device to take resource conserving actions. When a computing resource is determined to be available, a resource control device may direct a paused server computing device to resume a workflow. |
| US09158582B2 |
Method for managing the threads of execution in a computer unit, and computer unit configured to implement said method
A method of managing execution threads launched by processes being executed in a computer unit having at least one calculation core connected to a shared memory. The method includes the steps of: using a zone of the shared memory that is accessible to all of the processes and execution threads for the purpose of managing calculation tokens; when a thread seeks to execute, that thread verifies that a calculation token is available; if a calculation token is available, the thread allocates the calculation token to itself by updating the shared memory and it continues its execution, and then releases the calculation token at the end of its execution; and each execution thread has a priority index allocated thereto, and each thread having a task that is being executed is caused periodically to verify that a thread has not been put on standby that has a priority index higher than its own, and where appropriate, causing the thread that is executing to stop executing and release the corresponding calculation token. A computer unit for performing the method. |
| US09158581B2 |
Continuous optimization of archive management scheduling by use of integrated content-resource analytic model
A method and associated system for continuously optimizing data archive management scheduling. A flow network is modeled. The flow network represents data content, software programs, physical devices, and communication capacity of the archive management system in various levels of vertices such that an optimal path in the flow network from a task of at least one archive management task to a worker program of the archive management system represents an optimal initial schedule for the worker program to perform the task. |
| US09158579B1 |
System having operation queues corresponding to operation execution time
A system and method for prioritized queues is provided. A plurality of queues are organized to enable long-running operations to be directed to a long running queue operation, while faster operations are directed to a non-long running operation queue. When an operation request is received, a determination is made whether it is a long-running operation, and, if so, the operation is placed in a long-running operation queue. When the processor core that is executing long-running operations is ready for the next operation, it removes an operation from the long-running operation queue and processes the operation. |
| US09158578B1 |
System and method for migrating virtual machines
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving an indication that a target virtual machine is going to be migrated from a first operating environment to a second operating environment. The target cache system is associated with target virtual machine. An auxiliary virtual machine is generated within the second operating environment. An auxiliary cache system is associated with the auxiliary virtual machine. The target virtual machine and the auxiliary virtual machine are connected. IO requests for the target virtual machine are mirrored to the auxiliary virtual machine. At least a portion of cache data included within a target memory system associated with the target cache system is copied to an auxiliary memory system associated with the auxiliary cache system. The target virtual machine is migrated from the first operating environment to the second operating environment. |
| US09158575B2 |
Multithreaded processor array with heterogeneous function blocks communicating tokens via self-routing switch fabrics
A shared resource multi-thread processor array wherein an array of heterogeneous function blocks are interconnected via a self-routing switch fabric, in which the individual function blocks have an associated switch port address. Each switch output port comprises a FIFO style memory that implements a plurality of separate queues. Thread queue empty flags are grouped using programmable circuit means to form self-synchronised threads. Data from different threads are passed to the various addressable function blocks in a predefined sequence in order to implement the desired function. The separate port queues allows data from different threads to share the same hardware resources and the reconfiguration of switch fabric addresses further enables the formation of different data-paths allowing the array to be configured for use in various applications. |
| US09158573B2 |
Dynamic predictor for coalescing memory transactions
A transactional memory system predicts the outcome of coalescing outermost memory transactions, the coalescing causing committing of memory store data to memory for a first transaction to be done at transaction execution (TX) end of a second transaction, the method comprising. A processor of the transactional memory system determines whether a first plurality of outermost transactions from an associated program that were coalesced experienced an abort, the first plurality of outermost transactions including a first instance of a first transaction. The processor updates a history of the associated program to reflect the results of the determination. The processor coalesces a second plurality of outermost transactions from the associated program, based, at least in part, on the updated history. |
| US09158570B2 |
Method and system for facilitating quality of service in edge devices in a fibre channel network
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates quality of service (QoS) in a Fiber Channel (FC) host bus adaptor (HBA). In this system the bandwidth on an FC link between the HBA and the FC switch can be allocated into a plurality of logical channels, and a respective logical channel can transport data frames of variable length. Furthermore, a respective logical channel is associated with a dedicated buffer. During operation, the HBA communicates to an FC switch the HBA's capability of receiving or sending a data flow over a logical channel that couples the HBA to the FC switch. The HBA further receives logical-channel allocation information from the FC switch. Furthermore, the HBA associates data frames with a logical channel and transmits data frames to the FC switch on the corresponding logical channel. |
| US09158568B2 |
Input/output operations at a virtual block device of a storage server
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to input/output (I/O) operations at a virtual block device of a storage server. Example embodiments include requesting an input/output (I/O) operation at an offset of a virtual block device of a storage server in response to a virtual machine request for an I/O operation at a virtual disk. |
| US09158566B2 |
Page mapped spatially aware emulation of computer instruction set
Dynamic creation of a spatially aware emulation environment comprising Host cells of Host pages corresponding to Guest cells of Guest pages of Guest instructions. Each Host cell comprises a semantic routine for emulating a corresponding Guest instruction located at the corresponding Guest cell of the guest page. |
| US09158565B2 |
Predictable computing in virtualizated distributed computer systems based on partitioning of computation and communication resources
The invention relates to a method for providing guaranteed quality of service in distributed computing platforms for execution of distributed applications, by combining: i) a partitioned operating system (POS) or a hypervisor (101) executed on at least two computers (300,301); where said POS/hypervisor allocates the CPU, memory and I/O hardware resources to computer partitions in said computers; where said computers are capable of executing different computer partitions (104, 105, 106) with different application tasks within one said computer partition or executing different operating systems (in case of hypervisor) within one said computer partition; wherein the said POS/hypervisor ensures that the application tasks executed in different partitions within the same said computer get their allocated hardware resources; wherein said POS/hypervisor performs a time-driven scheduling for a subset of computer partitions based on a given configuration (136), ii) means, for example network communication technology, for implementing partitioning of Ethernet communication resources and creating virtualized networks out of one physical network. |
| US09158562B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting virtualization of loadable module
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for supporting virtualization. In the method, conversion of source code of a loadable module is initiated. A virtualization-sensitive instruction is searched for during the conversion of the source code. If the virtualization-sensitive instruction has been found, a virtualization-sensitive instruction table is generated based on the found virtualization-sensitive instruction. The virtualization-sensitive instruction is substituted with an instruction recognizable in a privileged mode, based on the generated virtualization-sensitive instruction table. The loadable module is loaded and executed in a kernel. Accordingly, the present invention supports virtualization, thus minimizing overhead occurring in full virtualization, and guaranteeing the high performance provided by para-virtualization without modifying a source. |
| US09158561B2 |
Systems and methods for modifying an operating system for a virtual machine
Systems, methods, and software are described herein for operating a data management system, including executing an attached application and application data on a first virtual machine running a first operating system, separating the attached application and application data from the first virtual machine, and dynamically attaching the application and application data to a second virtual machine running an updated version of the first operating system. |
| US09158558B1 |
Methods and systems for providing application manifest information
A computer-implemented method for providing application manifest information may include analyzing source code of a software application. The method may also include detecting that the source code is programmed to access a computer resource and determining a security implication of the source code being programmed to access the computer resource. Determining the security implication may include providing a notification of the security implication of the source code to a developer of the source code. Determining the security implication may also include providing information about the security implication in an application manifest. Systems and computer-readable-media for creating and editing application manifests are also disclosed. |
| US09158557B2 |
Method of deriving web service interfaces from form and table metadata
A system and method of deriving web service interfaces from form and table metadata is disclosed. The method uses a discovery subsystem to discover services that are available on an application server, retrieves the metadata descriptions of the services on the application server and uses the services discovered and the metadata descriptions to create web services interfaces such that the service is available using web services description language. |
| US09158552B2 |
Adaptive device driver method and system
Aspects of the present invention provide a method of specifying a device driver design for a board device. The method includes receiving a board device with various functional elements and on-board storage to be operatively coupled to a computing device through an interconnect. The device driver design is specified through the identification of one or more device driver parameters. The device driver parameters are to be used subsequently to customize an adaptive device driver that interfaces with the board device and each of the one or more functional elements. Device driver parameters are stored in a predetermined storage construct allocated from the board device. These device driver parameters remain stored in the storage construct until there is a need for the board device and corresponding device driver. Customizing the adaptive device driver is done after the device driver parameters have been stored and typically when a computer device starts or ‘boots”. Initially, aspects of the present invention may receive an indication that a board device and one or more functional elements associated with the board device have been attached to an interconnect and requires a device driver. Next, aspect of the present invention retrieve device driver parameters from the storage constructs and customizes the adaptable device driver into a device driver for the board device in accordance with the device driver parameters. |
| US09158551B2 |
Activating and deactivating Operating System (OS) function based on application type in manycore system
An apparatus and method for dynamically reconfiguring an Operating System (OS) for a manycore system are provided. The apparatus may include an application type determining unit to determine a type of an executed application, and an OS reconfiguring unit to activate only at least one function in an OS, based on the determined type of the application, and to reconfigure the OS. |
| US09158547B2 |
Methods and apparatus for scalable array processor interrupt detection and response
Hardware and software techniques for interrupt detection and response in a scalable pipelined array processor environment are described. Utilizing these techniques, a sequential program execution model with interrupts can be maintained in a highly parallel scalable pipelined array processing containing multiple processing elements and distributed memories and register files. When an interrupt occurs, interface signals are provided to all PEs to support independent interrupt operations in each PE dependent upon the local PE instruction sequence prior to the interrupt. Processing/element exception interrupts are supported and low latency interrupt processing is also provided for embedded systems where real time signal processing is required. Further, a hierarchical interrupt structure is used allowing a generalized debug approach using debut interrupts and a dynamic debut monitor mechanism. |
| US09158545B2 |
Looking ahead bytecode stream to generate and update prediction information in branch target buffer for branching from the end of preceding bytecode handler to the beginning of current bytecode handler
A bytecode interpreter is provided. The interpreter assists in branch prediction by a host processor reducing branch misprediction and achieving high performance. The bytecode branch processor includes an interpreter configured to process a program in a bytecode format in a virtual machine, a branch information generator configured to obtain, while a predefined number of bytecodes are read prior to a current bytecode being processed by the interpreter, a branch address and a target address of a predicted path of a branch corresponding to a preceding bytecode, the branch address being of a branch code included in a preceding handler that processes the preceding bytecode, and the target address being of a current handler that processes the current bytecode to which the preceding handler branches, and a branch target buffer updater configured to update a branch target buffer in the bytecode branch processor with the obtained branch address and target address. |
| US09158542B2 |
Data processing device and method, and processor unit of same
A processor unit (200) includes: cache memory (210); an instruction execution unit (220); a processing unit (230) that detects fact that a thread enters an exclusive control section which is specified in advance to become a bottleneck; a processing unit (240) that detects a fact that the thread exits the exclusive control section; and an execution flag (250) that indicates whether there is the thread that is executing a process in the exclusive control section based on detection results. The cache memory (210) temporarily stores a priority flag in each cache entry, and the priority flag indicates whether data is to be used during execution in the exclusive control section. When the execution flag (250) is set, the processor unit (200) sets the priority flag that belongs to an access target of cache entries. The processor unit (200) leaves data used in the exclusive control section in the cache memory by determining a replacement target of cache entries using the priority flag when a cache miss occurs. |
| US09158541B2 |
Register renamer that handles multiple register sizes aliased to the same storage locations
A processor may include a physical register file and a register renamer. The register renamer may be organized into even and odd banks of entries, where each entry stores an identifier of a physical register. The register renamer may be indexed by a register number of an architected register, such that the renamer maps a particular architected register to a corresponding physical register. Individual entries of the renamer may correspond to architected register aliases of a given size. Renaming aliases that are larger than the given size may involve accessing multiple entries of the renamer, while renaming aliases that are smaller than the given size may involve accessing a single renamer entry. |
| US09158536B2 |
Program code library consolidation in an integrated development environment
An approach for integrated development environment (IDE)-based program code library consolidation in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) is provided. Under this approach, it may be determined whether to consolidate a first set of program code libraries in an integrated development environment (IDE). The determination may be based on consolidation criteria applicable to the first set of program code libraries. Based on the determination, the first set of program code libraries may be consolidated based on a set of consolidation preferences and a set of consolidation rules to yield a second set of program code libraries. An ordered list identifying the second set of program code libraries may then be generated. |
| US09158534B2 |
Smart endpoint architecture
A network-based application development and distribution platform allows application developers to build, modify, and configure dynamic content applications (especially mobile applications) remotely, and without requiring manual software coding. Smart endpoints facilitate creation of distributable applications for multiple operating systems, form factors, access methods, and/or device types, while creating only a single product and associating the product with the desired endpoints corresponding to the operating systems, form factors, access methods, and/or device types. The platform also facilitates software updates, as updates can be made to the product once, rather than once for each version of the application. |
| US09158531B2 |
Software download method and software download apparatus
A method for updating game software is performed at a first client device. While a game session related to the game software is running at the first client device, the first client device performs steps including: identifying updating data for the game software and predefined criteria for locating one or more other client devices that possess the updating data; locating at least one second client device in accordance with the predefined criteria; sending an outgoing downloading request to the located at least one second client device; and upon acceptance of the outgoing downloading request by the at least one second client device, downloading the updating data from the located at least one second client device. The downloading further comprises dynamically adjusting respective bandwidth allocated to the downloading in accordance with data transmission need of the game session. |
| US09158524B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method therefor
An information processing apparatus, in which an operating system operates, includes a setting unit and a control unit. The setting unit sets, in a case that an application is installed and if an installation target application is installed by updating or if the operating system is not a predetermined version, to activate the installation target application in a hardware rendering mode. The control unit install, if software necessary for installing the installation target application is not installed, the necessary software, wherein the control unit installs the installation target application after installation of the necessary software, and wherein the installed application is activated according to a setting by the setting unit. |
| US09158519B2 |
Dynamic collection attribute-based computer programming language methods
Simplified handling of dynamic collections having a variable number of elements at run time is achieved by providing for specification of collective properties of dynamic collections by a programmer. Such collective properties are distinct from type-member properties of the collection that follow from the types and type qualifiers of its members. Preferably, such dynamic collections are attributes (i.e., members) of an application defined type. |
| US09158518B2 |
Collaborative application development environment using a connected device
The present disclosure provides a Web-based integrated development environment and graphical user interface for real-time collaborative application development which uses a connected device. Changes made to an application within the application development tool are applied to a connected mobile device in real-time or near real-time application. |
| US09158516B2 |
Dual mode evaluation for programs containing recursive computation
A dual evaluation mode method for use with computer software that includes the acts of determining, for certain functions and expressions within input computer code, whether each function and expression may have any recursive dependencies, generating eager evaluation mode executable code for one or more elements of the input computer code based on the act of determining and providing both eager evaluation mode executable code and non-eager evaluation mode executable code to runtime software that supports both eager and non-eager evaluation modes. |
| US09158513B2 |
Preprocessing kernel print commands
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include replacing, in one or more initial source code files, each reference to a first function configured to convey system messages with a respective reference to a second function configured to convey the system messages, thereby producing respective corresponding preprocessed source code files for the one or more initial source code files. The respective corresponding preprocessed source code files are then compiled, thereby creating an executable file. While executing the executable file, a call to the second function is received, wherein the call includes a text string. A name of one of the respective corresponding preprocessed source code files storing the call to the second function is identified, and based on the identified name and the text string, a computed destination is determined for the text string. Finally, the text string is conveyed to the computed destination. |
| US09158512B1 |
Systems, processes and computer program products for communicating among different programming languages that are hosted on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
An exchange provides communication among programs that run on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and that are written in different programming languages that are hosted on the JVM. The exchange intercepts an external call from a first program that runs on the JVM and is written in a first programming language. The exchange identifies a second program that runs on the JVM and is written in a second programming language, to which the external call from the first program may be directed. The exchange directs the external call to the second program and receives a response to the external call from the second program. The response to the external call that is received from the second program is then forwarded back to the first program. Related systems, processes and computer program products are described. |
| US09158511B2 |
Scalable partial vectorization
A system, method and computer program product to compute latencies of a plurality of expression trees in a basic block and to select a first and a second expression tree from the plurality of expression trees based on the computed latencies. The first expression tree is isomorphic to the second expression tree and the first and second expression trees are selected in order of largest to smallest latency. This selection ensures that the largest isomorphic expression trees are vectorized first. By vectorizing the largest isomorphic expression trees first, a basic block containing hundreds of statements can be vectorized without significant compile time. Moreover, vectorization of the largest isomorphic expression trees results in a significant improvement in system performance on SIMD processors. |
| US09158510B2 |
System and computer program product for creating a telecommunications application
Techniques for using a proxy model to encapsulate one or more telecommunications (telecom) functionalities are provided. The techniques include generating a proxy model, wherein the proxy model comprises at least one of a representation module, an implementation module, a metadata module, one or more utility snippet modules, one or more unit test code modules and a module linking to one or more blogs, and using the proxy model to encapsulate one or more telecom functionalities. Techniques are also provided for creating a telecom service using the proxy model. |
| US09158504B2 |
Method and system to automatically generate use case sequence diagrams and class diagrams
A system and computer-executed method automatically generate a sequence diagram from Class-Responsibility-Collaborator (CRC) information. The CRC information identifies objects, responsibility information for each object, and collaborator information for each object, and the CRC information corresponds with each activity in an activity diagram. The method includes storing, in a storage device, the objects and corresponding class types of the objects according to the CRC information and associating, by a processor, each of the objects with one or more other objects according to the collaborator information of the CRC information. The method also includes determining, by the processor, messages from each of the objects to associated objects according to the responsibility information, and the processor automatically generating the sequence diagram including the objects and the messages among the objects. |
| US09158500B2 |
Device and method for processing data including generating a pseudo random number sequence
A data processing device which includes a conversion circuit and a pseudo random number generator including a series connection of plural shift registers. The conversion circuit receives a pseudo random number sequence from an output of one of the plural shift registers excluding a last shift register of the series connection, and converts first data to second data using the received pseudo random number sequence. |
| US09158499B2 |
Cryptographic processing with random number generator checking
Embodiments of an electronic circuit comprise a module, such as a security module, configured to perform cryptographic processing for a predetermined security protocol that includes random number checking. The security module is controlled by a descriptor that includes instructions that cause the security module to access a generated random number, compare the generated random number to a random number stored during a previous execution of the descriptor, and generate an error signal when the generated random number and the previous execution random number are equal. |
| US09158498B2 |
Optimizing fixed point divide
Systems, apparatus and methods are described related to optimizing fixed point divide. |
| US09158497B2 |
Optimization of native buffer accesses in Java applications on hybrid systems
Managing buffers in a hybrid system, in one aspect, may comprise selecting a first buffer management method from a plurality of buffer management methods; capturing statistics associated with access to the buffer in the hybrid system running under the initial buffer management method; analyzing the captured statistics; identifying a second buffer management method based on the analyzed captured statistics; determining whether the second buffer management method is more optimal than the first buffer management method; in response to determining that the second buffer management method is more optimal than the first buffer management method, invoking the second buffer management method; and repeating the capturing, the analyzing, the identifying and the determining. |
| US09158496B2 |
Secure audio peripheral device
A secure audio peripheral device, coupled to a computer, capable of enabling a user to use audio devices such as a microphone, speakers or headset when the device is in operational state, while giving to the user a clear visual indication that the audio devices are enabled. The device simultaneously disables the microphone; and turns off the visual indication when the device is in secure state. The operational state is activated by the user by pressing a momentary push-button switch. A timer resets the device to a secure state after a short preset time. The device has anti-tempering functionality and becomes permanently disabled if tempered with. Optionally the device is coupled to the computer via a USB port that powers a USB CODEC chip and a LED used as the visual indicator. |
| US09158490B2 |
Image forming system and apparatus usable with the internet in a cloud printing arrangement
An image forming system includes a server, a first image forming apparatus, and a second image forming apparatus. The server includes: a registration unit that stores identification information for the first image forming apparatus in the first memory; a job obtaining unit that obtains a print job; and a job transmission unit that, upon receiving a request including the identification information stored in the first memory, transmits the print job. The first image forming apparatus includes: a second memory that stores the identification information; and a first job reception unit that transmits the request including the identification information stored in the second memory to the server and receives the print job. The second image forming apparatus includes: an identification information obtaining unit that obtains the identification information; and a second job reception unit that transmits the request including the obtained identification information to the server and receives the print job. |
| US09158488B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method for generating data to be edited using a print driver
A data processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input data, a first processing unit configured to generate intermediate data using a printer driver based on the data input by the input unit according to a print setting that is determined not to divide an editing area of the data into pages, and a second processing unit configured to perform editing processing based on the intermediate data generated by the first processing unit. |
| US09158483B2 |
Relaying device and system thereof
A relaying device may send, to the image processing device, first screen information for causing a first screen to be displayed on a display unit of an image processing device. The first screen may be configured to receive selection as to whether to execute a second print process or a first print process at the image processing device. The second print process may be process using print information received by the image processing device and performed prior to the second print process. The relaying device may send first print information used for the first print process to the image processing device in a case that first process-identification information is received from the image processing device. The relaying device may send second print information used for the second print process to the image processing device in a case that second process-identification information is received from the image processing device. |
| US09158477B2 |
Preventing access loss when device adapter affinity to a node changes
Provided are a computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for maintaining state information. An available node affiliated with an unavailable device adapter and an unavailable node affiliated with an available device adapter are identified, wherein the available node is assigned a first subset of disk arrays, and wherein the unavailable node is assigned a second subset of disk arrays. The available device adapter is affiliated with the available node. First state information of the first node that describes a state of the first subset of disk arrays is updated with second state information of the second node that describes a state of the second subset of disk arrays. Access to the first subset of disk arrays and the second subset of disk arrays is provided through the available node and the available device adapter using the updated first state information. |
| US09158475B2 |
Memory apparatus and method therefor
A memory apparatus and an operation of the memory apparatus which allow quick booting are provided. The memory apparatus includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a memory control unit to control input/output of data stored in the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory. The memory control unit restores data, according to a control command input from outside of the memory apparatus, from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory in an on-demand fashion during booting. |
| US09158471B2 |
Replicating tracks from a first storage site to a second and third storage sites
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for replicating tracks from a first storage to a second and third storages. A determination is made of a track in the first storage to transfer to the second storage as part of a point-in-time copy relationship and of a stride of tracks including the target track. The stride of tracks including the target track is staged from the first storage to a cache according to the point-in-time copy relationship. The staged stride is destaged from the cache to the second storage. The stride in the cache is transferred to the third storage as part of a mirror copy relationship. The stride of tracks in the cache is demoted in response to destaging the stride of the tracks in the cache to the second storage and transferring the stride of tracks in the cache to the third storage. |
| US09158466B1 |
Power-saving mechanisms for a dynamic mirror service policy
Described is storage system and method for reducing power consumption. The storage system has first and second physical disks configured to provide mirroring. The first physical disk is placed into a power-saving mode of operation, while the second physical disk is in an active mode of operation responding to read and write requests. The first physical disk transitions from the power-saving mode of operation to an active mode of operation for destaging writes pending from cache to the first physical disk, while the second physical disk responds to read and write requests. The second physical disk transitions from the active mode of operation to the power-saving mode of operation, while the first physical disk responds to read and write requests. |
| US09158464B2 |
System and method for object integrity service
An embodiment for object integrity service in a storage system includes generating a list of objects stored in a storage system, wherein the list of objects may list an unchecked object, and wherein the unchecked object is an object that has not been checked within a set time period, walking through the list of objects to identify the unchecked object, adding a task to a queue to check the unchecked object, and clearing the task from the queue by checking the unchecked object. |
| US09158463B2 |
Control program of storage control device, control method of storage control device and storage control device
For segments having the number of IOs exceeding a threshold, a data collection unit connects adjacent segments whose distance is within “s” to each other and extracts the connected segments and segments in the range of “s” from outside of the connected segments as an n_segment. A workload analysis unit then determines a target whose data is moved from an HDD to an SSD in units of n_segments. |
| US09158461B1 |
Measuring performance of data storage systems
A combination of a host system and data storage system that enables accurate performance testing of the storage subsystem is disclosed. In one embodiment, a driver of a host system receives a command message from a host system application. The command message enables the driver to generate and communicate one or more storage access commands to the data storage system. The driver then receives one or more execution results from the data storage system and determines and communicates the total execution time of the one or more storage access commands to the host system application. When the host system application determines performance of the data storage system the undesirable impact of the communication overhead between the host system application and the driver is minimized. Accordingly, accurate performance measurements of data storage systems are obtained. |
| US09158454B2 |
Detecting and interpreting real-world and security gestures on touch and hover sensitive devices
“Real-world” gestures such as hand or finger movements/orientations that are generally recognized to mean certain things (e.g., an “OK” hand signal generally indicates an affirmative response) can be interpreted by a touch or hover sensitive device to more efficiently and accurately effect intended operations. These gestures can include, but are not limited to, “OK gestures,” “grasp everything gestures,” “stamp of approval gestures,” “circle select gestures,” “X to delete gestures,” “knock to inquire gestures,” “hitchhiker directional gestures,” and “shape gestures.” In addition, gestures can be used to provide identification and allow or deny access to applications, files, and the like. |
| US09158444B2 |
User interface for managing communication sessions
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for displaying a user interface for managing communication sessions on a communication device. A system configured to practice the method displays, on a first side portion of the user interface, a first set of user-configurable communication information. The system displays, a second side portion of the user interface, a second set of user-configurable communication information. The system displays, on a center portion of the user interface, a communication work space for managing communication sessions. In one embodiment including a touch sensitive display, this interface is used with a tablet device such that a natural position of user's thumbs are in an optimal position to interact efficiently with the user interface. The side portions can be user-configurable to display, for example, contacts, calendar events, tasks, memos, and so forth. |
| US09158443B2 |
Managing transparent windows
Methods and arrangements to manage transparent windows are described herein. Embodiments may comprise logic such as hardware and/or code to select one or more windows to make transparent and to switching the active window between source and target windows via the position of the mouse. Many embodiments provide a right click, pop-up menu (i.e., pressing the right mouse button generates a pop-up menu), a pull-down menu, or a button associated with windows. These features may allow a user to select individual or all windows to be transparent. A transparent window provides some view of windows or objects below the transparent window while providing some view of the contents such as graphics and/or text in the transparent window. Embodiments may also include management logic such as hardware and/or code to facilitate selection of a transparent window to make the window active. |
| US09158440B1 |
Display of information areas in a view of a graphical interface
In some implementations, a method includes causing a display of a portion of a data presentation within a view in a graphical interface, where different portions of the data presentation are displayable. The method includes determining at least one current state of the device, and causing a display of one or more information areas within the view based on the current state, including determining a display mode from available display modes for each of the information areas. The available display modes include independent and dependent display modes, where the independent display mode causes an information area to be displayed within the view regardless of the displayed portion of the data presentation, and the dependent display mode causes the information area to be associated with one or more locations in the data presentation and displayed within the view based on an associated location being in the view. |
| US09158439B2 |
Remote focusing unit
A remote-control device which allows remotely controlling parameters of a light via a console. The console actually does the controlling, but the remote-control device enables control of the light parameters by sending the information to the console. For example, the remote can be used to control preset values or to control other aspects of the console. The console may store presets associated with focus, and those presets can be changed from the remote. |
| US09158438B2 |
Multi-level user interface theming engine
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a multi-level user interface theming engine. One computer-implemented method includes initiating a start of a user interface following receipt of a theming request, requesting available themes for presentation in the user interface, receiving a request to access an existing theme, receiving theming data responsive to a generated request to load the existing theme, and receiving a request to publish modified theming data. |
| US09158436B2 |
Systems and methods for uploading files to a server
A file upload widget is provided on a website to enable the upload of files to a website from an account within a content management system. The file upload widget may be used to: (1) allow a user to select files from a content management system, such as a synced online content management system; and (2) initiate the upload of the files directly from the content management system to the website. In various embodiments, this may: (1) allow the user to upload files that are not stored locally on the computing device being used to access the file upload widget; and (2) allow the user to complete the upload of files by initiating the transfer of files and then logging off of the website (and/or powering down their computing device) before the transfer of files is complete, which may result in a more convenient and enjoyable upload process. |
| US09158431B2 |
Apparatus and method for manipulating the orientation of an object on a display device
A method of manipulating a three-dimensional object displays a first view of a three-dimensional object on a touchscreen. The touchscreen has three-dimensional views associated with at least one pre-specified visually undelineated portion of the touchscreen. The method receives a touch input on the touchscreen in a visually undelineated portion, and determines a second view of the three-dimensional object based on the view assigned to the visually undelineated portion that received the touch input. The method displays the second view of the three-dimensional object on the touchscreen. |
| US09158429B2 |
Rotary input device and electronic equipment
Disclosed is a rotary input device, including: a rotary operation device; a rotation detecting section; a rotation driving section; a display control section to scroll an image under display by rotation of the rotary operation device; a judging section to judge whether the detected rotation angle reaches a critical angle corresponding to an end part of a range of the displayed image or not; and a rotation controlling section to reversely rotate the rotary operation device to an initial position or a reference position when it is judged that the rotation angle reaches the critical angle and the rotary operation is released, wherein the display control section displays the image displayed on the display section at a display position corresponding to the initial position or the reference position when the rotary operation device is reversely rotated to the initial position or the reference position. |
| US09158428B2 |
Operation display device
Disclosed is an operation display device including: a touch panel unit to detect a touch position; a display unit; and a display control unit to execute a display according to a first display process on the display unit when a first operation is received on the touch panel unit, and to execute both of the display according to the first display process and a display according to a second display process when a second operation including an element of the first operation is received on the touch panel unit. |
| US09158423B2 |
Method of detecting presence of interference source, and touch sensing system
A method for detecting presence of an interference source is to be performed by a touch sensing system that stores a threshold capacitance difference. The method includes the steps of sampling capacitances periodically within a time period for obtaining a base capacitance value; sensing a comparison capacitance after the time period; computing an absolute difference between the comparison capacitance and the base capacitance value; and determining that the interference source is present when the comparison capacitance is smaller than the base capacitance value and the absolute difference is greater than the threshold capacitance difference. |
| US09158419B2 |
Touch panel
The present invention relates to a touch panel which can detect touch securely without being affected by drive of an underlying display panel and shield external static electricity, securely, the touch panel includes a substrate having an active region and a peripheral region surrounding the active region; a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes formed on the active region in a row direction and a column direction, respectively; a plurality of pad electrodes on one side of the peripheral region; routing lines for connecting ends of the first electrodes and the second electrodes to the pad electrodes, respectively; and a transparent conductive layer formed at the peripheral region to cover the routing lines. |
| US09158414B1 |
System and method for indicating a selected feature of an interactive digital map
A radius parameter may be included with mapping data requests resulting from “longpress” fingertip selection actions on client computing devices including touch screen display interfaces. The radius parameter may be based on the approximate size of a user's finger in pixels. Based on a current zoom level and/or altitude and a latitude, the radius may be used with a finger tip size to determine how far away a location on the screen from the finger tip center is. A remote mapping server may use the radius as a distance limit for performing a snapping action. For example, if the best candidate for a feature snap is outside the range of the longpress radius, then the feature snap may be abandoned, and the remote mapping server returns a dropped pin response to the client. The user may then customize the dropped pin for sharing or other actions. |
| US09158412B2 |
Display device and electronic device
To increase a reading speed in a display device having a touch-panel function. The display device includes a display panel 101 and a controller substrate 115. The display panel 101 includes a pixel portion 102, source drivers 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, and 110, display gate drivers 111 and 112, and reading gate drivers 113 and 114. The controller substrate 115 includes a controller IC 116. The controller substrate 115 is electrically connected to the display panel 101 through a connecting FPC 117. |
| US09158410B2 |
Utilizing a touch screen as a biometric device
A method, system or computer usable program product for authenticating a fingerprint by aggregating samples on a digital touch screen including capturing multiple data samples of a finger swipe across the touch screen, wherein the touch screen is used both for fingerprint recognition and manipulation of a user interface; utilizing a processor to aggregate the multiple data samples to form a combined sample fingerprint of the finger; and responsive to detecting the combined sample fingerprint matching a predetermined allowed fingerprint, providing a signal indicating the fingerprint is authentic. |
| US09158409B2 |
Object determining method, object display method, object switching method and electronic device
The embodiments of the invention disclose an object determining method, a portable device, an object displaying method, an object switching method and an electronic device. Said method is applied to a touch sensitive portable device. Identifications of multiple objects are displayed within a display area of said portable device. Each of the identifications of said multiple objects has a first status of being selected and a second status of being unselected. Said display area has a first area, the identification of a first object is displayed in the first area, and the first object is in the first status. Said method comprises: obtaining a switch instruction; moving the identification of the first object of the first area, switching the identification of the first object from the first status to the second status, moving the identification of the second object into the first area, and switching the identification of the second object from the second status to the first status according to the switch instruction. The embodiments of the invention can simplify the steps of the user's operation. |
| US09158407B2 |
Capacitive touch panel with a ‘dual layer’ force sensor
A capacitive touch panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged relative to the first substrate. A plurality of drive electrodes are arranged on the first substrate, wherein each drive electrode comprises a first drive electrode section and a second drive electrode section. In addition, a plurality of sense electrodes are arranged on the second substrate, the plurality of sense electrodes including touch sensing electrodes and force sensing electrodes. At least part of a sense electrode of the plurality of sense electrodes forms a force sensitive coupling capacitance with a second drive electrode section and not with a first drive electrode section. |
| US09158405B2 |
Electronic device including touch-sensitive display and method of controlling same
A method includes exciting a first gate line of a touch-sensitive display to control display of information, driving a first scanning electrode of the touch-sensitive display while exciting the gate line, wherein the first gate line is associated with a first area of the display and the first scanning electrode is associated with a second area of the display, which second area is spaced from the first area. |
| US09158403B2 |
Electronic device including touch panel and control method of electronic device including touch panel
Capacitances caused by respective electrodes of a touch panel, which is used to detect an instruction position of the user based on a change in capacitance, are measured, and it is determined whether or not a difference between the measured value and a reference value is larger than a threshold. When it is determined that the difference is larger than the threshold, a portion corresponding to the electrode on the touch panel is detected as the instruction position of the user. After detection, when the difference continues for a predetermined period time, the measured value is set as a new reference value. |
| US09158402B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and interpreting path of designated position
A method of detecting and interpreting a path of designated positions is disclosed. The method concurrently detects a plurality of designated positions on a touch panel, again detects the plurality of designated positions subsequent to a travel of the designated positions, determines the distances between each of the current designated positions and the respective immediately preceding designated positions, treats an immediately preceding designated position, closest to the current designated position of interest, as the immediately preceding designated position of the current designated position of interest, and acquires the path of each designated position, thereby recognizing the paths of the plurality of designated positions that move concurrently. A combination of the paths of the plurality of designated positions is interpreted to identify a designation input by a user, and an operation thus designated is executed. |
| US09158399B2 |
Unlock method and mobile device using the same
A method for performing a predefined function on a touch-based mobile device includes displaying a lock-screen image on the touch screen of the mobile device during a locked-state, wherein the lock-screen image comprises a plurality of image pieces; detecting an object on or near the touch screen at a first predefined location corresponding to a predefined image piece of the plurality of image pieces; moving the predefined image piece on the touch screen according to movement of the object; and performing a predefined function on the mobile device when the predefined image piece moves from the first predefined location to a second predefined location on the touch screen. |
| US09158395B2 |
Method and system for controlling other devices using a remote user interface
A method and system wherein a device remotely controls a user interface being executed in a remote device, using a remote user interface. The device discovers a server that supports a remote control interface. The device receives a list of remote devices that the device can control from the server. A selection input is received to select a remote device from the list of remote devices. A device selection request corresponding to the selection input is transmitted to the server. A remote control interface corresponding to the device selection request is received from the server. The selected remote device is controlled via the received remote control interface. |
| US09158394B2 |
Stylus for use with capacitive touch panel
A stylus provided in the present invention is utilized to input accompanying with a capacitive touch panel. The stylus includes a housing, a magnetic core and a pen tip. The magnetic core is disposed inside the housing. The magnetic core has an axial through hole which defines a bore diameter. The pen tip is disposed at an end of the housing, and the pen tip is made of conductor. The pen tip has a rod portion and a contacting portion. The rod portion is inserted into the axial through hole, and the contacting portion protrudes from the pen shell. The contacting portion has a cylindrical surface and a part spherical surface. The cylindrical surface defines a first diameter; the part spherical surface defines a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the second diameter, and the first diameter is greater than or equal to the bore diameter. |
| US09158390B2 |
Mechanical actuator apparatus for a touch sensing surface of an electronic device
A mechanical actuator apparatus for an electronic device having a touch sensing surface, includes a mechanical actuator having a base for accommodating a first magnetic member, an attachment member having a second magnetic member for engaging the first magnetic member, wherein the attachment member includes a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface. The mechanical actuator further includes a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface, and a non-conductive member for spacing the actuator a distance from the touch sensing surface. The mechanical actuator can be a joystick, knob, directional pad, slider, or the like input device. |
| US09158386B2 |
Plastic capacitive touch screen and method of manufacturing same
A method of removing portions of a conductive layer comprising a transparent conductive material and/or a metallic material disposed on a plastic substrate used for capacitive touchscreen devices includes providing a plastic substrate having a conductive layer disposed on a surface thereof and removing portions of the conductive layer at the surface of the plastic substrate to establish a pattern of electrically isolated conductive portions on the surface of the plastic substrate. The conductive portions or traces are electrically connected to a touchscreen controller, which is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of an object at or near the surface of the plastic substrate responsive to a detected change in capacitance. The removal process may comprise etching or laser ablating portions of the conductive layer at the surface of the plastic substrate. |
| US09158384B2 |
Flexible hinge protrusion attachment
Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device. |
| US09158371B2 |
Contortion of an electronic apparatus
An apparatus including a body configured for resilient contortion from a neutral equilibrium shape by a user, the body having an exterior surface that resiliently contorts in response to user actuation and defines at least part of an exterior surface of the apparatus; and electronic circuitry including at least a processor and a display, controlled by the processor on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body. |
| US09158365B2 |
Method for controlling the display for an item of equipment in standby mode and associated device
Method for controlling a display device in an electronic device and associated control device. The electronic device includes a control unit and the display device comprising a plurality of display elements, a display controller and a switching circuit. The display elements have a plurality of pictograms. The display controller having a plurality of storage elements associated with the display elements. The method includes the steps of writing into the storage elements of a contents for display on the display elements, the configuration in standby mode of the electronic device making the storage elements associated with the display elements by the control unit inaccessible, the detection of an event to be indicated by display, and the control of a switching circuit to vary the active pictograms by alternately displaying the contents of at least two of the storage elements on the same display element. |
| US09158363B2 |
Power management for a system on a chip (SoC)
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for sending a first link handshake signal between a first subsystem and a power management unit (PMU) of a system on a chip (SoC) to request entry into a power saving state for the first subsystem, sending a second link handshake signal between the first subsystem and the PMU to acknowledge the request, and placing the first subsystem into the power saving state without further signaling between the PMU and the first subsystem. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09158362B2 |
System and method for power reduction by sequestering at least one device or partition in a platform from operating system access
In some embodiments, the invention involves a system and method relating to managing power utilization in systems having multiple processing elements. In at least one embodiment, the present invention is intended to control the sleeping/wakefulness of processing elements, as necessary, to maintain a preferred level of power utilization in the platform. Activity is routed to sequestered processing elements instead of sleeping processing elements to save power. |
| US09158361B2 |
Methods and systems for improving security in zero-power devices
Methods and systems for providing lime information in intermittently powered devices that are batteryless and operate purely on harvested energy (also referred to as zero power devices). The method of these teachings for improving security of zero power devices includes determining an estimate of time using a decay of data in a volatile device, and deciding whether to respond to a query based on the estimate of time. |
| US09158359B2 |
Adaptive voltage scaling using a serial interface
An adaptive voltage scaling system includes first and second devices. Each of the first and second devices includes at least one master serial interface port and at least one slave serial interface port. The first device is operatively coupled to a voltage regulator, and the slave serial interface port associated with the second device is operatively coupled to the master serial interface port associated with the first device. The first device controls the voltage regulator based on information obtained from the first and second devices using the master serial interface port associated with the first device and the slave serial interface port associated with the second device. The first and second devices receive voltage from the voltage regulator. A corresponding method and computer-readable medium are also disclosed. |
| US09158355B2 |
Dynamic core switching
A core switching system includes a mode switching module that receives a switch signal to switch operation between a first mode and a second mode. During the first mode, instructions associated with applications are executed by a first asymmetric core, and a second asymmetric core is inactive. During the second mode, the instructions are executed by the second asymmetric core, and the first asymmetric core is inactive. A core activation module stops processing of the applications by the first asymmetric core after interrupts are disabled. A state transfer module transfers a state of the first asymmetric core to the second asymmetric core. The core activation module allows the second asymmetric core to resume execution of the instructions and the interrupts are enabled. |
| US09158353B2 |
Information processing apparatus that offers chance of eliminating hang-up state by using a power supply, control method therefor, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus which is capable of, when hang-up occurs, eliminating the hang-up state and restoring to a normal state without bothering a user. A first power supply unit supplies power to predetermined devices among a plurality of devices, and a second power supply unit supplies power to the plurality of devices. When startup is done with power being supplied to the predetermined devices, software is started by supplying power to all of the plurality of devices. When the second power supply unit is turned on during the startup, whether or not the software has been normally started is determined. When the software has not been normally started, the software is restarted by carrying out an off-on process in which the plurality of devices are reset, the second power supply unit is turned off, and then the second power supply unit is turned on again. |
| US09158352B2 |
Power boosting circuit for semiconductor packaging
A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element operable to output a discrete-value logic signal indicating an imminent increase in demand for current by at least some portion of the microelectronic element. An active power delivery element within the package is operable by the logic signal to increase current delivery to the microelectronic element. |
| US09158351B2 |
Dynamic power limit sharing in a platform
A method and apparatus for dynamic power limit sharing among the modules in the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a processor and memory modules. By expanding the power domain to include the processor and the memory modules, dynamic sharing of the power budget of the platform between the processor and the memory modules is enabled. For low-bandwidth workloads, the dynamic sharing of the power budget offers significant opportunity for the processor to increase its frequency by using the headroom in the memory power and vice versa. This enables higher peak performance for the same total platform power budget in one embodiment of the invention. |
| US09158346B2 |
Main board and methods for disposing memory slots on the main board
A main board, comprising a first set of memory slots, the first set of memory slots comprising a first channel and a second channel disposed in parallel with each other, and each of the first channel and the second channel comprising a first type of slot and a second type of slot respectively, wherein the first type of slot and the second type of slot of the first channel are disposed at a first side and a second side of the first channel respectively, the first type of slot and the second type of slot of the second channel are disposed at a first side and a second side of the second channel respectively, and the first side of the first channel is adjacent to the first side of the second channel. |
| US09158340B2 |
Apparatus and method for assembling display of indicia reading terminal
An apparatus and method for sealing a joint between a display and a housing of a hand held computer terminal is provided. The apparatus comprises a display frame. The display frame comprises a display front, a display back, and display sides. The front of the display frame comprises a recessed portion and a non-recessed portion. The recessed portion is configured to accept insertion of the display. The non-recessed portion defines at least a portion of the perimeter of the recessed portion. Fastening holes can be positioned outside the perimeter of the recessed portion. The display frame is configured to tighten to the housing and to compress the display between the display frame and the housing. The method comprises providing a display frame, assembling a display assembly, inserting the display assembly into the housing, and compressing the display between the display frame and the housing. |
| US09158338B2 |
Integrated circuit chip, mobile device including the same, and method for operating the mobile device with improved impedance matching function control
A mobile device includes a docking unit for docking with an external device, and an integrated circuit chip including an impedance matching circuit for impedance matching of an internal bus outside of the integrated circuit chip, wherein activation or deactivation of the impedance matching circuit is determined based on whether the docking unit is docked. |
| US09158335B2 |
Notebook computer
A notebook computer is disclosed in the present invention which comprises: a screen, which is a touch screen configured to be operable via touching; a host, which is integrated in the screen; and a keyboard, which is detachably connected with the screen so that the keyboard and the screen can be in a state of being connected to each other or in a state of being separated from each other in use. When the notebook computer is used, the keyboard and the screen can be in the state of being separated from each other in use, so that the screen and the keyboard of the notebook computer are used separately. And the keyboard and the screen can be separated when needed and the notebook computer can be use by touching operation on the screen. |
| US09158334B2 |
Electronic device controlled by flexing
An apparatus comprising: a flexible body comprising an arrangement for limiting flexing of the body, the arrangement comprising: a first part within the body; a second part within the body; a flexible interconnect extending at least between the first part and the second part wherein the arrangement is configured to change between a first configuration, in which a portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part is of a variable length enabling more and less flexing of the interconnect, and a second configuration, in which the portion of the interconnect between the first part and the second part has a limited length that limits one or both of more flexing and less flexing. |
| US09158333B1 |
Rendering on composite portable devices
Constituent electronic devices such as eBook reader devices may be combined to form a composite device. Resources such as power, data, processing capabilities, network interfaces, displays, and so forth may be shared between the constituent devices. Resources may also be allocated and transferred to increase operational time of depleted individual electronic devices. Content may be presented across the constituent devices of the composite device. A relative spatial arrangement of the composite devices may be determined to facilitate the presentation. |
| US09158331B2 |
On-demand scalable timer wheel
Various embodiments enable on-demand scaling of a timer wheel. Some embodiments dynamically start and stop a timer wheel based, at least in part, on whether the timer wheel has any associated active timers. In some cases, the timer wheel is suspended when all associated active timers have been serviced. Alternately or additionally, the timer wheel is re-activated upon associating one or more active timers in need of service to the timer wheel. Various embodiments enable addition and removal of timer(s) to the timer wheel and/or various time slots associated with the timer wheel without using a global lock associated with the timer wheel. |
| US09158327B2 |
Method and apparatus for skipping tracks in a multi-zone system
An audio processing device comprising: a network interface to receive audio information from a packet network; a user interface module having a display of a list of audio tracks to be played; a control module to receive input from the user interface module indicating that a currently playing track is to be skipped and to advance playback to a next track in the list; an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface configured to (i) receive the list, (ii) request the audio information from an audio information source according to the list, (iii) transmit the audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices, and (iv) cease transmission of packets associated with a currently playing track and begin transmission of packets associated with the next track in the list to the two or more audio playback devices. |
| US09158325B1 |
Cable quality detection and power consumer devices
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving power at a power consumer device coupled to a power provider device by a cable. The received power is supplied at a first current at an input of the power consumer device and is supplied to a load in the power consumer device. The method includes measuring a rate of change of the voltage at the input of the power consumer device, and determining whether the rate of change of the voltage at the input of the power consumer device is less than a first target rate of change of voltage. The current received at the input of the power consumer device is reduced to a second current lower than the first current if the rate of change of the voltage at the input of the power consumer device is greater than the first target rate of change of voltage. |
| US09158321B2 |
Linear current regulator
A linear current regulator is disclosed herein, which comprises a first amplifier, a current converter unit, a first resistor, a reference current source, a regulating unit, and a reference voltage circuit. The current converter unit converts voltage level of an non-inverting input end of the first amplifier into a regulated current and outputs it. The first resistor is coupled to an inverting input end and an output end of the first amplifier. The reference current source is coupled to the inverting input end of the first amplifier and the first resistor. The regulating unit is coupled to the reference current source and outputs a current signal for adjusting a reference current of the reference current source. The reference voltage circuit has at least two input ends. The reference voltage circuit has one input end coupled to a reference voltage and another input end coupled to the first amplifier. |
| US09158312B2 |
Method and device for controlling outlet water temperature of water heater
A temperature controlling device includes a setting controller, a gas valve, a burner, an inlet temperature sensor, a water meter, and an operational controller. User sets a desired temperature via the setting controller. The inlet temperature sensor senses an inlet temperature of water at an inlet of a pipe, and then operational controller calculates a difference between the inlet temperature and the desired temperature to get a total heat for heating water in a predetermined heating time and transfer the total heat into a total gas consumption, and controls the gas valve to supply gas to the burner with an amount of the total gas consumption in a predetermined heating time. After that, water should be heated to the desired temperature, and the operational controller controls the gas valve to decrease the gas supply for maintaining water temperature. |
| US09158311B2 |
Integrating a data center thermal control system and individual fan controllers for controlling a thermal environment in a data center room
A thermal control system for a data center room, for controlling an ambient temperature in the data center room to meet an ambient temperature set point, receives multiple ambient temperature votes from multiple fan controllers positioned in the data center room each for controlling fan speeds for at least one separate fan from among multiple fans each positioned within a separate system from among multiple systems within the data center room. The thermal control system sets the ambient temperature set point to a lowest ambient temperature specified in the multiple ambient temperature votes, such that the thermal control system and fan controllers operate as independent systems, but are integrated for selecting an ambient temperature that minimizes the power required for controlling a thermal environment in the data center room. |
| US09158310B2 |
Integrating a data center thermal control system and individual fan controllers for controlling a thermal environment in a data center room
A thermal control system for a data center room, for controlling an ambient temperature in the data center room to meet an ambient temperature set point, receives multiple ambient temperature votes from multiple fan controllers positioned in the data center room each for controlling fan speeds for at least one separate fan from among multiple fans each positioned within a separate system from among multiple systems within the data center room. The thermal control system sets the ambient temperature set point to a lowest ambient temperature specified in the multiple ambient temperature votes, such that the thermal control system and fan controllers operate as independent systems, but are integrated for selecting an ambient temperature that minimizes the power required for controlling a thermal environment in the data center room. |
| US09158307B2 |
System and method for feed-forward valve test compensation
A system includes a controller including a processor configured to execute a program stored in a memory of the controller to generate and transmit a first output comprising a total flow demand value to a plurality of valves communicatively coupled to the controller. Each of the plurality of valves is configured to receive a respective portion of the total flow demand value. The processor is configured to receive an input indicative of a decoupling of a first valve of the plurality of valves and to generate a second output based at least in part on the first output and a first operational characteristic of the first valve. The second output is configured to vary a second operational characteristic of a second valve of the plurality of valves to maintain the total flow demand value. |
| US09158305B2 |
Remote control system
A remote control system comprises a mobile object, a remote controller for remotely controlling the mobile object, and a storage unit where background images to simulate a driving room or an operation room of the mobile object are stored. The mobile object has a stereo camera, a camera control unit for controlling image pickup direction of the stereo camera, and a first communication unit for communicating information including at least images photographed by the stereo camera. The remote controller has a second communication unit for communicating to and from the first communication unit, a control unit for controlling the mobile object, and a display unit for synthesizing at least a part of the images photographed by the stereo camera and the background images and for displaying the images so that a stereoscopic view can be displayed. |
| US09158300B2 |
Method for designing a control apparatus and control apparatus
A method for designing a control apparatus includes: determining first, second and third threshold values; setting a first weighting function for calculating a first controlled variable by being multiplied by a difference between a control target value and an output value of a storage battery, a second weighting function for calculating a second controlled variable by being multiplied by the output value of the storage battery, and a third weighting function for calculating a third controlled variable by being multiplied by an integrated value of the output value of the storage battery; and determining a transfer function of the control apparatus in accordance with an H-infinity control theory such that the first controlled variable, the second controlled variable and the third controlled variable are respectively smaller than the first, second and third threshold values. |
| US09158299B2 |
Robot system and method for producing to-be-worked material
A robot system includes a first cell and a second cell. The first cell includes a first robot, a first controller, and a first casing. The first robot performs work on a to-be-worked material. The first controller controls the first robot. The first casing accommodates the first robot and the first controller. The second cell includes a second robot, a second controller, and a second casing. The second robot performs work on a to-be-worked material. The second controller controls the second robot. The second casing accommodates the second robot and the second controller. When the first casing and the second casing are connected to each other, the first controller and the second controller respectively control the first robot and the second robot to work in a common operation area, where a first movable area and a second movable area overlap. |
| US09158297B2 |
Computing device and method for generating measurement program of product
In a method for generating a measurement program of a product, a CAD file of the product is read and attribute data of the product is obtained from the CAD file. By creating a mesh over the attribute data of the product using a plurality of triangles, the method obtains coordinate information of measuring points of the product from the CAD file, arranges the measuring points of the product into one or more geometrical elements using a curve fitting method, and obtains measuring information of each geometrical element. By integrating the measuring information of each of the one or more geometrical elements into a predefined program model, a measurement program can be generated and displayed on a display device. |
| US09158293B2 |
Train profile evaluation system and method
Systems and methods for determining how to stack containers/trailers on a vehicle consist at a terminal/yard at least to maintain aerodynamic efficiency. Embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal management software application configured to determine how to stack containers/trailers on vehicles of a vehicle consist, taking into account a resultant aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle consist during transit as well as other factors. |
| US09158291B1 |
Automatic H-infinity optimization for multivariable control systems
H-infinity optimization techniques may be automated for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) control problems. In one implementation, a model may be received, where the model includes a plant portion that models elements that are to be controlled and a controller portion that models elements used to control the plant portion, the plant and controller portions of the model interacting with each other in a MIMO feedback configuration. Identification of tunable elements of the controller portion of the model may also be received. Requirements, relating to constraints of open or closed loop transfer functions of the model may also be received. Values for the adjustable parameters of the tunable elements may be calculated, where the calculation may be performed using non-smooth H-infinity optimization techniques and the calculation may be based on the model, the identification of the tunable elements, and the one or more requirements. |
| US09158287B2 |
Information processing apparatus for updating local time
An information processing apparatus includes: a communication device communicating with an external device and a clock server; a first clock measuring a local time; a second clock measuring a time based on time information from the clock server; a storage device storing setting information; and a controller performing: when receiving the time information from the external device, judging whether a specified condition is met; when the specified condition is met, setting a time indicated by the time information to the first clock as the local time; when the specified condition is met, controlling the first clock to measure the local time, without the controller setting the time to the first clock as the local time; setting the time indicated by the time information to the second clock and setting a time determined based on the time of the second clock and the setting information to the first clock. |
| US09158280B2 |
Holographic projection device for the enlargement of a visibility region
A holographic projection apparatus and a method for magnifying a virtual visibility region, for observing a reconstructed scene with at least one light modulation device and with at least one light source having sufficiently coherent light for generating a wavefront of a scene that is coded in the light modulation device. By means of imaging the wavefront into a viewer plane, it is possible to generate the virtual visibility region for observing the reconstructed scene. The virtual visibility region has at least two virtual viewer windows. In this case, the virtual viewer windows are dimensioned such that the reconstructed scene can always be observed without tracking of the viewer windows upon movement of a viewer in the viewer plane. |
| US09158279B2 |
Spatial light modulators, holographic 3-dimensional display apparatuses including the spatial light modulators, and methods of modulating spatial light
A spatial light modulator may include a refraction layer including first and second regions with refractive indices different from each other; and/or a metal thin film on a lower face of the refraction layer configured to generate surface plasmons due to light incident on the metal thin film via the refraction layer. When first light is incident on the refraction layer, a phase difference between light reflected by the first and second regions may occur. A spatial light modulator may include a metal thin film and a refraction layer on the metal thin film. The refraction layer may include a first region with a first refractive index and a second region with a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. When first light is incident on the refraction layer, there may be a phase difference between light reflected from the first and second regions. |
| US09158278B2 |
Image forming apparatus having airflow generating section and shield member in conveyance unit
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance passage, a photosensitive drum, a transfer unit, a fixing section, a conveyance unit, one or more detection sensors, an airflow generating section, a cooling airflow passage, and a shielding member. The conveyance unit is at an opposite side of the transfer unit from the photosensitive drum with a predetermined clearance from the transfer unit. Each detection sensor is disposed to face the transfer unit in cross section intersecting the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The sheet detection sensor performs a predetermined detection. The airflow generating section causes a cooling airflow to flow between the transfer unit and the conveyance unit in the axial direction. The cooling airflow passage guides the cooling airflow toward each detection sensor. The shielding member blocks an airflow from a location around the transfer unit toward the cooling airflow passage in a direction intersecting the axial direction. |
| US09158275B2 |
Blower pipe, blowing device, and image forming apparatus
A blower pipe includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow path that connects the inlet port and the outlet port and is bent at least in one location, and plural flow control members that are provided in mutually different regions in a direction in which air in the flow path is caused to flow and that control the flow of the air, wherein a flow control member of the plural flow control members closest to the inlet port (a) cuts off a portion of a bent portion of the flow path while air crossing the portion, (b) makes an elongated gap to pass air, and (c) satisfies following condition; when a virtual straight line which passes through both end portions of the elongated gap is drawn, the virtual straight line lies downstream of an extension line of a wall immediately before the flow path is bent. |
| US09158268B2 |
Fullness detection device, image forming apparatus, and method for controlling fullness detection device
A fullness detection device includes a waste toner collecting portion, a waste toner container configured to store the collected waste toner, the waste toner container has translucency, a detecting portion including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion disposed to sandwich the waste toner container, the light receiving portion receiving the light from the light emitting portion, and a determining portion configured to determine whether or not the waste toner container is full based on whether or not an output value of the light receiving portion is higher than a predetermined threshold value. The light emitting portion increases light intensity step by step and emits light at a level of smallest light intensity among light intensity levels at which it is determined that the waste toner container is not full. |
| US09158267B2 |
Waste-toner conveyance device and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including multiple image forming units; a waste-toner container; and a waste-toner conveyance device including a common conveyance channel member disposed in an arrangement direction of the image forming units and provided with toner inlets to receive the waste toner from toner outlets of the cleaning units, communicating channel members identical in structure and respectively disposed between the toner outlets and the toner inlets of the common conveyance channel member, and a rotatable conveying member to transport the waste toner inside the common conveyance channel member linearly along a rotation axis thereof. The common conveyance channel member is shaped to equalize relative positions of each of the toner outlets and a corresponding one of the toner inlets of the common conveyance channel member among the multiple image forming units among which a distance from the toner outlet to the rotation axis differs. |
| US09158266B2 |
Waste toner conveying device and image forming apparatus using the same
A waste toner conveying device for conveying waste toner removed from an image carrier to a waste toner container includes a waste toner conveying path including at least a falling and conveying path for letting the waste toner fall under its own weight; a toner bridging prevention member configured to move in the falling and conveying path to prevent bridging of the waste toner; a drive source configured to drive the toner bridging prevention member; a drive transfer member configured to transfer a driving force from the drive source to the toner bridging prevention member; and a toner adhesion prevention member configured to prevent the waste toner from adhering to the drive transfer member. |
| US09158261B2 |
Image forming system
A toner image is formed on a sheet based on image data by an image forming portion, and a plurality of sheets on which the toner image is formed is bound together by a stapleless binding unit including a pair of tooth-like members, each having a concave and convex portion. Then, the image data is corrected by a correction portion so that a ratio of toner within a part of the sheet to be subjected to binding processing by the stapleless binding unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. |
| US09158256B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: rotators; a drive motor configured to drive the plurality of rotators and including a hall element configured to output a hall signal according to a change of a magnetic field; a counter configured to count the hall signal; an image forming unit forming a color image on a recording medium; and a controller configured to function as: an acquiring unit controlling the image forming unit to form a test pattern on the recording medium, and acquiring correction information based on the formed test pattern; a phase managing unit managing the phases of the rotators based on a count value of the counter from the formation start timing; and a correcting unit correcting the positional deviation based on the phases which are managed by the phase managing unit, and the correction information acquired by the acquiring unit. |
| US09158253B2 |
Image forming apparatus which determines ultra-fine particle generation
An image forming apparatus includes a generation tendency determining section to determine, before execution of a job, whether or not this job is a large-amount generation tendency job that is likely to generate a large amount of ultrafine particles. When the current job is determined to be the large-amount generation tendency job and a toner adhesion status value is equal to or higher than a first predetermined threshold representing an amount of toner adhering to a surface of a fixing member, cleaning of the fixing unit is performed before execution of the job. On the other hand, when the current job is determined to be a small-amount generation tendency job or the toner adhesion status value is less than the predetermined first threshold, the job is executed without cleaning the fixing unit. |
| US09158251B2 |
Film and image heating device using film
A cylindrical film used in an image heating device heating a recording material, on which an image has been formed, has a resin layer, this resin layer being made from a resin in which a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin having a higher glass transition temperature than the crystalline resin are blended, wherein a volume ratio of the crystalline resin with respect to the amorphous resin in the resin layer is 70/30 to 99/1. |
| US09158249B2 |
Fixing member having multiple elastic layers including heat conductive filler, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing member including a base; a first elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the base, the first elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler; a second elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler and a heat conductive sphere shaped filler; and a release layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the second elastic layer. An amount of the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is larger than an amount of the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer. |
| US09158248B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. A nip formation assembly presses against an opposed body via the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotary body and the opposed body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A movable heat shield movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable axial span of the fixing rotary body. A stationary heat shield, interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater, is disposed outboard from a lateral edge of a heat generator of the heater in an axial direction of the fixing rotary body. |
| US09158246B2 |
Image forming apparatus having multiple medium paths to a fixing unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a first medium at an image forming position, a fixing unit configured to fix the image formed on the first medium by heating the first medium at a first temperature, a conveying unit configured to convey the first medium to the fixing unit through a first path extending from the image forming position to the fixing unit and convey a second medium to the fixing unit through a second path that merges with the first path at a position between the image forming position and the fixing unit, and a control unit configured to control the fixing unit to be a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, when the control unit determines that the conveying unit is conveying the second medium to the fixing unit through the second path. |
| US09158242B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a transfer member to which a transfer voltage is applied to transfer the toner image on the image bearing member to a recording medium; a transfer voltage applying unit configured to apply the transfer voltage to the transfer member to make a value of a current flowing through the transfer member into a set current value; and a control unit configured to control the transfer voltage applying unit by changing stepwise the set current value according to a resistance of the transfer member, wherein the control unit sets a set current value smaller than a target current value when a target voltage value is larger than a preset threshold voltage value, the target current value being set according to the resistance of the transfer member, the target voltage value being applied to flow a current of the target current value. |
| US09158240B2 |
Image forming apparatus that prevents surface speed difference from being generated between photosensitive drum and intermediate transfer belt
An image forming apparatus capable of preventing image defects, such as color shift, from being caused, by preventing increased transfer pressure from being applied by a primary transfer section to thereby prevent a surface speed difference from being generated between the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt that rotates in contact with the photosensitive drum, respective brushless DC motors for driving the photosensitive drum for rotation and the intermediate transfer belt for rotation, and a controller for controlling the brushless DC motors. The controller performs control such that the brushless DC motor applies assist torque to the photosensitive drum, for offsetting load torque acting thereon, thereby enabling the photosensitive drum to be friction-driven by the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US09158238B2 |
Image forming apparatus using stretch member and contact member to maintain potential with current flowing from current supply member to intermediate transfer belt
A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations. |
| US09158236B2 |
Image forming apparatus having reduced manufacturing costs, and image forming unit and developing unit included therein
An image forming apparatus supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image on a circumferential surface of a photosensitive rotating member to develop the electrostatic latent image, and includes: a photosensitive unit including the photosensitive rotating member and a pair of support frames rotatably supporting the photosensitive rotating member at its axial ends; a developing unit including a developing sleeve that is longer in its rotational axis direction than an element tube of the photosensitive rotating member in its rotational axis direction, and a pair of bearings provided outward from axial ends of the element tube and rotatably holding the developing sleeve at its axial ends; and a forcing member relatively forcing the developing unit toward the photosensitive unit to bring the bearings into abutment with the respective support frames, such that a gap between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive rotating member is maintained at a predetermined value. |
| US09158234B2 |
Developing device for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus
In a developing device, a rotation shaft is provided with a developer feeding member, a cleaning member, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion is provided downstream of the developer feeding member and upstream of a light transmitting member, provided to a wall surface of a developer accommodating chamber of the developing device, with respect to a rotational direction of the rotation shaft when the cleaning member has passed through the light transmitting member. |
| US09158230B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same
This invention is to provide a developing device uniformly developing an image along an axis line of a developing roller and stably obtaining the image with a uniform concentration. The developing device comprises: a developer tank, the developing roller, and a cylindrical layer thickness-regulating member. The layer thickness-regulating member comprises a body part regulating a layer thickness of a developer retained on an outer periphery of the developing roller; a first supporting part having a diameter smaller than that of the body part and supporting the body part at one end of the body part; and a second supporting part having a diameter smaller than or the same as that of the body part and supporting the body part at the other end of the body part. The first supporting part is provided such that a central axis of the first supporting part is configured to be eccentric to a central axis of the body part at a predetermined eccentricity ratio; therefore, the body part tentatively supported by the first supporting part and the second supporting part is appropriately rotated and adjusted to obtain a predetermined gap before the layer thickness-regulating member is fixedly supported by the developer tank. |
| US09158224B2 |
Image forming apparatus generating horizontal synchronization signals and method of image forming
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to perform printing using a light source unit and a photosensitive medium, a registration unit to adjust an exposure time to correspond to a change in a power of a light source when the power of the light source changes, and a controller to control the image forming unit to perform printing according to the adjusted exposure time. |
| US09158214B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, intermediate transfer member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
There are provided an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an intermediate transfer member each having good lubricity and good cleaning property on its surface, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each including the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrophotographic apparatus including the intermediate transfer member. Therefore, a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member of the present invention contains a matrix component and a rotatably-retained spherical particle that is not bound with the matrix component and is rotatably retained in a pore in the matrix component. |
| US09158213B2 |
Charging member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
The present invention relates to a charging member. The charging member comprises an electro-conductive substrate and an electro-conductive surface layer, wherein the surface layer includes a binder resin, an electro-conductive particle dispersed in the binder resin, and a resin particle that roughens the surface of the surface layer; the surface layer has a plurality of protrusions each derived from the resin particle in the surface thereof; the resin particle that forms the protrusion has a pore inside thereof; has a porosity Vt of porosity is 2.5% by volume or less as a whole; and has a region whose porosity V11 is from 5% by volume to 20% by volume, wherein the region is farthest away from the electro-conductive substrate in the resin particle, and assuming that the resin particle is a solid particle having no pores, the region corresponds to a 11% by volume-occupying region of the solid particle. |
| US09158209B2 |
Method of overlay prediction
A method includes receiving a substrate having a material feature embedded in the substrate, wherein receiving the substrate includes receiving a first leveling data and a first overlay data generated when forming the material feature, deposing a resist film on the substrate, and exposing the resist film using a predicted overlay correction data to form a resist pattern overlying the material feature on the substrate, wherein using the predicted overlay correction data includes generating a second leveling data and calculating the predicted overlay correction data using the first leveling data, the first overlay data, and the second leveling data. |
| US09158208B2 |
Method of performing model-based scanner tuning
A model-based tuning method for tuning a first lithography system utilizing a reference lithography system, each of which has tunable parameters for controlling imaging performance. The method includes the steps of defining a test pattern and an imaging model; imaging the test pattern utilizing the reference lithography system and measuring the imaging results; imaging the test pattern utilizing the first lithography system and measuring the imaging results; calibrating the imaging model utilizing the imaging results corresponding to the reference lithography system, where the calibrated imaging model has a first set of parameter values; tuning the calibrated imaging model utilizing the imaging results corresponding to the first lithography system, where the tuned calibrated model has a second set of parameter values; and adjusting the parameters of the first lithography system based on a difference between the first set of parameter values and the second set of parameter values. |
| US09158206B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and contamination removal or prevention method
An immersion lithographic apparatus is cleaned by use of a cleaning liquid consisting essentially of ultra-pure water and (a) a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ozone, or (b) hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of up to 5%, or (c) ozone at a concentration of up to 50 ppm, or (d) oxygen at concentration of up to 10 ppm, or (e) any combination selected from (a)-(d). |
| US09158205B2 |
Optical arrangement for three-dimensionally patterning a material layer
The disclosure relates to an optical arrangement for three-dimensionally patterning a radiation-sensitive material layer, such as a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The optical arrangement includes a mask for forming a three-dimensional radiation pattern, a substrate with the radiation-sensitive material layer, and a projection optical unit for imaging the three-dimensional radiation pattern from the mask into the radiation-sensitive material layer. The optical arrangement is designed to compensate for spherical aberrations along the thickness direction of the radiation-sensitive material layer in order to generate a stigmatic image of the three-dimensional radiation pattern. |
| US09158201B2 |
Monomer for hardmask composition and hardmask composition including the monomer and method of forming patterns using the hardmask composition
A monomer for a hardmask composition is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, |
| US09158183B2 |
Stereoscopic image generating device and stereoscopic image generating method
A stereoscopic image generating device includes: a brightness calculation unit that, on an image that is photographed using a stereo adapter, obtains the brightness representative value of the first area where neither of two beams from the object is incident; a threshold value determining unit that obtains a threshold value based on the brightness representative value; and an object area extracting unit that extracts two sets of pixels having brightness value higher than the threshold value on the image, as a second area where one of the two beams is incident and a third area where the another of the two beams is incident, and produces a stereoscopic image by a pair of a first partial image that is cut out from the second area, and a second partial image that is cut out from the third area. |
| US09158182B1 |
Suspension arrangement, and a monitoring device having a suspension arrangement
An assisting suspension arrangement for suspending a monitoring device, comprising a hook member, a blocking member, and a resilient member is disclosed. The suspension arrangement is configured to adopt an open state and a closed state. The suspension arrangement is configured such that when the monitoring device is suspended by the suspension arrangement, the hook member is adapted to carry the weight of the monitoring device and thereby to move toward the open state; and such that when the load of the weight of the monitoring device is released from the hook member, the resilient member is adapted to move the hook member toward the closed state. A monitoring device comprising such a suspension arrangement is also disclosed. |
| US09158177B2 |
Optical systems
A supercontinuum optical source comprises a laser source apparatus comprising at least one laser, the laser source apparatus configured for providing first and second signals; a modulator apparatus downstream of at least one laser of the laser source apparatus for modulating at least one of the first and second signals, the modulator apparatus including at least one modulator; a combiner downstream of the modulator apparatus for combining the first and second signals; an amplifier downstream of the combiner for amplifying the first and second signals after combination; a nonlinear element downstream of the amplifier for receiving the first and second signals after amplification, the nonlinear optical element providing spectral broadening responsive to the first signal and wherein the second signal does not substantially contribute to spectral broadening; and an output for outputting spectrally broadened light from the optical supercontinuum source. |
| US09158175B2 |
Optical coupler
In some embodiments, an optical coupler comprises a substrate, and first and second optical waveguides positioned on the substrate. The second optical waveguide extends adjacent to and parallel with the first optical waveguide for at least one effective coupling length, the at least one length having a first end and a second end. The coupler further comprises a first phase shift section forming a portion of the first optical waveguide and located at a first predetermined distance from the first end of the length, and a second phase shift section forming a portion of the second optical waveguide and located at a second predetermined distance from the second end of the length, wherein the first predetermined distance is approximately equal to the second predetermined distance, and wherein the second optical waveguide does not have a phase shift section located at the first predetermined distance from the first end of the length. |
| US09158174B2 |
Electrophoretic particles and processes for the production thereof
In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles, the polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Desirably, the fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer comprises from 1 to 5 mole percent of the polymer. |
| US09158171B2 |
Pixel structure, display panel, and liquid crystal display
A pixel structure includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, the three sub-pixels are arranged in a row and are all divided into a first region and a second region. The first region of the first pixel is above the second region of the first pixel. The first region of the third pixel is above the second region of the first pixel. The first region of the second pixel is below the second region of the second pixel. The first regions of two adjacent sub-pixels are not adjacent such that two first regions do not form the two consecutive points and thus do not form a lightspot. Furthermore, in a low grey value display, the color-mixing effect is better because the first regions of sub-pixels are arranged in a triangle distribution. This also improves the color-mixing effect of RGB colors. |
| US09158166B2 |
Shorting strip structure of liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides a shorting strip structure of a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display panel. The shorting strip structure includes: an even-numbered gate line and an odd-numbered gate line that are arranged parallel, a plurality of even-numbered data lines and a plurality of odd-numbered data lines that are arranged parallel, and a shorting strip that is arranged parallel to the even-numbered gate line. The even-numbered data lines are perpendicularly connected to the even-numbered gate line. The odd-numbered data lines are perpendicularly connected to the odd-numbered gate line. The shorting strip is electrically connected to ends of the plurality of even-numbered data lines that are adjacent to the even-numbered gate line. The present invention is arranged to have the shorting strip connecting the ends of the even-numbered data lines that are adjacent to the even-numbered gate line to each other to effectively spread out electrical charges and to prevent an issue of circuit burn-out caused by an excessive current that is induced at the time when the electrical charges are eventually discharged due to accumulation, so as to effectively enhance the yield rate of the liquid crystal display panel. Further, the shorting strip and the even-numbered data lines are formed simultaneously so that the manufacture process is simple and the cost is low so as to be favorable for cost control. |
| US09158160B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention prevents the shaving of an alignment film caused by a columnar spacer in a liquid crystal display device of an IPS method using photo-alignment. A plinth higher than a pixel electrode is formed at a part where a columnar spacer formed over a counter substrate touches a TFT substrate. When an alignment film of a double-layered structure is applied over the pixel electrode and the plinth, the thickness of the alignment film over the plinth reduces by a leveling effect. When photo-alignment is applied in the state, a photodegraded upper alignment film over the plinth disappears and a lower alignment film having a high mechanical strength remains. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shaving of the alignment film. |
| US09158157B2 |
Liquid crystal display
An LCD includes a TAC film, a PVA film, a biaxial compensation film, an LC cell, a second TAC film, a second PVA film, and a third TAC film from the incident surface to the emitting surface. The biaxial compensation film is used for providing a first retardation value and a second retardation value by adjusting thickness and by adjusting a first refractive index, a second refractive index, and a third refractive index. The second TAC film is used for providing a third retardation value by adjusting thickness and by adjusting a fourth refractive index, a fifth refractive index, and a sixth refractive index corresponding to the light in the first direction, the light in the second direction, and the light in the third direction, respectively. Leakage of light is controlled according to the first retardation value, the second retardation value, and the third retardation value in the LCD. |
| US09158154B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module is disclosed, which includes an outer frame having a sidewall and a hole formed on the sidewall, an inner frame disposed inside of the outer frame, and an adhesive device. The inner frame includes a block wall and a support. The block wall has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a breakable section. The outer surface is in contact with the sidewall, and the breakable section is disposed corresponding to the hole. The adhesive device is disposed on the support. |
| US09158150B2 |
Backlight assembly and a display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes a first light source part including a plurality of light sources and extending in a first direction, a second light source part including a plurality of light sources, wherein the second light source part is spaced apart from and in parallel with the first light source part, and a driving part disposed between the first light source part and the second light source part. The driving part is connected to the first and second light source parts, and is configured to drive the light sources of the first and second light source parts. |
| US09158149B2 |
Film for backlight unit and backlight unit and liquid crystal display including same
A film for a backlight unit including a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite film including a semiconductor nanocrystal and a matrix polymer in which the semiconductor nanocrystal is dispersed, wherein the matrix polymer is a polymer produced by a polymerization of a multifunctional photo-curable oligomer, a mono-functional photo-curable monomer, and a multifunctional photo-curable cross-linking agent, the multifunctional photo-curable oligomer has an acid value of less than or equal to about 0.1 mg of KOH/g, and a content (A1) of a first structural unit derived from the multifunctional photo-curable oligomer, a content (A2) of a second structural unit derived from the mono-functional photo-curable monomer, and a content (A3) of a third structural unit derived from the multifunctional photo-curable cross-linking agent satisfy Equation 1: A1<(A2+A3). Equation 1 |
| US09158148B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display device
Embodiments of the invention provide a LCD panel and a display device, the LCD panel comprises an array substrate and a color filter substrate, the array substrate comprises a first transparent substrate, a data line and a pixel electrode disposed on an inner side of the first transparent substrate, the color filter substrate comprises a second transparent substrate, a color resin, a first black matrix and a common electrode overlaying the color resin and the first black matrix, wherein the first black matrix comprising a flat bottom layer and a protrusion formed on the flat bottom layer, the protrusion has slant surfaces near a boundary between the non-pixel region and the pixel region of the second transparent substrate. |
| US09158144B2 |
Polarizer capacitive touch screen
Touch screen structures may have a capacitive touch sensor made up of a polarizer film or analyzer. Disclosed herein is a method of producing a capacitive touch sensor using a roll-to-roll handling system comprising: printing, by a first flexoplate and a first ink, a first pattern on a first side of a polarizer film. A second pattern is printed by a second flexoplate and a second ink on the second side of the film. The film is cured and the first and the second pattern are plated and assembled. |
| US09158138B2 |
Ultra-responsive phase shifters for depletion mode silicon modulators
A novel phase shifter design for carrier depletion based silicon modulators, based on an experimentally validated model, is described. It is believed that the heretofore neglected effect of incomplete ionization will have a significant impact on ultra-responsive phase shifters. A low VπL product of 0.3 V·cm associated with a low propagation loss of 20 dB/cm is expected to be observed. The phase shifter is based on overlapping implantation steps, where the doses and energies are carefully chosen to utilize counter-doping to produce an S-shaped junction. This junction has a particularly attractive VπL figure of merit, while simultaneously achieving attractively low capacitance and optical loss. This improvement will enable significantly smaller Mach-Zehnder modulators to be constructed that nonetheless would have low drive voltages, with substantial decreases in insertion loss. The described fabrication process is of minimal complexity; in particular, no high-resolution lithographic step is required. |
| US09158135B1 |
Hinged ancillary displays
Ancillary or secondary displays usable with various electronic devices are described herein. In some implementations, the ancillary display may include a dual hinge to allow the ancillary display to act as a cover for a portion of an associated electronic device. In some implementations, the ancillary display may include a magnetic connector capable of providing a mechanical coupling with an electronic device. The magnetic connector may also provide a pathway for the transmission of data and/or power between the ancillary display and the electronic device. |
| US09158133B1 |
Contact lens employing optical signals for power and/or communication
Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least a portion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication device disposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on or within the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emitted from a device and generates power from the harvested light. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a tag having a circuit including: an optical communication device; and a photodetector that harvests light received and generates power from the harvested light. The tag can be disposed on or within a contact lens in various aspects. |
| US09158122B2 |
Light source module for stereoscopic display, imaging device for stereoscopic display and stereoscopic display system
A light source module for stereoscopic display includes multi-primary color lasers which output the light with the same polarization direction. Respective lasers are divided into two groups according to the wavelengths of the output light. A light combiner is provided in the output light path of each laser group and is used for combining the output light of all lasers in the group into one output light path. The light source module further includes a polarization conversion rotary member, and the polarization direction of the two output light is periodically and alternately rotated by 90 degree by self-rotation of the polarization conversion rotary member. An imaging device for stereoscopic display includes the light source module for stereoscopic display, the light combiner and a first optical imaging modulator and a second optical imaging modulator. A stereoscopic display system includes the imaging device for stereoscopic display and a projection lens sub-system. |
| US09158121B2 |
Display device and a driving method for the same
Disclosed are a display device and a driving method thereof in 2D/3D display field. The display device comprises: a display panel comprising a pixel electrode array, wherein each of the pixel electrode comprises at least one main pixel electrode portion (P1, P2) and at least one secondary pixel electrode portion (P1′, P2′), a gate line (GE1, GE2) is disposed between two adjacent rows of pixel electrodes, a gate line (GO1, GO2) is disposed between portions of each pixel electrode, a data line (DO) is disposed between two adjacent columns of pixel electrodes, and all portions of the pixel electrodes in the same column are connected to a same data line (DO); and a gate driving device (3-2) for inputting a gate shift pulse and a control signal to the display panel, so that for the display panel, in a 2D mode, all portions of the pixel electrodes are inputted with data signals, and in a 3D mode, a portion of each pixel electrode is inputted a data signal while another portion is not inputted with the data signal but used to form a black stripe. In the display device and the driving method for the same, black stripes are formed in the display panel so that the display device has larger viewing angle without affecting the visibility and luminance of the display device. |
| US09158116B1 |
Temple and ear horn assembly for headworn computer
Aspects of the present invention relate to temple and ear horn assemblies for head worn computers. |
| US09158103B2 |
Endoscope having adhesives with different bonding strengths
An endoscope includes: an objective optical section including a first barrel; an image pickup optical section including a solid image pickup device, an optical member forming an optical image through the objective optical section on an image pickup surface of the solid image pickup device, and a second barrel housing the optical member and the solid image pickup device, the second barrel fixed to the first barrel after positional adjustment in an axial direction relative to the first barrel; a holding member formed of material having a linear expansion coefficient lower than linear expansion coefficients of the first and second barrels, and fixed to outer surfaces of the first and second barrels; a first adhesive that bonds the first barrel and the second barrel; and a second adhesive having a bonding strength higher than that of the first adhesive, which bonds the holding member to the first and second barrels. |
| US09158102B2 |
Microscope objective lens including a first lens group with a positive refractive power, a second lens group, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power
A microscope objective lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group includes a positive lens component having a lens surface positioned nearest to the object side and having a negative refractive power. The second lens group includes a diffractive optical element that joins two diffractive element components respectively made from different optical materials and which has a diffractive optical surface on which diffractive grating grooves are formed on the bonded surface of the two diffractive element components. The third lens group includes at least one achromatic lens component having a negative refractive power, and a lens surface of the third lens group nearest to the image side is arranged so that a concave surface of the lens surface faces the image side. |
| US09158101B2 |
Device and method for distributing illumination light and detected light in a microscope
A device for distributing illumination light and detected light in a microscope includes a distributor optic configured to guide illumination light onto a sample and guide detected light proceeding from the sample onto a detector. The distributor optic includes a polarization unit disposed in a first light path and configured to convert the illumination light directed onto the sample into a first polarization state, a beam splitter disposed in the first light path and having the polarization dependence so as to guide the converted illumination light onto the sample, a first portion of the detected light back into the first light path, and a second portion of the detected light into a second light path separated from the first light path. A beam combiner is configured to combine the first portion and the second portion of the detected light and guide the first portion and second portion onto the detector. |
| US09158098B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and zoom lens used in image pickup apparatus
The 1st positive lens unit is located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The distance between the 1st negative lens unit and the 1st positive lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The distance between the image side lens unit group and the 1st negative lens unit varies during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The image side lens unit group comprises a 2nd positive lens unit and a 3rd positive lens unit. The distance between the 2nd positive lens unit and the 1st negative lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The distance between the 3rd positive lens unit and the 2nd positive lens unit varies during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. |
| US09158094B1 |
Imaging lens, and electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes first to sixth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant lens parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance. |
| US09158093B2 |
Imaging lens, and electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes first to sixth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant optical parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance. |
| US09158086B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens holding frame includes a plurality of conical protrusions. The plural conical protrusions include a pitch of greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm. |
| US09158084B2 |
Scanning lens systems and methods of reducing reaction forces therein
A scanning lens component includes a primary and transverse axis stages and motors. The primary axis motor includes a first coil moving along the primary axis in the first direction along with the primary axis stage and a first magnet configured to move in a second, opposite direction, in response to movement of the first coil a first distance that exceeds a threshold primary axis distance. The transverse axis stage is adjacent and coupled to the primary axis stage and moves along a transverse axis in a third direction. The transverse axis motor includes a second coil for moving along the transverse axis in the third direction with the transverse axis stage, and a second magnet configured to move in a fourth, opposite direction, in response to movement of the second coil along the transverse axis in the third direction a second distance that exceeds a threshold transverse axis distance. |
| US09158082B2 |
Photoelectric connector
A connector, which can protect a photoelectric conversion device from noise and has high durability includes a plug provided at one end of an optical fiber and a receptacle to which the plug is mounted from above. The plug includes a photoelectric conversion device composed of a semiconductor device that is not covered with a metal case and a metal member provided so as to cover an upper side of the photoelectric conversion device. The receptacle includes a metal housing to which the plug is fixed. The plug and the receptacle are fixed to each other only by engagement between the metal member and the metal housing. |
| US09158081B2 |
Semiconductor package with an optical signal path, memory card including the same, and electronic system including the same
A semiconductor package includes a substrate and an optical communication part. A first chip stack part and a second chip stack part are disposed over the substrate and are separate from each other, and the optical communication part is disposed in a cavity formed in the substrate to provide an optical signal path between the first and second chip stack parts. |
| US09158078B2 |
Laser module
The semiconductor laser module (1) includes: a laser mount (31) having thereon a semiconductor laser chip (32); a fiber mount (40) having thereon an optical fiber (2); a submount (20) on which the laser mount (31) and the fiber mount (40) are placed; and a substrate (10) on which the submount 20 is placed, the substrate (10) having protrusions (11a to 11d) on a top surface thereof, the submount 20 being joined to the substrate (10) with a soft solder (61) spread between the submount (20) and the substrate (10). |
| US09158072B2 |
Multicast optical switch
An optical switch configured to switch optical beams between one or more first ports and two or more second ports includes a wavelength independent beam splitter that simultaneously splits the optical beams from each of the first ports into a plurality of separate sub beams. A reflective wavelength independent switching unit selectively reflectively direct each the sub beam along respective predetermined trajectories such that predetermined sub beams are coupled between the first and second ports. The switching unit includes one independently switchable reflective element corresponding to each second port where each switchable reflective element is switchable between a plurality of preselected switching states and each switching state defines a trajectory of each of the sub beam. The beam splitter and the switching unit are configured to direct the sub beams along substantially free space trajectories unconfined to waveguides. |
| US09158071B2 |
Optical path-changing member
An optical path-changing member comprises a member main body which is made of a transparent material and in which a reflection section optically connecting the optical fiber to the light input and output end is formed, wherein the reflection section is a first lens having a concave shape when viewed from an incident direction and making light incident on the inside of the member main body from one of the optical fiber and the light input and output end be internally reflected in the member main body and directed to the other of the optical fiber and the light input and output end, a second lens having a convex shape toward the optical component is formed in a light incidence and emission surface of the member main body, that faces the optical component. |
| US09158069B2 |
Charge-discharge electro-optical microring modulator
An apparatus includes an optical ring resonator, first and second optical couplers, and control circuitry. The first optical coupler is configured to modulate an input optical signal traversing an optical waveguide, by tuning cross-coupling of energy between the optical waveguide and the ring resonator with a first variable coupling coefficient. The second optical coupler is configured to tune cross-coupling of energy between the ring resonator and an auxiliary optical signal, different from the input optical signal, with a second variable coupling coefficient. The control circuitry is configured to modulate the first coupling coefficient with a first control signal so as to modulate the input optical signal, and to modulate the second coupling coefficient with a second control signal, so as to retain a constant electrical-field complex envelope in the ring resonator. |
| US09158064B2 |
Method for producing bundle structure including a plurality of optical fibers, method for connecting optical fibers, bundle terminal structure comprising capillary and optical fibers, and fiber connection structure comprising bundle terminal structure comprising capillary and optical fibers
A multicore fiber has a plurality of cores formed at predetermined distances and surrounded by a cladding. A bundle structure includes optical fibers joined in a close-packed arrangement. Specifically, one optical fiber is arranged at a center, and six optical fibers are arranged around the optical fiber arranged at the center. Accordingly, cores of the optical fibers are arranged at equal distances. The optical fibers are bonded together with an adhesive. Accordingly, claddings of adjacent optical fibers are in contact with each other either directly or via the adhesive. The adhesive also fills spaces between the optical fibers. |
| US09158062B2 |
Illumination apparatus, image sensor unit, and image reading apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes: a rod-like light guide member that directs light emitted from a first light source and a second light source from an emission surface to an illuminated body while propagating the light by reflection surfaces; and a light blocking member including a second surrounding portion slidably covering another end of the light guide member, wherein the second surrounding portion includes: a light blocking portion protruding toward one end of the light guide member and covering the emission surface of the light guide member; and a cut-out portion adjacent to the light blocking portion and exposing the reflection surface of the light guide member. |
| US09158061B2 |
Light source module
A light source module including a light guide and a light source is provided. An end of the light guide has a light incident surface, and the other end of the light guide has at least three light-guiding branches. The light-guiding branches respectively extend along different extending directions and each light-guiding branch has a light emitting surface. The light source is adapted for providing a light beam, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through the light incident surface and the light beam exits the light guide from the light emitting surfaces. |
| US09158060B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and backlight module
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device and a backlight module incorporated in the liquid crystal display device. The backlight module includes a waveguide, an optical film, an elastic member, and an alignment pin. Wherein the elastic members support corners of the waveguide, and the optical film is disposed onto a surface of the waveguide facing away the elastic members. Wherein the alignment pin is arranged on a side of the elastic member facing the optical film which includes at least a positioning hole is defined, wherein the positioning hole envelopes onto the alignment pin and at least a portion of the alignment pin extending beyond the positioning hole. Wherein the aligning pin has an enlarged head portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the positioning hole. By this arrangement, the optical film can be prevented from getting loosened, and the quality of the backlight module can be ensured. |
| US09158058B2 |
Display device and television set
This display device includes a display device body, a display portion arranged on the front side of the display device body, a light source substrate, a light guide plate arranged on the rear side of the display portion to be opposed to the light source substrate mounted with the light source, having a light incident surface including a side surface receiving light emitted from the light source, a heat sink arranged on the rear side of the light guide plate, including a light source substrate fixing portion to which the light source substrate is attached and fixed by a double-faced adhesive tape, and a substrate pressing portion pressing the front end surface of the light source substrate attached to the light source substrate fixing portion in a direction toward the bottom surface of the heat sink in a surface contact state. |
| US09158056B2 |
Light spreading illumination apparatus having a light guide with inclined portion having at least one pedestal and a light blocking member disposed thereon
A spread illuminating apparatus includes a plurality of point light sources; a printed circuit board on which the plurality of point light sources is each mounted; and a light guide plate with a light input surface facing the point light source and a light output portion that exits plane light emitted from the point light source and introduced through the light input surface, wherein the light guide plate includes an inclination portion between the light input surface and the light output portion, the inclination portion having a thickness gradually decreasing toward the light output portion side, an inclined surface of the inclination portion includes a pedestal for disposing the printed circuit board in an area except the front of the point light source, and a light-blocking member is disposed between the neighboring pedestals. |
| US09158054B2 |
Acousto-ultrasonic sensor
In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a sensor. The sensor includes an encapsulated fiber optic sensor and a ring shaped structure. The encapsulated fiber optic sensor passes through the ring shaped structure. The ring shaped structure is configured to resonate at a predetermined frequency. |
| US09158048B2 |
Diimmonium-based component and near infrared absorption filter using same
Disclosed are a novel diimmonium-based compound that has low light absorption in visible light region and has superior light absorption efficiency in near infrared region, and has superior durability and weatherability, and a near infrared absorption filter using the same. The diimmonium-based compound is represented by the formula 1 of claim 1. |
| US09158045B1 |
Stabilization of a heliostat output mirror using an inertial reference beam
A heliostat including a mirror configured to reflect light directed towards a first surface of the mirror, the light being external to the heliostat, the first surface being opposite a second surface of the mirror. A control mechanism is connected to the mirror and configured to change at least two angles of the mirror. An inertial reference unit is in communication with the control mechanism and configured to produce a beam and use the beam to optically sample the second surface of the mirror, the beam at least reflecting from the second surface. The control mechanism is configured to use data from the beam and the inertial reference unit to control the least two angles such that a virtual beam from the inertial reference unit remains about co-aligned with a line of sight vector of the mirror when the heliostat is subjected to an exogenous disturbance. |
| US09158043B2 |
Space-variant polarization manipulation of thermal emission
A method for space-variant manipulating of thermal emission from a surface of a material that supports surface waves includes providing a grating with a spatially varying grating parameter on the surface of the material. |
| US09158041B2 |
Optical sheet, surface light source device, and transmission display device
An optical sheet is incorporated in a direct type surface light source device including a light source and is configured to allow light emitted from the light source to exit after changing a travel direction of the light. The optical sheet has a light exiting side lens part including unit lenses juxtaposed to one another and each unit lens is convex toward a light exiting side. A light scattering layer, configured to scatter the light, is provided to each unit lens. The light scattering layer extends along a light exiting side surface of each convex unit lens and constitutes the light exiting side surface of the unit lens. A thickness of the light scattering layer around an apex portion of each unit lens is greater than the thickness of the light scattering layer around each end portion of the unit lens. |
| US09158040B2 |
Anti-reflection article
To provide an anti-reflection article which can be manufactured by using an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate having improved abrasion resistance compared to the related art and has a sufficient anti-reflection property. An anti-reflection article is formed as an anti-reflection article in which minute concave portions are densely arranged and the gap between the adjacent minute concave portions is the shortest wavelength of a wavelength band or less of an electromagnetic wave for anti-reflection. In the anti-reflection article, at least some of the minute concave portions are a minute concave portion with multiple lowermost points in the minute concave portion. |
| US09158038B2 |
Antireflection film, display device and light transmissive member
An antireflection film is provided in which a light scattering property is suppressed. The antireflection film includes, on a surface thereof, a moth-eye structure including a plurality of convex portions such that a width between vertices of adjacent convex portions is no greater than a wavelength of visible light. |
| US09158035B2 |
System and method of automated acquisition, correlation and display of power distribution grid operational parameters and weather events
Significant changes in monitored and reported operational parameters and/or power outage events occurring in a utility's electrical power transmission/distribution grid are correlated with historical, current and/or forecast weather events based on potential root cause, geographic and temporal constraints. Operational event and outage information is collected and time-stamped using a communication network of devices and sources that monitor and report, among other things, equipment parameters, electric power availability and outages. A computer-implemented root cause analysis engine (RCA) operatively associated with a computer-implemented weather data correlation engine sorts and analyzes operational parameter/event information and identifies probable correlations to localized weather phenomenon. Operational parameters/events are then displayed using a graphic display device in a manner that enables user controllable and configurable viewing of a time-lapse evolution of weather phenomenon overlayed with graphics representing both weather-related and other relevant operational parameters/events depicted in relation to the utility's physical infrastructure. |
| US09158030B2 |
X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
The present invention provides for an improved scanning process with a stationary X-ray source arranged to generate X-rays from a plurality of X-ray source positions around a scanning region, a first set of detectors arranged to detect X-rays transmitted through the scanning region, and at least one processor arranged to process outputs from the first set of detectors to generate tomographic image data. The X-ray screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray diffraction based screening, X-ray back-scatter based screening, or Trace Detection based screening. |
| US09158025B2 |
Pad device for resistivity imaging in the wells with oil based drilling fluid
An apparatus and method for reducing coupling between at least one measure electrode and at least one return electrode in a logging tool in a borehole with non-conductive drilling fluid using a conductive shield disposed between the at least one measure electrode and the at least one return electrode. The apparatus may be configured to impart an electrical current into a formation and to receive a return current from the formation. The method may include using the apparatus. |
| US09158020B2 |
Method of locating a receiver in a well
A microseismic method of determining the position of a downhole receiver (4) making use of received signals from events (21, 22) at least two known locations using the equivalent of a Thales circle construction from two or more pairs of events. |
| US09158019B2 |
Enhancing low frequency content in marine simultaneous vibroseis acquisition
A technique is designed for conducting a seismic survey. The technique utilizes a plurality of vibrator arrays employed to conduct a seismic survey utilizing low frequency and high frequency vibrators in each vibrator array. The plurality of vibrator arrays continuously sweeps low frequency signals via low frequency vibrators. While sweeping low frequency signals, high-frequency vibrators emit high-frequency signals in an alternating pattern between vibrator arrays to enhance the seismic survey. |
| US09158014B2 |
Acoustic source apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to rotate a rotatable driving member having at least one driving lobe, and to periodically contact at least one cam on a unitary driven member with the at least one driving lobe during rotation of the rotatable driving member, to set the driven member in motion. This motion can be used to launch an acoustic wave along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the driving member, where the driving member disposed completely within the driven member. The signature of the acoustic wave can be at least partially determined by the profile of the cam and the rotation rate of the driving member. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09158007B2 |
Scintillation detector
A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators. According to the invention, at least one of the coupling elements is a mechanically flexible element, which includes a bundle of light conducting fibers, via which transmission of the light between the two scintillators connected with one another via the fibers occurs. |
| US09158006B2 |
Composition for reflective film, reflective film, and X-ray detector
Provided is a composition for reflective film comprising a polyvinyl acetal resin, an epoxidized vegetable oil, a solvent, a coupling agent and titanium oxide. |
| US09158005B2 |
X-ray detector
An X-ray detector is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, the X-ray detector includes at least two adjacently arranged detector elements, to each of which a high voltage is applied in order to detect incident X-rays. In this case, two adjacent detector elements are coupled to one another by way of a protection circuit, designed to limit a voltage difference between the two adjacent detector elements to a voltage value which is non-critical with regard to the formation of a flashover between the two detector elements. |
| US09158004B2 |
Radiation detection device, radiographic image capture device, radiation detection method and program storage medium
A radiation detection device includes a radiation detection sensor, a first integration section, a second integration section and a determination section. The first integration section obtains a first integration value by integrating values expressed by signals output from the sensor over a predetermined period of time. The second integration section obtains a second integration value by integrating amounts of change per specific time duration in values expressed by the signals output from the sensor over the predetermined period of time. The determination section determines whether or not radiation has been detected by the sensor based on a ratio of the first integration value to the second integration value. |
| US09158003B2 |
Multi-energy radiation detectors and methods of manufacturing the same
A multi-energy radiation detector may include an array substrate including a plurality of unit circuits, and/or a photoelectric conversion layer on the array substrate. The photoelectric conversion layer may include a plurality of regions having thicknesses different from each other. A method of manufacturing a multi-energy radiation detector may include forming gate and first electrodes by forming and patterning a first metal layer on a substrate; forming an insulating layer on the gate and first electrodes; forming a channel layer by forming and patterning a semiconductor layer on the insulating layer; forming source, drain, and second electrodes by forming and patterning a second metal layer on the channel layer; forming a passivation layer to cover the source, drain, and second electrodes; forming a first photoelectric conversion layer on the passivation layer; and/or forming a second photoelectric conversion layer on part of the first photoelectric conversion layer. |
| US09157993B2 |
Detecting an underground object
In a method of detecting an underground object which is at least partially under a surface of ground, a first view of the object determined by transmitting a first radar signal from a first known geolocation. A second view of the object is determined by transmitting a second radar signal from a second known geolocation. The respective first and second trajectories of the first and second radar signals are oblique with respect to the surface of the ground and the respective first and second trajectories are at a first angle with respect to each other. A position of the object is estimated by maximizing a correlation between the first view and the second view by adjusting an estimated dielectric constant associated with medium between the object and the surface of the ground. |
| US09157990B2 |
Ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit equipped with: a semiconductor circuit element which comprises at least three terminals including a first terminal connected to a plurality of transducer elements that constitute an ultrasonic probe, a second terminal connected to a transmission signal generating circuit, and a third terminal serving as an output terminal of an amplifier of a reception signal from the transducer element, and which has a function of amplifying a signal inputted from one terminal by the other terminal and outputting the amplified signal between at least two terminals among the above-said three terminals; and a control unit which performs control so as to cause the semiconductor circuit element to perform a first function of functioning as a switch for inputting a transmission signal to the transducer element and a second function of amplifying the reception signal received from the transducer element. |
| US09157987B2 |
Absolute distance meter based on an undersampling method
A measurement system includes a signal generator producing an RF modulation frequency and sampling frequency and sending the sampling frequency to an ADC, and sending the RF frequency to modulate a first light source to produce a first light; an optical system sending a portion of the first light to a reference optical detector a portion of the first light out a measurement device to a target that returns a second light to the optical system which sends the second light to a measure optical detector, the reference and measure optical detectors converting the optical signals into corresponding electrical signals; a first ADC channel receiving the electrical measure signal and producing digital measure values; a second ADC channel receiving the electrical reference signal and producing digital reference values; and a processor receiving the digital measure and reference values and calculating the device to target distance. |
| US09157986B2 |
Radome for a radar sensor in a motor vehicle, and corresponding radar sensor
A radome for a radar sensor in a motor vehicle. The radome includes a first region, which is permeable to at least one specific type of electromagnetic waves, in particular radar waves, and a second region, which includes a shield, so that the second region is impermeable to the specific type of electromagnetic waves. Also, a radar sensor is described. |
| US09157981B2 |
Orientation
An apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The apparatus comprises: determination circuitry configured to determine a first bearing from a first location to a radio transmitter at a second location, using at least one radio signal received from the radio transmitter; and orientation circuitry configured to control orientation of an electronic map, to align the first bearing with a second bearing of the electronic map, from the first location to the radio transmitter. |
| US09157980B2 |
Measuring metal line spacing in semiconductor devices
A test layout structure including a first series of parallel metal lines in a first level, and a first series of contact structures in a second level, the second level being positioned above the first level, the first series of contact structures being positioned at known increments, where the increments are in a direction perpendicular to a length of the first series of parallel metal lines, and where one or more of the first series of contact structures is in electrical contact with one or more of the first series of parallel metal lines. |
| US09157976B2 |
CEST MRI methods for imaging glutaminolysis in cancer
CEST imaging technique and MR scanning are used as an MRI method for measuring glutaminase mediated tumors. The method takes advantage of the fact that glutamine does not exhibit a significant Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) effect while glutamate does. In accordance with this method, one first obtains a glutamate CEST MRI map of the area of a tumor. L-glutamine (nontoxic up to several millimolar level) or glutaminase blocker is then injected and a post injection Glutamate CEST map is obtained. The difference in the spatial maps indicates the level of expression of glutaminase in the tumor. |
| US09157972B2 |
Failsafe protection from induced RF current for MRI RF coil assembly having transmit functionality
An electrically-controlled failsafe switch is included in an MRI transmit-and-receive RF coil assembly so as to protect it from induced RF currents in the event it is disconnected from an MRI system, but inadvertently left linked to strong MRI RF fields during imaging procedures using other RF coils. |
| US09157968B1 |
System and method for characterizing the health of a rechargeable battery
A method for characterizing the health of a rechargeable battery includes measuring initial condition parameters of a rechargeable battery prior to the battery being placed into service. A baseline normalization of the initial condition parameters is performed using a standardized relationship data set for a norm battery to generate baseline normalization coefficients to normalize the initial condition parameters to the norm battery. Run-time condition parameters of the battery are measured after the battery is in service as part of a continuous built in test system. The run-time condition parameters are normalized using the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery and the baseline normalization coefficients to generate normalized run-time condition parameters for the battery. The normalized run-time condition parameters are then compared to the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery to calculate a state-of-charge and state-of-health for the battery as the run-time condition. |
| US09157967B2 |
System and method for assessing voltage threshold detecting circuitry within a battery pack
Systems and methods for assessing voltage threshold detection circuitry of individual battery cells within a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a plurality of battery cells within a battery pack, a plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits detecting voltage of the plurality of battery cells, a voltage of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells coupled to a first voltage threshold detecting circuit of the plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits, and a network that selectively couples a second battery cell to the first voltage detecting circuit while the first battery cell is coupled to the first voltage detecting circuit. |
| US09157963B2 |
Method and system for calibrating battery pack voltage based on common-mode calibration parameter and differential-mode calibration parameter
Method, system, and programs for calibrating battery pack voltage are disclosed. A negative terminal voltage of a cell is changed from a first to a second negative terminal voltage so that a cell voltage is changed from a first to a second output voltage. A positive terminal voltage of the cell is maintained at a substantially constant level. A differential-mode calibration parameter is calculated based on a difference between the first and second output voltages and a difference between the first and second negative terminal voltages. The negative terminal voltage of the cell is then changed from the first to second negative terminal voltage so that the positive terminal voltage of the cell is changed from a first to a second positive terminal voltage and the output voltage is changed from a third to a fourth output voltage. The cell voltage is maintained at a substantially constant value. A common-mode calibration parameter is calculated based on the differential-mode calibration parameter and a difference between the third and fourth output voltages and a difference between the first and second positive terminal voltages. |
| US09157960B2 |
Through-substrate via (TSV) testing
Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods for testing and repairing through-substrate vias in a stack of interconnected dice. In various embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes a number of through-substrate vias to couple to one or more devices, at least one redundant through-substrate via to allow a repair of the apparatus, and a pair of pull-up devices coupled to the through-substrate vias and the redundant through-substrate via to provide a high-data value to the first end of the respective through-substrate vias. A test register is coupled the second end of each of the through-substrate vias and the redundant through-substrate via to store a received version of the high-data value. A comparator compares the high-data value with the received version of the high-data value to test the through-substrate vias for short-circuit connections. |
| US09157959B2 |
Semiconductor device
The disclosed invention provides a semiconductor device that enables early discovery of a sign of aged deterioration that occurs locally. An LSI has a plurality of modules and a delay monitor cluster including a plurality of delay monitors. Each delay monitor includes a ring oscillator having a plurality of gate elements. Each delay monitor measures a delay time of the gate elements. A CPU #0 determines if a module proximate to a delay monitor suffers from aged deterioration, based on the delay time measured by the delay monitor. |
| US09157952B2 |
Switch matrix system and method
A switch system having a plurality of switch inputs, a plurality of switch outputs, a switch matrix comprising a plurality of N×N switching elements to selectively couple one or more of the plurality of switch inputs to one or more of the plurality of switch outputs during use to provide one or more paths for routing signals from one or more of the switch inputs to one or more of the switch outputs during use. |
| US09157950B2 |
Loop parameter sensor using repetitive phase errors
A method and system are disclosed for measuring a specified parameter in a phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer (PLL). In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing multiple phase errors in the PLL, measuring a specified aspect of the introduced phase errors, and determining a value for the specified parameter using the measured aspects of the introduced phase errors. In one embodiment, the phase errors are introduced repetitively in the PLL, and these phase errors produce a modified phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal in the PPL. In one embodiment, crossover times, when this modified phase difference crosses over a preset value, are determined, and these crossover times are used to determine the value for the specified parameter. In an embodiment, the parameter is calculated as a mathematical function of the crossover times. The parameter may be, for example, the bandwidth of the PLL. |
| US09157949B2 |
Accelerating the aging of multiple lasers
A method of accelerating the aging of a laser to thereby determine the reliability of the laser. The method includes an act of providing a laser die for reliability testing, an act of applying a plurality of short signal pulses to the laser die so as to simulate the aging of the laser die, and an act of ascertaining the reliability of the laser die based on its response to the plurality of short signal pulses. |
| US09157948B2 |
Semiconductor device and fault diagnosis system
Provided is a semiconductor device capable of performing fault detection on a circuit executing an AD conversion operation during the AD conversion operation. The semiconductor device includes an analog to digital conversion unit that converts a second analog signal into a first digital signal, in which the second analog signal is obtained by adding a first analog signal and an offset signal with a signal band different from the first analog signal, a signal extraction unit that extracts from the first digital signal a second digital signal corresponding to the signal band of the offset signal, and a fault detection unit that detects a fault in the analog to digital conversion unit based on the second digital signal and a setting value that is set upon generating the offset signal. |
| US09157947B2 |
Communication apparatus and associated estimation method
A communication apparatus and an associated estimation method are provided. The communication apparatus is electrically connected to a loading terminal and operates at a common bias voltage. The communication apparatus includes a transmitter, a connector, and a receiver. The connector includes a bridging circuit and a measurement circuit. The bridging circuit has a positive measurement end and a negative measurement end. The transmitter transmits an analog output signal. The receiver receives a common bias voltage during an estimation process. During the estimation process, the measurement circuit estimates a positive loading resistance and a negative loading resistance corresponding to the loading terminal according to a voltage difference between the common bias voltage and voltage at one of the positive measurement end and the negative measurement end. |
| US09157944B2 |
Method and a device for impressing a measuring-signal voltage on a power supply network
A method and device for impressing a measuring-signal voltage (U) on a power supply network in which a generator signal (Usig) is alternately sampled by two sample-and-hold elements (20, S1, S3), the sampled values are alternately allocated to a first pulse sequence (P1) and a second pulse sequence (P2), the pulse sequences (P1, P2) are separately inductively transmitted and the secondary-side measuring-signal voltage (U) is formed by adding the induced partial voltages (U1, U2) together. |
| US09157941B2 |
Electric power information display receptacle module
A detachable electric power information display receptacle module includes an outlet apparatus and an electric power information display apparatus. The outlet apparatus is detachably connected to the electric power information display apparatus and has a power output interface and a power input interface. When an electrical device is connected to the outlet apparatus, the outlet apparatus detects the power consumption of the electrical device. The electric power information display apparatus receives the power consumption from a signal transmission line and displays electric power information. When the electric power information display apparatus is combined with the outlet apparatus, the detachable electric power information display receptacle module is performed as a portable electronic meter. When the electric power information display apparatus is separated from the outlet apparatus, the electric power information display apparatus may be placed in a proper position for user to review the electric power information conveniently. |
| US09157940B2 |
Power measurement device
A power measurement device for sampling current or voltage signals of a power system to produce a 1-bit delta-sigma bitstream. The power measurement device includes a frequency locked loop for determining the power system frequency directly from the 1-bit delta-sigma bitstream. The frequency locked loop includes a 1-bit rotate CORDIC that is configured to produce difference signals having a multi-bit word for each bit of the 1-bit delta-sigma bitstream, and a phase error calculator that determines the difference between the phase of the power system frequency and a phase ramp generated from a frequency measurement value in a frequency register. The phase error calculator feeds back a phase correction signal to the frequency register to lock the frequency measurement value to the power system frequency. |
| US09157937B2 |
Capacitance to digital converter and method
An integrator circuit includes a switched capacitor bridge including first and second inputs and first and second outputs. The switched capacitor bridge is configured to sample first and second reference voltages twice per unit time interval. The integrator circuit further includes an integrator coupled to the first and second outputs and configured to integrate charge dumped into the first and second outputs twice per unit time interval. |
| US09157928B2 |
Microelectronic device testing apparatus and method
A microelectronic device tester has a mounting member (for mounting a device), a drive shaft connected to the mounting member, and a vibration shaft mechanically in communication with the drive shaft. The drive shaft and vibration shaft are non-coaxial, and the drive shaft has a drive shaft proximal end and a drive shaft distal end. The drive shaft proximal end is connected to the mounting member, and the drive shaft distal end terminates proximal of the entire vibration shaft. |
| US09157927B2 |
Physical quantity sensor and electronic apparatus
A physical quantity sensor includes a first rocking body and a second rocking body. Each of the rocking bodies is supported on a substrate by a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion. The first rocking body is partitioned into a first region and a second region by a first axis (supporting axis) when viewed in plane, and the second rocking body is partitioned into a third region and a fourth region by a second axis (supporting axis) when viewed in plane. The mass of the second region is larger than the mass of the first region, and the mass of the third region is larger than the mass of the fourth region. An arranged direction of the first region and the second region is the same as an arranged direction of the third region and the fourth region. |
| US09157926B2 |
Angular velocity sensor
Disclosed herein is an angular velocity sensor including: first and second mass bodies; a first frame provided at an outer side of the first and second mass bodies; a first flexible part respectively connecting the first and second mass bodies to the first frame; a second flexible part respectively connecting the first and second mass bodies to the first frame; a second frame provided at an outer side of the first frame; a third flexible part connecting the first and second frames to each other; and a fourth flexible part connecting the first and second frames to each other. |
| US09157925B2 |
Specimen transporter, specimen testing system and specimen transporting method
A specimen transporter for transporting a specimen plate to a specimen imaging apparatus, where one side of the smearing pate is a smearing surface. The specimen transporter including a specimen transport section that transports the specimen plate to the specimen imaging apparatus. A posture changing section receives the specimen plate from the specimen imaging apparatus with the smearing surface facing upward, and changes the posture of the specimen plate so that one end side in a longitudinal direction of the received specimen plate is positioned above the other end side. A specimen inserting section inserts the specimen plate, having the changed posture, into a plate storage rack. |
| US09157924B2 |
Analyzing apparatus
A specimen analyzing apparatus for measuring a specimen by using a reagent which has a dispensing mechanism which includes a dispensing tube for suctioning and discharging liquid; a reagent container holder from which a reagent container is removable when the reagent container is in a container removal area; a receiving section for receiving a replacement command for a replacement of the reagent; and a controller for controlling the dispensing mechanism so as to retreat the dispensing tube from the container removal area when the replacement command has been received by the receiving section. Also, a control method for a specimen analyzing apparatus. |
| US09157920B2 |
Method for determining biologically active HGF
The present invention relates to a for determining the presence, absence or amount of biologically active or inactive HGF in a sample, comprising the steps: bringing the sample in contact with a gel comprising a HGF binding component of the extracellular matrix or cell membrane, adding toluidine blue to the gel, correlating the color of the gel and/or a liquid in contact with the gel with the presence, absence or amount of biologically active HGF in the sample. It also relates to a kit of parts comprising toluidine blue and a gel comprising at least one HGF-binding component of the extracellular matrix or cell membrane, such as a proteoaminoglycan or a glucosaminoglycan, and optionally buffers, vials and sampling instruments and to a gel comprising at least one HGF-binding component of the extracellular matrix or cell membrane, such as a proteoaminoglycan or a glucosaminoglycan, toluidine blue and HGF. |
| US09157917B2 |
Applications of Indoloindole and Indoloquinoline dyes
A novel type of dye systems comprises a selection of 10H-indolo[1,2-a]indole compounds (henceforth abbreviated as IO compounds) and (5H,7H)-indolo[1,2-a]quinoline compounds (henceforth abbreviated as IQ compounds) showing a solvatochromic effect and exhibiting strong fluorescence in a variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, oils, various solvents, emulsions. Also disclosed are various methods how the IO/IQ compounds can be administered, especially how they can be produced and administered in situ from a precursor, responding to external stimuli such as enzyme activity, temperature and so forth. The response of a precursor to external stimuli can also be used to determine the presence or absence of such stimuli. |
| US09157916B2 |
Measuring circulating therapeutic antibody, antigen and antigen/antibody complexes using ELISA assays
The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease. |
| US09157915B2 |
Devices and methods for detecting human metapneumovirus
The present invention discloses specific human metapneumovirus monoclonal antibodies. The antibody is at least two-fold less reactive with non-human metapneumoviruses including, but not limited to, respiratory viruses or avian metapneumoviruses. Further, the antibody is at least two-fold more reactive with a human metapneumovirus (i.e., for example, Type A or Type B) than with non-human metapneumoviruses including, but not limited to, respiratory viruses or avian metapneumoviruses. Consequently, these novel antibodies are useful as a clinical diagnostic agent, especially when using fresh nasopharengeal aspirates. The invention also contemplates numerous diagnostic platforms that together with the novel antibodies can support economical, fast, and highly selective detection and identification of clinical inoculum samples. |
| US09157912B2 |
Method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of granulocyte-related inflammatory states
A method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states, and the use of at least one soluble receptor-binding (RBD), for the identification and quantification of the expression of membrane receptors present on the surface of target granulocytes, said identification and quantification taking place at a given time or during a given time interval, and allowing the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states in a mammal. |
| US09157910B2 |
Assay with increased dynamic range
Provided herein are assays and kits useful for avoiding “prozone phenomenon” or “hook effect” and which expand the range of accurately measurable analyte concentrations. |
| US09157907B2 |
Panels of immortalized mammalian cells and their use
Panels of mammalian cell samples, kits and methods of use thereof. The panels comprise samples or sets of samples of immortalized primary cells, obtained from different tissues and organs of healthy and/or diseased donors. The cell panels are useful in assays for testing effects of drug candidates, e.g. for activity and toxicity. |
| US09157906B2 |
Phosphodiesterase activity and regulation of phosphodiesterase 1B-mediated signaling in brain
The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the activity of phosphodiesterase 1B (PDE1B) in intracellular signaling pathways, including but not limited to, dopamine D1 intracellular signaling pathways. The invention also provides methods and compositions for modulating the activities of intracellular signaling molecules, including, but not limited to, DARPP-32 and GluR1 AMPA receptor, via modulation of PDE1B. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of screening for compounds that modulate PDE1B activity. The invention also provides methods of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of a disorder, including but not limited to a PDE1B-related disorder or a dopamine D1 receptor intracellular signaling pathway disorder, by administering a modulator of PDE1B, preferably, but not limited to, an inhibitor of PDE1B or an agent that decreases the production of PDE1B. |
| US09157904B2 |
Wnt antagonists and methods of treatment and screening
The present invention relates to compositions comprising Wnt antagonists and methods of treating Wnt-associated diseases and disorders, such as cancer, inducing differentiation, and reducing the frequency of cancer stem cells, as well as novel methods of screening for such Wnt antagonists. In particular, the invention discloses soluble FZD, SFRP and Ror receptors and their use. |
| US09157897B2 |
High voltage ultrasound transmitter with gate protection diodes and intrinsic output zeroing
An ultrasound transmitter including intrinsic output zeroing is disclosed herein. A transmitter for generating ultrasound signals includes a first transmitter output driver and a first transmitter input driver. The first transmitter output driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. The first transmitter input driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. An output of the first transmitter input driver is coupled to an input of the first transmitter output driver. The first transmitter output driver drives an output of the transmitter to a first voltage and the first transmitter input driver drives the output of the transmitter to a second voltage while the first transmitter output driver is disabled. |
| US09157894B2 |
Automated ultrasonic elasticity image formation with quality measure
Image data and E-mode images used in ultrasonic elasticity imaging may be automatically evaluated for quality to provide a single value used as operator feedback or for automatic selection of images for averaging or animation. |
| US09157893B2 |
Device for the nondestructive test of a part
A device for testing to detect defects at a surface or at shallow depth in a part, for example a blade root for an airplane engine fan. The device includes a probe including a sensor, the probe being hinge-mounted to the end of a handle, a guide presenting a reference surface, and a mechanism adjusting the position of the guide parallel to an axis of the handle. |
| US09157886B2 |
Flexible amine sensor based on ultrathin poly-thiophene thin film transistor
The design and fabrication of ultrathin poly-3-hexyl thiophene (P3HT) film based amine sensors are described herein. Ultrathin P3HT monolayer films can be built on a patterned flexible n-octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)/Al2O3/PET substrate, forming a flexible polymer thin film transistor according to a solution process. The mechanism of the sensor is based on the interaction of amine molecules with the surface of the P3HT monolayer. The interaction of amine molecules with the surface of the P3HT monolayer can affect the current density of the PTFT, and the change in current density can indicate the presence of amine molecules in the surroundings. The amine sensors described herein can easily detect amine molecules in a parts per billion (ppb) range. The amine sensors can be utilized, for example, as disposable sensors within food packaging to ensure the safety of the packaged food. |
| US09157879B2 |
Thermally activated magnetic and resistive aging
Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for monitoring aging of an item. A solid-state structure is located within, adjacent to, or otherwise proximate the item, the solid-state structure including nanostructures. The electrical resistance and/or magnetization of the solid-state structure is determined to determine the degree of aging of the item. In representative examples, the solid-state structure includes nanostructures of a metal, such as a ferromagnetic metal, within a non-magnetic matrix, such as a semimetal, semiconductor, or insulator. |
| US09157877B2 |
Method for characterizing an ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer
A process for characterizing a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA) using a differential calorimetry analysis technique. This process is determining one or more values of characteristic(s) of a sample of EVA copolymer, one of which is a level of crosslinking of the sample. The process makes it possible to determine not only the degree of crosslinking, but also the vinyl acetate content and the molecular mass of an EVA sample, in a simple, rapid, easy and precise manner. |
| US09157876B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterizing objects and monitoring manufacturing processes
A method of characterizing an object includes determining a depth-wise composition of the object at a measurement site within the object. A property of the object within a region adjacent to the measurement site can, optionally, be estimated based on the determining. Another method of characterizing an object includes disposing at least a portion of an object within a measurement region of a metrology tool, aligning a feature of the object and a location of a designated measurement site within the measurement region relative to each other, and performing a performing a compositional analysis of a portion of the object occupying the measurement site. Various apparatus for performing these methods are also disclosed, as are methods of monitoring manufacturing processes based on these methods. |
| US09157875B2 |
Drug development and manufacturing
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has been used for detecting binding events and measuring binding selectivities between chemicals and receptors. XRF may also be used for estimating the therapeutic index of a chemical, for estimating the binding selectivity of a chemical versus chemical analogs, for measuring post-translational modifications of proteins, and for drug manufacturing. |
| US09157874B2 |
System and method for automated x-ray inspection
An automated X-ray inspection system employing phase shift profilometry (PSP) and three dimensional (3D) surface modeling for improving inspection of an object, includes at least one projector for projecting light to the object, at least one optical lens for imaging a light pattern obtained from the object to at least one camera, the at least one camera being adapted to capture a plurality of images of the object. The light passing from the projector lens of the at least one projector illuminates the object thereby generating the light pattern to be imaged from the object to the at least one camera via the at least one optical lens. |
| US09157873B2 |
Method and apparatus for assessing the threat status of luggage
A method and apparatus for assessing a threat status of a piece of luggage. The method comprises the steps of scanning the piece of luggage with penetrating radiation to generate image data and processing the image data with a computing device to identify one or more objects represented by the image data. The method also includes further processing the image data to compensate the image data for interaction between the object and the penetrating radiation to produce compensated image data and then determine the threat status of the piece of luggage. |
| US09157872B1 |
X-ray multiband emission and conversion
A system for emitting X-ray energy is disclosed. An X-ray emitter emits photons in a first X-ray band toward a first photon conversion layer. The first photon conversion layer receives the photons in the first X-ray band and converts the photons in the first X-ray band to photons in a plurality of different second predetermined X-ray bands. The first photon conversion layer emits the photons in the plurality of different second predetermined X-ray bands in a downstream direction toward a second photon conversion layer. |
| US09157869B2 |
Method and device for detecting cracks in semiconductor substrates
A method and an apparatus for detecting cracks in semiconductor substrates, such as silicon wafers and solar cells, are provided. The method and apparatus are based on the detection of light deflected at a crack. |
| US09157867B2 |
Lighting domes with pin hole lens
A lighting dome that can be used to inspect semiconductor wafers includes a small aperture, and can include backlighting, a reflectance gradient and/or a broad spectrum light source. A pin hole lens is aligned with the small aperture. |
| US09157865B2 |
Machine tool—based, optical coordinate measuring machine calibration device
A calibration artifact for an inspection system is provided. The calibration artifact comprises a base adapted for placement within a holding fixture of an inspection system during calibration, a sphere operatively connected to the base, and a light source operatively connected to the base. The base, the sphere, and the light source are removable from the inspection system after calibration. |
| US09157863B2 |
Separation of doping density and minority carrier lifetime in photoluminescence measurements on semiconductor materials
Methods are presented for separating the effects of background doping density and effective minority carrier lifetime on photoluminescence (PL) generated from semiconductor materials. In one embodiment the background doping density is measured by another technique, enabling PL measurements to be analyzed in terms of effective minority carrier lifetime. In another embodiment the effective lifetime is measured by another technique, enabling PL measurements to be analyzed in terms of background doping density. In another embodiment, the effect of background doping density is removed by calculating intensity ratios of two PL measurements obtained in different spectral regions, or generated by different excitation wavelengths. The methods are particularly useful for bulk samples such as bricks or ingots of silicon, where information can be obtained over a much wider range of bulk lifetime values than is possible with thin, surface-limited samples such as silicon wafers. The methods may find application in solar cell manufacturing. |
| US09157859B2 |
Efficient fluorescence detection in solid state spin systems
Efficient fluorescence detection is achieved by optically guiding fluorescence light generated by color centers within a sample to photodetectors outside the sample. A fluorescence detection system may use a sample containing one or more fluorescence color centers that emit fluorescent light when irradiated with excitation light from an optical source. The sample has an index of refraction greater than its surrounding medium. The sample may include one or more output faces and further include at least two opposing faces configured to internally reflect the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent color centers, and to optically guide the emitted fluorescent light to the one or more output faces. The fluorescence detection system may include one or more optical detector configured to receive fluorescent light emitted through the one or more output faces, and a microwave source configured to manipulate the electronic spin of the fluorescent color centers. |
| US09157857B2 |
Electromagnetic wave measurement device, measurement method, and recording medium
According to the present invention, an electromagnetic wave measurement device includes: an electromagnetic wave detector, a frequency component acquisition unit, and a thickness indication quantity deriving unit. An object to be measured is disposed on a substrate and includes at least two layers, and the electromagnetic wave detector detects a substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave which has been made incident to the object, has been reflected by the substrate, and has passed through the object. The frequency component acquisition unit acquires an amplitude of a frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave. The thickness indication quantity deriving unit derives a thickness indication quantity based on the amplitude of the frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave and a relationship between the thickness indication quantity and the amplitude of the frequency component of the substrate-surface-reflected electromagnetic wave. |
| US09157855B2 |
Material classification
The present disclosure relates to classification of a material type of an unknown material. The material type is classified into a probability distribution of multiple predetermined material types by using a collection of plural predetermined material classifiers. Each material type of the multiple predetermined material types is associated with a corresponding best performing classifier from the collection of plural predetermined material classifiers by a predesignated stored association. The plural material classifiers are applied to the unknown material to obtain a list of candidate material types. A list of potential best performing classifiers is looked up using the list of candidate material types as a reference into the predesignated stored association. A respective probability that the unknown material belongs to a material type is assigned based on the list of potential best performing classifiers. |
| US09157854B2 |
Scattered light-type smoke detection apparatus
To provide a scattered light-type smoke detection apparatus in which internally scattered light in a smoke detection space can be suppressed to improve the S/N ratio. A scattered light-type smoke detection apparatus includes: a smoke detection space that is provided in a light-shielded area that is light-shielded from the outside, into which smoke particles flow from the outside; a light emitter for emitting detection light toward the smoke detection space; and a light receiver for receiving scattered light caused by detection light emitted by the light emitter and scattered by smoke particles flowing into the smoke detection space, wherein the scattered light-type smoke detection apparatus includes an internally scattered light suppressing means for transmitting and guiding part or the whole of detection light emitted by the light emitter and passing through the smoke detection space to a predetermined area or the outside of the light-shielded area to suppress internally scattered light within the light-shielded area. |
| US09157853B2 |
Moisture sensor, moisture detector, and image forming apparatus
A moisture sensor for detecting moisture content of an object includes a light source to emit light having an infrared wavelength that is absorbed by water; an optical system to receive the light from the light source and output linearly polarized light having a first polarization direction in a direction toward the object, and to receive light scattered from the object and output linearly polarized light having a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction in another direction other than the direction toward the object; and a photodetector to receive the linearly polarized light having the second polarization direction output from the optical system. |
| US09157852B2 |
Explosive material detection
A system for detecting explosive materials. The system includes radiated high power electromagnetic radiation at one or more frequencies in the millimeter wave spectrum or above to interact with a sample and be reflected therefrom. The system also includes at least one electromagnetic sensor to measure emissions at harmonic frequencies and characteristics unique to one or more explosive materials. The system also includes a processor to collate and maintain a lookup table to identify specific explosive material types. |
| US09157851B2 |
Drug evaluation method and drug evaluation device
The drug evaluation device obtains, by an attenuated reflection method using a terahertz wave, an evaluation absorption spectrum for a frequency with respect to a liquid to be evaluated. When crystalline particles are suspended in a liquid, an absorption peak having a peak area corresponding to the amount of suspension appears in its absorption spectrum. Therefore, whether or not and by what ratio crystalline particles are suspended in the liquid can be determined according to whether or not the absorption peak exists and the peak area. When amorphous particles are suspended in the liquid, the baseline of its absorption spectrum lowers according to the ratio of amorphous particles suspended in the liquid. Therefore, whether or not and by what ratio amorphous particles are suspended in the liquid can be determined according to the lowering amount of the baseline. |
| US09157850B2 |
Method for the chip-integrated spectroscopic identification of solids, liquids, and gases
Methods and systems for a label-free on-chip optical absorption spectrometer consisting of a photonic crystal slot waveguide are disclosed. The invention comprises an on-chip integrated optical absorption spectroscopy device that combines the slow light effect in photonic crystal waveguide and optical field enhancement in a slot waveguide and enables detection and identification of multiple analytes to be performed simultaneously using optical absorption techniques leading to a device for chemical and biological sensing, trace detection, and identification via unique analyte absorption spectral signatures. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09157848B2 |
Ding detection system
A method and system is provided to detect deformations on a sheet metal panel. The method includes swiping the sheet metal panel's surface through a screening material to screen the deformations present on the sheet metal panel's surface, thereby establishing screened deformations. Further, rubbing an area around the screened deformations through a stone material determines the size of the screened deformations. Finally, measuring the size of screened deformations according to a measuring rule establishes a nature of the screened deformation. |
| US09157846B1 |
Bob for testing rheology and overcoming the weissenberg effect
A hollow bob (20A) with a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes (30A). The hollow bob (20A) is attached to a bob shaft (10A) and is submerged in a test fluid (40A). |
| US09157844B2 |
Bending testing
Apparatus and methods related to bending testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a clamp with pivot pin, pellet, tensioning device, and supporting platform, which can be used for testing the bending characteristics, such as bending stiffness, of a testing sample, which can be slender structures such as umbilicals, flexibles, and rigid pipes. |
| US09157838B2 |
Chromatography apparatus and method
Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples. |
| US09157833B2 |
Running-resistance control device
A running resistance device for a chassis dynamometer performs an environmental test while applying a running resistance and an environmental condition similar to a road running to the chassis dynamometer. Air-conditioning equipment, a thermometer and a barometer are provided in an environmental test laboratory. An air-conditioning control panel and a chassis-dynamometer control section are provided outside the environmental test laboratory. An environmental-correction calculating section of the chassis-dynamometer calculates an environmental correction value of a rolling resistance and an environmental correction value of an air resistance coefficient from air-temperature and air-pressure values detected by the thermometer and barometer, respectively; calculates a target running resistance from the calculated environmental correction values; and outputs the target running resistance to a running-resistance-command generating section of the chassis-dynamometer, which controls the chassis dynamometer by generating the running-resistance command based on the target running resistance and a detection signal of speed of the chassis dynamometer. |
| US09157827B1 |
Tilt electrolyte sensing for battery health management
Ground support equipment that makes it easier to monitor the electrochemical health of a battery. This ground support equipment is configured to implement methods for estimating the total volume and the free volume of liquid electrolyte in an electrochemical cell or in a battery containing several electrochemical cells. The methods involve measuring a center of gravity and/or a moment of inertia. The systems include ground-support equipment suitable for use in aircraft maintenance. |
| US09157824B2 |
High pressure fluid coupling
A process fluid pressure sensing system includes a process fluid pressure transmitter and a process manifold. The process fluid pressure transmitter has first and second pressure inlets and is configured to obtain a measurement relative to pressures applied at the first and second pressure inlets and provide a process variable output based on the measurement. The process manifold is operably coupled to a process fluid and has first and second pressure outlets. A first high-pressure coupling joins the first pressure outlet of the process manifold to the first pressure inlet of the process fluid pressure transmitter. A second high-pressure coupling joins the second pressure outlet of the process manifold to the second pressure inlet of the process fluid pressure transmitter. The first and second high-pressure fluid couplings are configured to accommodate misalignment between the respective pressure outlets and inlets. |
| US09157823B2 |
Pressure gauge and method of measuring pressure
The present invention provides a pressure gauge for measuring a pressure of a source. The pressure gauge includes a case, a flexible film, a magnetic device, a coil, a processor, and a screen. The case has a bore connecting the source. The coil is provided in the case. The flexible film is provided on an inner side of the case to cover the bore that the flexible film is expandable by the pressure of the source. The magnetic device is received in the case to be moved relative to the coil by the flexible film. The movement of the magnetic device causes the coil to generate an induced electromotive force, and the processor may find the gas pressure according to the induced electromotive force, and show it on the screen. |
| US09157819B2 |
Wheel component force detecting apparatus
A wheel component force detecting apparatus for detecting a component force on a wheel includes a cylindrical axle flange, an electric motor, and a wheel unit. The electric motor includes a stator and an armature. The wheel component force detecting apparatus includes a pair of sensing units each including a cylinder and a bridge circuit. The cylinder is mounted outside the circumferential surface of the axle flange and has a first end fixed to the axle flange and a second end fixed to the stator. The bridge circuit includes a plurality of strain gages disposed on the cylinder. The pair of sensing units is symmetrical in the axial direction of the axle flange with respect to the stator. |
| US09157817B1 |
HSA swage metrology calibration using solid weight gauge and torque sensor
An assembly may comprise a head stack assembly (HSA) swaging tester device, comprising a base and a top tooling assembly connected thereto. The top tooling assembly may comprise an actuator motor; a load cell connected to the actuator motor; and a force gauge connected to the load cell, the force gauge being configured to measure torque imparted by the actuator motor on an HSA under manufacture. The force gauge of the HSA swaging tester device may be calibrated according to a selected type of HSA to undergo the swaging procedure by coupling a selected reference torque assembly to an axle connected to the actuator motor, the selected reference torque assembly being configured to impart a known torque onto the axle. The force gauge may then be adjusted (e.g., calibrated) according to the known torque imparted upon the axle by the selected reference torque assembly. |
| US09157816B2 |
Torque sensor
A torque sensing device includes a rotating component configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotating component to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a first location. A second sensor is positioned adjacent to the rotating component radially inboard of the first sensor to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a second location. A controller is operably coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller determines a relative phase shift between a first signal generated by the first sensor and a second signal generated by the second sensor to calculate an output proportional to a torque applied to the rotating component. |
| US09157810B2 |
Apparatus and method for spatially resolved temperature measurement
Apparatus for spatially resolved temperature measurement, comprising at least one optical fiber (4) for spatially resolved temperature measurement, at least one laser light source (1), the light (11) from which can be coupled into the optical fiber (4), wherein those components (12, 12a, 12b) of the light (11) produced by the laser light source (1) which are scattered back in the optical fiber (4) can be coupled out of the optical fiber (4) and detected, modulator means (2) permitting the modulation of the light (11) that is to be coupled into the optical fiber (4), and also demodulator means (5, 6) which permit a demodulation of those components (12, 12a, 12b) of the light (11) which are coupled out of the optical fiber (4), wherein the demodulator means (5, 6) are designed as optical demodulator means (5, 6) and/or wherein the modulator means (2) are designed as optical modulator means (2). |
| US09157809B2 |
Temperature management member under reduced-pressure atmosphere and temperature management method under reduced-pressure atmosphere
A temperature management member under a reduced-pressure atmosphere, wherein the difference in the discoloration temperature of a temperature-sensitive discoloration layer between under an atmospheric pressure atmosphere and under a reduced-pressure atmosphere can be minimized. A temperature management member under a reduced-pressure atmosphere includes a temperature-sensitive discoloration layer which contains granular or powdery hot-melt matter that melts at a melting temperature corresponding to a heating temperature to be detected under a reduced-pressure atmosphere and which is discolored in response to the hot melting thereof, and a difference in the melting temperature of the hot-melt matter within the temperature-sensitive discoloration layer between under an atmospheric pressure atmosphere and under the reduced-pressure atmosphere is 5° C. at most. |
| US09157806B2 |
System and method for changing spectral range of a cryogenically cooled detector
The provided optical system allows selective spectral transfer of radiation, and provides a reflecting field of view at an undesired range directed towards cold surfaces. A removable spectral filter having a high transmittance at a first spectral range and a low transmittance at a second spectral range is disposed outside a cold shield. A reflective surface faces the detecting device and provides the detector a reflecting field of view at the second spectral range directed back towards the cold shield, and a blackened cold skirt thereof. Alternatively, a dichroic mirror is disposed inside the cold shield and has a high reflectance at a first spectral range and a high transmittance at a second range. The detecting device includes a first and a second arm of the cold shield to accommodate respective optical channels. |
| US09157802B2 |
System for real-time analysis of material distribution in CIGS thin film using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
The present invention relates to a process control system which can measure the physical properties of a CIGS thin film in real-time in a continuous production line of a CIGS thin film solar cell, more specifically to a system for real-time analysis of material distribution of a CIGS thin film comprising: a header, which comprises a laser irradiation unit producing plasma from the CIGS thin film by irradiating a laser beam to a part of the CIGS thin film; and a spectrum detection optical unit detecting a spectrum generated from the plasma; a transfer unit, which transfers the header at the same rate and to the direction with the transfer rate and direction of the CIGS thin film; and a spectrum analysis unit, which analyzes the spectrum detected by the spectrum detection optical unit. |
| US09157801B2 |
Laser detection system having an output beam directed through a telescope
A system comprises a processing system, a laser system, a telescope system, a detector system and optical systems operatively arranged such that the laser system may be capable of outputting multiple wavelengths to a common telescope system, and the detector system is capable of receiving signatures from the same telescope system, under the control of a control system. The processor system processes signals received from the detector system to determine substances identified by known signatures. For example, a plurality of detectors in the detector system each receive a range of wavelengths of the signatures received by the telescope system. For example, a variable beam diverger and variable beam expander operatively control expansion and divergence of the output the laser system. For example, a beam reducer and lenslet array may operatively transmit signatures via optical fiber bundle to one or more of the detectors. |
| US09157797B2 |
Avalanche photo diode detector control systems and method
An avalanche photo diode detector including an avalanche photo diode, an adjustable voltage source, a current mirror coupled to the voltage source output of the adjustable voltage source and having a current measurement output, and a processor coupled to the adjustable voltage source and the current mirror. The processor implements a process of obtaining a signal current measurement from the current mirror, computing an estimate of an input optical power level from the signal current measurement and adjusting the output of the adjustable voltage source based upon on the estimate of the input optical power level. |
| US09157792B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device with protrusions
A photoelectric conversion device includes a circuit board, a light emitting module, a light receiving module, and an optical coupling lens. The circuit board includes two protrusions apart from each other. The light emitting module and the light receiving module are mounted on the circuit board and are apart from each other. The optical coupling lens includes a light incident surface, a first converging lens, a second converging lens and two through holes are defined therein for locating purposes. The first converging lens and the second converging lens are formed on the light incident surface. Centers of the through holes are aligned with centers of the protrusions to ensure the perfect alignment of the light emitting module with the first converging lens, and the perfect alignment of the light receiving module with the second converging lens. |
| US09157791B2 |
Actively aligned detectors for optical and optoelectronic arrays
A multi-channel optical device and method of making the same are disclosed. The optical device includes a plurality of detectors on a detector mounting substrate, and a corresponding plurality of lenses on an interior surface of the optical device. Each detector detects light having a unique center wavelength. Each center wavelength corresponds to a channel of the optical device. Each lens focuses light towards a corresponding detector. Each detector has a location corresponding to a focal point of the light focused by a corresponding lens. The method of making the optical device includes placing lenses on a surface of the optical device housing, transmitting light having a plurality of center wavelengths through the lenses, determining locations on a detector mounting substrate where each light beam is focused by a lens, and placing a detector at each location. |
| US09157788B2 |
Part evaluation system/method using both resonance and surface vibration data
A part (120) may be subjected to both a resonance inspection and a surface vibration inspection. Various protocols (230; 240; 250; 280; 260) are disclosed as to how the results of one or more of these inspections may be used to evaluate the part (120). |
| US09157787B2 |
Body weight scale with visual notification system and method
An interactive body weight scale is presented. The body weight scale may have computing and data communication ability to track a user's weight by connecting to a number of different electronic devices. The body weight scale is capable of recording an audio message, converting the audio message to message text, and transmitting the message to a remote social network. The scale may also receive message responses from the remote network and play the messages back based on whether a particular message is a positive message. A scale use indicator provides a reminder for a user to use the body weight scale. |
| US09157786B2 |
Load suspension and weighing system for a dialysis machine reservoir
A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage. |
| US09157781B2 |
Flow-meter probe
The invention provides a probe for a flowmeter which can be employed in various flow measuring devices utilizing semiconductor or ceramic thermistors. The invention comprises an apparatus for determining the fluid flow rate of a liquid passing through a conduit made of a material having a low thermal conductivity, comprising a probe disposed at least partially inside the wall of the conduit, part of the probe being substantially aligned with an inner surface of the wall, the probe being operationally connected to a control and display unit. The probe comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) on which at least two thermistors are mounted; an upstream thermistor serving for baseline measurements and a spaced apart downstream self-heated thermistor. The control and display unit repeatedly measuring the electrical resistance of the thermistors to generate signals which are electronically processed by the control and display unit to indicate flow rates. |
| US09157779B2 |
Ultrasonic, flow measuring device having guide vanes provided to prevent secondary flow formation in the hollow openings for the transducers
An ultrasonic, flow measuring device, comprising an ultrasonic transducer in a bore of a measuring tube, which ultrasonic transducer has an ultrasound window, wherein a guide vane is inserted into the bore of the measuring tube in front of the ultrasound window and perpendicular to the ultrasound window of the ultrasonic transducer. |
| US09157772B2 |
Sensing assembly components and methods of assembling, mounting and orientating same
A variety of sensing assembly components, and methods of assembling, mounting, and orientating such assemblies and/or components, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a sensing assembly includes a main body including at least a housing portion, and a mounting portion protruding outward from the main body. The mounting portion includes an outer connector section including at least one electrical connector, and an intermediate section that includes an outer surface that either has substantially a shape of a polygon or is at least partly threaded, where the intermediate section is positioned in between the main body and the outer connector section. Additionally, the intermediate section has an outer diameter, the outer connector section has an outer diameter, and the intermediate section outer diameter is greater than the outer connection section outer diameter. In other example embodiments, retaining structures on portions of a sensing assembly, or bracket assembly components, are provided. |
| US09157770B2 |
Encoder
The encoder includes a plurality of position-detection-signal generation systems that generates electrical signals as position detection signals having different cycles, respectively; a first computing unit that calculates first position data based on the position detection signals generated by the position-detection-signal generation systems; a second computing unit that calculates second position data based on electrical signals generated by fewer ones of the position-detection-signal generation systems than in the first computing unit; and a failure determination unit that determines whether the encoder is defective based on a comparison between the first position data and the second position data. |
| US09157769B2 |
Reference signal generation apparatus and reference signal generation system
A reference point detection light-receiving unit receives light from a reference point detection pattern by first to fifth light-receiving elements. The first to fifth light-receiving elements are arranged in a first direction and outputs first to fifth signals, respectively. A reference signal generation circuit outputs a reference signal that starts at a period where a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding first and second signals, and a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding third and fourth signals, will become equal, and ends at a period where a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding the second and third signals, and a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding fourth and fifth signals, become equal. |
| US09157765B2 |
Self-powered power consumption detecting device and power consumption detecting method thereof
The power consumption detecting device is without external power supply. It installed on the electric equipment. This self-powered detecting device comprises at least one thermoelectric element, a processor and a wireless transmitter. As the electric equipment working, the temperature difference on the surface of the electric equipment drives the thermoelectric element to generate a voltage signal. Therefore, a self-powered thermoelectric detecting device will decrease standby power demand. The amplitude of voltage signal is proportion to the temperature difference. In the same time, the power generated by thermoelectric element can be a power source of the wireless transmitter and the chip or processor, so the supply of exterior power is no needed. The wireless transmitter transmits a signal, which is according to the power consumption of electric equipment or electric appliance, to the control center. |
| US09157761B2 |
Arrangement in a vehicle for providing vehicle driver support, a vehicle, and a method for providing vehicle driver support
An arrangement, a vehicle and a method for providing vehicle driver support during manual or semi-autonomous driving in a potential overtake scenario are provided. The arrangement includes a detector, a communication unit arranged to receive from a preceding vehicle information of a probable route of the preceding vehicle based on at least one of preceding vehicle historical route information and preceding vehicle navigation system information, a processing unit arranged to determine, for one or more routes ahead of the host vehicle, the probability that the preceding vehicle will drive along the one or more route, to process the received information into a format suitable for display, and to display the processed information, thereby providing support to the vehicle driver. |
| US09157759B2 |
Route preview
A navigation device includes: a route calculation module operable to calculate a route from a start location to a destination location; a rendering module configured to use digital map data to generate images of the route for display to a user; and a route preview module operable to provide the user with a preview of the calculated route. In at least one embodiment, the route preview module is operable to divide the calculated route into junction segments and road segments, and is configured to control the rendering module to display images representative of locations within the road segments at a higher display speed than images representative of locations within the junction segments. |
| US09157758B2 |
Navigation or mapping apparatus and method
The invention relates to a navigation device (200) comprising a display (240) for displaying a digital map to a user, a processor (210) configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user using the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus. The user interface is arranged to allow a user to provide, on the displayed digital map displayed to the user, an indication of a selected region present in the digital map which the user wishes to include or exclude from a route calculation process. The processor (210) is arranged to determine digital map data relating to the selected region indicated by the user, and to calculate a route including or excluding the region. |
| US09157753B2 |
Navigation system, recording medium recording computer program, and current position calculation method
When a narrow-angle branch point PA at which a road branches at a narrow angle gets closer, routes from the narrow-angle branch point to all points a-c reachable by traveling for a distance L after passing of the narrow-angle branch point in a current traveling direction. When the narrow-angle branch point is passed, processing to calculate, as a matching degree of each route, a matching degree between each of the gradients G1-G3 of routes R1-R3, which are indicated by map data, and history Ang of an inclination angle of a vehicle is performed until a route with a matching degree equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is generated or until a distance L is traveled after the passing of the narrow-angle branch point. When the route with the matching degree equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold is generated, a current position is calculated on the route. |
| US09157752B1 |
System and method for theft and medical emergency event for self-driving vehicle
A system and method provides for autonomously driving a vehicle to a particular location during an emergency event. The method enables the vehicle to be driven autonomously. As a result of the emergency event, an input is provided to generate a request signal. Based on the request signal, the method 1) instructs the self-driving system to drive the vehicle to the particular location, and 2) sends, via an Internet connection, data to an entity remote from the vehicle. |
| US09157750B2 |
Device having touch panel, radar apparatus, plotter apparatus, ship network system, information display method and information display program
A touch panel device includes a display unit and a controller. The display unit displays, on a map or a nautical chart, a position acquired from a GNSS sensor and a symbol set on the map or the nautical chart. The controller controls, when an operation of specifying the symbol is detected, an auxiliary tool to appear on a display screen of the display unit, the auxiliary tool for recognizing a touch operation of moving the symbol. |
| US09157748B2 |
System and method for hailing taxicabs
The present application provides a system and method for enabling a driver to locate a passenger. In one or more implementations, a graphical user interface is provided that is operable to send and receive information associated with passengers and vehicles. A location of a first vehicle, a location of a first passenger and a location of a second passenger are received. Information associated with the locations of the first and second passenger is transmitted and a representation of at least one of the first passenger and the second passenger and the respective location thereof is provided. |
| US09157746B2 |
Vessel routing system
A method and apparatus for routing a vessel from a start point to an end point. Routes are generated from the start point to the end point based on a number of objectives. A group of waypoints is added between the two waypoints with respect to the region of interest in response to a segment between two waypoints in a route in the routes crossing a region of interest. |
| US09157745B2 |
Scalable routing for mobile station navigation with location context identifier
Examples disclosed herein may relate to identifying up to a specified amount of points of interest nearest to an estimated position of a mobile station on a first map, selecting a second map identified by a first location context identifier associated with a first point of interest of the identified points of interest, and determining a route from the estimated position of the mobile station to a destination point using the first map and the second map. |
| US09157739B1 |
Force-rebalance coriolis vibratory gyroscope
An effective and precise method and system for compensation and measurement of a zero-bias in an axisymmetrical CVG (Coriolis Vibrating Gyroscope) is provided. Principal mode is driven according to an X-axis. Angular velocity is measured through Coriolis mode excitation along Y-axis. The sensitive axis of the gyroscope is reversed by 180 degrees by switching input and sense signals. Vibration is then driven along Y-axis and angular velocity is sensed along X-axis. On each position, after an arbitrary period of time, the gyroscope output is stored. Half-difference in outputs between two opposite position gives angular velocity and zero-bias effect is canceled. Half-sum in outputs between two opposite position gives the zero-bias error. |
| US09157738B2 |
Apparatus for containment of a device equipped with an inclinometer
An apparatus enabling inclination measurements or irregular surfaces comprising a retaining end adapted to temporarily hold a device equipped with an inclinometer and a supporting end, fixed to the retaining end, conformed to abut an irregular surface whereby the apparatus enables the device equipped with an inclinometer to measure inclination of an irregular surface. |
| US09157737B2 |
Altimeter with calibration
An altitude dead reckoning system using measurements of forward speed, a yaw angle rate and external altitude information in order to estimate an error in the acceleration due to an accelerometer bias; and an output converter configured to use the forward speed, yaw angel rate, acceleration and estimated accelerometer bias to calculate a change in altitude. |
| US09157731B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the spatial position and velocity vector of a spherical projectile
A spherical object is detected as it passes through an array of planer light beams and associated detectors. The construction of the apparatus is such that at least 4 planar light beams are obscured by the passing object, two parallel beams in one direction and two parallel beams in a second direction. The apparatus records the time at which each affected light beam is obstructed by the passing object. The apparatus then calculates the spatial position, velocity and trajectory of the object. |
| US09157730B2 |
PECVD process
A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants. |
| US09157728B2 |
Endoscope apparatus and method
An endoscope apparatus includes: an imaging unit which takes an image of an object; a display which displays the image and a cursor; an illumination unit which illuminates the object; a pointing device which is for placing the cursor; and a control unit which continuously monitors a cursor position placed by the pointing device, and continuously controls the illumination unit in accordance with a luminance of a partial region of the image corresponding to the cursor position so as to modulate a luminance condition of the image. |
| US09157726B2 |
Optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus and method thereof
An optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus including a planar image obtaining unit configured to obtain a planar image of a subject based on a return beam from the subject irradiated by the irradiation unit that irradiates the subject with light of a first wavelength band, a tomographic image obtaining unit configured to obtain a tomographic image of the subject based on a beam in which a return beam from the subject irradiated with the laser beam emitted while sweeping a second wavelength range which is longer than the first wavelength band and a reference beam corresponding to the laser beam are combined, and a correction unit configured to correct an optical path length difference generated due to a difference between the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band. |
| US09157720B2 |
Dimensional centering structure for a vehicle and method of establishing a dimensional reference datum
A method of establishing a dimensional reference datum for a vehicle front end assembly is provided. The method includes locating a positioning and reinforcement structure proximate a front end of a vehicle chassis. Also included is operably coupling the positioning and reinforcement structure to a first vehicle component, wherein the positioning and reinforcement structure is moveable relative to the first vehicle component. Further included is fixedly centering the positioning and reinforcement structure relative to a second vehicle component. Yet further included is positioning and operably coupling a plurality of front end components based on the dimensional reference datum provided by the fixed centered position of the positioning and reinforcement structure. |
| US09157711B2 |
Pellet for sporting rifles and sporting guns
It comprises hollow body (6) with head (2) joined to base (3), in which inside of said hollow body (6) contains tip (4) fixed to referred body (6) characterised in that: tip (4) is fixed in an immobile manner to body (6) and there is at least one lateral space or cavity (5) defined between body (6) and tip (4) and said body (6) is manufactured from an elastic material, at least around the zone where said space or cavity (5) is defined. |
| US09157709B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for manufacturing ammunition cartridge cases
The present disclosure relates to a system for forming a cartridge case, the system including a series of stages, each stage comprising a sequential location in the system, and each stage comprising a process step, wherein each process step is synchronized to occur within a substantially simultaneous stage interval, the stages including: an annealing stage, a head forming stage, and a taper stage. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a cartridge case, the method including: receiving a single cartridge case at a time in a first direction into an annealing chamber through a first opening, passing an alternating current through an inductive coil for a certain time period to heat the cartridge case, releasing the cartridge case from the annealing chamber in the first direction through a second opening, and performing a forming step on the cartridge case. |
| US09157706B2 |
Shooting range target assembly
A shooting range target assembly and a method for moving and positioning the target in a controlled manner are disclosed. The assembly includes a conveyor line containing a carriage, a drive, a target assembly, a turning and positioning mechanism and a programmable logic for setting and controlling the movement of the carriage. Controlling the movement, positioning of the target and maintaining target position are accomplished by properly balancing a torque force applied onto a pulley wheel, a drag force applied by a detent assembly and a force applied by a brake. The assembly is configured for moving the target along the conveyor and turning it such that the front side, the back side or an edge faces the shooter. |
| US09157704B2 |
Vehicle floor pan comprising auxiliary armoring
A floor pan of a vehicle, in particular an armored military vehicle, includes a first, lateral floor wall (1); a second, floor wall which is connected via connecting point (9) with the first, lateral wall (1); and an auxiliary armoring (4) releasably attached to the lateral floor wall (1) for mine protection. The auxiliary armoring is an armored plate that at least partially covers the second, floor wall (5) adjacent the lateral floor wall (1) and the connecting point (9) lying therebetween. |
| US09157698B2 |
Kinematic mount
A mounting device for use with a firearm comprising: (a) a first frame; (b) a second frame, where the first frame and the second frame collectively include a first sphere and a second sphere, where the first frame and the second frame collectively include a first receiver configured to restriction motion of the first sphere in at least one degree of freedom, where the first frame and the second frame collectively include a second receiver configured to restriction motion of the second sphere in at least one degree of freedom, and where the first frame and the second frame collectively include a projection and a lock configured to engage the projection and: (a) restrict motion of the first sphere in a degree of freedom not restricted by the first receiver, and (b) restrict motion of the second sphere in a degree of freedom not restricted by the second receiver. |
| US09157694B1 |
Pressurized air powered firing device
A firing device is provided with a housing, a sleeve in the housing, an air canister in the sleeve, a mechanism, and a pushing assembly. Pushing of the sliding cap forward exposes the push button and moves the spring depressible detent to the first depression, a pressing of the push button pushes down the sliding member, the pressing does not push down the sliding member further after the sliding member clearing the second though hole, the sharp member is pushed rearward by the spring biased cylindrical member to open the air canister by piercing, pressurized air released from the air canister pushes the mechanism including the sliding member back to a position prior to the pressing, the pressurized air travels forward to be stopped by the diaphragm with air pressure being further increased, and the diaphragm will be broken after the air pressure increase exceeds a predetermined pressure. |
| US09157692B2 |
Rifle with a noise damper
A rifle barrel having a sound suppressor and a rifle comprising such a barrel. Material disposed over the rifle barrel and extending longitudinally and distally from a proximal end of the rifle barrel defines a housing. The housing surrounds at least a majority of the sound suppressing element, which is connected to the rifle barrel solely by containment within the housing. The sound suppressing comprises an acoustic labyrinth formed by a plurality of components disposed together along a longitudinal plane coextensive with an axis of the rifle barrel. |
| US09157690B2 |
Distribution system and heat exchanger apparatus
The invention relates to a distribution system (1) for distributing a fluid (15) into a container (27) from a fluid inlet (26) of the container (27). Distribution system (1) comprises one or more guide plates that form a guide section (2) and a distribution section (3) that adjoins the guide section (2). Distribution section (3) has regions (4, 5) with openings (8, 9) for allowing fluid (17) to pass through. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger device (100) that has a container (27) with a fluid inlet (26), with at least one heat exchanger block (28) that is arranged in the container (27). A distribution system (101) according to the invention is arranged in the container (27) above the heat exchanger block (28). |
| US09157679B2 |
Flame-resistant heat treatment furnace
A furnace to flame-resistantly treat a precursor fiber strand by sending hot air to a heat treatment chamber through a hot air blowing nozzle in a direction parallel to a running direction of the strand is provided. The hot air passes through a porous plate and a rectifying member satisfying the following conditions: (1) A/B≧4.0; (2) 0.15≦α≦0.35; (3) 0≦B−d≦20; and (4) 80% or more of the area of one opening of the porous plate when facing surfaces of the porous plate and the rectifying member overlap is included in one opening of the rectifying member, where A is the rectifying member hot air passage distance (mm), B is a horizontal maximum distance (mm) of one opening of the rectifying member, α is a rate of hole area of the porous plate, and d is the porous plate equivalent diameter (mm). |
| US09157673B2 |
Wall-mounted air-conditioning apparatus
An upper suction port is formed in a main-body upper part of an air-conditioning apparatus main body, a suction opening part is formed in a front grill disposed on a main-body front face of the air-conditioning apparatus, a suction opening whose opening is directed upward is formed by consecutively providing an air guide wall inclined downward inside the main body on the upper edge of the suction opening, and the suction opening is located between a part, in the main-body height direction, lower than a straight line passing through a rotation center of an impeller and a closest contact point between the impeller and a front-face heat exchanger and a part, in the main-body height direction, higher than a straight line parallel with the straight line and passing through the impeller and a tongue part of a stabilizer. |
| US09157667B2 |
Heat pump-type heating device
A unitary-side heat pump unit is configured so that a refrigerant circulates sequentially through a first compressor, a first heat exchanger, a cascade heat exchanger, a first expansion valve and an evaporator, and heat exchange with heat media of a heating unit is carried out in the first heat exchanger; a binary-side heat pump unit is configured so that a refrigerant circulates sequentially through a second compressor, a second heat exchanger, a second expansion valve and a cascade heat exchanger, and heat exchange with heat media of the heating unit is carried out in the second heat exchanger; the refrigerants of the unitary-side and binary-side heat pump units include carbon dioxide (CO2) as a main component; and high pressure-side sections of the unitary-side and binary-side heat pump units are activated within substantially identical pressure ranges of supercritical pressure. |
| US09157665B2 |
Unitized photovoltaic assembly
A unitized photovoltaic assembly is disclosed. A unitized photovoltaic assembly consists of a unitary frame designed to retain a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The unitary frame is formed by orienting a plurality of rails in the lateral direction above and mounted to a plurality of struts oriented in the vertical direction. Once the unitary framed is formed, photovoltaic modules slide into slots running the length of the rails and are thus retained in the unitary frame. Also added to the unitary frame are a series of power conversion elements, retaining brackets, mounting brackets, and cleaning elements. The completed unitized photovoltaic assembly can be fabricated off-site, transported as a single unit and installed to a roof or other surface with the use of a specialized lifting frame, also disclosed. Additional unitized photovoltaic assemblies can be mechanically and electrically interconnected to form a complete photovoltaic system. |
| US09157661B2 |
Service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement
The invention relates to a service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement, comprising a service unit for maintenance of at least one surface of the solar panel arrangement, a guiding unit for guiding the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, and a driving unit for moving the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, wherein the service unit comprises a first engagement section and a second engagement section, wherein the guiding unit is attachable to the first engagement section, the guiding unit being configured for direct engagement with an edge of the solar panel arrangement, wherein the driving unit is attachable to the second engagement section, and wherein the second engagement section is displaceable with respect to the first engagement section by the driving unit. |
| US09157658B2 |
Parabolic trough collector
A parabolic trough collector having a supporting construction which is connected in an articulated manner to a substructure carrying the parabolic trough collector. In order to provide a parabolic trough collector which is simply designed, easy to assemble and which, therefore, can also be transported in sections while at the same time ensuring a highly accurate parabola with high rigidity and greater maximum overall length, a complicated supporting construction at the underside of the parabolic trough collector is eliminated, and the static and dynamic forces that occur at the parabolic trough collector are conducted away in an optimal manner. |
| US09157656B2 |
Device for guiding solar radiation
The invention relates to a reflection device that can track the location of sun, focusing solar radiation on a radiation receiver. The tracking is controlled by means of an auxiliary mirror guiding an auxiliary beam to a target. The position of the point of incidence of the auxiliary beam on the target is detected by a video camera and an image capture system, and said actual position is adjusted to a prescribed target position. It is thus achieved that the main beam is always precisely aimed at the radiation receiver. |
| US09157655B2 |
Endothermic base-mounted heat pump water heater
An endothermic heat pump water heater has a water tank supported atop a hollow base, a heat pump circuit operable to provide primary heat to water in the tank, and an electric resistance heating element operable to provide secondary heat to the water. The heat pump circuit includes refrigerant tubing in which a compressor disposed within the base, a condenser in heat exchange external contact with the tank, a refrigerant expansion device, and an evaporator disposed within the base are connected in series. A vertical duct, external to the tank, has an inlet adjacent the upper tank end, and a fan is operative to sequentially flow air inwardly through the inlet, downwardly through the duct into the base, across the compressor, across the evaporator, and then outwardly from the base. |
| US09157653B2 |
Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates and closing duct seams
An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work. |
| US09157651B2 |
Vapor mitigation system, vapor mitigation controller and methods of controlling vapors
A vapor mitigation system includes at least one vacuum pipe configured to collect vapors beneath a floor of a building, and a blower coupled to the at least one vacuum pipe. The blower is configured to create a vacuum under the floor of the building. The vapor mitigation system includes a controller configured to control a speed of the blower. The controller adjusts the speed of the blower in response to a level of vacuum created under the floor of the building. |
| US09157648B2 |
Device employable in different circuit configurations using parallel wiring harnesses, a HVAC system employing the device and a method of manufacturing a HVAC unit
A HVAC unit manufacturing method and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: a controller having control board terminals, a parallel wiring harness having a first and a second connection header, the first connection header coupled to the control board terminals, and a switch having terminals. The terminals of the switch including: a pair of functional terminals configured to indicate a status of the switch and a pair of jumpered terminals independent of the pair of functional terminals and internally connected together within the switch, wherein designated combinations of the terminals indicate a circuit configuration for employing the switch in the HVAC system with each of the terminals having a particular design that dictates a specific corresponding connection header be used for each of the designated combinations, wherein a single one of the designated combinations of the terminals corresponds to the second connection header. |
| US09157642B2 |
Air conditioner including virus removal device
A virus removal device with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: an operating member; an ultraviolet LED configured to irradiate ultraviolet light onto an object under an operation of the operating member; and a driving means configured to generate a driving force so that the operating member is moved. |
| US09157639B2 |
Cooking oven comprising exhaust gas purification assembly
A cooking oven comprising a cooking cavity and an exhaust gas purification assembly comprising a self-heated filter element comprising a gas-permeable, electrically conductive silicon carbide material and a current supply structure operable for self-heating said filter element. Preferably, said purification assembly comprises a self-heated filter element comprised of a foamed silicon carbide structural element. |
| US09157638B2 |
Adaptor assembly for removable components
An assembly is provided with a housing, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The guide sleeve may be at least partially housed within the housing. The spring may be disposed to abut against the housing and the guide sleeve. |
| US09157637B2 |
Burner arrangement with deflection elements for deflecting cooling air flow
An exemplary burner arrangement and method for operating a burner arrangement are disclosed. During operation of the burner arrangement a hot combustion gas, including combustion air, flows essentially parallel to a burner wall through a mixing chamber, which is delimited by the burner wall, to a combustion chamber. In the mixing chamber the hot combustion gas is mixed with an injected fuel, where cooling air from the outside of the burner wall flows through effusion holes in the burner wall into an interior of the mixing chamber. The cooling air, on the outside of the burner wall, is deflected in a directed manner in its flow direction by means of deflection elements which are in a distributed arrangement. |
| US09157636B2 |
Gas regulating fitting
A gas regulating fitting that ensures simple manual operation is to be created. In particular, the device is to be capable of being switched both on and off in one operation. To that end, a microswitch (12) connected to an electronic control unit is arranged on the housing (1). The microswitch is operated when a tappet (10) arranged axially to the safety pilot valve (26) and the main valve (19) is manually operated. The electronic control unit thereby receives an electrical signal whereby the gas regulating fitting is activated in its switched-off state, and the gas flow flowing through the open safety pilot valve (26) is therefore ignited, whereas the holding current flowing to the thermoelectric safety pilot valve (26) is interrupted in the switched-on state of the gas regulating fitting, and the gas regulating fitting is therefore deactivated. The gas regulating fitting can be used to ignite and regulate a gas flow flowing to a burner. |
| US09157635B2 |
Fuel distribution manifold
A fuel distribution manifold comprises an outer shell having an inner surface. The outer shell defines an inlet for receiving fuel from a parent supply line, a base opposite the inlet, a central manifold axis that intersects the inlet, and a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel lines, each outlet defining a respective outlet axis. In one exemplary embodiment, a fuel distribution manifold also comprises a center-body having an outer surface and being positioned within the outer shell wherein the outer surface of the center-body and the inner surface of the outer shell define a flow-path through which fluid flows from the inlet to the plurality of outlets. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the outlets is positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis. |
| US09157633B2 |
Method for suppressing adhesion of ash and device for suppressing adhesion of ash in boiler
In order to stably operate a boiler using several kinds of solid fuels including depleted ash as fuels, adhesion of ash is suppressed. A calculator (9) preliminarily collects properties of a solid fuel, such as the content rate of ash and the composition of an ash constituent, as data (8). The calculator (9) uses the mix ratio of solid fuels as a parameter and calculates the composition of an ash constituent of the mixed fuels on the basis of the preliminarily measured composition of the ash constituent of each solid fuel. The calculator (9) determines a reference value of the rate of slug by which the ash deposition ratio is reduced on the basis of the relationship between the preliminarily measured ash deposition ratio and the slag ratio. Further, the calculator (9) calculates the mix ratio of each solid fuel using a thermodynamic equilibrium calculation so as to obtain an ash composition in which the slag ratio is not more than the determined reference value. On the basis of the mix ratio of each solid fuel calculated by the calculator (9), the amount of solid fuel dispensed from hoppers (1, 2) is adjusted by a fuel supply amount adjusting device (3). Thus, each solid fuel, the dispensed amount of which has been adjusted, is mixed by a mixer (4) and crushed by a crusher (5) before being supplied to a boiler (7) as a fuel and burned by a burner (6). |
| US09157631B2 |
Method for burning burner
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for burning a burner which has NOx reduction effects and has practical value, and a device therefore; the present invention provide A method for burning a burner in a heating furnace including a step of: periodically changing at least one of a flow rate of a fuel fluid and a flow rate of an oxidizing agent fluid which are supplied to the burner while periodically changing an oxygen concentration in the oxidizing agent fluid, thereby an oxygen ratio which is calculated by dividing an amount of oxygen supplied by a theoretical necessary amount of oxygen is periodically changed, and the periodical change of the oxygen ratio is made different from the periodical change of the oxygen concentration to cause combustion in periodically vibrational conditions. |
| US09157630B2 |
Ventilation device
A ventilating fan, includes a frame provided with an opening, a fan disposed in the frame, a panel covering the opening of the frame and allowing air passing through and a lighting device disposed in the panel. The lighting device includes a lampshade, in which a lighting part is placed, and a circuitry box of a controller for controlling the lighting part. A gap is formed in a connection between the circuitry box and the panel such that a water discharge structure communicated with outside of the circuitry box is formed. Advantages of the present invention includes that a gap communicated with outside of the circuitry box is provided in a connection between the circuitry box and the panel, which allows water to be discharged through the gap from inside of the panel, even water would enter into inside of the circuitry box, thus safety operation of the product is ensured. |
| US09157620B2 |
Mounting arrangement and method for mounting an optical member to an oblong luminaire
A mounting arrangement for mounting an optical member to an oblong luminaire, comprising a plurality of mounting members, arranged to be fixed to an end cap at the narrow side of an oblong luminaire and to accommodate the optical member, wherein the plurality of mounting members comprises a first type of mounting member and a second type of mounting member. |
| US09157619B1 |
Reversible pole or wall mounting bracket
The present disclosure provides devices and techniques for a reversible mounting bracket. The reversible mounting bracket includes a pole mounting side and a wall mounting side. The pole mounting side and the wall mounting side are joined together at approximately 90°. When used to mount a fixture, such as a light fixture, to a wall, the wall mounting side is mounted to a wall, and the pole mounting side provides support for the fixture. When used to mount a fixture to a pole, the pole mounting side is mounted to a pole, and the wall mounting side provides support for the fixture. Thus, the same reversible mounting bracket can be used to mount a fixture to a pole or to a wall. |
| US09157615B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a device body attached to an installation surface, one or more surface light-emitting modules held in the device body, and a cover held in the device body in an opposing relationship with light-emitting surfaces of the surface light-emitting modules. Each of the surface light-emitting modules includes a light-emitting unit having a light-emitting body and a base unit fixed to the device body and configured to removably hold the light-emitting unit by an elastic force. At least portions of the cover facing the light-emitting surfaces of the surface light-emitting modules are made of a light-transmitting material. The cover is held in the device body by a force stronger than the elastic force. |
| US09157612B2 |
Lighting assembly
A lighting assembly having a base body configured as a heat sink (18) having a front surface (18a), a board (14) carrying a light radiation source (12) applied on the front surface of the heat sink, and a fixing element (20) mounted on the front surface of the heat sink with the board arranged therebetween. The fixing element includes a window (22) which leaves at least partly uncovered the light radiation source, such window having side walls (220) which surround the light radiation source and spread outward to form a reflector for the light radiation. |
| US09157610B2 |
Manufacture method for a surface mounted power LED support and its product
A manufacture method for a surface mounted power LED support comprises providing a wiring board having both sided metal layers. In addition, the method comprises forming a hole. Further, the method comprises setting a metal layer in the surface of the hole. Still further, the method comprises thickening the metal layer of the wiring board. The method also comprises etching the metal layer of the wiring board. Moreover, the method comprises cutting the wiring board to form single support unit. A surface mounted power LED support comprises a both sided wiring board, a hole formed in the wiring board and wiring layers set on the surface of the wiring board. |
| US09157609B2 |
Light fixture with tilting light and fixed heat sink
A light fixture having a light source, first and second heat sinks with corresponding first and second thermal interfaces having complementary curved surfaces, and a linkage having cams, and springs to create contact pressure between the thermal interfaces when the light fixture is in an operation mode and to permit movement between the thermal interfaces when the light fixture is in an adjustment mode. When the light fixture is in operation mode, the first and second heat sinks work in combination to provide a highly effective heat dissipation system. When the light fixture is in adjustment mode, the separation created permits the light source to move along an adjustment path to change the angular direction of the light emitted and to rotate about a rotational axis, providing a full range of directional lighting orientations. |
| US09157606B2 |
Optical system for LEDs for control of stray light
Methods and apparatus for an optical system for LEDs for control of light output from the LEDs. A plurality of optical pieces may be provided with each being over one or more LEDs and configured to direct a majority of light output from such one or more LEDs toward a desired illumination direction. A shield array may be placed over the optical pieces and include a plurality of openings each sized to at least partially receive one of the optical pieces and a plurality of blocking shields extending upward from and provided partially over one of the openings and one of the individual optical pieces. The blocking shields block stray light rays that are transmitted from one of the individual optical pieces in a backlight direction away from the desired illumination direction. |
| US09157604B2 |
Laser-based white light source
A device for generating white light is provided that includes at least one light source and at least one conversion medium. The light source emits light in the blue and/or ultraviolet spectral range. The light from the light source is generated by a laser and the light from the light source is focused by an optical system onto the conversion medium. The conversion medium converts at least part of the incident light into a different spectral range. |
| US09157603B2 |
Light emitting unit with reflector for uniform light emission
A light emitting unit includes a light source device and a reflector. The light source device extends in parallel with an extension direction, and is capable of providing a light beam. The reflector is configured under the light source device and extends in parallel with the extension direction. The reflector has a first protrusion and a pair of second protrusions located on two sides of the first protrusion, the first protrusion has a peak portion and two trough portions, the second protrusion has a peak portion and a trough portion, and the two trough portions of the first protrusion are respectively connected to the trough portions of the two second protrusions to provide a fluctuant reflection surface, and a height of a cross section contour of the pair of the second protrusions in parallel with the extension direction is decreased from a center to two ends of the reflector. |
| US09157602B2 |
Optical element for a light source and lighting system using same
An optical element for a light source and a lighting system using the optical element are disclosed. In example embodiments, the optical element includes an entry surface and an exit surface opposite the entry surface. The entry surface includes at least three subsurfaces, wherein each subsurface is disposed to receive light rays leaving light source. Each of the three subsurfaces is geometrically shaped and positioned to receive light rays entering the optical element through that subsurface in order to direct the light passing through the optical element. In some embodiments the optical element includes a concentrator lens disposed in the exit surface. The optical element can also include a mixing treatment. A lighting system can include multiple optical elements, each paired with a light source such as an LED or LED package. |
| US09157595B2 |
Light-emitting device having multiple light source groups
A light-emitting device may include: one first light source group having at least one light source and one second light source group having at least one light source, at least one reflector, which is configured and arranged for the purpose of reflecting light emitted by the first light source group to an optical plane, and at least one light conducting element, which is configured and arranged for the purpose of conducting light emitted by the second light source group to the optical plane, wherein the light conducting element is configured and arranged as an aperture for light reflected by the at least one reflector. |
| US09157590B2 |
Base carrier, light source carrier and system comprising a base carrier and a light source carrier
A base carrier (2) for an illumination device (L1; L2; L3), comprising a printed circuit board (4) having at least one first plug-in connection element (9) for mechanically securing and electrically coupling a light source carrier (3) to the printed circuit board (4). |
| US09157589B2 |
LED light having a built-in projection light and night light
An LED light has a built-in projection light and a night light to offer at least two functions for people in a dark environment. The projection light can project an image from any type of display-unit irrespective of geometric shape or image source or type, including display of digital data, wireless digital data, an LCD or TFT screen display, or any other display, enabling images of enlarged size to be projected onto a preferred surface, making it easier for people to see the image. The built-in night light helps people see things in a dark environment. |
| US09157588B2 |
Decorative lighting with reinforced wiring
A reinforced decorative light string assembly, including: a first lamp assembly including a first lamp holder and a first lamp element, a second lamp assembly including a second lamp holder and a second lamp element, and a first reinforced decorative-lighting wire. The first reinforced decorative-lighting wire includes: a reinforcing strand extending axially along a central longitudinal axis of the wire, the reinforcing strand including one or more fibers comprising a polymer material; a first conductor layer including a first plurality of conductors including a copper material; a second conductor layer, the second conductor layer including a plurality of conductors; and an outer insulating layer adjacent to, and covering, the second conductor layer. |
| US09157585B2 |
Area light
A work light includes a housing including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a center portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. A battery receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a power tool battery pack having a voltage of at least 18 volts. An LED light source is supported by the housing and is powered by the power tool battery pack and a reflector is positioned adjacent the LED light source and arranged to cooperate with the LED light source to produce light having an intensity at a distance of one meter that is at least 1200 Lux. |
| US09157572B1 |
Air conditioner roof support system
An air conditioner support system including a hold-down bracket for securing an air conditioner to a roof mounted air conditioner support, the hold-down bracket including a clip engageable with a rim portion of the support to maintain the hold-down bracket in position on the support. |
| US09157570B2 |
Wall mounting device and wall mounting method for liquid crystal display
The present invention provides a wall mounting device and a wall mounting method for liquid crystal display. The wall mounting device includes a cross frame, brackets for supporting a bottom of a liquid crystal display, and connection sections connecting the cross frame and the brackets. The cross frame forms through holes corresponding to the mounting pegs of the liquid crystal display. To assemble, the bottom of the liquid crystal display is positioned on the brackets and the mounting pegs and the through holes are connected to each other so as to couple the liquid crystal display and the wall mounting device together. The wall mounting device for liquid crystal display of that uses brackets to reduce the number of mounting pegs used in the liquid crystal display so as effectively lower down the cost and enable the use of a thinner back frame for the liquid crystal display. |
| US09157569B2 |
Remote controlled moving platform for a camera
A moving platform for use with a camera and track assembly, and comprising a platform body having a hollow rectangular shape with five mirrored exterior sides and one open bottom side. Within and attached to the platform body is a drive wheel, an electric motor and a gear box adapted to drive the drive wheel, a non-drive wheel positioned and rotatable parallel to the drive wheel, a pair of directional wheels spaced from the drive wheel and the non-drive wheel, and a guide wheel assembly attached between the pair of directional wheels and including at least one caster wheel assembly adapted to roll within a recessed rail of a track assembly. |
| US09157565B2 |
Encapsulated insulation
This application describes insulated casings with cores of insulating material, coated with or otherwise encapsulated in a shell material are disclosed. A hinge may be fixed to first and second encapsulated cores and couple the first and second encapsulated cores to allow the insulated casings to removably cover a conduit. |
| US09157559B2 |
Exhaust connection member with braided cover
An exhaust connection coupler and a method for manufacturing a braid cover incorporated therein are provided. |
| US09157558B2 |
Reinforced flexible hose
A flexible hose (100) having a grooved liner (102) forming a part of the side walls of the hose to define an internal bore (101). Helically formed grooves (108) are formed at an external facing side of liner (102) with an innermost side (104) comprising a substantially smooth, non-profiled surface. A coiled wire retainer (107) is housed within each groove (108) to provide a hose (100) resistant to crushing and collapse of the internal bore (101) due to kinking when the hose (100) is flexed. |
| US09157557B2 |
Gas distribution assembly
A gas distribution assembly includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe, defining a gas supply chamber therebetween. Furthermore, the gas distribution assembly includes a unit for supplying compressed gas to the gas supply chamber, a first end connection connecting first ends of the outer pipe and of the inner pipe, and leaving an orifice of the first end of the inner pipe open outwards, a second end connection connecting second ends of the outer pipe and of the inner pipe, and leaving an orifice of the second end of the inner pipe open outwards. The inner pipe includes a first pipe member including the first end of the inner pipe and a second pipe member including the second end of the inner pipe, which pipe members are in telescopic engagement with each other. |
| US09157556B2 |
Vehicle exhaust tip assembly
An exhaust tip assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes an accent member and a collector member that is made substantially from a polymeric material. The collector member includes a collector portion and an attachment portion. The collector portion includes a first end and a second end. The collector portion defines a passage that extends from the first end to the second end. The first end is operable to receive a downstream end of a tailpipe, and the second end is operable to removably attach to the accent member. The attachment portion is configured to mount to a fascia member of a vehicle to thereby expose the accent member from the fascia member. |
| US09157552B2 |
Plant for manufacturing a rigid pipe for drawing up deep water within an offshore platform
A plant for manufacturing a rigid pipe for drawing up deep water within an offshore platform includes a floating platform on which a continuous production device is installed in the vertical axis of the pipe, and including: a first stage of winding webs of fibers impregnated with resin around a winding roll for the partial crosslinking thereof, a second stage of complete crosslinking of the resin, a third stage of mounting functional members on the pipe, a fourth stage of inspecting the pipe thus manufactured, and a fifth stage of guiding the pipe. |
| US09157551B2 |
Reconfigurable microactuator and method of configuring same
A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs. |
| US09157545B2 |
Automotive air bypass valve
An air bypass valve (10) includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a magnetic housing (32), a coil bobbin (34) in the magnetic housing, a coil (36) disposed about the coil bobbin, and a magnetic flux ring (38) coupled with the magnetic housing. An armature and seal assembly (12) includes an armature structure (14, 16) that can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with armature structure so that the seal structure can pivot with respect to the armature structure. The seal structure has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a manifold component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position and a main housing covers (46) the magnetic housing. |
| US09157544B2 |
Solenoid valve
A valve section that functions as a solenoid valve device that includes a pressure adjusting section that adjusts fluid pressure supplied from a fluid pressure source; a pump section that sucks and discharges working fluid in a reservoir; and a single solenoid section that drives the pressure adjusting section and the pump section. |
| US09157542B2 |
Fluid-biased hydraulic control valve
A hydraulic control valve is provided having a solenoid body, an energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. A valve stem extends from the armature. The coil is energizable to move the armature and the valve stem from a first position to a second position. The valve body, the armature and the valve stem are configured so that the armature and the valve stem are biased to the first position by pressurized fluid, allowing the armature to operate without a biasing spring. |
| US09157541B2 |
Valve apparatus
Valve apparatus for converting a direct water drain valve into an indirect water drain valve, the direct water drain valve having at least one drain conduit, the apparatus including: a part having an inner volume and a fluid transfer aperture for fluid to enter the inner volume, the part being arranged to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the direct water drain valve so as to convert at least some of the inner volume into a substantially fluid-tight passageway between the fluid transfer aperture and the at least one drain conduit of the direct water drain valve. |
| US09157540B2 |
Fluid regulator with integrated rapid pressurization bypass valve
A fluid flow control device includes a regulator for operating at high pressures and an integral bypass valve. The regulator and the bypass valve each include a control assembly that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The regulator and bypass valves are biased into the open positions and adapted to move into the closed positions when an operating pressure rises to above respective regulator and bypass set-point pressures. The bypass set-point pressure is lower than the regulator set-point pressure such that when the operating pressure rises above the bypass set-point pressure, the bypass valve automatically closes and allows the regulator to perform under normal operating conditions. So configured, the bypass valve is arranged to accommodate at least some of the fluid flow through the system until the operating pressure reaches the normal operating pressure, which is somewhere between the bypass and regulator set-point pressures. |
| US09157539B2 |
Pressure control valve device
A pressure-control valve device for a fluid, having at least one inlet area and first and second outlet areas that can be flow-connected to one another by two seat valves coupled to one another, in which a fluid flow from the inlet area to the first and second outlet areas can be adjusted by the first seat valve and a fluid flow between the first and second outlet areas can be adjusted by the second seat valve. The first seat valve is designed as a valve aperture with a valve opening and a valve control edge and with a ball-shaped closing element that co-operates with the valve control edge. The valve opening and the ball-shaped closing element are designed such that the ratio of the diameter of the valve opening to the diameter of the ball-shaped closing element is equal to at least 0.75. |
| US09157538B2 |
Method of operating a valve
Method of operating a valve (1) which connects openings (2, 3) of at least two chambers (4, 5) to one another and, for closing the openings (2, 3) of each of the chambers (4, 5), has at least one dedicated closure member (6, 7), wherein for opening one of the openings (2, 3), the chamber (4, 5) assigned to said opening (2, 3) has generated in it a positive pressure which is higher than a current pressure in the valve-housing interior (8), wherein, by virtue of this positive pressure, the closure member (6, 7) assigned to said opening is raised up from the valve seat (10, 11) assigned to said opening (2, 3) and then, through this opening (2, 3), pressure equalization is carried out between the valve-housing interior (8) and the chamber (4, 5) assigned to said opening (2, 3). (FIG. 1) |
| US09157537B2 |
Aircraft fluid check valve assembly with indexing
An aircraft check valve assembly where the fluid check valve is indexed in rotational position relative to a first duct flange and to a second opposed duct flange and to a clamping band where the check valve includes an annular check valve flange having at least one index tab extending therefrom. The index tab formed in the check valve annular flange engages a void area formed in an outer annular ridge formed in the first and second duct flanges. A clamping band holds the first duct flange to the check valve flange and to the second duct flange where the clamping band is rotationally indexed to the check valve by index fingers formed on the index tab which and extends to occupy a gap formed in a hinge point of the band clamp. |
| US09157534B2 |
Two-stud diaphragm for diaphragm valves
A diaphragm valve features a valve body having a fluid flow channel with a weir portion to control the flow of fluid through the fluid flow channel; a diaphragm that responds to a closing or force to make sealing contact with the weir portion to interrupt said flow, or to release the sealing contact with the weir portion to allow the flow; a compressor configured to apply the closing or force in order to interrupt or allow the flow; and two studs configured to: couple the compressor and the diaphragm together, attach to the diaphragm to provide attachment points on the diaphragm on each side of the weir portion, and respond to the closing or opening force so the attachment points on both sides of the weir portion cause the diaphragm to make sealing contact with the weir portion or cause the sealing contact to be released. |
| US09157530B2 |
Sealing device and sealing structure
The sealing device includes: an outer peripheral ring 2000 that is in contact with a side wall surface of an annular groove 4100 at a low pressure side (L), and slides with respect to an inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole in a housing 5000 through which a shaft 4000 is inserted. An inner peripheral ring 3000 made of a rubber-like elastic body that is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral ring 2000 and a groove bottom surface of the annular groove 4100, respectively. The outer peripheral ring 2000 is formed on its outer peripheral surface with a concave portion 2220 which extends from an end of a high pressure side (H) to a position which does not arrive at an end of a low pressure side, so as to introduce fluid thereinto from the high pressure side. |
| US09157527B2 |
Rotating hydrostatic transmision
A hydrostatic transmission in the shape of a shaft/rotor comprising two hydraulic pumps/motors with adjustable displacement connected in a closed hydraulic system. The displacement of the pumps/motors is adjusted by adjusting the angle of swash plates of the pumps/motors. The control and regulation of the angle of the swash plates is done by transferring a signal by two separate pulse width modulated DC fed pulse trains. The hydrostatic transmission includes oil accumulators connected to the hydraulic pumps/motors. |
| US09157524B2 |
Vehicle transmission
A vehicle transmission includes a main transmission, a sub-transmission, a sub-transmission shift position sensor, and a map switching device. The main transmission is an automatic transmission configured to perform gear shifting according to a gear shift map selected between a first gear shift map and a second gear shift map in accordance with a throttle opening degree and a vehicle speed. The sub-transmission is configured to change rotational speed of rotational drive force output from the main transmission by manually selecting a sub-transmission gear position between a drive position and a low position having a reduction ratio larger than a reduction ratio of the drive position. The map switching device is configured to perform switching between the first gear shift map and the second gear shift map in accordance with sensing signals from the sub-transmission shift position sensor. |
| US09157523B2 |
Bicycle component actuation apparatus
A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time. |
| US09157520B2 |
Motion guide apparatus
A motion guide apparatus includes a cylindrical member having a peripheral protrusion formed between two outer peripheral recesses, a housing engaged onto the cylindrical member and having a peripheral swelling formed between two peripheral depressions, a number of bearing members engaged between the cylindrical member and the housing, and two actuating ring members each having a number of orifices for engaging with the bearing members and each having an inner side portion directed toward the peripheral protrusion and the peripheral swelling, and each having an operating device extended into the gap that is formed between the peripheral protrusion and the peripheral swelling for wiping the lubricating oil. |
| US09157519B2 |
Worm reduction gear
A worm reduction gear that reduces a rotation of a worm and transmits the reduced rotation to a worm wheel includes a casing that houses the worm and the worm wheel, wherein the casing includes: a wheel opposing surface that opposes an end surface of the worm wheel via an interval; and a grease holding recessed portion formed in a recessed shape in the wheel opposing surface, and the grease holding recessed portion is provided in a position opposing a worm meshing portion between the worm and the worm wheel. |
| US09157517B2 |
Compound harmonic drive
A harmonic drive includes a first flexible gear and a second flexible gear disposed around the first flexible gear and coaxial with the first flexible gear. A first ring gear meshes with the first flexible gear, and a second ring gear meshes with the second flexible gear. |
| US09157515B2 |
Axle assembly
An axle assembly having an axle housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, a differential assembly and a pair of axle shafts. The input pinion is mounted to the axle housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear is received in the axle housing and meshed with the input pinion. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear on the axle housing for rotation about a second axis. The ring gear bearing has a bearing race, which is integrally formed with the ring gear, and a plurality of first bearing element that contact the first bearing race. The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members. Each axle shaft being coupled for rotation with a corresponding one of the output members. |
| US09157513B2 |
Rack guide unit and steering system including the rack guide unit
A rack guide unit includes a closure member secured to an external opening end of an accommodation portion of a housing, and a rack guide. Coned disc springs that urge the rack guide toward a rack shaft are interposed between the closure member and the rack guide. A protrusion of the closure member is passed through the coned disc springs and inserted in a recessed portion of the rack guide. An O-ring held in an accommodation groove formed in the outer periphery of the protrusion, at a position closer to the distal end of the protrusion than the coned disc springs are, functions as a retaining protrusion that restrains the coned disc springs from coming off the protrusion. For example, the coned disc springs and the closure member constitute a subassembly formed in advance. |
| US09157508B2 |
Industrial gear mechanism
An industrial gear mechanism with a bevel gear stage having a-bevel gear and a bevel pinion in engagement therewith. The bevel gear and the bevel pinion are surrounded by a gear mechanism housing having bearing seats for a bevel gear shaft and a bevel pinion shaft. A first and a second bevel pinion shaft bearing are arranged in an O-arrangement, with the first bevel pinion shaft bearing arranged on a first end of the bevel pinion shaft facing the bevel pinion and the second bevel pinion shaft bearing arranged on a second end of the bevel pinion shaft remote from the bevel pinion. A gearwheel of a spur gear stage on the drive side is arranged axially between the first and second bevel pinion shaft bearings in fixed rotative connection with the bevel pinion shaft and in engagement with a drive pinion of the spur gear stage. |
| US09157502B2 |
Staple belt fastener applicator tool and method
A belt fastener applicator tool and method are provided. The tool is very simple and provides a low cost tool for applying staple belt fasteners to belt ends. The applicator tool includes a plate body having both anvil and comb portions that are fixed thereto so as to be integrated therewith. In one form, the tool has a one-piece construction so that the plate body and anvil and comb portions are integrally formed together. Preferably, the comb portion includes upstanding comb locating members for receiving hinge loops, and the anvil portion includes both initial set anvil wells on one side of the locating members and a final set flat surface portion on the other side of the locating members. The same tool is used for both initial set and final set staple leg setting operations by turning the tool around with an operator using a hammer for staple setting operations. |
| US09157496B2 |
Rotary-shaft brake system, in particular for an aircraft rotor or propeller, including a linear actuator
Rotary-shaft brake system includes a rotary braking member attached to a rotary shaft, first and second friction members arranged on either side of the rotary braking member, each friction member being moveable between a first braking position when the friction members are in contact with the rotary braking member and a second idle position away from the rotary braking member, a bracket holding the friction members and guiding device and control device controlling movement of the friction members on the bracket. The control device comprises a linear actuator acting on at least a first lever and a solid elastically deformable element. |
| US09157495B2 |
Torque converter having integrated flex plate for hybrid electric vehicle
An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine and selectively to an engine through a disconnect clutch, a coupler located between the rotor hub and torque converter, providing a rotational connection and an axial connection between the coupler and the rotor hub, and a flex plate providing second rotational and axial connections between the coupler and the torque converter. |
| US09157490B2 |
Clutch device
A clutch device includes an input rotor, a first pressure plate, a second pressure plate, a first clutch disc assembly, a second clutch disc assembly, a first diaphragm spring, a second diaphragm spring, a first adjusting bolt, a first adjusting spring and a first slide bushing. The first adjusting bolt is configured to be axially moved with respect to the first pressure plate when rotated with respect to the first pressure plate. The first adjusting spring is configured to apply rotational force to the first adjusting bolt. The first slide bushing is disposed while being allowed to restrict the first pressure plate from moving towards the first clutch disc assembly. |
| US09157484B2 |
Rotating shaft and industrial robot employing same
A rotating shaft has: a first shaft member that includes a rail member and a first connecting portion which is disposed at the rail member; and a second shaft member that includes a slider which is movably installed to the rail member, a tubular unit which is secured to the slider, and a second connecting portion which is disposed at the tubular unit. The slider includes a plurality of roller type rolling elements. The plurality of roller type rolling elements includes: first roller type rolling elements which roll along a rolling path and when torque in a first direction is inputted, transfer running torque between the slider and the rail member; and second roller type rolling elements which roll along a rolling path and when torque in a second direction, which is opposite of the first direction, is inputted, transfer running torque between the slider and the rail member. |
| US09157478B2 |
Plain bearing
A plain bearing of a shaft, in particular of an electric-motor drive unit of a motor vehicle, contains a first plain bearing part that surrounds the shaft and a second plain bearing part connected axially to the first plain bearing part. The thermal expansion coefficient of the second plain bearing part is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plain bearing part. |
| US09157475B2 |
Self-aligning maintenance free bearing unit for agricultural applications
A contamination-resistant bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted within a housing and an inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring. Inboard and outboard seal structures are disposed within a bearing space defined between the rings and prevent contaminants from entering a rolling element lubrication zone. A surface seal may also be included to protect the spherical interface between the housing and outer ring. The improved structure allows dynamic alignment of the bearing assembly when acted on by outside forces and also allows for extended operation under maintenance free conditions with no need for relubrication. |
| US09157474B2 |
System and method of monitoring wear in a bearing
A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer. |
| US09157473B2 |
Thrust bearing and combo bearing
A thrust bearing comprising a damper body including a body part and protrusions axially protruding at predetermined areas on the body part with flat tops, and thrust top foils each having a contact portion that is in surface contact with the tops of the protrusions. |
| US09157472B2 |
Thrust foil air bearing
A thrust foil air bearing has a bump foil arranged on a thrust plate. A top foil includes a flat surface extending along top bumps of the bump foil, an edge attached to the thrust plate, and a ramp connecting the edge and the flat surface. The ramp forms a curvature. The curvature has a center located in a lower part of the ramp and tangentially contacts the top of a first bump of the bump foil. |
| US09157471B2 |
Friction locking spherical joint
A spherical bearing permits alignment, maintained alignment, and the immobilization of an attachment to a shaft passing through a core of a bearing. The bearing includes a spherical inner core surrounded by a housing around the core. The bearing does not require alignment of the housing and core to perform its function. Design features based on structural modification of the inner core allow the bearing to be immobilized using minimal compression and releasability when the bearing is released. |
| US09157470B2 |
Carbon fiber reinforced plastic push/pull rod
A draw-pull bar is described which consists of at least one adapter with a metallic tubular end and of an inner and outer tubular body out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). It is characterized thus that the outer CFRP tubular body conically wraps the metallic end of the adapter from the outside in a form-fit manner while the inner CFRP tubular body is form-fit connected with the metallic ends of the adapter. An elastomeric layer is tapered in the contact area between the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body in such a way that both tubular bodies are separated on the one side, but are arranged against each other in a protected and damped manner on the other side. |
| US09157468B2 |
Packing nut lock and method of use
An apparatus for preventing a threaded nut from unscrewing from a threaded bore of a device. The threaded nut has a circular periphery containing a plurality of apertures. The apparatus has a body with a first pin configured to insert into one of the apertures of the threaded nut, and a retainer that releasably holds the first pin within the aperture. |
| US09157462B2 |
Bolted joint structure
Joint parts of joinable plates to be joined to each other are joined by a plurality of joining bolts. The joining bolts are arranged in a direction of a tensile load F. The joint parts of the plate members have four sections T1 to T4 that vary in elastic modulus. The elastic modulus (E1 to E4) of these sections T1 to T4 have a relationship of E1(T1)>E2(T2)>E3(T3)>E4(T4). |
| US09157459B2 |
Liquid storage container
A liquid storage container has a double structure provided with an outer container forming an outer shell and a liner arranged in the outer container, the liner accommodating a liquid, wherein the liquid is pushed out from the liner by gas pressure introduced into the outer container so as to flow out to an exterior of the container from a siphon of a plug attached to a stopper portion of the outer container, a substantially concentric drop tube is arranged on an outer periphery of the siphon so as to form a space portion serving as a liquid flow passage, a through hole is formed on a tube wall of the drop tube, and an outlet opening for making the inflow liquid coming from the through hole flow out from the liquid flow passage. |
| US09157458B2 |
Air blowing device and air blowing method
An air blowing device 1 includes: a main body housing 2 to open a suction inlet 4a and a jet outlet 5a of an air; and an air blower 3 to be provided in a lower portion in the main body housing 2 and to circulate the air that is sucked from the suction inlet 4a towards the jet outlet 5a. The main body housing 2 is in a column shape from below to above, and the jet outlet 5a is formed in a slit shape in a vertically long rectangular shape along a side wall of the main body housing 2 and also is arranged to expel an air in an approximately transverse direction. |
| US09157456B2 |
Method for monitoring the clearance of a kinematic link between a control member and a receiving member
The method consists, based on an operating parameter of the turbojet engine, in: displacing said control member (11) in a direction as far as a first position (P1) for which the receiving members (5) are rotated so as to take up the clearance of the kinematic link (12), then displacing said control member in the direction opposing the previous direction, as far as a second position (P2) when a variation of the selected operating parameter is observed, and in ascertaining the travel of the control member (11) between the two positions corresponding to the total clearance of the kinematic link (12), and comparing the ascertained value of said travel of the control member with a predetermined limit value and, if it is observed that the ascertained value of the travel of the control member is greater than said limit value, to carry out monitoring of the kinematic link (12). |
| US09157455B2 |
Airflow assembly having improved acoustical performance
An airflow assembly, includes a plenum, a barrel, a fan support, a fan assembly, and a plurality of ribs. The plenum includes an opening structure defining a plenum opening. The barrel extends in a downstream direction from the opening structure, and defines a barrel space and a downstream edge. The fan support is at least partially positioned within the barrel space. The fan assembly is supported by the fan support and includes (i) a motor and (ii) a blade assembly configured to rotate about an axis. Each of the ribs extends between (i) the opening structure or the barrel and (ii) the fan support. The downstream direction is parallel to the axis. An upstream direction is opposite of the downstream direction and parallel to the axis. A plane intersects the axis and is perpendicular to the axis. |
| US09157452B2 |
Radial fan wheel, fan unit and radial fan arrangement
A radial fan wheel comprising vanes (2) which are inclined against the rotational direction (8) (radial impeller inclined towards the rear), the outer edge regions (14, 7) of the top and bottom disks (3,4) projecting past the effective diameter (DAs) of the vanes. The diffusion space thus established between the bottom and top disks (1,3) and the effective and outer diameter (Das, DN) of the vanes enables the kinetic energy of the fluid to be effectively converted into static pressure). The cross-section of the diffusion space is thus embodied in such a way that it expands radially outwards in a rectangular or trapezoidal manner |
| US09157447B2 |
Centrifugal gas compressor magnetic bearing thrust collar with mounting pilots
A thrust collar (161) includes a central disk (162), a forward wing (163), and an aft wing (164). The central disk (162) is a disk shaped hollow cylinder with a central axis (97). The forward wing (163) and the aft wing (164) are thin walled hollow cylinders extending axially from an inner portion of the central disk (162) about the central axis (97) in opposite directions. The forward wing (163) includes a forward mounting pilot (165) extending radially inward from the forward wing (163) distal to the central disk (162). The aft wing (164) includes an aft mounting pilot (167) extending radially inward from the aft wing (164) distal to the central disk (162). |
| US09157446B2 |
Centrifugal compressor with extended operating range
This disclosure relates to a centrifugal compressor. In a first example, the compressor includes a first impeller provided in a main refrigerant flow path, a second impeller provided in the main refrigerant flow path downstream of the first impeller, and a recirculation flow path. In the first example, the recirculation flow path is provided between a first location and a second location along the main refrigerant flow path. The first location is downstream of the second location, and the second location is downstream of the first impeller. In a second example, the compressor includes an impeller provided in a main refrigerant flow path, and a recirculation flow path provided between a first location and a second location along the main refrigerant flow path. In the second example, the recirculation flow path includes a recirculation volute. Further disclosed is a method for operating a centrifugal compressor. |
| US09157442B2 |
Fan with integrated vibration absorbing structure
A fan with integrated vibration absorbing structure includes a fan frame, a hub-blade assembly, and at least one vibration absorber. The fan frame includes a base and at least one side wall formed around the base, and the hub-blade assembly is arranged in the fan frame. The at least one vibration absorber is provided on the at least one side wall to project therefrom for absorbing vibration produced by the fan during the operation thereof. Therefore, with the vibration absorbers integrated into the fan frame, it is no longer necessary to provide any additional vibration-absorbing member while upgraded vibration-absorbing effect can be achieved. Meanwhile, the fan can be more conveniently mounted at reduced mounting cost. |
| US09157441B2 |
Double inlet centrifugal blower with peripheral motor
A centrifugal blower apparatus includes a scroll-shaped housing with first and second air inlets which open to a blower chamber that is in fluid communication with an air outlet. The blower includes a motor to drive an impeller, wherein the motor is secured to a frame that is coupled with the housing in a manner to substantially enhance aerodynamic performance of the blower. |
| US09157440B2 |
Method and system for controlling a process fluid stream and positioner
In a method or system for controlling a process fluid stream within an industrial process plant, a pump is provided in series with a control valve having an associated positioner to control the fluid stream. A required fluid passage quantity for the process fluid stream is set by positioning the control valve with the positioner into a respective valve position and capturing an actual position of the valve. A physically sensible actual property value related to passage of the process fluid through the control valve is determined. The actual property value as well as the actual valve position are evaluated by an evaluation routine with respect to a predetermined optimization parameter specific to the valve with its associated positioner. If a deviation occurs from the optimization parameter, a pump drive value for the pump and control valve position drive value for the valve positioner are tuned to each other in such a way that the optimization parameter is approached. |
| US09157437B2 |
Rotary compressor with oiling mechanism
A rotary compressor includes an oiling mechanism that contains a vertical fitting hole formed on a countershaft portion in the lower part of the rotating shaft, and an oil pipe having an inlet port at the lower end and an opening at the upper end. The upper part of the oil pipe is press-fitted into the vertical fitting hole. The oiling mechanism further contains a pump vane having a vane portion and a base portion. The vane portion is twisting processed and inserted into the vertical oil hole to provide a space. The base portion is fixed into the lower part of the oil pipe that has an inner diameter smaller than the width thereof. |
| US09157436B2 |
Variable oil pump with improved partitioning section
A oil pump includes a pump housing in which a first partitioning section is formed between a trailing end section of the intake port and a leading end section of the discharge port, and a second partitioning section is formed between a trailing end section of a discharge port and a leading end section of an intake port. A width dimension of the second partitioning section is the same as or larger than the formation range of a space between teeth which is constituted by an inner rotor and an outer rotor passing the second partitioning section during low-speed rotation. A protruding surface section is formed in the same plane as and continuously with the second partitioning section from the vicinity of an inner diameter side of the trailing end section of the discharge port. |
| US09157434B2 |
Sump pump system with automated system monitoring and data collection
A method of operation analysis of operation of a plurality of sump pumps located at various, separate locations. A plurality of sensors are respectively associated therewith. Each sensor sensing at least one operation condition. A plurality of location communication devices are respectively associated therewith. A master communicating device is located away from the separate locations. The communicated information is received at the master communicating device. The received communicated information is stored in memory. At least one benchmark value is determined concerning an operating condition utilizing the received information for each of the plurality of sump pumps. The received information for each of the sump pumps is compared to the benchmark value. Each sump pumps based is classified based upon each respective comparison. |
| US09157431B2 |
Counterbalance system for pumping units
A counterbalance system for a cantilevered beam pumping unit includes a counterbalance support structure adapted to be mounted in an operating position on the cantilevered beam of the pumping unit. A suspension element is connected to the counterbalance support structure so as to depend from a suspension end of the counterbalance support structure, and a counterbalance weight is connected to the first suspension element in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the counterbalance support structure. A stabilizer device is connected to the counterbalance weight via a first pivot connection and is connected to a structure separate from the counterbalance weight via a second pivot connection. |
| US09157423B2 |
Swashplate pivot bearing
The invention relates to a swashplate pivot bearing (10) in an adjustment unit of a hydraulic axial piston machine (1) with a timing/tracking mechanism (20) for the cage (14) of a roller bearing arrangement (11). The timing/tracking mechanism (20) is in this case distributed to the two end regions (16, 17, 18) of the roller bearing arrangement (11) in such a way that one part is active only during the pivoting of the swashplate (7) in one direction and the other part is active only during pivoting in the other direction. The timing/tracking mechanism (20) is preferably designed in the manner of a slotted-link control with guide tracks (24, 25, 26) and with a guide element (27, 28). |
| US09157422B2 |
Reciprocating pump and oxygen concentrator
A reciprocating pump includes a motor having a motor shaft, four cylinders, four pistons disposed in the cylinders and reciprocated by the motor shaft, a casing accommodating the motor shaft, and eight ducts. The four cylinders are disposed at positions offset 90 degrees from each other about the motor shaft. Cylinder shaft directions are perpendicular to a motor shaft direction. The eight ducts include four intake ducts and four exhaust ducts. Gas is introduced into the cylinders through the intake ducts and discharged from the cylinders through the exhaust ducts. The eight ducts are disposed in a region surrounded by the cylinders when viewed along the motor shaft direction. The eight ducts are arranged in four pairs with each pair disposed between adjacent cylinders about the motor shaft. The four pairs of ducts disposed between the adjacent cylinders extend along the motor shaft direction. |
| US09157415B1 |
System and method of controlling an electronic component of a wind turbine using contingency communications
The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window. |
| US09157411B2 |
Waste water electrical power generating system
An electrical power generating system is connected to a sewer for conveying waste water to a sanitary treatment station. Waste water is propelled through the sewer line by pumping equipment which simultaneously pulverizes most large objects carried by the waste water. The waste water drives one or more water-operated turbines. The turbines are operatively connected to electrical power generators for producing electrical power and dispersing the power through an electrical power transmission system. |
| US09157405B2 |
Starter motor testing device
A control test device for testing a dual starter system has a first and a second starter. Each starter has a starter electrical interface including a starter start signal interface and a starter status signal interface. The control test device includes a first and a second communication interface for communicating a test signal to the first and second starter respectively. Each communication interface includes an electrical interface for interfacing with the first and second starter electrical interface. The test signal includes a start signal and a status signal. The start signal interfaces with one of the first and second starters start signal interface. The status signal sends a simulated status of the other one of the first and second starters to the one of the first and second starters start interface. A switch mechanism commands the start signal to one of the first and second starters. |
| US09157404B2 |
Fuel injector having pressure sensor
The invention relates to a fuel injector (1) having a high pressure region (32) which contains fuel that is under high pressure during operation, and a low pressure region (38) in which a lower pressure is present during operation than in the high pressure region (32). A sensor (12) is located in the low pressure region (38) and a transmission means (9) is arranged such that a force which is equal to the pressure of the fuel in the high pressure region (32) is exerted on the sensor (12) at least some of the time. |
| US09157398B2 |
Overload protection lacking automatic reset for use with active material actuation
An actuation assembly adapted to protect against overload conditions, includes an active material actuator and an active material overload protection device either with or without a manual reset. |
| US09157393B2 |
Multi-staged fuel return system
A fuel system for an engine is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the fuel system includes a fuel supply coupled to a low pressure fuel pump, the low pressure fuel pump coupled to a high pressure fuel pump to provide fuel to a fuel rail. Further, the fuel system includes a plurality of injectors coupled to the fuel rail to provide fuel to a plurality of engine cylinders. Further still, the fuel system includes a first fuel return line coupling the fuel rail to the fuel supply and a thermal recirculation valve, the thermal recirculation valve further coupled to a low pressure pump intake line; a second fuel return line coupling the high pressure fuel pump to the first fuel return line; and a third fuel return line coupling the plurality of injectors to a high pressure pump intake line. |
| US09157392B1 |
Pressure sensor with system with thermal stabilization and method of using
The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity. |
| US09157391B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling a combustion engine
Some implementations of a system for controlling an internal combustion engine (e.g., a natural gas fired internal combustion engine or another type of engine) can include an air-fuel ratio controller that is configured to monitor sensor feedback from an exhaust path and to thereafter automatically adjust the air-fuel mixture. The system can be employed in particular methods to control emissions from the engine, for example, by reducing pollutants emitted as components of the exhaust from the engine. |
| US09157390B2 |
Selective exhaust gas recirculation diagnostic systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a first exhaust gas flow rate (EGF) estimation module, a second EGF estimation module, and an EGF fault detection module. The first EGF estimation module estimates a first flow rate of exhaust re-circulated back to an intake manifold based on a concentration of oxygen in the intake manifold. The second EGF estimation module estimates a second flow rate of exhaust re-circulated back to the intake manifold based on an engine speed and an engine load. The EGF fault detection module selectively indicates a fault is present in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate. |
| US09157389B2 |
Apparatus of estimating fuel state
An apparatus extracts a main waveform component and a branch waveform component from a pressure waveform detected by a fuel pressure sensor. The main waveform component is caused by pressure change traveling in a main passage. The branch waveform component is caused by pressure change traveling in a branch passage. The apparatus calculates traveling speeds based on the components. Then, the apparatus estimates a main passage temperature based on a detected value of the fuel temperature sensor, the traveling speeds, the fuel pressure waveform and an average pressure. |
| US09157385B2 |
Fuel selection method and related system for a mobile asset
Embodiments of methods and systems related to operating a mobile asset over a fixed route are provided. In one example, an engine system is provided. The example engine system includes a fuel controller configured to adjust a first amount of at least one of a first fuel of a plurality of fuels delivered to an engine and a second amount of a second fuel of the plurality of fuels responsive to at least one of fuel market information for the plurality of fuels or route information about a fixed route along which a mobile asset powered by the engine is operable to travel. |
| US09157380B2 |
Twin scroll turbocharger with EGR takeoffs
Systems and methods for operating a twin scroll turbocharged engine with a junction configured to selectively control exhaust gas delivery to an exhaust gas recirculation system and a twin scroll turbine are provided. |
| US09157377B2 |
System and method for controlling a single-spool turboshaft engine
A control schedule incorporating a relationship between corrected torque and inlet pressure is selected or determined responsive to a power-level command representative of a level of power to be transmitted to a controllable load by a single-spool turboshaft engine. At least a substantial portion of the control schedule provides for a flat-rated power level by the single-spool turboshaft engine substantially independent of associated inlet air pressure and inlet air temperature, and for at least one selectable mode of operation, the control schedule provides for minimizing or nearly minimizing a measure of fuel consumption, and for at least one other selectable mode of operation, the control schedule provides for operation at a substantially fixed level of rotational speed. |
| US09157368B2 |
Active flow control for nacelle inlet
The disclosed turbine engine includes a fan nacelle surrounding a fan and including an inlet arranged upstream from the fan. The inlet includes an inlet surface having a boundary layer flow. A flow control actuator is in fluid communication with the inlet surface. A boundary layer sensing device is associated with the inlet surface for detecting a boundary layer condition at the inlet surface. A controller is in communication with the flow control actuator and the boundary layer sensing device. The controller is programmed to command the flow control actuator in response to the boundary layer sensing device detecting an undesired boundary layer condition. In this manner, the flow control actuator generates a desired boundary layer condition. |
| US09157365B2 |
Internal combustion engine with balancer
In an internal combustion engine with a balancer including a crankcase having a pair of wall portions, a crankshaft supported for rotation on the wall portions and having a balancer driving gear wheel provided thereon, and a balancer shaft supported for rotation by the wall portions and having a balancer driven gear wheel provided thereon, both gear wheels are disposed between the wall portions. A positioning mark including a set of marks provided on side faces in the same direction of the gear wheels is disposed near to pitch circles of both gear wheels. At a position opposing to both side faces of the one wall portion on the side opposing to the positioning mark on the pitch circles of both gear wheels, a through-hole extending through the one side wall is provided to permit the positioning mark to be visually observed through the through-hole. |
| US09157359B2 |
Exhaust energy recovery for engines
Technologies are generally described for recovery of energy from engines. The described technology may be applied to systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. An example exhaust energy recovery apparatus (50) may include at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element (60) having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length (34, 35, 36) of an exhaust duct (30) for a combustion engine. The example apparatus (50) may also include a cover (52) located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct (30) adjacent to the at least one energy conversion element (60). A channel (53) may be formed between the cover (52) and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct (30), the channel having at least one inlet (54, 56) for admission of cooling fluid. |
| US09157357B2 |
Method of operating a fuel processor intermittently
In situations where the demand for syngas is intermittent, a fuel processor is operated to provide a high absolute hydrogen and carbon monoxide production, rather than to give a high fuel-specific hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. When a syngas generator is operated to intermittently produce syngas, a heating process can be performed between periods of syngas demand in order to keep the fuel processor within a desired temperature range. The heating process can comprise various steps or events including performing a heating event, allowing a standby period, and/or performing a carbon conversion event. Carbon formed during the process of converting fuel to syngas can be advantageously converted to maintain the temperature of the fuel processor within a desired range in between periods of syngas demand. A predictive method can be employed to control at least a portion of the heating process. |
| US09157356B2 |
Method for operating a motor vehicle diesel engine
A method for operating a motor vehicle diesel engine having an exhaust emission control system is provided. The emission control system includes an oxidation catalytic converter, a particle filter, and an SCR catalytic converter, in which the exhaust gas that is discharged from the diesel engine is passed through the oxidation catalytic converter before passing through the particle filter and the SCR catalytic converter. A regeneration of the particle filter with thermal soot burn-off is occasionally carried out, during which the diesel engine is operated at an air-fuel ratio having a lambda value (λ) of at least approximately 1.0, and air is added to the exhaust gas after it exits the oxidation catalytic converter and before it enters the particle filter air, so that soot deposited on the particle filter is burnt-off. |
| US09157347B2 |
Internal combustion engine including crankshaft that is rotated while engine is in a non-fueled mode and method of operating an engine
A method of operating an engine includes starting and stopping operation of an internal combustion engine that includes a crankshaft having a bearing journal and a bearing in which the bearing journal is rotatable. The crankshaft is constantly turned when the internal combustion engine is in the non-fueled mode. An oil pump can be driven to lubricate the bearing journal and the bearing while the internal combustion engine is in the non-fueled mode to provide hydrodynamic lubrication. An engine is also disclosed. |
| US09157346B2 |
2-step variable valve lift apparatus actuated by dual roller bearings using electromagnetic system
A variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft, a cam lobe including at least one low lift cam and at least one high lift cam, and formed or mounted on an exterior circumference of the camshaft, and a cam follower opening a valve with a low lift or a high lift or closing the valve by a rotation of the camshaft. The cam follower may include a valve lift body pivoting on one side and opening or closing the valve by the cam lobe when the camshaft rotates, a bearing shaft fixedly mounted in the valve lift body, and at least one rolling bearing rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft and being movable axially on the bearing shaft to make contact selectively with the low lift cam or the high lift cam. |
| US09157344B2 |
Solenoid valve and valve opening-closing timing control device
A valve opening-closing timing control device includes a solenoid valve having a solenoid mechanism provided with a spool having an oil path groove formed in an outer face thereof, and a sleeve for housing the spool to reciprocate and slide. A wall surface of the sleeve has a first port communicating with a first hydraulic oil supply section, a second port communicating with a second hydraulic oil supply section, and a third port communicating with the side of a hydraulic oil supply source. The spool is driven and set to a first position for supplying hydraulic oil from the hydraulic oil supply source to the first port, a second position for supplying the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic oil supply source to the second port, and a third position outside an area between the first and second positions to prevent supply of hydraulic oil from the first and second ports. |
| US09157342B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A valve timing control apparatus includes: a first passage which is formed in the vane rotor, which extends in the radial direction at a position apart from the first lock member and the second lock member in the circumferential direction, which includes an opening portion located in an outer end portion of the first passage, and which receives a hydraulic pressure different from a hydraulic pressure within the advance angle hydraulic chambers and a hydraulic pressure within the retard angle hydraulic chambers; a second passage which is connected to the first passage and hydraulic pressure receiving portions of the first lock member and the second lock member; and a seal member which is press-fit in the opening portion of the outer end portion of the first passage. |
| US09157335B2 |
Side supported turbine shell
The present application provides a steam turbine side support system for use with a steam turbine having a rotor. The steam turbine side support system may include a shell for the steam turbine, a number of side support arms extending from the shell in a perpendicular configuration with respect to the rotor, and a foundation in communication with the side support arms. |
| US09157326B2 |
Airfoil for improved flow distribution with high radial offset
A vane assembly for use in a gas flow duct. The vane assembly includes multiple vanes arranged circumferentially about the duct. A throat angle of each of the vanes at mid-span is greater than the throat angle at the tips of the vane. |
| US09157321B2 |
Injecting device, drill rig and method of rock bolting
The invention comprises an injection device (6), for injecting fixing material in a drill hole (13) during rock bolting, comprising a hose system (12) and a feed unit (15). The hose system (12) comprises an injection pipe (10), the injection device further comprises a positioning means (33) adapted to adjust the position of the injection pipe (10) in relation to the drill hole (13) and the feed unit (15) comprises means (31, 32) adapted to drive the hose system (12) such that the injection pipe (10) enters the drill hole (13) for supplying fixing material into the hole (13) during operation. |
| US09157312B2 |
EMAT acoustic signal measurement using modulated Gaussian wavelet and Hilbert demodulation
Casing signals generated by an EMAT in a borehole are processed using at least two orthogonal band-limited filters. The band-limited filters may include Gaussian or Cauchy Wavelet filters. By using the Hilbert transform, an envelope of the filtered signals is determined and amplitudes and arrival times of individual arrivals are estimated. These can be used to estimate casing and cement properties. |
| US09157311B2 |
Method and system of determining constituent components of a fluid sample
Determining constituent components of a fluid sample. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: creating electromagnetic energy with a wavelength in the infrared region; directing the electromagnetic energy into a fluid sample; modulating the electromagnetic energy at a modulation frequency; directing the electromagnetic energy that passes through the fluid sample to a first resonant chamber, the first resonant chamber has an acoustic resonant frequency substantially equal to the modulation frequency; absorbing at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy by a detector fluid within the first resonant chamber; detecting acoustic energy within the first resonant chamber; and determining a first constituent component of the fluid sample based on the acoustic energy within the first resonant chamber. |
| US09157309B1 |
System and method for remotely controlled surface steerable drilling
A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives feedback information from a drilling rig and calculates an estimated position of a drill bit in a formation based on the feedback information. The system compares the estimated position to a desired position along a planned path of a borehole. The system calculates multiple solutions if the comparison indicates that the estimated position is outside a defined margin of error relative to the desired position. Each solution defines a path from the estimated position to the planned path. The system calculates a cost of each solution and selects one of the solutions based at least partly on the cost. The system produces control information representing the selected solution and outputs the control information for the drilling rig. |
| US09157308B2 |
System and method for prioritizing artificial lift system failure alerts
A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for analysis of artificial lift systems. An Artificial Lift Analysis Solution (ALAS) is also provided to view and analyze artificial lift well data trends, prediction and detection event alerts, and to diagnose system conditions to facilitate production optimization. Production well information is provided for a plurality of the production wells each being associated with an artificial lift system. Artificial lift system failure alerts for the plurality of production wells are received and processed on a computer. A relevance measure for each of the artificial lift system failure alerts is determined responsive to the production well information. A summary of the artificial lift system failure alerts is displayed in an ordering based on the relevance measure. |
| US09157304B2 |
Hydrocarbon resource recovery system including RF transmission line extending alongside a well pipe in a wellbore and related methods
A hydrocarbon resource recovery system for a laterally extending wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source and an electrically conductive well pipe extending within the laterally extending wellbore. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may further include an RF transmission line coupled to the RF source and extending alongside in parallel with an exterior of the electrically conductive well pipe within the laterally extending wellbore. The RF transmission line may be coupled to the electrically conductive well pipe to define an RF antenna for heating the hydrocarbon resources within the subterranean formation. |
| US09157303B2 |
Hydrocarbon resource heating apparatus including upper and lower wellbore RF radiators and related methods
A device for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having at least one pair of laterally extending upper and lower wellbores therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source. The device may also include an upper wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending upper wellbore and including a plurality of first terminals. The device may further include a lower wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending lower wellbore and comprising a plurality of second terminals. The device may also include an interconnection arrangement configured to couple the RF source and the first and second terminals so that at least one of the upper and lower wellbore RF radiators heat the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation. |
| US09157301B2 |
Modular top loading downhole pump
A method and apparatus for improving the production efficiency of a well and preventing gas lock. The apparatus is a downhole pump and comprises a barrel, a reciprocating plunger and a body having a plurality of inlet valves. The apparatus does not require outlet valves. The body and inlet valves are positioned above the barrel and plunger, thus eliminating gas lock. Fluids enter the body through the valves and, during upstrokes of the plunger, are forced up the tubing string to the surface equipment. Modularity of the components permits pump components to be changed as the productivity of the well fluctuates and also allows production of more fluids with a smaller casing. |
| US09157300B2 |
System and method for controlling formation fluid particulates
A gravel packing apparatus includes: a screen assembly including at least one screen configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, the screen configured to prevent particulate matter from passing therethrough; an axially extending conduit configured to transmit a gravel slurry from a remote location to a borehole region located between the screen and a portion of the borehole wall; and an exit port including an opening having a first end in fluid communication with the conduit and a second end in fluid communication with the borehole region, the exit port including at least one standoff member extending radially from the second end and configured to prevent blockage of the opening. |
| US09157295B2 |
Control of fluid flow in oil wells
A flow restrictor for controlling the flow of cement or other fluid in oil wells comprises a plurality of restrictor elements, each defining first and second apertures, which are assembled in a stacked configuration and slidingly inserted into the well casing or other tubing so that the first apertures define a direct flowpath, preferably including a non-return valve, and the second apertures define a second, indirect flowpath between the elements and the inner surface of the tubing. The elements include seals for fluidly sealing each element in the bore of the tubing which are preferably slidably retractable and resiliently radially outwardly biased so as to adapt conformably to different tubing types having different internal diameters. The restrictor may slide along the tubing in use. |
| US09157294B2 |
Wave-inducing device, casing system and method for cementing a casing in a borehole
A wave-inducing device for cementing a casing in a borehole. The wave-inducing device is designed for arrangement in the casing and includes a movable element which, when the wave-inducing device is arranged in the casing, is designed to be moved by cement and/or another fluid flowing through the casing so that wave motions and/or vibrations are provided in the cement during the cementing of the casing. |
| US09157281B2 |
Slide reamer and stabilizer tool
A downhole tool, for selectively reaming a wellbore or stabilizing drill string components within a wellbore, includes an elongate tool body adapted to receive reamer cartridges or stabilizer cartridges depending on the function desired. The reamer cartridges are radially insertable into corresponding pockets in the tool body, with each reamer cartridge having a reamer insert with an array of cutting elements. The reamer insert is disposed within a bushing and is rotatable relative thereto, about a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool. However, the rotational axis is offset from the tool body axis, resulting in eccentric contact of the cutting elements with the wall of the wellbore, which in turn imparts rotation to the reamer insert when the tool is being moved axially through a wellbore without rotation. When the tool is to be used for stabilization, the reamer cartridges can be removed and replaced with stabilizer cartridges having stabilizer inserts with hard-faced stabilizer cones. |
| US09157280B2 |
Enhanced backup ring features for metal face seal in roller cone drill bits
A backup ring for a face seal in a roller cone bit is configured to resist wear from drilling fluids present adjacent exposed faces of the backup ring. Portions are removed from an exposed end face in a variety of shapes while the hardness of the material is increased. The removal of material offsets an increase in force that would be transmitted through the backup ring on face seal assembly due to flexing. A spring can optionally be included in the removed material location. Another way is to increase the edge density of all or part of the exposed edges while leaving the interior portions unaffected by using electron beam radiation to increase the crosslink density or by other techniques that allow a unitary structure with a more durable edge region. |
| US09157279B2 |
Method of and system for drilling information management and resource planning
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a drilling-information-management system. The drilling-information management system includes a probe assembly disposed on a drill rod, a first computer interoperably coupled to the probe assembly via a conductor disposed in a drill rod, and a second computer in communication with the first computer. The second computer includes a barcode scanner. The drilling-information management system includes a database in communication with the second computer. Drilling-project data is transferred from the database to the second computer and calibration data is transferred from the second computer to the first computer. The first computer executes a drilling plan according to the drilling-project data. |
| US09157276B2 |
Ladder accessory
A ladder accessory device for insertion into an opening in a prior art ladder rung, wherein the ladder accessory device provides an elevated work environment that is out of the path of an individual ascending/descending the ladder. The accessory device is preferably comprised of a rung insert, a rung insert locking device, a support arm, a platform arm, and a platform arm locking device. The rung insert locking device permits the support arm to be rotated about the rung insert locking device, and the platform arm is likewise rotatable about the support arm. A wide arrange of accessories may also be removably attached to the platform to increase the overall usefulness of the device. |
| US09157274B2 |
Window covering
A window covering comprises an upper rail, a window shade located below the upper rail, a lower rail located below the window shade, a first clamping assembly and a second clamping assembly located at two sides of the lower rail and spaced from each other, and a cord winding assembly located in the lower rail to connect to the first clamping assembly and the second clamping assembly. A first cord and a second cord run through two opposite sides of the window shade to fasten to the cord winding assembly. The lower rail can be moved upwards or downwards by a user to retract or expand the window shade through the first and second cord. Besides, the distal ends of the first and second cords can be hidden in the cord winding assembly in the lower rail, thus can prevent the cords from entangling children to avoid accidents. |
| US09157272B2 |
Cellular shade having at least two cellular columns
An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity. |
| US09157271B2 |
Spline for screen framing
A dual composition spline for screen framing adds a stabilizing top plate to a round spline body for improved ease of installation using a wide flat roller. The plate is generally rectangular and is made of a relatively high Durometer material, which makes it much harder than the usual material used in screening splines. The holding portion (body) is more like a typical round spline with a relatively low Durometer material which is resilient to hold the screen in a frame channel. The plate and body are connected lengthwise to make a unitary spline. |
| US09157270B2 |
Method and apparatus for reinforcing roll up, roll down shutters and doors using self-forming structural shapes
A shutter for protecting an opening. The shutter comprising a plurality of horizontal curtain slats for covering the opening, wherein horizontal refers to a direction when viewing slats from a front surface, and wherein the curtain slats hang freely from a upper region of the opening; an upper transition slat movably affixed to a lower end of a first curtain slat; a lower transition slat movably affixed to an upper end of a second curtain slat; and a horizontal reinforcing member comprising at least an upper and a lower reinforcing slat, wherein the upper reinforcing slat is rotatably affixed to a lower end of the first transition slat and the lower reinforcing slat is rotatably affixed to an upper end of the second transition slat, and wherein the upper and lower reinforcing slats are rotatably joined. |
| US09157269B2 |
Automatic pet door controlled by smart phone
The present invention relates to a pet door system that has one or more open modes throughout a day wherein a pet can transverse the door for limited duration of time. In one variation, the open mode of the door may terminate upon passage by the pet and the pet may traverse the door at the next open mode. In one variation, the pet door system is controlled by a smart phone and an associated smart phone application. |
| US09157265B2 |
Bogey
A bogey includes a body having only a single set of support wheels, with one wheel positioned either side of the body. A threaded retainer is arranged for threaded engagement with a shaft of a hanger bolt. The retainer is located in spaced relation from the wheels, whereby the bolt is cantilevered from the body. |
| US09157261B2 |
Multifunction latch assembly
A latch assembly is disclosed that has a latch, a locking lever having locked and unlocked positions, and a detent lever having engaged and disengaged positions. The locking lever is configured to secure the latch in the closed position when the locking lever is in the locked position and the detent lever is configured to provide a detent function when the detent lever is in the engaged position. In certain aspects, the latch assembly includes a single motor and cam assembly having three configurations, wherein the locking lever and detent lever are respectively in the unlocked and disengaged positions while in the first configuration, in the unlocked and engaged positions while in the second configuration, and in the locked and engaged positions while in the third configuration. |
| US09157259B2 |
Vehicle hood latch assembly
A hood latch assembly configured to securely latch a striker bar of a hood to a main frame of a vehicle includes a main body having a moveable secondary latch pivot arm, and a moveable primary latch member. The primary latch member is configured to secure the striker bar in a primary closed position, and the secondary latch pivot arm is configured to secure the striker bar in a secondary closed position above the primary latch member. |
| US09157257B2 |
Security system for articles in transit
A tamper evidencing device for protecting an article, whereby breach of the device in use is evidenced by the device itself or the absence thereof, includes an elongate band for encircling the article and a component for guiding the band about the article. The component is attached or attachable to the band. The component has a first guide or loop such that the band may be looped in a first loop around the article and thereafter guided by the first guide or loop to extend therebeyond in a traverse direction to said first loop to form a second loop around the article. |
| US09157256B2 |
Lock system
A lock system, lock and key is provided. The lock includes additional cutouts on the face plate (123), requiring the insertion of a corresponding unblocking member on the keyblade (144). The unblocking portion engages an engagement portion (162) to allow release of a corresponding sidebar (126), thereby allowing rotation of the lock. The engagement portion (162) additionally must project to the correct length to allow the engagement portion (162) to travel the correct distance to release the sidebar (126). |
| US09157253B2 |
Portable driving device
A portable driving device for permanently driving stakes, survey flags, posts, or the like, of varying sizes and shapes, into the ground. The invention provides for powering the device by a pressurized fluid with a single power cylinder, a valve control assembly including a self-exhausting spool valve controlled by a rod that runs through the spool valve, and safety switches in series for controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the driving device. |
| US09157252B2 |
Niche-assist inurnment system
A niche-assist inurnment system for simplifying the insertion of a cremation urn into a niche in a columbarium including a bracket, for temporary attachment to the frontal surface of the open niche, the bracket having an elongated body and a load supporting upper surface that slidingly supports a sled on which the cremation urn is placed and which is adapted to carry the urn into the niche and be retracted from the niche leaving the urn inside the niche. |
| US09157248B2 |
Danger zone detection in building models
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying zones where protections should be installed to prevent people and materials from falling off edges of the building. The system analyzes a building model and building objects completed before a given time, identifies edges of interest for the building objects, determines whether these edges, or their portions, are dangerous, and provides this information to a user. |
| US09157246B2 |
Method and apparatus for selectively extruding and applying a layer of mortar upon a selected surface
A method for extruding and depositing a slurry or mortar onto a selected work surface uses a mortar gun assembly with a chamber for receiving mortar from a remote supply hopper and an extruder configured to selectively apply a bead or ribbon of mortar of selected thickness onto the work surface. The mortar gun assembly provides mortar from the hopper under pressure and the user selectively applies mortar by controlling a rotating port valve between the hopper and the mortar gun chamber. The rotating port valve provides a “rest state” in which the mortar is not sent to the mortar gun, but is instead re-circulated by the pump back to the hopper so un-dispensed mortar is kept moving and cannot dry or set. |
| US09157240B2 |
Apparatus for trimming interior walls
A system for trimming interior walls includes a plurality of elongate boards forming both base boards and fenestration casing boards for mounting on a respective wall along an edge of the wall for forming an attractive edge face of the wall. Each board has a front face with a continuously longitudinally extending groove with the rear face of the board being fastened to the wall by a series of screws at spaced positions along the board with the screws being recessed in the groove. An extruded plastic strip is inserted into the groove along the length of the board so as to cover the groove and the screws therein. The casing boards include an extra fastening connector along the rear of the board at the jamb. Corner pieces are provided which are hollow moldings to cover the ends of the boards with either a groove for a part of the strip or a simulated ridge matching the strip. |
| US09157236B2 |
Weather resistant shingle system
A weather resistant shingle system is provided, wherein a starter strip course of shingles is applied to a roof, and with successive courses of field shingles applied thereover, with adjacent underlying and overlying shingles adhesively secured together to provide wind resistance to tabs of next overlying shingles from being upwardly lifted under wind conditions, and to prevent moisture, such as rain, from entering beneath tabs of shingles. |
| US09157232B2 |
Adjustable head-of-wall insulation construction for use with wider wall configurations
A construction for insulating the head-of-wall joint between a wall and a floor or roof thereabove which utilizes an insulating gasket construction positionable between the ceiling track and the building structure thereabove. The insulating gasket member includes two L-shaped sections which includes co-operate to firestop both outwardly facing sides of a head-of-wall joint, but which can also be used singly. Each L-shaped section is attached to an associated side section which extends over the outwardly facing surfaces of a ceiling track with being attached thereto. Each L-shaped insulation gasket section can include securement mechanism such as adhesive on the undersurface of the main upper horizontal portion to facilitate attachment to the top of the track therebelow and can be attached to an adjacent similarly configured L-shaped section by one or more connecting straps extending through slits defined therein. |
| US09157229B2 |
Prefabricated composite insulation board
A prefabricated composite insulation board comprises a facing of a flexible sheet material and a plurality of vacuum insulation panels (VIP) adhesive bonded thereto. A body of insulating foam overlies the vacuum insulating panels and the carrier. There are gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels and these gaps are filled with the foam. Alternatively, groups of VIP's may be positioned close to one another and gaps left at defined locations. These gaps may be used to provide regions at which the panel may be cut to a desired length without cutting through and VIP's. External markings such as cut-lines may be provided to indicated the location of these gaps. |
| US09157228B2 |
Fastener
A corrugated-typed fastener configured to couple a first substrate to a second substrate includes a bridge and a plurality of ribs, the ribs having a plurality of flutes. The flutes, and possibly the ribs, may be angled inwardly to form an apex disposed within the width of the fastener and pointing towards a center of the fastener. The ribs may extend outward from the bridge towards opposing ends of the fastener, and the ends may be at a different height than the bridge when viewing the fastener from the side. Alternatively, the ends may be at the same height as the bridge and also may be generally centered on the height of the fastener. |
| US09157226B2 |
Apparatus and method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a sewer
A method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer system includes installing a receiving structure within or proximate to at least a portion of the gravity sewer system. The receiving structure has at least one fluid inlet opening, at least one liquid outlet opening, and at least one gas outlet opening. The method further includes evacuating at least some of any gas within the receiving structure through at least one gas outlet opening to create a vacuum within the receiving structure. The method further includes receiving a flow of at least liquid through the at least one fluid inlet opening of the receiving structure and into the receiving structure. The method further includes discharging at least some of the liquid from the receiving structure through the at least one liquid outlet opening of the receiving structure. |
| US09157225B2 |
Flush toilet
A flush toilet which includes: a bowl portion having a waste-receiving surface, a rim and a recess; a first rim spout portion which spouts flush water toward a front end of the bowl portion so as to form a swirl flow; and a second rim spout portion which spouts flush water so as to form a swirl flow having a same flow direction as that of the swirl flow formable by the first rim spout portion. The bowl portion is configured to allow flush water spouted from the first rim spout portion to form a major stream which flows from the front end of the bowl portion into the recess, and allow flush water spouted from the second rim spout portion to flow into the recess from a lateral side of the bowl portion and then merge with the major stream M. |
| US09157223B2 |
Lavatory system
A lavatory system includes a basin configured to receive at least one faucet, the basin defining a primary drain passage and first and second overflow drain passages; and an overflow adapter configured to be mounted to a rear surface of the basin, the overflow adapter defining an adapter passage such that when the overflow adapter is mounted to the basin, fluid received by way of the first overflow drain passage is directed through the adapter passage between the overflow adapter and the rear surface of the basin and to the second overflow drain passage. |
| US09157222B2 |
Adjustable overflow closure device
A three-position, circularly-shaped, height-adjustable overflow drain is disclosed. A circular back plate includes a bottom half opposite a top half, and is configured to be attachable to an overflow elbow. A first aperture is located in the bottom half of the back plate. A second aperture is located in the top half of the back plate. A rotatable handle comprises an outer cylindrical portion including a center plate. A third aperture is located in the center plate. The first, second and third apertures are aligned along a common radius, wherein the rotatable handle is rotatable to align either the first and third apertures, the second and third apertures, or no apertures. A cover plate is disposed within the rotatable handle and attached to the circular back plate forming an annular gap between the cover plate and the outer cylindrical portion. |
| US09157219B2 |
Undermount sink
An undermount sink system for mounting beneath a countertop having an upper counter surface. The undermount sink system includes a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The discharge conduit and basin are configured to mount to the countertop entirely below the upper counter surface. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop. Methods of making and using undermount sink systems are also provided. |