| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09214306B2 |
Gas insulated switchgear
A gas insulated switchgear includes a vacuum interrupter having a movable contact and a fixed contact in vacuum. The movable contact is on one side of a movable conductor that passes through a bellows. An insulating rod is coupled to the other side of the movable conductor that passes through the bellows. The insulating rod and the other side of the movable conductor are placed in an insulator. The vacuum interrupter, the insulating rod, and the insulator are disposed in a gas tank. An operating mechanism is disposed on a movable side end portion of the gas tank and connected to the insulating rod. An inner circumferential side space of the bellows, an internal space of the insulator, and an internal space of the operating box are in communication with each other; and pressure in these spaces is lower than pressure in the gas tank. |
| US09214303B2 |
Switch device system, switch device apparatus, computer program product
A system includes a switch operation unit configured to be mechanically operated to be in on or off state; a detecting unit configured to detect whether the switch operation unit is in on or off state; a first mechanism configured to close electrical contacts of at least one circuit when the switch operation unit is operated to be in on state; a second mechanism configured to maintain the contacts in closed state and switch the contacts to open state in response to electrical signals of off, on, and, off while the switch operation unit is in off state when the switch operation unit is operated to be in off state; and a first unit configured to notify a user of an abnormal state when the contacts are in the closed state and the switch operation unit is in off state at start of control. |
| US09214295B2 |
Key structure
A key structure includes a base plate, a switch circuit board, a keycap, and an enclosure frame. The keycap includes a magnetic element. The magnetic element is disposed on an edge part of the keycap. The enclosure frame includes a magnetic coating layer. The magnetic coating layer is formed on an edge part of the enclosure frame and disposed over the magnetic element. When the keycap is depressed, the keycap is moved to trigger the switch circuit board, so that the switch circuit board generates a key signal. When the keycap is no longer depressed, the keycap is moved toward the magnetic coating layer in response to the magnetic force. The key structure can be normally operated without the need of installing an elastic rubbery element. |
| US09214289B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor
An electrolytic capacitor includes a multilayered-capacitor-elements unit, a pair of positive electrode terminals, a negative electrode terminal, and an outer-package resin. The multilayered-capacitor-elements unit includes multiple capacitor elements of which positive electrodes are oriented oppositely to each other. The positive electrodes are connected to the positive electrode terminals, respectively, and negative electrodes of the capacitor elements are connected to the negative electrode terminal. Each of the positive electrode terminals includes a bottom section and a double-back section on which the positive electrodes of the capacitor element is disposed. The double-back section is formed by doubling over an end section extending toward the negative electrode. |
| US09214288B2 |
Flexible photo-anode of dye-sensitized solar cell and manufacturing method thereof
A flexible photo-anode of dye-sensitized solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes steps of: coating zinc oxide nanoparticles on a flexible substrate to form a seed layer; immersing the flexible substrate into a first reaction solution; heating the seed layer to form a zinc oxide nanowire array; cooling the flexible substrate to the room temperature, immersing it into the second reaction solution, and stirring the second reaction solution, so that the zinc oxide nanowire array forms a cactus-like structure. Thus, the sintering and embossing processes can be prevented. |
| US09214285B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor with enhanced mechanical stability under extreme conditions
Described is a capacitor assembly that is thermally and mechanically stable under extreme conditions. Thermal stability is provided by enclosing and hermetically sealing the capacitor element within a housing in the presence of a gaseous atmosphere that contains an inert gas, thereby limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the solid electrolyte of the capacitor. To provide good mechanical stability, the assembly contains at least one external termination (e.g., anode and/or cathode termination) extending beyond an outer periphery of a surface of the housing. The degree to which the external termination extends beyond the outer periphery relative to the dimension of the housing is selectively controlled to increase the surface area available for soldering to a circuit board. |
| US09214283B2 |
Multilayer capacitor and method of manufacturing same
In a multilayer capacitor 1, burned layers 17A, 17B are formed so as to cover all of lead conductors 12A, 12B drawn from inner electrodes 6A, 6B to end faces of a multilayer body 2. This can keep a plating solution from infiltrating onto the inner electrodes 6A, 6B when forming plating layers 18A, 18B and prevent insulation failures from occurring. Since the burned layers 17A, 17B cover a part of dummy electrodes 13C, 13F, 13G, 13H, the area of the burned layers 17A, 17B can be suppressed. This can inhibit excessive stresses from occurring in the burned layers 17A, 17B and thus can prevent cracks from being generated by stresses in the burned layers 17A, 17B. |
| US09214281B2 |
Very thin dielectrics for high permittivity and very low leakage capacitors and energy storing devices
Methods are disclosed for creating extremely high permittivity dielectric materials for use in capacitors and energy storage devices. High permittivity materials suspended in an organic non-conductive media matrix with enhanced properties and methods for making the same are disclosed. Organic polymers, shellac, silicone oil, and/or zein formulations are utilized to produce thin film low conductivity dielectric coatings. Transition metal salts as salt or oxide matrices are formed at low temperatures utilizing mild reducing agents. |
| US09214276B2 |
Capacitor
A capacitor is provided having an outer shell. A capacitor film member is disposed within the outer shell. A conductor member is disposed within the outer shell in thermal contact with the capacitor film member. A collet member is slidingly coupled to the conductor member. |
| US09214274B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting signals between a wall and a leaf fastened to this wall using hinges around a hinge axis
A method for transmitting a signal between a wall and a leaf hinged to the wall around an articulation axis includes providing a first signal transmission coil comprising a face side on the wall or on the leaf. A second signal transmission coil comprising a face side is provided on the wall or on the leaf. A carrier voltage is modulated via the signal to be transmitted so as to obtain a modulated carrier voltage. The modulated carrier voltage is applied to the first signal transmission coil so as to generate a secondary voltage modulated by the signal to be transmitted in the second signal transmission coil via an inductive coupling. The first signal transmission coil and the second signal transmission coil are arranged symmetrically with respect to the articulation axis and to face each another on their respective face sides. |
| US09214273B2 |
Radial drop winding for open-wound medium voltage dry type transformers with improved support structure
A method provides a radial drop winding for an open wound transformer. A plurality of non-electrically conductive posts are arranged to define an interior space. Each post is of generally L-shape having a main body and a leg extending from a bottom end of the main body. During an open winding process, conductive wire is dropped to build up lengthwise along the posts to define at least one generally cylindrical winding segment supported by the legs of the posts. |
| US09214271B2 |
Method of providing arc-resistant dry type transformer enclosure
Arc resistant enclosures for dry-type transformers. More particularly, transformer enclosures having one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums, and methods for providing same. |
| US09214269B2 |
IC rectangular inductor with perpendicular center and side shield traces
An inductive device is provided, which includes a substrate, a layer having a plurality of conductive metal traces and a metal shield layer. The conductive trace has an input port, a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and an output port. The metal shield layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive trace. Each of the plurality of conductive metal traces has a respective length and a respective width. Each of the plurality of conductive metal traces are separated from one another. Each of the plurality of conductive metal traces are disposed perpendicularly with the first portion and the third portion. The metal shield layer provides spaced shield traces substantially perpendicular with the conductive metal traces. |
| US09214252B2 |
Ultrafine conductor material, ultrafine conductor, method for preparing ultrafine conductor, and ultrafine electrical wire
[Technical Problem] The invention is to provide a method for manufacture of an ultrafine conductor having sufficient electrical conductivity, and enhanced strength and stretch properties while suppressing manufacture cost, the same ultrafine conductor, as well as a material suited for the same ultrafine conductor. [Solution to Problem] To solve the above problem, there is provided a material for an ultrafine conductor, which includes a matrix formed of copper, chromium particles contained in the matrix, and tin contained in the matrix. The tin is present as a solid solution in the matrix. |
| US09214249B2 |
Multi-leaf collimators
A multi-leaf collimator for a radiotherapy apparatus comprises at least one array of laterally-spaced elongate leaves, each leaf being driven by an associated motor connected to the leaf via a drive means so as to extend or retract the leaf in its longitudinal direction, the drive means comprising a sub-frame on which at least a subset of the motors are mounted, the sub-frame being mounted at a location spaced from the leaf array in a direction transverse to the lateral and longitudinal directions, and including a plurality of threaded drives disposed longitudinally, each being driven by a motor and being operatively connected to a leaf thereby to drive that leaf. |
| US09214245B2 |
E-fuse structure of semiconductor device
Provided is an e-fuse structure of a semiconductor device having improved fusing performance so as to enable a program operation at a low voltage. The e-fuse structure includes a first metal pattern formed at a first vertical level, the first metal pattern including a first part extending in a first direction and a second part extending in the first direction and positioned to be adjacent to the first part, and a third part adjacent to the second part, the second part being positioned between the first part and the third part, the first part and the second part being electrically connected to each other, and the third part being electrically disconnected from the second part; and a second metal pattern electrically connected to the first metal pattern and formed at a second vertical level different from the first vertical level. |
| US09214244B2 |
Method of reading data stored in fuse device and apparatuses using the same
A method for reading data stored in a fuse device included in a memory device including a memory cell array is provided. The method comprises reading trimming data of the fuse device, wherein the trimming data is related to trimming a level of voltage or a level of current used for an operation of the memory device; and after the reading the trimming data, reading defective cell address data of the fuse device, wherein the defective cell address data is related to defective cells in the memory cell array. |
| US09214243B2 |
Three-dimensional nonvolatile memory and method of fabrication
A three-dimensional memory is provided that includes a first memory level and a second memory level monolithically formed above the first memory level. The first memory level includes a first steering element coupled in series with and vertically stacked above or below a first non-volatile state change element. The second memory level includes a second steering element coupled in series with and vertically stacked above or below a second non-volatile state change element. Other aspects are also provided. |
| US09214230B2 |
Resistive random access memory cell structure with reduced programming voltage
A cell of a resistive random access memory including (i) a resistive element and (ii) a switch. The resistive element includes (i) a first electrode, and (ii) a second electrode. The switch includes (i) a first terminal connected to a first contact, and (i) a second terminal connected to a second contact. The second contact is connected to the second electrode of the resistive element via a third contact. The third contact has a shape including a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The shape of the third contact tapers inward from the first surface towards the second surface. |
| US09214229B2 |
Phase change memory material and system for embedded memory applications
A family of phase change materials GewSbxTeyNz having a crystallization temperature greater than 410° C., wherein a Ge atomic concentration is within a range from 43% to 54%, a Sb atomic concentration is within a range from 6% to 13%, a Te atomic concentration is within a range from 14% to 23%, and a N atomic concentration is within a range of 15% to 27%, is described. A method for programming a memory device including such phase change materials is also described. |
| US09214223B2 |
Resistance memory device and memory apparatus and data processing system
A resistance memory device and a memory apparatus and data processing apparatus having the same are provided. The resistance memory device includes a pair of electrode layers and a variable resistance layer interposed between the pair of electrode layers. The variable resistance layer includes at least one variable resistance material layer and a piezoelectric material layer coupled to the at least one variable resistance material layer. |
| US09214222B2 |
Semiconductor device having timing control for read-write memory access operations
A semiconductor device avoids the disturb problem and the collision between write and read operations in a DP-SRAM cell or a 2P-SRAM cell. The semiconductor device 1 includes a write word line WLA and a read word line WLB each coupled to memory cells 3. A read operation activates the read word line WLB corresponding to the selected memory cell 3. A write operation activates the write word line WLA corresponding to the selected memory cell 3. The selected write word line WLA is activated after activation of the selected read word line WLB in an operation cycle that performs both read and write operations. |
| US09214220B1 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a control signal generation unit configured to generate a control signal according to a mode control signal and a refresh signal; a first sense amplifier driving voltage generation unit configured to generate a first sense amplifier driving voltage according to the control signal, a first sense amplifier enable signal and a switching control signal; a switching control unit configured to generate the switching control signal according to the control signal and a second sense amplifier enable signal; a second sense amplifier driving voltage generation unit configured to generate a second sense amplifier driving voltage according to the second sense amplifier enable signal; and a switching unit configured to electrically couple or decouple output nodes of the first sense amplifier driving voltage generation unit and the second sense amplifier driving voltage generation unit according to the switching control signal. |
| US09214216B2 |
Semiconductor device and operation method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of memory cell blocks, a counting unit suitable for counting the number of active operations on each of the memory cell blocks, based on an active command and a row address, and a refresh control unit suitable for determining a target memory cell block among the memory cell blocks and controlling an additional refresh operation for the target memory cell block to be performed based on the counting result. |
| US09214211B2 |
Methods of and apparatus for determining unique die identifiers for multiple memory die within a common package
Respective die IDs are determined for a plurality of memory die commonly packaged as a memory device based on their respective Unique Identifiers (“UIDs”). An external controller initiates an internal Die ID (“DID”) determination process in which each die eventually asserts a signal on its inter-die signaling pin after a number of clocks as determined by its UID, and assigns itself a Die ID based on the number of signals asserted by other die prior to its own signaling response. Each die keeps track of the number of signals asserted by the other die prior to its own signaling response, as well as, optionally, the total number of signals on the signaling pin to determine the package die count for the device. |
| US09214208B2 |
NOR-OR Decoder
A decoder for decoding an address having a plurality of bits ranging from a first address bit a1 to a last address bit aN, each address bit being either true or false is provided that includes a pre-charge circuit adapted to pre-charge a dynamic NOR node and a dynamic OR node and then allow the pre-charged dynamic NOR node and pre-charged dynamic OR node to float; a plurality of switches coupled between the dynamic NOR node and ground, each switch corresponding uniquely to the address bits such that the switches range from a first switch corresponding to a1 to an nth switch corresponding to aN, wherein any switch corresponding to a true address bit is configured to turn on only if its corresponding address bit is false, and wherein any switch corresponding to a false address bit is configured to turn on only if its corresponding address bit is true. |
| US09214207B2 |
Apparatus and method for data decoding
A data decoding apparatus is provided, which includes at least one processor block, at least one hardware block, and a memory processing unit to control the at least one processor block or the at least one hardware block to access a memory and to read or write data with minimum delay. |
| US09214205B2 |
System with controller and memory
According to the system of the present invention, data (DQ) signals are outputted/received between a controller 100 and a memory 200 based on a data strobe signal sent out from the controller 100. The data strobe signal is independently and completely separated from a clock signal. The data strobe signal has a frequency different from a clock signal. Therefore, the memory 200 is not required to generate a read data strobe signal from the clock signal nor to send the read data strobe signal in synchronization with the clock signal. |
| US09214203B2 |
Sensing apparatus and data sensing method thereof
A sensing apparatus and data sensing method are provided. The sensing apparatus includes an initial circuit, a reference current generator and a sensing circuit. The initial circuit discharges a sensing end to a reference ground during a discharge period, and pre-charges the sensing end to a preset voltage level during a pre-charge period according to an output signal. The reference current generator draws a reference current from the sensing end. The sensing circuit senses a voltage level on the sensing end to generate the output signal. Wherein, the sensing end receives a cell current from a memory cell, and the pre-charge period is after the discharge period. |
| US09214194B2 |
External drive chassis storage array
The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system that includes a chassis having a frame present within a housing where the frame includes at least two plates having a base and two grills running widthwise along and on opposite ends of the base, a plurality of walls between the at least two plates, and at least one baffle running between the plates at an angle to the plates; at least one power supply; and a plurality of fans electrically connected to the at least one power supply; wherein there are at least two air flow paths through the chassis that pass through at least one fan and pass at least one baffle through a duct defined by the housing and the frame. In at least one embodiment, the chassis receives at least one storage drive. |
| US09214193B2 |
Processing apparatus and method for determining and reproducing a number of images based on input path information
An apparatus includes a display controller, a detecting unit, and a reproduction unit. The display controller is configured to control a display unit to display marks corresponding to a plurality of images. The detecting unit is configured to detect selection information entered by a user. The selection information includes path information and additional information. The reproduction unit is configured to reproduce at least one of the plurality of images based on the additional information. |
| US09214192B2 |
Digital video processing and storage system for video, audio and ancillary data
A video processing system adaptively generates and processes volume/file structure and navigation data of different data format and converts data between different formats for decoding, recording and other applications. The system processes the volume/file structure and navigation data in distinct modes including (a) pre-processing, (b) contemporaneous and (c) post-processing modes. In addition, the system provides navigation information supporting navigation through different images of one or more video programs by parsing encoded packetized data representative of a sequence of individual images to determine parameters to support navigation through the sequence of individual images. The determined parameters are formatted into a predetermined data structure and incorporated into a pre-formed navigation data field. |
| US09214186B1 |
Data storage device measuring radial offset between read element and write element
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks and a head actuated over the disk, wherein the head comprises a read element radially offset from a write element. A first pattern is written to a single track, and the first pattern is read from the single track to generate a first read signal from which a first quality metric is generated. A second pattern is written to the single track, wherein the second pattern is different from the first pattern. The second pattern is read from the single track to generate a second read signal from which a second quality metric is generated. The radial offset of the read element and write element is measured based on the first and second quality metrics. |
| US09214185B1 |
Adaptive filter-based narrowband interference detection, estimation and cancellation
A data processing system includes an adaptive notch filter operable to estimate an interference frequency in data samples, a convergence detector operable to determine whether the interference frequency converges on a value, indicating that the data samples contain interference, and an interference removal circuit operable to remove interference detected by the adaptive notch filter from the data samples. |
| US09214182B2 |
Fluid dynamic bearing system and a spindle motor having this kind of bearing system
The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system having a bearing bush and a shaft that are rotatable with respect to one another about a common rotational axis and form a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid between associated bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces form at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing. A rotor component is disposed on the shaft. A stopper ring is disposed on the shaft or on the rotor component and adjoins the bearing bush, wherein a gap is formed between the mutually facing surfaces of the bearing bush and the stopper component that is filled with a bearing fluid and connected to the bearing gap and extends substantially in a radial direction. According to the invention, the surfaces of the bearing bush and/or the stopper component are formed such that the gap is tapered, narrowing radially outwards. Moreover, a recirculation channel may be provided in the bearing bush that connects a gap region between the bearing gap and the sealing gap radially outside the axial bearing to a gap region radially outside the stopper component. |
| US09214179B2 |
Magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an auxiliary layer formed on the substrate, and at least one perpendicular magnetic recording layer formed on the auxiliary layer. The perpendicular magnetic recording layer includes a magnetic dot pattern. The perpendicular magnetic recording layer is made of an alloy material containing one element selected from iron and cobalt, and one element selected from platinum and palladium. This alloy material has the L10 structure, and is (001)-oriented. The auxiliary layer includes a dot-like first region covered with the magnetic dot pattern, and a second region not covered with the magnetic dot pattern. The first region is made of a (100)-oriented nickel oxide. The second region contains nickel used in the first region as a main component. |
| US09214178B2 |
Magnetic recording medium fabrication method and apparatus
A method of fabricating a magnetic recording medium sequentially forms a magnetic recording layer, a protection layer, and a lubricant layer on a stacked body. The stacked body is enclosed in a transfer container unit without exposing the stacked body to atmosphere after forming the protection layer on the stacked body by a deposition apparatus, and the transfer container unit is transported to a vapor-phase lubrication deposition apparatus. The stacked body is removed from the transfer container unit without exposing the stacked body to the atmosphere, in order to form the lubricant layer on the stacked body within the vapor-phase lubrication deposition apparatus. |
| US09214165B1 |
Magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer. The transducer includes a main pole, a side gap, at least one coil and at least one of a leading shield, a trailing shield and side shield(s). A portion of the main pole resides at the ABS. The coil(s) are configured to energize the main pole. The side gap is being between the main pole and the at least one side shield. At least one of the leading shield, the side shield(s) and the trailing shield has a gradient in a saturation magnetization (Bs) such that the saturation magnetization increases in a yoke direction perpendicular to the ABS. |
| US09214148B2 |
Acoustic structure
An acoustic structure, including a pipe having a plurality of cavities that are partitioned by a partition, each of the plurality of cavities extending in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the pipe, wherein the pipe has at least one opening which permits the plurality of cavities to communicate with an exterior of the pipe, a position of each of the at least one opening in the first direction being a first position. |
| US09214144B1 |
System and method for generating song transitions using measure groupings
A system and method are provided for mixing song data based on measure groupings. A player or program may recognize measure groupings in a song through identifying cuepoints. The player or program may use the cuepoints and/or other identifiers of measure groupings to generate a transition between the song and other songs. Parts of one or both songs may be time-stretched, or frames may be added or deleted, such that the beats in both songs are substantially aligned during the transition. The system and method may also involve altering the sequence of frames in one or both of the songs, so that the transition may have various sonic qualities as desired by a user. A choice of transition modes may be provided via a user interface that allow the user some control over when and how transitions between songs are executed. |
| US09214140B1 |
Guitar tuning and string attachment system
A unique guitar has a head section with a base member connected to a support member. A string tuning unit is configured to be positioned on and be removeably secured to the support member in order to maintain the string tuning unit as part of the head section. The guitar secures strings to its bridge by use of uniquely designed pins, each having a slotted top section with a bottom stem offset from the top section and extending therefrom. |
| US09214137B2 |
Methods and systems for realistic rendering of digital objects in augmented reality
A system and method of rendering in real time a virtual object onto a viewfinder display, the method comprising determining one or more scene properties of a scene on a viewfinder display of a device, receiving a virtual object for insertion into the scene, determining a location for placing the virtual object within the scene, determining a first appearance of the virtual object based on the one or more scene properties, and inserting the virtual object with the first appearance into the scene depicted on the viewfinder display of the device based on the location. |
| US09214132B2 |
Electronic chart display device and method of displaying information relating to electronic chart
An electronic map display device is provided. The device acquires electronic maps and displays the electronic maps, each electronic map being acquired per acquisition unit. The electronic map display device may include a map information display determiner for determining whether the electronic map is currently available per acquisition unit, and a map information display interface for displaying information relating to the electronic map per the acquisition unit depending on whether the electronic map is currently available. |
| US09214129B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels each of which is connected to a corresponding gate line of a plurality of gate lines and a corresponding data line of a plurality of data lines, the plurality of data lines crossing the plurality of gate lines. The display apparatus also includes a control signal generator configured to generate a plurality of control signals in response to a date enable signal, a gate driver configured to drive the gate lines in response to at least one control signal among the plurality of control signals, a data driver configured to drive the plurality of data lines, and a timing controller configured to control the data driver in response to at least one received image signal and at least one received image control signal, and apply the data enable signal to the control signal generator. |
| US09214128B2 |
Information display device
An information display device includes: an image display unit that displays an image according to an orientation of a display screen; a terminal posture detection unit that detects a posture of the device using an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor; and a display direction determination unit that determines whether or not the posture of the device changes, and determines the orientation of the display screen. In the case where the display screen is substantially horizontal and the posture of the device changes, the orientation of the display screen is determined so that, when the device moves by a predetermined angle or more with respect to the orientation (reference orientation) of the display screen before the determination of the posture change, a side of the device at the predetermined angle or more from the reference orientation corresponds to the top of the display screen. |
| US09214126B2 |
Circuit for driving liquid crystal display device having a programmable power integrated circuit
A circuit for driving a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of gate lines and data lines, a gate driver, a data driver, a memory for storing data necessary for operation of a timing controller and programmable power integrated circuit (PPIC) voltage setting data, the timing controller for reading and outputting the PPIC voltage setting data stored in the memory and reading the data necessary for operation of the timing controller stored in the memory and controlling the data driver and the gate driver, a PPIC for supplying a reference voltage, a gamma voltage and a common voltage to the data driver according to the voltage setting data supplied by the timing controller, and a power supply for receiving power from an external device and supplying power to each unit. |
| US09214120B2 |
Display device
A controller in an intermediate inversion drive mode causes a source driver to alternate polarities of voltages applied to pixel electrodes connected to one of source signal lines per plural gate signal lines, and to apply the voltages so that a pair of the pixel electrodes, which are connected to one of the gate signal lines and to source signal lines adjacent to each other, are subjected to different voltage application in polarity from each other, the source driver alternating polarities of the voltages applied to the respective pixel electrodes for each frame. When the source driver, in the intermediate inversion drive mode, applies the voltages sequentially to the pixel electrodes connected to one of the source signal lines, the controller sets a longer voltage application period for the inverted electrode than for the equivalent electrode. |
| US09214119B2 |
Display, image processing unit, and display method involving frame rate conversion and blur reduction
A display includes: a display section; and a display driving section driving the display section based on a first image data set and a second image data set that alternate with each other. The display driving section drives the display section by performing a first scan with use of a first block as a driving unit in accordance with the first image data set and a second scan with use of a second block as a driving unit in accordance with the second image data set. The first block is composed of a plurality of consecutive pixel lines, and the second block is composed of a plurality of consecutive pixel lines and is different from the first block. |
| US09214118B2 |
Display device and method for driving display device
A display device includes: an image display unit that includes a plurality of main pixels in an image display region, the image display unit including sub-pixels; a light source that irradiates the image display region; a light source control unit that controls luminance of the light source; and a color information correction processing unit that corrects first color information that is obtained based on the luminance of the light source and an input video signal to second color information, when color information of at least one of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel included in the first color information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second information is corrected by degenerating color information of the red pixel, the green pixel, and the blue pixel, and by adding color information of the white pixel included in the first color information based on the degenerated color information. |
| US09214113B2 |
Backlight driving circuit and liquid crystal display device
A backlight driving circuit and a liquid crystal display device are described. The backlight driving circuit drives at least one LED bar and includes a power supply module, a switch module, and a detection module. When the detection module detects that a positive polarity end of a power supply voltage of the power supply module is electrically coupled to a negative polarity end of the LED bar, the switch module switches the positive polarity end of the power supply voltage to be electrically coupled to the positive polarity end of the LED bar and switches a negative polarity end of the power supply voltage to be electrically coupled to a negative polarity end of the LED bar. The present invention can detect the polarities of the LED bar so that the LED bar can keep on working normally. |
| US09214110B2 |
Display unit and electronic apparatus
A display unit includes a display panel and a drive circuit, the display panel including pixels, each pixel including a light emitting element and a pixel circuit, wherein the pixel circuit includes a first transistor being configured to sample a voltage of a signal line, a second transistor being configured to control a current applied to the light emitting element, a third transistor being connected to the source of the second transistor, and a holding capacitor configured to hold the voltage sampled by the first transistor, the drive circuit being configured to, when pixel rows are grouped into units, sequentially perform correction of adjusting a gate-to-source voltage of the second transistor to be close to a threshold voltage of the second transistor for each of the units, being configured to sequentially output a fixed voltage to a source of the second transistor before performing the correction. |
| US09214106B2 |
Photo sensor, display device including the same and driving method thereof
Provided are a photo sensor, a display device including the same, and a driving method thereof. The photo sensor includes: an amplifying element including an input terminal coupled to a scan line for receiving a scan signal, an output terminal configured to output a sensing signal, and a control terminal connected to a first node; a sensing capacitor connected with the first node; a photosensitive sensing element including a control terminal connected with a terminal of a first control signal, an output terminal connected with the first node, and an input terminal; and a reset element connected with the output terminal of the amplifying element and resetting the output terminal of the amplifying element to second voltage according to a reset control signal. |
| US09214104B1 |
Interchangeable face plate display system
An interchangeable face plate display system for accommodating multiple graphic displays on the same frame. The interchangeable face plate display system includes a hub member adapted to interconnect elongate frame members of a display structure and including a block having a front side, a back side, a top side, and a bottom side; and an interchangeable support member removably connected to the hub member for supporting graphics upon the display structure. |
| US09214098B2 |
Providing navigation instructions in a three-dimension map environment having settable object transparency levels
A method in a device for providing navigation instructions in a three-dimensional map environment comprises receiving a start and end positions, determining a route, determining graphical two-dimensional map data, generating navigation instructions comprising setting a transparency level and transmitting the navigation instructions to a display. Corresponding device and computer program product are also provided. |
| US09214097B2 |
Method for creating a directory of road sections, method for ascertaining all road sections within a search area, and computer program
A method for creating a directory of road sections of a digital road map for a navigation system is provided. Furthermore, a method for ascertaining all road sections within a search area is provided. Moreover, a computer program for performing a method for creating a directory of road sections and a method for ascertaining all road sections within a search area is provided. |
| US09214094B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for emergency notifications to the hearing impaired
Systems and methods for communicating emergency alerts to a hearing-impaired user are disclosed. Queries are performed to one or more emergency alert databases to develop emergency alert notifications. At least some of the emergency alert notifications are filtered responsive to user selected criteria to select one or more filtered emergency alerts. An attention desired indicator is transmitted to a hearing-impaired user device that subscribes to a hearing-impaired relay service supported by the server if the one or more filtered emergency alerts are present. The filtered emergency alerts are transmitted to the hearing-impaired user device in response to a emergency information query from that user device. |
| US09214092B2 |
Minimizing coriolis-tumbling intensity in a centrifuge-based-flight simulator
A system and method for minimizing or eliminating Coriolis-tumbling sensations on a trainee in a centrifuge-based simulator is described. In one example methodology, a simulator transitions its rate of rotation to replicate flight conditions in which G-forces are unloaded on a trainee from a first-G-force value to a nominal-G-force value. Before reaching the nominal-G-force value, an intermediate-G-force value—which is more than the nominal-G-force value, but less than the first-G-force value—is imparted and maintained on the trainee for a suitable duration of time. This intermediate-G-force value may be determined based on several factors including: (i) the angle of rotation of a gondola at during the first-G-force value, and/or (ii) the first-G-force value. After the intermediate-G-force value is imparted and maintained for a suitable duration of time, the G-forces imparted on the trainee may be further unloaded till the nominal-G force value is reached. |
| US09214091B2 |
Digital content and assessment delivery
Generally, embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods, computer readable medium, servers, and systems for distributing an educational test question between a backend computer and a plurality of user devices using a local server. The local server can provide a first network to a plurality of user devices and block access to a second network when a test is in progress. |
| US09214089B2 |
Aircraft capable of hovering, aircraft maneuvering assist method, and interface
An aircraft capable of hovering, and characterized by having at least one sensor, which has a plane sweep region and is designed to acquire, when the aircraft is maneuvering, values of respective distances between first points on an obstacle within the plane sweep region, and a second point on the aircraft; and a control unit designed to generate an alarm signal when at least one of the first points lies within a safety region containing the second point on the aircraft. |
| US09214079B1 |
Vehicle task reminder device
A vehicle task reminder device includes a clock, a GPS used indicate location and direction, and a memory used to store predetermined information. The device also includes an emitter used to activate an alarm signal, a processor having circuitry used to set a to do list, sync the to do list with the GPS and the clock, lock the car, cause the emitter to activate the alarm signal when a current time and location correspond to any task of the at least one to do list, check, when the alarm signal is activated, if a task is completed, and deactivate the alarm signal and update the at least one to do list. The processor also compares, upon the turn off of the car engine whether the current location corresponds to the predetermined home address, and asks to update the to do list if correspondence occurs and unlock the car. |
| US09214077B2 |
Bio-powered locator device
A locator assembly is provided. The locator assembly includes an article of wear and a location sending device embedded in the article of wear. A bio-related electric generator is connected to the location sending device for providing power for the location sending device. A system for locating a person and a locating method are also provided. |
| US09214075B2 |
Device and its use for deterring wearing and returning of merchandise
Provided is a device for deterring purchase-wear-return of merchandise, particularly women's dresses, by a consumer. |
| US09214073B2 |
Non-battery operated container alert system
A container alert system may include an actuator with a generator that creates electrical energy upon activation of the actuator. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit a signal to a receiver based on characteristics of the container, such as use of the container, volume of the material in the container, available capacity of the container, material being added to the container, and location of the container. |
| US09214072B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a slot game having a surrounded symbol award evaluation
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a slot game having a surrounded symbol award evaluation. Generally, in various embodiments, for a play of the slot game having the surrounded symbol award evaluation the gaming system: (a) displays a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas; (b) determines whether any displayed non-enclosing symbols are surrounded by a plurality of displayed enclosing symbols; and (c) if so, determines any awards based on the surrounded non-enclosing symbol(s). Thus, instead of (or in addition to) using a payline evaluation, a ways-to-win evaluation, a scatter pay evaluation, or any other evaluation of the displayed symbols to determine whether to provide any awards, the gaming system of the present disclosure does so by determining whether a particular type of symbol (such as an enclosing symbol) surrounds another type of symbol (such as a non-enclosing symbol). |
| US09214067B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a streaming symbols game
In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein provides streaming symbols game which utilizes a single continuous series or chain of symbols and a plurality of symbol display positions which form a path. Specifically, in various embodiments, the gaming system displays the chain of symbols continuously moving through the path of symbol display positions wherein which symbols are evaluated for any awards corresponds to when the chain of symbols stops moving along the path. |
| US09214062B2 |
Configuring and controlling wagering game audio
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include providing a custom sound design interface. The operations can further include receiving user input via the custom sound design interface, wherein the user input is to design a custom sound for a wagering game machine including presentation instructions for the custom sound. The operations can further include storing the custom sound. The operations can further include receiving, from the wagering game machine, a request for the custom sound. The operations can further include transmitting, to the wagering game machine, the custom sound including the presentation instructions for the custom sound. |
| US09214060B2 |
Gaming center allowing switching between games based upon historical results
A gaming system comprising a main cabinet and a computer server, comprising: a mechanism in a main cabinet for selecting and playing, by a player, one or more live casino game(s) from a plurality of live casino games being played at a plurality of tables spaced away from said main cabinet; a mechanism for selecting and playing one or more casino slot machine game(s) by the player, at least one first portion of a first screen in the main cabinet for displaying the live-casino game(s), wherein a results history for each table is displayed to provide a results history display, a second additional portion of a screen in main cabinet for displaying at least one casino slot game(s), the mechanism playing the casino slot machine game(s) is adapted to allow the player to switch between the live casino games and at least one casino slot machine games according to at least the results history display for each table. |
| US09214058B2 |
System gaming
A gaming system for displaying real-time pushed data of tournament scores is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines connected to a network each having a display capable of presenting a game, wherein each gaming machine enables play of chat-based games. The system also includes a gaming server and a chat server that are connected to the network. The gaming server is in communication with the plurality of gaming machines via the network. The chat server pushes real-time tournament data to the first and second gaming machines for presenting tournament data and on the display to facilitate competition between the first and second gaming machines. |
| US09214056B2 |
Gaming system and method which enables multiple players to simultaneously play multiple individual games or group games on a central display
The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a central controller, a central display which includes a plurality of display segments and a plurality player stations. The display segments are configured to each separately display one of a plurality of games, to co-act to display a plurality of games, or to co-act to display one game. Each player station is configured to enable a player to play one or more of the games displayed by the display segments. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play a group game on the central display, a plurality of players to simultaneously play multiple group games on the central display, and a plurality of players to each simultaneously play multiple individual games on the central display. |
| US09214053B2 |
Automatic vending machine
A vending machine proofed against the pinching of a customer's fingers and with a security feature includes a cabinet, a receiving tray, a shielding board, and gear wheels. The cabinet includes a cabinet body and a door rotatably attached to the cabinet body. A number of merchandise shelves are located in the cabinet body. A through opening is defined in the door. The receiving tray is attached to an inside of the receiving tray and aligned with the through opening. The shielding board covers the through opening and is toothed to allow lowering for access by the customer to the bought merchandise when the internal drop of an item of merchandise is sensed and raising after the sensed removal of the item. |
| US09214046B2 |
Banking system operated responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including financial account identifying data, and to cause financial transfers responsive to the card data. The automated banking machine includes a sheet accepting device. The sheet accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack. Each sheet is aligned with a sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager, and/or a validation device. Sheets determined to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are processed and stored in the machine. |
| US09214044B2 |
Apparatus and method for augmenting a video image
A method of augmenting a video image comprises the steps of estimating the extent of an identified surface captured within the video image and identifying skin pixels within a test area corresponding to the estimated extent of the identified surface within the video image. The method also includes extrapolating positions for skin pixels within the video image that are outside the estimated extent of the identified surface based upon the identified skin pixels, generating a mask from a combination of identified skin pixels and extrapolated skin pixels, and setting an extent of a computer graphic to be superposed substantially on top of the identified surface within the video image. The extent is greater than the estimated extent of the identified surface. The method further includes superposing the graphical augmentation of the video image responsive to the generated mask. |
| US09214042B2 |
Method for encoding normals of a 3D mesh model, method for decoding normals of a 3D mesh model, encoder and decoder
A method for encoding vertex orientations, also known as normal components, of a 3D mesh model comprises a first clustering of the normal components, determining for each of the first clusters a sphere sector to which most of its elements belong, mapping normal components to a predefined sector, re-clustering the normal components in the predefined sector into second clusters, determining predictors for the second clusters and encoding a normal component by its residual, a reference to its predictor and data indicating which of said mirror mapping operations were performed. A sphere sector is obtained by dividing a sphere into m equal spherical segments and dividing each of said spherical segments into n equal sectors. The first clustering for the sector mapping and the second clustering for predictive coding result in an improved compression ratio. |
| US09214040B2 |
Intermediate view synthesis and multi-view data signal extraction
An intermediate view synthesis apparatus for synthesizing an intermediate view image from a first image corresponding to a first view and a second image corresponding to a second view different from the first view, the first and second images including depth information, wherein the second image being is divided-up into a non-boundary portion, and a foreground/background boundary region, wherein the intermediate view synthesis apparatus is configured to project and merge the first image and the second image into the intermediate view to obtain an intermediate view image, with treating the foreground/background boundary region subordinated relative to the non-boundary portion. A multi-view data signal extraction apparatus for extracting a multiview data signal from a multi-view representation including a first image corresponding to a first view and a second image corresponding to a second view being different from the first view is also described, the first and second images including depth information. |
| US09214036B1 |
Animation engine for blending computer animation data
Computer-generated images are generated by evaluating point positions of points on animated objects in animation data. The point positions of the points are used by an animation system to determine how to blend animated sequences or frames of animated sequences in order to create realistic moving animated characters and animated objects. The methods of blending are based on determining distances or deviations between corresponding points and using blending functions with varying blending windows and blending functions that can vary from point to point on the animated objects. |
| US09214035B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and program
There is provided an image processing device including a body hair detection unit that detects a body hair region corresponding to body hair from a process target image that includes skin, a texture structure estimation unit that estimates a structure of skin texture in the process target image, and an interpolation unit that interpolates the body hair region detected by the body hair detection unit based on the structure of the skin texture estimated by the texture structure estimation unit. |
| US09214034B2 |
System, device and method for displaying a harmonized combined image
A method for harmonizing a combined image involves receiving a respective image or image frame from each of two or more cameras, the images from two of the cameras representing the same region in an overlap region, measuring pixel statistics of at least some of the pixels in the overlap region for the image of each of the two cameras, determining a difference in the pixel statistics Δpixel of the image from each of the two cameras in the overlap region, calculating a correction factor Kpixel, wherein the correction factor Kpixel may be predicted to produce a reduction in Δpixel of less than Δpixel/2 when applied to the image of one of the two cameras, applying the correction factor Kpixel in a hardware device acquiring the image, and receiving a further image or image frame from each of the two cameras. |
| US09214033B2 |
Map display system and method
Provided are a computer system and methods related to a map display. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map, the map illustrating one or more locations; determining a status associated with at least one of the one or more locations on the map, the status being a function of one or more location interaction rules associated with the at least one of the one or more locations on the map; and generating a signal related to indicating on the map the status associated with the at least one of the one or more locations. |
| US09214024B2 |
Three-dimensional distance measurement apparatus and method therefor
A three-dimensional imaging unit includes a plurality of image pickup devices that image an image and a rotation drive device which rotates the image pickup devices and adjusts optical axes such that reflections of an object to be measured in a space to be measured have a predetermined amount of overlap. An association calculating unit calculates position association information of pixels when a required measurement point is mapped onto a plurality of images. A three-dimensional shape calculating unit calculates a three-dimensional shape of the object to be measured using the position association information and rotational information of the rotation drive device. A three-dimensional shape estimation calculating unit estimates, from the three-dimensional shape, a three-dimensional shape of a region of the object to be measured where the three-dimensional shape is not obtained. A three-dimensional measurement coordinates calculating unit calculates, from an estimation result, three-dimensional coordinates of two distance measurement points designated on the object to be measured. A distance calculating unit calculates a distance between the two points using the three-dimensional coordinates. |
| US09214023B2 |
Determination of regions of an analytical image that are subject to vital movement
The present invention relates to a determination method that enables the position of a body part subject to vital movement to be determined, wherein the body part is to be irradiated. A region of an analytical image is determined, wherein the region represents a body part subject to vital movement, in particular a tumor in an anatomical body. A change in position from one analytical image to the next is performed that reflects the vital movement, wherein the body parts subject to vital movement are parts of the body that are to be irradiated or are not to be irradiated and that move as a result of vital functions such as respiration and/or heartbeat even when the anatomical body is otherwise kept deliberately at rest. |
| US09214019B2 |
Method and system to digitize pathology specimens in a stepwise fashion for review
A system for reviewing digitized images of pathology specimens includes an image processing system and an image display system adapted to communicate with the image processing system. The image processing system is configured to receive a whole-slide digital image of a pathology specimen, segment the whole-slide digital image into a tissue-particle image within the whole-slide digital image, and represent the tissue-particle image as a plurality of image tiles such that each of the plurality of image tiles can be displayed sequentially on the image display system to permit a substantially complete, tile-by-tile review of the tissue-particle image in a predefined order. |
| US09214016B2 |
Pantograph monitoring system and method
A method for automatic diagnostics of images related to pantographs, comprising the steps of: capturing an image that shows a pantograph of a locomotive, the image being taken from an aerial view during the travel of the locomotive, the image comprising the gliding area of a plurality of slippers of the pantograph; identifying, by means of a module for classifying the pantograph model, the model of the pantograph within a plurality of pantograph models, on the basis of the image captured; determining, by means of a module for classifying materials, a material of which the slippers are composed among a plurality of materials, on the basis of the pantograph model identified; and determining a value related to the state of wear for each one of the plurality of slippers, on the basis of the type of material determined. |
| US09214003B2 |
Method and system for conversion of graphical representations of automation environments
A method for the conversion of graphical representations of automation environments is provided. The method includes receiving first graphics data in a first format comprising a first graphical representation of a first portion of an automation environment. The method also includes processing the first graphics data to convert the first graphics data to second graphics data in a second format. The method further includes receiving performance data associated with the operation of the first portion of the automation environment, and transferring the performance data and the second graphics data to a client device, for incorporation of the performance data into the second graphics data by the client device. |
| US09214002B2 |
Contents providing scheme using display history information
A device for using display history information is provided. The device includes an image information generation unit configured to generate image information of contents reproduced in a different device, an image information transmission unit configured to transmit the generated image information to a seamless service providing server and a display history information management unit configured to control the apparatus based on the received display history information which is received from the seamless service providing server. Here, the display history information corresponds to the transmitted image information. |
| US09214000B2 |
Method and system for performing a package pre-load operation in accordance with a dispatch plan
The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compressing the destination address as a compressed MaxiCode symbol, a smart shipping label system for generating a shipping label with a compressed MaxiCode and a pre-load assist system for generating package handling instructions from the electronically-captured destination address. |
| US09213998B2 |
Monitoring hot water usage in a gas water heater
An apparatus and method for determining the volume of hot water dispensed during a given timeframe from a hydrocarbon fueled water heater based on the volume of fuel consumed by the water heater during the timeframe and the average temperature difference between the inlet water temperature and the outlet water temperature during the timeframe. |
| US09213997B2 |
Method and system for social media burst classifications
The present invention is directed to a method, system, and article of manufacture for systematically and automatically identifying abnormal or collective behavior patterns in microblogging messages that produce burst phenomena, such as Twitter storms. A microblogging storm engine in a storm detection server is configured to detect and classify the volume, shape, and type of a Twitter storm when keying on topics such as, but not limited to, a brand, an event, a person, an entity, a country, or a controversial issue. The microblogging storm engine comprises a storm detection module, a storm classification module, a database interface module, and a sentiment process module. The storm detection module is configured to detect different patterns of microblogging storms by capturing the volume of a particular storm to assist in output statistical analysis. The storm classification module is configured to classify the storms into different types of a particular storm category. |
| US09213995B1 |
System and method for linking networks to one another and sharing resources between members
An embodiment of a method of linking a first network to a second network includes sending, by a first network having at least one first member associated therewith, a link request message to a second network having at least one second member associated therewith. The link request message includes a request to establish a link with the second network. The first network further includes at least one resource associated therewith and accessible by the at least one first member. The method further includes receiving an acceptance message from the second network at the first network, establishing a first link between the first network and the second network in response to receiving the acceptance message, and sharing access to the at least one resource to the at least one second member of the second network. |
| US09213992B2 |
Secure online transactions using a trusted digital identity
Techniques for conducting secure online transactions are provided. Some techniques utilize a trusted, secure device that is distributed to a human user, and which only the user can access, a device reader, and a one-time secret valid only to authenticate a single transaction to improve on the traditional transaction model by isolating elements of the transaction with the user on the user's trusted, secure device. Isolating elements of the transaction on the trusted, secure device facilitates a secure transaction on an untrusted machine and over an untrusted network. |
| US09213987B2 |
Invoice amount calculation method, invoice amount calculation device, and printer invoicing system
A manufacturer server 110 that determines a first invoice amount or calculates a second invoice amount for an inkjet printer has a billing status acquisition unit 342 that acquires billing status information including actual print volume PV. An actual print volume calculation unit 343 determines (i) if PV is less than or equal to a specific volume V1, in which case the first invoice amount, which is a fixed amount, is determined, and (ii) if PV exceeds V1, in which case the second invoice amount is calculated. An invoice amount calculation unit 344 determines or calculates the first or second invoice amount. |
| US09213986B1 |
Modified media conforming to user-established levels of media censorship
User defined controls for media censorship may define values for content of the media for a user. Controls can be specific to nudity in the media, sexuality of the media, language offensiveness of the media, and/or violence in the media. When a user requests a media instance, a default version can be checked for default artifacts that violate the controls. Replacement artifacts can be created for each violating default artifact. Modified media can be created that replaces the default artifacts with the replacement ones. The modified media can be provided to the user in response to the user request. |
| US09213985B2 |
Provision of targeted content
Measures, including methods, apparatus and computer program products, are provided for amending content transmitted from a server to a client. The methods are performed by a system configured to communicate with the server and the client. A method comprises: configuring a domain name service to route requests for pages hosted at the server to the system; receiving a request from the client for a page hosted at the server, the request being received on the basis of the configuring; transmitting the request to the server; receiving a page from the server corresponding to the transmitted request; searching the page for a predetermined item of content; selectively amending the content of the page to form a modified page on the basis of whether the predetermined item of content is found; and transmitting the modified page to the client. |
| US09213981B2 |
Techniques for improving relevance of social updates distributed offline
Methods and system for delivering updates to recipients in a social network includes receiving event related data in response to triggering of an event at a client. In response to the triggering of the event at the client, recipient data related to a recipient that is authorized to receive the event related data is retrieved. An agent is provided for the recipient. The agent includes logic for formatting and delivering the event related data to the recipient. The recipient's interaction in response to delivery of the event related data is tracked. The logic within the agent is refined based on the interaction of the recipient. The agent with the refined logic is used for subsequent formatting and delivering of event related data to the recipient. |
| US09213979B2 |
Array attribute configurator
An array attribute configurator configures a set of received values based upon a predetermined set of unique value fields of an array. Array attribute configurator determines if duplicates exist within the set of received values. Array attribute configurator determines if a unique value field lacks a corresponding value within the set of received values. Array attribute configurator configures an array attribute from the set of received values based upon these determinations. |
| US09213972B2 |
Systems and methods for fast mobile payment
A method of completing transactions using a device includes displaying a pictogram including transaction details associated therewith by a merchant. The mobile device acquires the pictogram. The mobile device or a remote server decodes the transaction details. The mobile device displays for a user the decoded transaction details. If the decided transaction details are acceptable to the user, the user accepts, via the mobile device, the decoded transaction details. The mobile device transmits a confirmation of acceptance by the user to a remote server. The remote server transmits a payment request for the payment amount reflected in the transaction details to a payment gateway. The payment gateway validates the payment request. The merchant and the device receive a payment confirmation. |
| US09213964B2 |
Calendar repair assistant
Calendar repair may be provided. Calendar events, such as appointments and meetings, may be created and copied to a plurality of attendee calendars. A first copy of the event may be compared to a second copy of the event, and an event property of the second event may be updated to match a corresponding event property of the first event. |
| US09213963B2 |
Identifying and presenting reminders based on opportunity for interaction
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting a reminder for a PIM record when there may be an opportunity for personal interaction regarding the PIM record. The opportunity for personal interaction regarding the PIM record may be identified in response to a trigger condition not associated with the PIM record. In one embodiment, an opportunity for interaction regarding a PIM record may be identified using identification information associated with the trigger condition. In another embodiment, an opportunity for interaction regarding a first PIM record may be identified when there is a contact associated with the first PIM record and a second PIM record, and there is an occurrence of a trigger condition associated with a second PIM record. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device may utilize additional information to identify or verify opportunities for interaction regarding a PIM record. |
| US09213962B2 |
Online collaboration
A method and an agent (500) are provided for the management and control of data files, in particular, the management of shared documents across a network to enable collaboration between users. The agent (500) comprises a collaborative event manager (180) to detect changes made to an open copy of the file that is associated with a first client device (100); a network manager (155) to determine whether a connection can be made with one or more further clients devices (130) connected to a network (120); and an offline manager (170) couplable to the network manager (155) to persist changes detected by the collaborative event manager (180) when a connection cannot be made; wherein the network manager (155) is adapted to selectively transmit the changes across the network (120) to one or more of the said further client devices (130) when a connection can be made, thereby instructing one or more respective agents to apply said changes to respective copies of said file. |
| US09213959B2 |
Method and systems for analyzing stock differences in a supply chain
A method and system to perform difference analysis. Differences from various business processes are collected. Those differences are displayed in a graphical user interface. Differences may be posted individually or in aggregate to a reporting system if a set of criteria are satisfied. |
| US09213958B2 |
Intelligent label processing system
Briefly, a new network processing system is provided that collects and coordinates key indicators regarding a product's quality as that product moves from supplier to end user. By doing so, the processing system provides robust, authentic, and trustworthy data that (1) reports the time period when any custodian had the product, (2) identifies what timing or environmental condition caused the product to go bad, and (3) verifies which custodian acted to make the product defective. In use, an intelligent label is attached to a product, and the intelligent label has a timer as well as one or more sensors for monitoring environmental conditions. Upon exceeding timing or environmental rules, a visual alarm indicator is activated on the label. Since the label has electronically retrievable data, electronically scanable data, and human readable date, the network process can collected key data regarding the product along the entire distribution chain. |
| US09213954B2 |
Suggesting data in a contextual workspace
Techniques for managing a virtual workspace include generating a virtual workspace viewable by a user on a graphical user interface, the virtual workspace comprising one or more workspace modules comprising data contained in a plurality of data objects associated with a business enterprise; identifying an interaction by the user with at least some of the data contained in a particular data object of the plurality of data objects; generating a plurality of suggestions comprising data contained in the plurality of data objects that is semantically related to the data interacted with by the user; ranking the plurality of suggestions based on a role of the user in the business enterprise; and presenting at least a portion of the ranked plurality of suggestions to the user. |
| US09213951B2 |
Cause-chain analysis using objects
Identification of the root cause of a change in the system, as well as any side-effects (“ancillary changes”) caused by the change via an object attribute. A change resulting from a request in a system, whether originating from a user, service, or workflow, has an associated request object that captures the details of the change. An ancillary change resulting from the prior change is correlated to the prior change through a parent attribute on the request object that identifies the prior change as the immediate parent. Thus, all downstream ancillary changes resulting from a request can be correlated back to the root request (change) via the parent attributes of the ancillary changes. |
| US09213950B2 |
Method and system for managing a plurality of processes or tasks
A computer-implemented method and system for processing data for monitoring, managing and/or displaying a plurality of processes, tasks or workflow events. According to an embodiment, the system includes an interface for inputting data, wherein the data comprises data associated with a business process, a processor configured for processing the data and configured for generating a graphical representation of the processed data, and wherein the graphical representation comprises one or more elements responsive to an input, and the one or more elements are configured to present additional information for the business process in response to the input. |
| US09213949B1 |
Technologies for live entertaining and entertainment trending
A method is performed via a computer. The method includes receiving a reservation from a customer. The reservation is based at least in part on an agreement reached between the customer and an entertainer as negotiated between the customer and the entertainer. The reservation reserving access for the customer to a bidirectional audiovisual live streaming session according to the agreement. The session is for an entertainment performance via the entertainer according to the agreement. The method further includes granting access to the customer for the session based at least in part on the reservation. The customer and the entertainer are at different locales during the session. The method additionally includes facilitating chat between the customer and the entertainer via the session during the session. The method also includes facilitating payment according to the agreement. |
| US09213947B1 |
Scalable pipeline for local ancestry inference
Ancestry deconvolution includes obtaining unphased genotype data of an individual; phasing, using one or more processors, the unphased genotype data to generate phased haplotype data; using a learning machine to classify portions of the phased haplotype data as corresponding to specific ancestries respectively and generate initial classification results; and correcting errors in the initial classification results to generate modified classification results. |
| US09213937B2 |
Apparatus and methods for gating analog and spiking signals in artificial neural networks
Apparatus and methods for universal node design implementing a universal learning rule in a mixed signal spiking neural network. In one implementation, at one instance, the node apparatus, operable according to the parameterized universal learning model, receives a mixture of analog and spiking inputs, and generates a spiking output based on the model parameter for that node that is selected by the parameterized model for that specific mix of inputs. At another instance, the same node receives a different mix of inputs, that also may comprise only analog or only spiking inputs and generates an analog output based on a different value of the node parameter that is selected by the model for the second mix of inputs. In another implementation, the node apparatus may change its output from analog to spiking responsive to a training input for the same inputs. |
| US09213935B2 |
Role-play simulation engine
A coordination processor receives data from a simulated role-play environment having a performer that is assigned a role. Further, the coordination processor composes an instruction to the performer to perform an action in the simulated role-play environment. The instruction is selected to implement a narrative possibility in a role-playing simulation. In addition, the instruction is sent to an interface that provides the instruction to the performer in the simulated role-play environment. |
| US09213934B1 |
Real time explosive hazard information sensing, processing, and communication for autonomous operation
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses provide robotic explosive hazard detection. A robot intelligence kernel (RIK) includes a dynamic autonomy structure with two or more autonomy levels between operator intervention and robot initiative A mine sensor and processing module (ESPM) operating separately from the RIK perceives environmental variables indicative of a mine using subsurface perceptors. The ESPM processes mine information to determine a likelihood of a presence of a mine. A robot can autonomously modify behavior responsive to an indication of a detected mine. The behavior is modified between detection of mines, detailed scanning and characterization of the mine, developing mine indication parameters, and resuming detection. Real time messages are passed between the RIK and the ESPM. A combination of ESPM bound messages and RIK bound messages cause the robot platform to switch between modes including a calibration mode, the mine detection mode, and the mine characterization mode. |
| US09213930B2 |
Secure barcodes
Methods and systems for generating and authenticating barcodes and in particular generating secure barcodes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method, performed by a certificate authority for creating a trusted content, comprises receiving, via a receiver, a target content and verifying the target content to determine whether the target content is safe or appropriate. Further, the method comprises, based on a result of the verifying, generating and storing, in a storage medium, response data; generating, via a processor, and storing in the storage medium an identifier corresponding to the response data; generating, via the processor, resolution data, the resolution data including the identifier and an address of the certificate authority; and transmitting, via a transmitter, the resolution data as the trusted content. |
| US09213928B2 |
Bar-code assignment system for medical and other uses
A bar code generation and processing system for medical and other use comprises at least one repository and a bar code processor. The at least one repository of information includes, identification data of multiple bar code scanners and also associates a bar code displayed in an image associated with an executable application and presented on a device with, the executable application and at least one of, (a) the device and (b) a data destination associated with the application. The bar code processor receives identification data of a bar code scanner and data representing the bar code displayed in the image and uses the information in associating the bar code with the data destination associated with the application and a particular bar code scanner of the multiple bar code scanners. The bar code processor communicates data acquired using the particular bar code scanner to the data destination in response to the association. |
| US09213926B2 |
Image forming system and image forming system control method for controlling image forming conditions of a job in accordance with a designated post-processing
Provided is an image forming system including: an image forming section which forms images on sheets; a post-processing device which executes post-processing on the sheets on which the images are formed on the image forming section; and a controller which controls the image forming apparatus and the post-processing device, wherein the image forming section forms the images on the sheets in a state corresponding to the post-processing as a trial print with respect to a job for which the post-processing is designated, and the post-processing device ejects the sheets in a state that the post-processing is not completed on the sheets on which the images are formed. |
| US09213924B1 |
Apparatus for printing colored and white toner
An apparatus for printing on a receiver with a plurality of colored dry inks and a dry white ink, the apparatus includes a look-up table having a set of one dimensional look-up tables for each of the colored inks and black inks, which look-up table which receives a value corresponding to a laydown at each pixel location of the receiver; wherein the look-up table determines a laydown of white ink at each pixel location depending on the laydown of the colored inks and black ink; and a logic and control unit which determines an amount of white ink to laydown by computing a value from the determined white laydowns of each look-up table. |
| US09213919B2 |
Category histogram image representation
In techniques for category histogram image representation, image segments of an input image are generated and bounding boxes are selected that each represent a region of the input image, where each of the bounding boxes include image segments of the input image. A saliency map of the input image can also be generated. A bounding box is applied as a query on an images database to determine database image regions that match the region of the input image represented by the bounding box. The query can be augmented based on saliency detection of the input image region that is represented by the bounding box, and a query result is a ranked list of the database image regions. A category histogram for the region of the input image is then generated based on category labels of each of the database image regions that match the input image region. |
| US09213917B2 |
Using surfaces with printed patterns for image and data processing
Adjusting data for photographed images includes detecting a reference image in the data, where the reference image contains a detectable uniformity and adjusting the data according to the reference image. The reference image may be a uniform grid pattern of dots preprinted on paper. A paper type may be determined prior to adjusting the data according to the reference image. The paper type may be determined according to spacing and/or patterns of the dots, and/or layout of page areas covered with dots. Adjusting the data may include removing effects corresponding to a folded corner, a removed corner, an obstructed corner, lens flare spots, and/or a shadow. Positional coordinates of the data may be adjusted by normalizing the grid through a non-linear transformation that eliminates curvature of the grid and/or distortions based on perspective. |
| US09213910B2 |
Reinforcement learning approach to character level segmentation of license plate images
Methods and systems for achieving accurate segmentation of characters with respect to a license plate image utilizing a reinforcement learning approach. A vehicle image can be captured by an image capturing unit and processed utilizing an ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) unit. The reinforcement learning (RL) approach can be configured to initialize a segmentation agent with a starting location. A proper segmentation path (cuts) from top to bottom and from a darker to lighter area in a cropped license plate image can be identified by the segmentation agent during a training phase. Rewards can be provided based on a number of good and bad moves. The association between a current state and a sensory input with a preferred action can be learned by the segmentation agent at the end of the training phase. |
| US09213908B2 |
Method for registering at least one part of a first and second image using a collineation warping function
The invention is related to a method for registering at least one part of a first image and of a second image, including the steps of providing a first image of the real environment and a coordinate system associated to the first image, a second image of the real environment, and measurements of orientation and/or distance of a capturing device with respect to the real environment while capturing the second image. A collineation warping function is then determined from the measurements associated to at least one part of the second image. The method further includes the steps of transforming the at least one part of the second image by applying the corresponding determined collineation warping function, determining a second warping function for registering the transformed at least one part of the second image and the at least one part of the first image by means of an image registration method, and registering the at least one part of the second image and first image using the collineation warping function and the second warping function. |
| US09213906B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
A read-only memory (ROM) includes storage areas used as a processing setting data storage unit, a successful detection rate storage unit, and a processing time storage unit. A central processing unit (CPU) can function as a calculation unit by executing a calculation program stored on the ROM. The successful detection rate storage unit stores a predetermined successful detection rate (the probability of executing subsequent processing based on a result of a current processing). The processing time storage unit stores a predetermined processing time of each processing. The calculation unit calculates a module configuration for executing each processing according to the successful detection rate stored on the successful detection rate storage unit and the processing time stored on the processing time storage unit. The processing setting data storage unit stores setting data of a characteristic amount and a setting data of positional information about image data (the address of the image data). |
| US09213904B1 |
Autonomous lock-on target tracking with geospatial-aware PTZ cameras
An autonomous lock-on target tracking system and method with geospatial-aware PTZ cameras includes a camera imaging a terrain space. The camera acquires images, and first and second images are aligned. A frame-differencing operation produces a resultant image including blobs corresponding to elements in the terrain space. One of the blobs is classified as an object and tracked as a target. The target is tracked by determining the distance between a centroid of the target and a center of a field of view of the camera, and instructing the camera to move through the distance. The distance is continually updated as the camera and the target move. Disclosed are also methods for deploying the georeferencing enabled version of such PTZ camera on stationary and mobile land, sea and air platforms. |
| US09213902B2 |
Method of estimating optical flow on the basis of an asynchronous light sensor
A computer receives asynchronous information originating from a light sensor (10) having a pixel matrix disposed opposite a scene. The asynchronous information comprises, for each pixel of the matrix, successive events originating from this pixel and depending on variations in light in the scene. For a place of estimation (p) in the matrix of pixels and an estimation time (t), the computer selects a set (Sp t) of events originating from pixels included in a spatial neighborhood (πρ) of the place of estimation and which have occurred in a time interval (Θ) defined with respect to the estimation time, such that this set has at most one event per pixel of the spatial neighborhood. The computer quantifies the variations in the times of occurrence of the events of the set selected as a function of the positions, in the matrix, of the pixels from which these events originate. |
| US09213900B2 |
Automated vision-based clutter detector and notifier
A system and method of monitoring a customer space including obtaining visual data comprising image frames of the customer space over a period of time, defining a region of interest within the customer space, the region of interest corresponding to a portion of the customer space in which customers relocate objects, monitoring the region of interest for at least one predefined clutter condition, and generating a notification when the at least one predefined clutter condition is detected. |
| US09213892B2 |
Real-time bicyclist detection with synthetic training data
A determination is made in real-time regarding whether a bicyclist is present in a target image. A target image is received. The target image is classified and an error value for the target image is determined using a linear classifier. If the error value does not exceed the threshold value, the classification is outputted. Otherwise, if the error value exceeds the threshold value, the target image is classified using a non-linear classifier. |
| US09213891B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device 200 of the present invention includes: a recognition result acquiring means 201 for acquiring respective recognition result information outputted by a plurality of recognition engines 211, 212 and 213 executing different recognition processes on recognition target data; and an integration recognition result outputting means 202 for outputting a new recognition result obtained by integrating the respective recognition result information acquired from the plurality of recognition engines. The recognition result acquiring means 201 is configured to acquire the respective recognition result information in a data format common to the plurality of recognition engines, from the plurality of recognition engines. The integration recognition result outputting means 202 is configured to integrate the respective recognition result information based on the respective recognition result information, and output as the new recognition result. |
| US09213889B2 |
Athlete speed prediction method using data from attached inertial measurement unit
An apparatus and method for calculating athlete speed non-invasively, on the field/court of play using data from a torso-mounted inertial measurement unit. The method complements existing, GPS-based methods for calculating athlete speed by enabling use in environments where GPS signal is unavailable (i.e. indoors). |
| US09213883B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing depth image
An apparatus and method for processing a depth image. A depth image may be generated with reduced noise and motion blur, using depth images generated during different integration times that are generated based on the noise and motion blur of the depth image. |
| US09213880B2 |
Method of optimizing focus plane position of imaging scanner
A method includes the following: (1) projecting a light pattern towards a target object; (2) detecting light returned from the target object through an imaging lens arrangement with an imaging sensor to capture at least a first slit-frame-image and a second slit-frame-image; (3) determining an optimized position of the imaging lens arrangement; (4) detecting light returned from the target object with the imaging sensor to capture an image of a barcode when the imaging lens arrangement is maintained at the optimized position; and (5) processing the image of the barcode to decode the barcode. In the method, determining the optimized position includes processing at least the first slit-frame-image and the second slit-frame-image. |
| US09213875B1 |
System and method for automatically modeling symbology data in a symbology reader
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for reading symbology, and more typically linear barcodes (“symbols”) that employs trained attributes that remain invariant between scans of different barcodes during runtime to tune various aspects of the procedure for locating and decoding such barcodes. The procedure relies upon a training step in which one or more exemplary barcodes are decoded and the invariant attributes for such barcodes, including, but not limited to, size, shape, relative angle in the image field of view and resolution are stored. The runtime decoding procedure then employs these attributes to constrain the search for subsequent, scanned barcodes and then decode it according to a plurality of tuned steps. |
| US09213874B2 |
RFID smart garment
In combination, an RFID antenna array, an RFID tag reader, and a power supply, the foregoing components being adapted to be worn or otherwise borne by a person and be operatively connected so that the power supply powers the reader and the reader energizes the antenna array and receives RFID tag signals through the antenna array while the person passes through an area as the person's hands and arms are unencumbered by said components. |
| US09213871B1 |
RFID tag and reader authentication by trusted authority
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader containing a reader key authenticates an RFID tag containing a tag key by receiving a reader challenge from a verification authority; determining a reader response based at least on the reader challenge and the reader key; sending a first message including at least the reader response but not the reader key to the verification authority; receiving a tag identifier from the tag; challenging the tag with a tag challenge; receiving a tag response based at least on the tag challenge and the tag key but not including the tag key; sending a second message including at least the tag identifier and the tag response to the verification authority; and receiving an electronically-signed reply from the verification authority. The reader validates the verification authority reply by checking the signature. The verification authority may notify a designated party if a response is incorrect. |
| US09213869B2 |
Magnetic stripe reading device
A magnetic stripe reading device including a magnetic head assembly including a mounting element defining a circumferential anti-tampering enclosure and at least one information reading sensor having output contacts, a protective layer including at least one protective grid and at least one anti-tampering contact array including at least two electrical contacts, at least one resiliently deformable conductive element arranged to selectably provide a galvanic interconnection between the electrical contacts, a closure element fixed to the assembly in a secure orientation to displace the deformable conductive element into galvanic interconnection contact with the electrical contacts, whereby tampering with the closure element causes the deformable conductive element to break the galvanic interconnection contact and a flat cable coupled to the output contacts, to the protective layer and to the electrical contacts and carrying electrical signals useful for providing a tampering alarm indication when the electrical contacts are not in galvanic contact. |
| US09213864B2 |
Data processing apparatus and validity verification method
A data processing apparatus includes an auxiliary storage device having target verification data stored therein, a program memory having a validity verification program stored therein, a first RAM (Random Access Memory), a second RAM, and an execution unit configured to execute a validity verification process in accordance with the validity verification program stored in the program memory. The execution unit is configured to copy the target verification data from the auxiliary storage device into the first RAM, execute the validity verification process on the copied target verification data in the first RAM, and use the second RAM as a work area in a case of executing the validity verification process. |
| US09213863B2 |
Enhanced privacy for provision of computer vision
Methods, apparatuses and storage medium associated with providing enhanced privacy during usage of computer vision are disclosed. In embodiments, an apparatus may include one or more privacy indicators to indicate one or more privacy conditions of the apparatus in association with provision of computer vision on the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a privacy engine coupled with the one or more privacy indicators, and configured to pre-process images from an image source of the apparatus associated with the provision of computer vision to the apparatus, to increase privacy for a user of the apparatus, and to control the one or more privacy indicators. In embodiments, the apparatus may include means for blanking out one or more pixels with depth values identified as greater than a threshold. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09213857B2 |
Systems and methods for securing data in motion
The systems and methods of the present invention provide a solution that makes data provably secure and accessible—addressing data security at the bit level—thereby eliminating the need for multiple perimeter hardware and software technologies. Data security is incorporated or weaved directly into the data at the bit level. The systems and methods of the present invention enable enterprise communities of interest to leverage a common enterprise infrastructure. Because security is already woven into the data, this common infrastructure can be used without compromising data security and access control. In some applications, data is authenticated, encrypted, and parsed or split into multiple shares prior to being sent to multiple locations, e.g., a private or public cloud. The data is hidden while in transit to the storage location, and is inaccessible to users who do not have the correct credentials for access. |
| US09213850B2 |
Policy-based application management
Improved techniques for managing enterprise applications on mobile devices are described herein. Each enterprise mobile application running on the mobile device has an associated policy through which it interacts with its environment. The policy selectively blocks or allows activities involving the enterprise application in accordance with rules established by the enterprise. Together, the enterprise applications running on the mobile device form a set of managed applications. Managed applications are typically allowed to exchange data with other managed applications, but are blocked from exchanging data with other applications, such as the user's own personal applications. Policies may be defined to manage data sharing, mobile resource management, application specific information, networking and data access solutions, device cloud and transfer, dual mode application software, enterprise app store access, and virtualized application and resources, among other things. |
| US09213849B2 |
Hierarchical access control administration preview
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for hierarchical access control administration preview of access control rights for hierarchically organized content. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for rendering a hierarchical access control administration preview of access control rights for hierarchically organized content can be provided. The method can include rendering a view of hierarchically organized content in connection with corresponding access rights and proposing explicitly assigned access rights for selected content in the hierarchically organized content. The method also can include re-rendering the view to reflect both the proposed explicitly assigned access rights for the selected content and also implicitly resulting assigned access rights for the children of the selected content. |
| US09213844B2 |
Virtual datacenter private sublets for quarantined access to data
Technologies are generally described for providing a system that allows data use clients direct access to perform complex analysis on data assets without compromising the assets by sharing the data contained may set up the data assets in virtual datacenters (VDCs) within a physical datacenter and open additional resources within the VDCs to data use clients. The data use clients may be enabled to upload and execute analysis applications with access to valuable data. Data traffic exiting the VDCs through such applications, however, may be controlled by a supervisor that analysis an output and enforces limitations on content and/or volume based on a level of purchased access. |
| US09213836B2 |
System and method for comprehensive general electric protection for computers against malicious programs that may steal information and/or cause damages
In the prior art of computer security by default programs are allowed to do whatever they like to other programs or to their data files or to critical files of the operating system, which is as absurd as letting a guest in a hotel bother other guests as he pleases, steal their property or copy it or destroy it, or have free access to the hotel's management resources. The present concept is based on automatic segregation between programs. This is preferably done by creating automatically an unlimited number of Virtual Environments (VEs) with virtual sharing of resources, so that the programs in each VE think that they are alone on the computer, and (unless explicitly allowed by the user) any changes that they think they made in virtually shared resources are in reality only made in their own VE, while the user preferably has an integrated view of the computer. |
| US09213834B2 |
Prevention of user input capture
Systems and methods may provide to prevent user input capture. In one example, the method may include measuring an attribute based on a user's interaction with a user input component of a user input device, generating a user input signature based on the measured attribute, generating an obscuring signature based on the user input signature, and transmitting a control signal, based on the obscuring signature, to obscure a user's input activity and prevent user input capture. |
| US09213830B2 |
Managing applications in non-cooperative environments
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing applications in non-cooperative environments. Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to manage non-cooperative applications and operating systems. For example, applications and operating systems at a user's (e.g., an information worker's) personal device (e.g., smartphone) can be appropriately managed to provide more secure access to a corporate IT infrastructure. An IT worker can programmatically repackage an application, deploy it to a user's personal device, and manage the user's ability to use the application through policy. |
| US09213827B2 |
Security data aggregation and business intelligence for web applications
Systems and methods may provide for detecting a browser request for web content. Additionally, interaction information associated with a plurality of sources may be determined in response to the browser request, and a risk profile may be generated based on the interaction. The risk profile may include at least a portion of the interaction information as well as recommended control actions to mitigate the identified risk. In one example, the risk profile is presented to a user associated with the browser request as well as to a security control module associated with the platform. |
| US09213826B2 |
System and method to protect Java bytecode code against static and dynamic attacks within hostile execution environments
A method and system that provides secure modules that can address Java platform weaknesses and protect Java bytecode during execution time. The secure modules are implemented in C/C++ as an example. Because implementation of the security modules is made in C/C++, this enables use of security technology that secures C/C++ software code. |
| US09213825B1 |
User authentication using two-dimensional barcodes
A login interface provided by a firmware setup utility is configured to display a two-dimensional barcode, such as a quick response (“QR”) code. The barcode is scanned by a mobile device configured to retrieve a timestamp encrypted within the barcode. The mobile device creates a passcode by re-encrypting the timestamp using a firmware setup password and a master key. The passcode is provided to the firmware setup utility, which retrieves the timestamp and compares it to a stored timestamp. If the timestamp values match, access to the firmware setup utility is permitted. |
| US09213824B2 |
Electronic device and unlocking method thereof
An electronic device and an unlocking method thereof are provided. The electronic device has a touch screen, and the unlocking method includes following steps. When the electronic device is at a locking state, a first input and a second input corresponding to each other are received. Symbol information displayed on the touch screen is obtained according to the first input, and direction information is obtained according to the second input. When the symbol information and the direction information are matched to a predefined unlocking condition, the electronic device is switched to an unlocking state. When the symbol information and the direction information are not matched to the predefined unlocking condition, the electronic device is maintained in the locking state. |
| US09213816B2 |
Protocol for biometric device capture and quality analysis
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a computer-implemented method for communicating with peripheral devices comprising loading, by a computer, a configuration file specifying supported peripheral devices and defining commands for each supported peripheral device; receiving, by a computer, a selection of one of the supported peripheral devices from a list of peripheral devices presented in an interface; calling, by a computer, a device handler for the selected peripheral device; invoking, by a computer, protocols for the selected peripheral device that are specified by the device handler corresponding to the selected peripheral device; and sending, by a computer, commands entered through the interface to the selected peripheral device using the invoked protocols of the device handler corresponding to the selected peripheral device. |
| US09213815B2 |
Authentication device for user authentication and image forming apparatus including the authentication device
A user authentication device provided on an apparatus as an object of operation acquires feature data representing notable portion of the user, using a camera device, after user authentication. Based on the acquired feature data, the user authentication device tracks the user by the camera (step S1030). If it is detected by the tracking that the user has left the apparatus, the user authentication device displays a log-in screen image on an operation panel (step S1060). If it is detected that the user once left the apparatus has returned to a position where he/she can operate the apparatus, the user authentication device displays the screen image that has been previously operated by the user. On the other hand, if it is detected that the tracking has been interrupted after the user left the apparatus, the user authentication device executes a log-out process (step S1120). |
| US09213812B1 |
Systems and methods related to security credentials
A method includes receiving, from a user via an electronic device, input representing a password to be utilized for an account; automatically determining, utilizing a processor, a complexity value for the input password; automatically determining, based on the determined complexity value, security settings for the account; receiving, from a user via an electronic device, input representing an attempt to login to the account, the input representing an attempt to login to the account including an attempted password; automatically determining that the attempted password does not match the password to be utilized for the account; and determining a course of action to take in response to the determination that the attempted password does not match the password to be utilized for the account, the course of action being determined based at least in part on the automatically determined security settings for the account. |
| US09213810B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying unauthorized users of an electronic device
This is generally directed to identifying unauthorized users of an electronic device. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user of the electronic device can be detected by identifying particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior. In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identity of the owner of the electronic device. When an unauthorized user is detected, various safety measures can be taken. For example, information related to the identity of the unauthorized user, the unauthorized user's operation of the electronic device, or the current location of the electronic device can be gathered. As another example, functions of the electronic device can be restricted. In some embodiments, the owner of the electronic device can be notified of the unauthorized user by sending an alert notification through any suitable medium, such as, for example, a voice mail, e-mail, or text message. |
| US09213806B2 |
Managing and providing access to applications in an application-store module
According to one embodiment, a system includes an interface and a processor. The interface receives, from a device, a request to access an application-store module, the device being associated with a first user. The processor determines a device type associated with the device; determines an operating system associated with the device; determines a user role associated with the first user; and determines, based on the device type, the operating system, and the user role, one or more applications. The interface communicates, to the device, a first set of information to be displayed on the device, the first set of information being associated with the one or more applications. |
| US09213804B2 |
Securing displayed information
A method, system or computer usable program product for securing displayed information including establishing a session between a first data processing device including a first memory and a second data processing device including a second memory and a display, maintaining session awareness indicating that both the first and second devices are alive in the session, inputting information into the second data processing device during the session producing input information stored in the second memory, and responsive to a determination the session has ended between the first and second device, deleting the input information in the second memory. |
| US09213802B2 |
Updatability of structured blood glucose tests performed on handheld diabetes management devices
A method of improving updatability of entry, adherence, and exit criteria stored in memory of a handheld diabetes management device, the method includes: providing the handheld diabetes management device with a blood glucose (bG) measurement engine that measures a bG level in a sample of blood of a user and that generates sample data indicative of the bG level; providing the handheld diabetes management device with the memory and a touchscreen display; providing the handheld diabetes management device with a processor module that is in communication with the bG measurement engine, the touchscreen display, and the memory; storing firmware that is executable by the processor module for performing operations to carry out a structured bG test in a non-modifiable portion of the memory; and storing the entry, adherence, and exit criteria in a modifiable portion of the memory. |
| US09213801B2 |
Multi-resolution graphical display for feedback on chest compression depth
Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices. For example, a medical device including a display for providing feedback to a rescuer who is performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions to a patient. The display is structured to graphically indicate an instantaneous value of a measured compression depth of the chest of the patient. The display includes an indicator range that corresponds at least in part to a compression depth range of some of the measured compression depths. An indicator is represented as progressing along the indicator range as the depth changes within the compression depth range to represent a value of the measured compression depth in relation to the indicator range. Depending on the measured compression depth, the indicator progresses at a variable rate relative to a difference in the measured compression depth. |
| US09213794B2 |
System and method for routing buffered interconnects in an integrated circuit
A system and method for routing a buffered interconnect in an IC from a source cell to a target cell thereof. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a path tracer operable to designate the source cell as a current node and construct a path toward the target node by: (1a) defining a boundary about the current node based on a buffer driving length, (1b) trimming the boundary by any blockage therein to yield a candidate area for placing a buffer, (1c) dividing the boundary into line segments, (1d) selecting a closest, valid one of the line segments to the target cell as the current node and (1e) repeating the defining, trimming, dividing and selecting the closest, valid one until the current node lies within the buffer driving length and (2) a buffer placer associated with the path tracer and operable to select a location along the path to place the buffer. |
| US09213793B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing electronic designs using flexible routing tracks
One aspect interconnects two regions subject to different rules and using transition rule(s) in a transition region or cost mechanism(s), where these rules may include soft rule(s), hard rule(s), or combinations thereof. These two regions may reside on the same routing layer or on different routing layers. This aspect allows physical design tools to transition across gridded, gridless, tracked, or trackless regions subject to different rules on the same or different layers. Another aspect interconnects an object subject to the first rule(s) and the second rule(s), while the object satisfies or violates the first rule(s). These aspects use spacetile(s) on a spacetile layer as search probe(s) to find viable implementation solutions, although the spacetile(s) and hence the search probe may violate one or more rules. A spacetile layer may be identified or created for each rule and may be associated with relevant features subject to relevant rule(s). |
| US09213792B2 |
Semiconductor chip including digital logic circuit including at least six transistors with some transistors forming cross-coupled transistor configuration and associated methods
A first gate level feature forms gate electrodes of a first transistor of a first transistor type and a first transistor of a second transistor type. A second gate level feature forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the first transistor type. A third gate level feature forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the second transistor type. The gate electrodes of the second transistors of the first and second transistor types are positioned on opposite sides of a gate electrode track along which the gate electrodes of the first transistors of the first and second transistor types are positioned. The gate electrodes of the second transistors of the first and second transistor types are electrically connected to each other through an electrical connection that includes respective gate contacts and one or more conductive interconnect structures. |
| US09213789B2 |
Method of generating optimized memory instances using a memory compiler
A method of generating optimized memory instances using a memory compiler is disclosed. Data pertinent to describing a memory to be designed are provided, and front-end models and back-end models are made to supply a library. Design criteria are received via a user interface. Design of the memory is optimized among speed, power and area according to the provided library and the received design criteria, thereby generating memory instances. |
| US09213788B2 |
Methods and apparatus for constructing and analyzing component-based models of engineering systems
Systems, methods, and apparatus for modeling and analyzing a physical system comprising a plurality of components. In some embodiments, a component type of a component of the plurality of components may be used to access a dataset from a plurality of datasets. The dataset may include a representation of at least one partial differential equation. A model of the component may be constructed based at least in part on the accessed dataset and at least one parameter relating to a physical characteristic of the component, and may be used to compute at least one output value based on at least one input value. |
| US09213783B2 |
Source mask optimization to reduce stochastic effects
Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method for improving a lithographic process for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus, the method comprising defining a multi-variable cost function, the multi-variable cost function being a function of a stochastic effect of the lithographic process. |
| US09213782B2 |
Sorting multiple records of data using ranges of key values
A method and system for sorting data of an input file containing multiple records associated with multiple tables of a database. The multiple records include key values. The key values are segmented into ranges of key values for each table. Each range of key values for each table is a segment having a segment value. Multiple key values are selected for the multiple records. A block number, which contains a unique permutation of the segment values of the segments, is generated. The segment values denote the ranges of key values encompassing the multiple key values in each record. A sort key value for each record is ascertained, based on the generated block number for each record, and added to each record. The multiple records are sorted according to the sort key values in the multiple records. The sorted multiple records are stored in an output file. |
| US09213780B2 |
Cache and index refreshing strategies for variably dynamic items and accesses
Many computing scenarios involve an item cache or index, comprising items corresponding to source items that may change without notice, rendering the item in the item cache or index stale. It may not be possible to guarantee the freshness of the items, but it may be desirable to reduce staleness in an efficient manner. Therefore, the refreshing of items may be prioritized by first predicting the query frequency of respective item representing the rate at which an item is retrieved from the item cache (e.g., by monitoring queries for the item), predicting an update frequency representing the rate at which the source item is updated by the source item host (e.g., by classifying the source item type), and computing a refresh utility representing the improvement in cache freshness achieved by refreshing the item. Respective items may then be prioritized for refreshing according to the computed refresh utilities. |
| US09213771B2 |
Question answering framework
Described herein is a technology to facilitate automated question answering. In one implementation, an input question is first received. Different search strategies may be used to search multiple types of data from multiple types of knowledge databases to generate one or more candidate answers to the input question. The one or more candidate answers are evaluated to generate a final answer to the input question. |
| US09213767B2 |
Method and system for characterizing web content
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of processing Web activity data. The method includes obtaining a database of Website organizational data. The method also includes generating a data structure from the database of Website organizational data comprising an Item identifier and a Website category corresponding to the item identifier. The method also includes generating a reduced-rank classification structure from the data structure, the reduced-rank classification structure including a category grouping corresponding to one or more of the Website categories. |
| US09213763B2 |
System and method for responding to web form inquiries
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for generating contact plans and responding to web form inquires using the contact plans. |
| US09213762B1 |
Operation using positioning information
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods to determine a position of a base with respect to a playback device and evaluating whether the position is proper or improper given an orientation of the playback device are disclosed and described herein. In one aspect, a method is provided. The example method includes determining a position of a playback device with respect to a base. The example method also includes determining an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes comparing the determined position to a reference position for the determined orientation. The example method further includes, if the determined position corresponds to the reference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation of the playback device, and, if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position for the determined orientation, limiting operation of the playback device. |
| US09213751B2 |
Method of increasing capacity to process operational data
A first-system has a plurality of interconnected computers which receive operational data from remote data sources. The first-system has a software application for processing the operational data received from remote data sources and the operational data characterizes performance of one or more software applications running on the remote data sources. A load capacity “L” for the first-system is determined; wherein L is the number of remote data sources that can be processed before the system becomes overloaded. The first-system is repeatedly monitors remote data sources to determine their number. When the number of remote data sources exceeds a predetermined fraction of L the first-system is replicated and replications are installed. When a client requests data from one of the systems, using a time stamp the data is automatically provided. The first-system is replicated as more processing power is required conditional upon the load capacity of the system. |
| US09213749B1 |
Content item selection based on presentation context
Methods, systems, and apparatus for selecting content items based on presentation context are presented. In one aspect, a method includes for each of a plurality of content item slots of a resource: obtaining first performance data based on a performance of content items that were presented in a navigational context in the content item slot; obtaining second performance data based on a performance of content items that were presented in a non-navigational context in the content item slot; determining, from the first and second performance data, a navigational performance adjustment factor for the content item slot, the navigational performance adjustment factor indicating, for the content item slot, a performance of content items presented in the navigational context relative to a performance of content items presented in the non-navigational context. |
| US09213744B2 |
Perturbing search results
Disclosed here are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for spreading the interest of a user evenly over a predefined set of search results. A search engine retrieves search results from a database and perturbs at least a portion of the search results, that is, randomizes the order of the portion before presenting it to the user. In this way, even when a search is repeated between database update cycles, the user would see different top search results every time the search is executed. The perturbation technique can be applied to a search in a social networking system which searches for users. The perturbation can be done by randomizing the display order of the sear results based on a most recent activity time of the user. The perturbed search results will have different users every time the user performs a search. The perturbed search results are customized per user. |
| US09213743B2 |
Mining for statistical enumerated type
Time-based event stream attributes are analyzed to determine whether the attributes are of a statistical enumerated type, or, in other words, whether the attributes comprise statistically fixed sets of unique values, for instance. The analysis can involve determining a magnitude of change to a set of unique attribute values. In one instance, such a determination can be performed as a function of a number, or count, of unique values. Further, event stream processing can be performed dynamically, for instance, by partitioning data into time intervals and processing the intervals incrementally. |
| US09213737B2 |
Calculation scenarios with semantic nodes
A calculation engine is described that executes calculation scenarios comprising a plurality of calculation nodes that each specify operations to be performed to execute the query. One of the nodes can be a semantic node that is used to modify the query for operations requiring special handling. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09213735B1 |
Flow control in very large query result sets using a release message to confirm that a client computer is ready to receive the data associated with a data collection operation
Apparatuses and methods for providing flow control over a network are disclosed. One such method comprises receiving a first remote procedure call at a first computer from a second computer remote from the first computer, the first computer including a first memory and a first processor configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory, generating a second remote procedure call from the first processor to the second computer, the second remote procedure call responsive to the first remote procedure call, monitoring the first processor for receipt of a release signal from the second computer, the release signal indicating when the second computer is able to receive data responsive to the first remote procedure call, and transmitting the data from the first memory of the first computer to the second computer responsive to receipt of the release signal at the first processor. |
| US09213733B2 |
Computerized internet search system and method
The present invention provides a system and method that can search social media and Internet websites, and can analyze and display the results according to a variety of criteria including virality on social media websites. The results are presented in a user friendly format such as a magazine, newsletter, newspaper, or scrapbook. |
| US09213732B2 |
Hash table and radix sort based aggregation
Aggregation of an in-memory database includes receiving, by at least one processor having a plurality of threads, input having records stored in random access memory, distributing, by the at least one processor, the input into portions, one of the plurality of threads having an assigned portion, aggregating, by the at least one processor, the records in the assigned portion based on locality of keys in the records and outputting, by the at least one processor, the aggregated records into a global hash table. |
| US09213730B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting portions of text from long social media documents
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for extracting text from a social media document are disclosed. For example, the method indexes a plurality of social media documents into a plurality of snippets, receives a query including one or more keywords and a purpose, identifies one or more of the plurality of snippets that include the one or more keywords in an index, ranks the one or more of the plurality of snippets in accordance with the purpose and provides the one or more plurality of snippets that are ranked in accordance with the purpose. |
| US09213718B1 |
Synchronized file management across multiple disparate endpoints
Techniques to manage files and other stored objects are disclosed. An identification is received of a plurality of files associated with a synchronization set. An identification of a plurality of endpoints associated with the synchronization set is received. Synchronization is maintained across the endpoints with respect to at least a subset of the files included in the plurality of files. In some embodiments, maintaining synchronization across the endpoints includes materializing each file, and updates thereto, at each endpoint at which the file is stored in a manner required by that endpoint while maintaining an awareness of which files or other objects as stored at each endpoint at which files are stored correspond to which files or other objects as stored at other endpoints at which files are stored. |
| US09213717B1 |
Managing concurrent I/OS in file systems
A method is used in managing concurrent I/Os in file systems. A first and second I/O requests are received. The first I/O request is directed to a first portion of a file and the second I/O request is directed to a second portion of the file. A first range lock for the first portion is obtained and a second range lock for the second portion is obtained. The first and second I/O requests are performed concurrently. The second I/O request starts performing I/O on the second portion of the file before the first I/O request finish performing I/O on the first portion of the file. |
| US09213715B2 |
De-duplication with partitioning advice and automation
Migrating a sub-volume in data storage with at least two de-duplication domains, each of the domains having at least one sub-volume. A first sub-volume is assigned to a de-duplication domain and a first content summary is computed for the first sub-volume. Similarly, a second sub-volume is assigned to a second de-duplication domains and a second content summary is computed for the second sub-volume. A first content affinity is calculated between the first sub-volume and a third sub-volume, and a second content affinity is calculated between the second sub-volume and the third sub-volume. A domain placement is selected for the third sub-volume based on comparison of the first content affinity and the second content affinity. |
| US09213712B1 |
Advertising in desktop searches
In one aspect, a system receives an executable file that includes one or more advertisements and instructions. The system stores the executable file, including the advertisements, on a storage device. The system receives an input to search the storage device using a search facility separate from the executable file. The system generates search results responsive to the input using the search facility. The system executes the instructions included in the executable file to insert at least one advertisement included in the executable file into the search results. The system presents the search results, including the at least one inserted advertisement, to a user. |
| US09213710B2 |
Systems and methods of storing and managing configuration data in telecommunications systems and devices
Systems and methods of storing and managing data, such as configuration data, in telecommunications systems and devices. The data are stored as objects, each data object having an associated type, and each object type having at least one instance of the data object. Each instance of each data object has a primary key field, which identifies that instance of the data object. Each instance of each data object can have zero or more foreign key fields, each of which can be used to make reference to the primary key of at least one other data object. By employing at least the foreign key fields and the primary keys of the respective data objects, various referential relationships, branching referential relationships, and many-to-many relationships among one or more groups of the object types can be defined and maintained, for use in storing and/or managing the data with increased flexibility and efficiency. |
| US09213708B2 |
Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described. |
| US09213705B1 |
Presenting content related to primary audio content
Systems and methods are provided for generating a presentation associated with primary audio content. In some embodiments, companion content associated with the audio content may be retrieved from one or more data stores. The companion content may include textual content corresponding to the audio content. One or more keywords associated with at least a portion of the companion content may then be determined. Additional content associated with the one or more keywords may be retrieved from one or more data stores, where the additional content may include at least one image. At least one of the one or more images may then be presented for display during playback of the audio content, such that each of the one or more images is presented for display during playback of a corresponding portion of the audio content. |
| US09213701B2 |
Systems and methods for electronically auto-filing and retrieving reversible write eraseable paper documents
An embodiment generally relates to systems and methods for electronically auto-filing and retrieving erasable paper document documents configured for ultraviolet (UV) imaging. A device can automatically generate an electronic version of the erasable paper document and store the electronic version in a database. A user can search the database for the electronic version with identification information associated with the erasable paper document, upon which the systems and methods can retrieve the electronic version of the erasable paper document for the user. The electronic version of the erasable paper document can be re-rendered either as a new erasable paper document, for display to the user, or other renderings. |
| US09213700B2 |
Data archiving and de-archiving in a business environment
A computer implemented method for data archiving and dearchiving in a business environment is described herein. According to an implementation, the method includes obtaining metadata configuration associated with a source database storing transaction information, the transaction information being related to a business transaction. Based on the metadata configuration an archive specification is generated. Further, based on the archive specification and the metadata configuration, an archive mapping is configured. According to an aspect, the archive mapping is synchronized with an update in one of the metadata configuration. The archive mapping can be implemented for archiving the transaction information. Additionally, the archived transaction information can be de-archived, or can be purged onto a back-up repository. |
| US09213698B1 |
Unified data architecture for business process management and data modeling
A computer-implemented method of processing business data, the method including storing data in SPO (subject-predicate-object) format in multiple databases; using a storage layer to connect to the multiple databases and maintaining a record of which data is stored in which database, the data comprising rules and axioms, the axioms representing user data; the rules and the axioms stored in the SPO format; at least one ontology representing a union of at least some rules and axioms that represent a particular data interpretation; a storage layer that permits working with data stored in different databases simultaneously and permits a user to use data from several storages simultaneously; transforming the user data based on context provided by a business application that works with specific objects and ontologies, the context being defined by a particular ontology; performing operations on the data based on triggers specified by the rules; generating new data in the same context; processing requests from a business layer to transform the data; and presenting the data to the user based on the context. |
| US09213694B2 |
Efficient online domain adaptation
Systems and methods for efficient online domain adaptation are provided herein. Methods may include receiving a post-edited machine translated sentence pair, updating a machine translation model by adjusting translation weights for a translation memory and a language model while generating test machine translations of the machine translated sentence pair until one of the test machine translations approximately matches the post-edits for the machine translated sentence pair, and retranslating the remaining machine translation sentence pairs that have yet to be post-edited using the updated machine translation model. |
| US09213689B2 |
Techniques for creating computer generated notes
Text is extracted from and information resource such as documents, emails, relational database tables and other digitized information sources. The extracted text is processed using a decomposition function to create. Nodes are a particular data structure that stores elemental units of information. The nodes can convey meaning because they relate a subject term or phrase to an attribute term or phrase. Removed from the node data structure, the node contents are or can become a text fragment which conveys meaning, i.e., a note. The notes generated from each digital resource are associated with the digital resource from which they are captured. The notes are then stored, organized and presented in several ways which facilitate knowledge acquisition and utilization by a user. |
| US09213686B2 |
System and method for managing a form completion process
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for managing a form completion process. The method includes providing a user form in the selected language to a user interface. The method further includes receiving the user form with associated form answers and determining whether the selected language of the user form matches a service provider language. The method also includes queuing a work item associated with the user form with associated form answers if the selected language of the user form does not match the service provider language, and dequeuing the work item when the user form with associated form answers is provided to a translation specialist. The method includes receiving a translation of the user form with associated form answers and generating a provider form based on one or more of the user form with associated form answers and the translation of the user form with associated form answers. |
| US09213681B2 |
Method and system to modify source content to fit into a target display area in a browser
A method and system to automatically adjust content being layed out into a target area for browser rendering is provided. An example method comprises a first pass module, a progress data collector, a second pass module, and a communications module. The first pass module may be configured to perform a first pass of laying out source content into a total target area to determine a total crash area consumed by the source content. The progress data collector may be configured to collect progress data associated with the laying out of the source content into the total target area. The second pass module may be configured to perform a second pass of laying out of the source content into the total target area to generate a data object model. The communications module may be configured to provide the data object model to a browser engine for rendering. |
| US09213680B2 |
Method and structure for fast in-place transformation of standard full and packed matrix data formats
A method and structure for an in-place transformation of matrix data. For a matrix A stored in one of a standard full format or a packed format and a transformation T having a compact representation, blocking parameters MB and NB are chosen, based on a cache size. A sub-matrix A1 of A, A1 having size M1=m*MB by N1=n*NB, is worked on, and any of a residual remainder of A is saved in a buffer B. Sub-matrix A1 is worked on by contiguously moving and contiguously transforming A1 in-place into a New Data Structure (NDS), applying the transformation T in units of MB*NB contiguous double words to the NDS format of A1, thereby replacing A1 with the contents of T(A1), and moving and transforming NDS T(A1) to standard data format T(A1) with holes for the remainder of A in buffer B. The contents of buffer B is contiguously copied into the holes of A2, thereby providing in-place transformed matrix T(A). |
| US09213678B2 |
Transfer function estimation apparatus, method and program
An apparatus for estimating a transfer function of at target object having divided systems is disclosed. The apparatus acquires an estimation equation to estimate the transfer function of the target object, and determines, for each arithmetic operation in the estimation equation, whether the arithmetic operation is an addition or a multiplication. For the multiplication, the apparatus performs the multiplication of frequency response characteristics in the frequency domain. For addition, the apparatus converts the frequency response characteristics into time response characteristics, performs the addition of the time response characteristics in the time domain, and reconverts a result of the addition into the frequency domain. |
| US09213672B2 |
Delivering multimedia services
Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality. |
| US09213671B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating part
A method analyzing a machine having a rotating shaft includes generating an electric measurement signal dependent on mechanical vibrations from the shaft rotation; sampling the measurement signal to generate a digital measurement data signal; performing a decimation of the digital measurement data signal to achieve a digital signal having a reduced sampling frequency, where the decimation includes controlling the reduced sampling frequency such that the number of sample values per revolution of the shaft is kept at a substantially constant value, and receiving the digital signal at an enhancer input performing a correlation in the enhancer so as to produce an output signal sequence where repetitive signals amplitude components are amplified in relation to stochastic signal components, and performing a condition analysis for analyzing the condition of the machine dependent on the digital signal having a reduced sampling frequency. |
| US09213663B2 |
Output input control apparatus and control method thereof
An output input (I/O) control apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The I/O control apparatus includes an interface control unit, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a multiplexer and a micro-process unit. The interface control unit is coupled to a memory apparatus through a bus, and the memory apparatus is external to the I/O control apparatus. The read-only memory stores judgment codes. The multiplexer is controlled by the micro-process unit to switch to the interface control unit, the read-only memory or the random access memory. When the bus is not busy, the micro-process unit can read data from the memory apparatus. When the bus is occupied and busy, the micro-process unit can read and execute codes from the read-only memory or the random access memory so as to avoid computer system instability or thermal damage. |
| US09213658B1 |
Changing memory access for instruction based on memory access misses
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include instructions stored thereon. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may be configured to cause a computing system to at least maintain a count of memory misses associated with an instruction, the instruction being included in code associated with an application, and grant the instruction direct access to memory, bypassing an operating system running on the computer, based on the count of memory misses meeting or exceeding a threshold. |
| US09213653B2 |
Memory integrity
Systems and methods may provide for identifying unencrypted data including a plurality of bits, wherein the unencrypted data may be encrypted and stored in memory. In addition, a determination may be made as to whether the unencrypted data includes a random distribution of the plurality of bits. An integrity action may be implemented, for example, when the unencrypted data includes a random distribution of the plurality of bits. |
| US09213644B2 |
Allocating enclosure cache in a computing system
Allocating enclosure cache in a computing system that includes an enclosure and a plurality of enclosure attached servers, including: receiving, by the enclosure, memory access information from each of the plurality of enclosure attached servers; determining, by the enclosure in dependence upon the memory access information, an amount of enclosure cache to allocate as shared cache that can be accessed by two or more of the enclosure attached servers; and determining, by the enclosure in dependence upon the memory access information, an amount of enclosure cache to allocate to each enclosure attached server for exclusive use by the enclosure attached server. |
| US09213643B2 |
Broadcast messaging and acknowledgment messaging for power management in a multiprocessor system
Various aspects provide for implementing a cache coherence protocol. A system comprises at least one processing component and a centralized controller. The at least one processing component comprises a cache controller. The cache controller is configured to manage a cache memory associated with a processor. The centralized controller is configured to communicate with the cache controller based on a power state of the processor. |
| US09213642B2 |
High availability cache in server cluster
For a high availability cache, a cache module obtains permission to manage the cache in response to a failover event in a server cluster by communicating a cache coherency token. An update module rebuilds a cache directory from data stored in the cache and accesses the cache without reloading the data stored in the cache. |
| US09213641B2 |
Cache line history tracking using an instruction address register file
Embodiments relate to tracking cache lines. An aspect of embodiments includes performing an operation by a processor. Another aspect of embodiments includes fetching a cache line based on the operation. Yet another aspect of embodiments includes storing in an instruction address register file at least one of (i) an operation identifier identifying the operation and (ii) a memory location identifier identifying a level of memory from which the cache line is populated. |
| US09213640B2 |
Promoting transactions hitting critical beat of cache line load requests
A processor includes a cache memory, a first core including an instruction execution unit, and a memory bus coupling the cache memory to the first core. The memory bus is operable to receive a first portion of a cache line of data for the cache memory, the first core is operable to identify a plurality of data requests targeting the cache line and the first portion and select one of the identified plurality of data requests for execution, and the memory bus is operable to forward the first portion to the instruction execution unit and to the cache memory in parallel. |
| US09213639B2 |
Division of numerical values based on summations and memory mapping in computing systems
Divisions by numbers that are not divisible by two (2) can be performed in a computing system based on a summation that estimates and/or approximates the reciprocal of the dividing number or denominator value. By way of example, dividing by three (3) can be calculated based on a summation that approximates or estimates one third (⅓) represented as the sum of a selected group of the inverses of the powers of two (2) in a pattern, namely the sum of: ¼, 1/16, 1/64, 1/256, . . . ). Applications of the division techniques are virtually unlimited and include memory mapping of global memory addresses to memory channel addresses by dividing a global memory address into the number of memory channels, allowing memory mapping to be performed in an efficient manner even for large memory spaces using a number of memory channels that are not divisible by two, including prime numbers. |
| US09213638B1 |
Runtime memory management using multiple memory managers
Embodiments are directed towards managing memory for an application be executing in a managed runtime environment. Managed peer objects may be generated to correspond to native objects executing in a native runtime environment such that memory may be allocated for managed peer objects. Garbage collection handles may be generated and associated with the managed peer objects. If the managed application executes instructions that interact with the managed peer objects and the native runtime environment each garbage collection handle associated with the managed peer objects may be modified based on a type of an interaction. The garbage collection handlers may be garbage collection roots for a garbage collector that may be included in the managed runtime memory manager. If a garbage collection event occurs, memory for the managed peer objects may be deallocated based in part on its correspondent garbage collection handle. |
| US09213636B2 |
Data accessing method for flash memory storage device having data perturbation module, and storage system and controller using the same
A data accessing method, and a storage system and a controller using the same are provided. The data accessing method is suitable for a flash memory storage system having a data perturbation module. The data accessing method includes receiving a read command from a host and obtaining a logical block to be read and a page to be read from the read command. The data accessing method also includes determining whether a physical block in a data area corresponding to the logical block to be read is a new block and transmitting a predetermined data to the host when the physical block corresponding to the logical block to be read is a new block. Thereby, the host is prevented from reading garbled code from the flash memory storage system having the data perturbation module. |
| US09213635B2 |
Memory system
A memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: speed of processing for searching through management tables is increased by providing a forward lookup table for searching for, respectively in track and cluster units, from a logical address, a storage device position where data corresponding to the logical address and a reverse lookup table for searching for, from a position of the storage device, a logical address stored in the position and linking these tables. |
| US09213631B2 |
Data processing method, and memory controller and memory storage device using the same
A data processing method for a re-writable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes receiving a write data stream associating to a logical access address of a logical programming unit; selecting a physical programming unit; and determining whether the write data stream associates with a kind of pattern. The method includes, if the write data stream associates with the kind of pattern, setting identification information corresponding to the logical access address as an identification value corresponding to the pattern, and storing the identification information corresponding to the logical access address into a predetermined area, wherein the write data stream is not programmed into the selected physical programming unit. The method further includes mapping the logical programming unit to the physical programming unit. Accordingly, the method can effectively shorten the time for writing data into the re-writable non-volatile memory module. |
| US09213630B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices and control and operation thereof
An improved non-volatile erase block memory device apparatus and method is described that incorporates an improved addressing scheme to provide for extended addressing allowing redundant erase blocks that are not utilized to repair general use erase blocks of the main memory array to be accessed and utilized as additional storage space by an end user. The additional storage space formed by the unused redundant erase blocks and the specified storage space of the main memory array is presented to the end user as a single contiguous address space. Additionally, the redundant erase blocks can be utilized to repair any damaged erase block in the memory array of the non-volatile erase block memory or Flash memory device regardless of bank placement. |
| US09213629B2 |
Block management method, memory controller and memory stoarge apparatus
A block management method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module having a plurality of physical blocks, and a memory controller and memory storage apparatus using the same are provided. The method includes logically grouping the physical blocks at least into a data area, a free area and a replacement area and configuring a plurality of logical blocks for mapping to the physical blocks of the data area. The method also includes assigning bad physical blocks into the data area and marking the logical blocks mapping to the bad physical blocks as bad logical addresses, thereby forbidding the access of the logical blocks mapping to the bad physical blocks. According, the method can effectively use the rewritable non-volatile memory module having too many bad physical blocks to store data. |
| US09213625B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing automated user-interface layout testing
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that performs automated user-interface layout testing. During operation, the system executes a pre-defined set of operations for a program. After these operations have executed, the system then stores a representation (e.g., a snapshot) of the program user interface. The system then compares this representation against a validated representation that was previously stored for the pre-defined set of operations to determine a difference between the representations. This process facilitates detecting changes to the program (and/or the environment in which the program executes) that affect the user interface that is presented to a user. |
| US09213621B2 |
Administering event pools for relevant event analysis in a distributed processing system
Methods, systems, and computer program products for administering event pools for relevant event analysis are provided. Embodiments include assigning, by an incident analyzer, a plurality of events to an events pool; determining, by the incident analyzer, an event suppression duration; determining, by the incident analyzer in dependence upon event analysis rules, to suppress events having particular attributes indicating the events occurred during the event suppression duration; and suppressing, by the incident analyzer, each event assigned to the events pool having the particular attributes indicating the events occurred during the event suppression duration. |
| US09213618B2 |
Storage management systems and methods in hierarchical storage systems
The present disclosure provides storage management systems and methods. A hierarchical configuration information process includes accessing information regarding hierarchical relationships of components associated with a storage environment. A storage resource consumption detection process includes detecting consumption of storage resources included in the storage environment. A coordinated consumption analysis process is coordinated across multiple levels of an active spindle hierarchy. A reaction process includes performing an automated consumption notification process and an automated reclamation process based upon results of the storage resource consumption detection process. |
| US09213606B2 |
Image rescue
An image rescue system includes an application program for communication with a mass storage device, the application program being in communication with an operating system layer for accessing the mass storage device to read and write information. The image rescue system further includes a device driver in communication with the application program, the operating system layer and the mass storage device, the device driver for allowing the application program to access the mass storage device to read and write information by bypassing the operating system layer, the device driver for communicating with the mass storage device to allow the application program to access information in the mass storage device considered damaged by the operating system layer, the damaged information being inaccessible to the operating system layer, wherein the image rescue system accesses the mass storage device to retrieve and recover information accessible and inaccessible to the operating system layer. |
| US09213602B1 |
Write mapping to mitigate hard errors via soft-decision decoding
An apparatus having mapping and interface circuits. The mapping circuit (i) generates a coded item by mapping write unit bits using a modulation or recursion of past-seen bits, and (ii) calculates a particular state to program into a nonvolatile memory cell. The interface circuit programs the cell at the particular state. Two normal cell states are treated as at least four refined states. The particular state is one of the refined states. A mapping to the refined states mitigates programming write misplacement that shifts an analog voltage of the cell from the particular state to an erroneous state. The erroneous state corresponds to a readily observable illegal or atypical write sequence, and results in a modified soft decision from that calculated based on the normal states only. A voltage swing between the particular state and the erroneous state is less than between the normal states. |
| US09213597B2 |
Memory storage device, memory controller thereof, and method for programming data thereof
A memory storage device, a memory controller thereof, and a method for programming data thereof are provided. The memory storage device having an error checking and correcting (ECC) circuit and a rewritable non-volatile memory chip is coupled to a host system. The method includes determining whether write data to be written into the rewritable non-volatile memory chip belongs to a specific type. The method also includes generating at least one first type ECC code with a first length by the ECC circuit according to the write data if the write data belongs to the specific type. The method further includes generating at least one second type ECC code with a second length by the ECC circuit according to the write data if the write data does not belong to the specific type. In which, the first length is longer than the second length. |
| US09213596B2 |
Handling errors in ternary content addressable memories
Receive a request to write a unit of data, having a first half of bits and a second half of bits, to an index of a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). Generate a first error-correcting code (ECC) codeword for first bits of the first half of bits of the unit of data and first bits of the second half of bits of the unit of data. Generate a second error-correcting code (ECC) codeword for second bits of the first half of bits of the unit of data and second bits of the second half of bits of the unit of data. Store the first half of bits of the unit of data in the first row of the index. Store the second half of bits of the unit of data in the second row of the index. |
| US09213595B2 |
Handling errors in ternary content addressable memories
Receive a request to write a unit of data, having a first half of bits and a second half of bits, to an index of a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). Generate a first error-correcting code (ECC) codeword for first bits of the first half of bits of the unit of data and first bits of the second half of bits of the unit of data. Generate a second error-correcting code (ECC) codeword for second bits of the first half of bits of the unit of data and second bits of the second half of bits of the unit of data. Store the first half of bits of the unit of data in the first row of the index. Store the second half of bits of the unit of data in the second row of the index. |
| US09213590B2 |
Network monitoring and diagnostics
Techniques are provided for monitoring and diagnosis of a network comprising one or more devices. In some embodiments, techniques are provided for gathering network information, analyzing the gathered information to identify correlations, and for diagnosing a problem based upon the correlations. The diagnosis may identify a root cause of the problem. In certain embodiments, a computing device may be configurable to determine a first event from information, allocate a first event to a first cluster, the first cluster is from one or more clusters of events, based on a set of attributes for the first event, and determine a set of attributes for the first cluster, and rank the first cluster against the other clusters from the one or more clusters of events based on the set of attributes for the first cluster. The set of attributes may be indicative of the relationship between events in the cluster. In some embodiments, one or more recommendations may be provided for taking preventative or corrective actions for the problem. |
| US09213586B2 |
Computer-implemented systems for resource level locking without resource level locks
Computer-implemented systems and methods regulate access to a plurality of resources in a pool of resources without requiring individual locks associated with each resource. Access to one of the plurality of resources is requested, where a resource queue for managing threads waiting to access a resource is associated with each of the plurality of resources. A resource queue lock associated with the resource is acquired, where a resource queue lock is associated with multiple resources. |
| US09213584B2 |
Varying a characteristic of a job profile relating to map and reduce tasks according to a data size
A job profile is received that includes characteristics of a job to be executed, where the characteristics of the job profile relate to map tasks and reduce tasks of the job. The map tasks produce intermediate results based on input data, and the reduce tasks produce an output based on the intermediate results. The characteristics of the job profile include at least one particular characteristic that varies according to a size of data to be processed. The at least one particular characteristic of the job profile is set based on the size of the data to be processed. |
| US09213583B2 |
Relocating related resource partitions
An apparatus for relocating related resource partitions includes a detection module that detects a relocation event to relocate a first resource partition operating in a first division from the first division to a second division. The first division includes a second resource partition. The first resource partition and the second resource partition are each distinct operating environments. A determination module determines that the second resource partition is sufficiently related to the first resource partition. A relocation module relocates the second resource partition to the second division with the first resource partition in response to determining that the second resource partition is sufficiently related to the first resource partition. |
| US09213578B2 |
Cluster systems and methods
Information cluster systems and methods are presented. In one embodiment, a cluster method comprises: performing an engine process including issuing requests to bring a resource online, offline, and monitor the resources, wherein the engine process is performed by an engine; performing a resource interaction process including interacting with a resource and directing a resource to comply with the request from the engine process, wherein the resource interaction process is performed by a resource interaction agent; performing a predicate logic process including performing predicate logic operations to determine if a predicate logic condition associated with the resource is satisfied and forwarding an indication of the results of the predicate logic operations to the engine process, wherein the predicate logic process is performed by a predicate logic agent that is separate from the engine performing the engine process. |
| US09213569B2 |
Exiting multiple threads in a computer
According to one aspect, a computer system includes a configuration with a machine enabled to operate in a single thread (ST) mode and a multithreading (MT) mode. In addition, the machine includes physical threads. The machine is configured to perform a method that includes executing a guest entity on the core in MT mode. The guest entity includes all or a portion of a guest VM, and a plurality of logical threads executing on the physical threads. An exit event is detected at the machine. Based on detecting the exit event, the machine waits until all of the logical threads that are currently executing on the physical threads have reached a synchronization point. A state that includes exit reason information is saved for each of the logical threads and the execution of a host is initiated in the ST mode on one of the physical threads. |
| US09213564B1 |
Network policy implementation with multiple interfaces
The transmission of data on computer networks according to one or more policies is disclosed. A policy may specify, among other things, various parameters which are to be followed when transmitting initiating network traffic. Multiple network interfaces may be installed on a server to enable transmission of data from the single server according a number of discrete configuration settings implicated by the various policies. The multiple network interfaces may correspond to separate physical components, with each component configured independently to implement a feature of a policy. The multiple network interfaces may also correspond to a single physical component that exposes multiple network interfaces, both to the network and to the server on which it is installed. |
| US09213562B2 |
Garbage collection safepoint system using non-blocking asynchronous I/O call to copy data when the garbage collection safepoint is not in progress or is completed
A system and method for providing direct socket input/output (I/O) for Java in a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) environment. During runtime, the system periodically garbage collects software objects in the Java memory space or heap. In accordance with an embodiment, the system provides a means to change the state of a thread performing the I/O which temporarily disallows garbage collection from taking place, thus guaranteeing that a receiving object in the heap does not move. The use of safepoints to prohibit GC from happening during the I/O call means that a global GC lock is not required. Non-blocking I/O is utilized, while prohibiting a thread from entering a GC safepoint during an I/O system call. The technique addresses disadvantages of previous methods by removing contended locks and by removing restrictions on allocation. In accordance with an embodiment, a special thread state can be used to prevent the thread from entering a GC safepoint. |
| US09213554B2 |
Generic chart interface
Methods and software to produce a chart from data and parameters supplied by a client through a generic interface. Created charts are accessible via a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) returned to the client through the generic interface. Multiple chart producers with different interfaces are supported. |
| US09213550B1 |
Automated decomposition for mixed integer linear programs with embedded networks requiring minimal syntax
An apparatus includes a communications component to receive computer-executable query instructions to solve a MILP problem, the query instructions including a first expression conveying an objective function and side constraint that define a master problem of the MILP problem, a second expression conveying a mapping of graph data to a graph, and a third expression conveying a selection of a graph-based algorithm to solve a subproblem of the MILP problem; a subproblem component to replace the third expression with a fourth expression during decomposition of the MILP problem, the fourth expression including instructions to implement the graph-based algorithm to solve the subproblem; and an execution control component to perform iterations of solving the MILP problem that include executing the first expression to derive a solution to the master problem; and executing the fourth expression to derive a solution to the subproblem based on the mapping and the master problem solution. |
| US09213549B2 |
Apparatus for processing register window overflow and underflow
An apparatus for processing a register window overflow and underflow includes register windows each configured to include local registers and incoming registers, dedicated internal memories configured to store contents of the local registers and the incoming registers for each word, dedicated data buses configured to connect the local registers and the incoming registers and the respective dedicated internal memories, a memory word counter configured to perform counting in order to determine whether or not there is a storage space of a word unit in the dedicated internal memories, and a logic block configured to control an operation of the dedicated data buses when one of a window overflow and a window underflow is generated based on the count value of the memory word counter. |
| US09213541B2 |
Creation, generation, distribution and application of self-contained modifications to source code
Systems for creating, generating, distributing and applying self-contained modifications (i.e., changes) to source code are described herein. At least some embodiments include a system including a client computer with processing logic, a storage device (including source code files), and a communication interface. The interface receives a container file including a transformation including a search pattern that identifies source code segments, and transformation instructions that modify the source code based at least partially on identified code segments. Processing logic software searches a representation of the source code for search pattern occurrences, and identifies the source code segments that include elements with structure and relationships that are matched by the corresponding elements represented by the search pattern. The software further modifies at least part of the source code representation according to the transformation instructions, and saves onto the storage device source code files reflecting the application of the transformation. |
| US09213538B1 |
Methods and apparatus for display element management in an information network
Methods and apparatus for managing display elements such as GUI windows in a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) running multiple related or unrelated applications. In one embodiment, an improved window management entity is provided within the device with which HAVi-compliant application(s) can interface in order to access display elements according to a priority structure or hierarchy. One or more privileged applications are designated and allowed to affect the priority structure, including requesting a new in-focus application to be placed atop the priority structure. The network operator can also optionally control the operation of the window manager remotely via a network agent. Improved client device and network configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed. |
| US09213537B2 |
Robust firmware update with recovery logic
Systems and methods for updating firmware include a firmware update module executing on a client device. A firmware package to be installed on the client device may be verified by the firmware update module, including verifying that firmware files included in the firmware package are intact prior to beginning a firmware update. Recovery logic for enabling a client device to boot-up from a functional partition after a failed firmware update may be provided. The recovery logic may ensure that, when a firmware update failure occurs, the client device may boot-up from a functional partition. A recovery process may back up certain components stored in the client device. An update status related to the firmware update process may be provided. |
| US09213536B2 |
Method and architecture for automatic installation and self-updating of client-side computer software
Embodiments include systems and methods for automated versioning of software on a client machine, allowing installation and updates over multiple platforms with modules written in different computer languages. In an embodiment, the client sends a list of installed modules to the server. This may be done by causing a client processor to perform method calls determining version information of the installed product. The server then checks the list and sends updates (if any) that are then automatically installed on the client. Some embodiments can perform software installation over-the-network, and prerequisite software may also be automatically installed on the client machine. The system may work on multiple platforms (e.g. Windows™, UNIX) and support multiple computer languages (e.g. C++, Java®, Python®, .NET, etc.). |
| US09213535B1 |
Pre-computing computer software patch solutions
The present invention provides for precomputing patch solutions for potential user issues. The precomputed patch solutions can include minimum patch solutions and best-like-me patch solutions. Each patch solution can include a patch and a sufficient set of one or more dependencies of that patch. |
| US09213530B2 |
Runtime memory throttling
A system that implements a memory management policy at runtime when receiving a syntax tree in response to initiating the compiling of software code identifies a plurality of calls within the syntax tree and modifies each the plurality of calls with a corresponding memory-modified call to create a plurality of memory-modified calls. Each memory-modified call is linked with a memory management class and the modifying occurs during the compiling of the software code. Following modification of each of the plurality of calls, the system compiles the plurality of memory-modified calls to generate a bytecode. |
| US09213528B2 |
Dialog generation
In one aspect, a method of generating a computer-based dialog process includes receiving, in a computer system, a process type for creating a process. The process type includes (i) step elements each corresponding to a user-interaction task in the process, and (ii) step groups each including one or more of the step elements, wherein the process type defines an order of the step groups. The method includes receiving executable code for the process in a configuration-time context. The executable code (i) specifies that each of the step groups is performed in one or more steps, thereby defining a granularity of the process, and (ii) assigns at least one of the step elements in each step group to each of the one or more steps, thereby defining an order of the step elements in each step group. The method includes generating a runtime implementation of the process using the executable code. |
| US09213525B2 |
Methods for BDI-driven service component architectures and devices thereof
Methods, devices, and computer-readable storage media for developing a business application include mapping one or more requirements of the business application to a Belief Desire Intention (BDI) architecture. The BDI architecture is mapped to a Service Component Architecture (SCA). The business application is developed based at least in part on the mapping of the one or more requirements to the BDI architecture and on the mapping of the BDI architecture to the SCA. |
| US09213523B2 |
Double rounded combined floating-point multiply and add
Methods, apparatus, instructions and logic are disclosed providing double rounded combined floating-point multiply and add functionality as scalar or vector SIMD instructions or as fused micro-operations. Embodiments include detecting floating-point (FP) multiplication operations and subsequent FP operations specifying as source operands results of the FP multiplications. The FP multiplications and the subsequent FP operations are encoded as combined FP operations including rounding of the results of FP multiplication followed by the subsequent FP operations. The encoding of said combined FP operations may be stored and executed as part of an executable thread portion using fused-multiply-add hardware that includes overflow detection for the product of FP multipliers, first and second FP adders to add third operand addend mantissas and the products of the FP multipliers with different rounding inputs based on overflow, or no overflow, in the products of the FP multiplier. Final results are selected respectively using overflow detection. |
| US09213520B2 |
Linked display system, linked display method and program
Provided is a linked display system capable of improving availability of information having different scales and amounts of information, a linked display method, and a program. A mobile terminal 100 includes a display unit 101 that displays operation display information I1, a range setting unit 105 that sets a predetermined range A containing a specified position in accordance with an operation to specify any position P over operation display information and a communication unit 109 that transmits the predetermined range to a TV set 200. The TV set includes a communication unit 209 that receives the predetermined range from the mobile terminal, a display information selection unit 205 that selects reference display information I2 capable of displaying information corresponding to the predetermined range from at least one piece of the reference display information corresponding to the operation display information in accordance with display capacity of a local apparatus and having a different scale and amount of information from those of the operation display information, and a display unit 201 that displays information corresponding to the predetermined range of the selected reference display information. |
| US09213519B2 |
Systems and methods for evaluating the operation of a multi-node graphics system
Embodiments of the present invention are broadly directed to novel systems and methods for evaluating a performance aspect in a multi-computer graphics system. One embodiment comprises selection logic capable of enabling a user to specify at least one render node for selection and generating logic associated with the compositor for generating the composite output signal, the generating logic being capable of eliminating, from at least a portion of the composite output signal, content from the video signals from all render nodes not specified for selection. |
| US09213517B2 |
Smartpad dual screen keyboard
A multi-display device is adapted to be dockable or otherwise associatable with an additional device. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the multi-display device is dockable with a smartpad. The exemplary smartpad can include a screen, a touch sensitive display, a configurable area, a gesture capture region(s) and a camera. The smartpad can also include a port adapted to receive the device. The exemplary smartpad is able to cooperate with the device such that information displayable on the device is also displayable on the smartpad. Furthermore, any one or more of the functions on the device are extendable to the smartpad, with the smartpad capable of acting as an input/output interface or extension of the smartpad. Therefore, for example, information from one or more of the displays on the multi-screen device is displayable on the smartpad. |
| US09213516B2 |
Displaying a unified desktop across devices
Embodiments provide for a handheld device with a unified desktop for integrating the functionality of the handheld device with a larger computer system. When connected to a peripheral display and/or a display of the larger computer system, the handheld device provides a unified desktop displayed across the screen(s) of the handheld device and the peripheral display. The unified desktop unifies the functionality provided by the larger computer system and the handheld functionality, e.g., communication applications (e.g., phone, SMS, MMS). A user can seamlessly interact with applications, e.g., open, move, close, receive notifications, on the unified desktop whether the applications are displayed on the screens of the handheld device, or the peripheral display of the larger computer system. |
| US09213514B2 |
Non-transitory computer-readable medium, communication relaying method, information processing apparatus, and image processing apparatus
A communication relaying method, which is used in an information processing apparatus that is communicated to an image processing apparatus through a first communication interface, the method comprising: processes data, which is transmitted to and received from the image processing apparatus by execution of an application program, according to a particular protocol in accordance with transmission/reception through a second communication interface different from the first communication interface; registering a predetermined own-device address to feed transmission data according to the protocol, back to the information processing apparatus; and transmitting, in a case where the transmission destination address of transmission data processed by the processing is the own-device address transmit the transmission data through the first communication interface. |
| US09213512B1 |
Storing and removing device drivers in memory in imaging devices
Imaging devices incorporating memory are described herein. According to various embodiments, device driver information may be stored in the memory. Subsequent to the device driver being uploaded to a host device and the host device installing the device driver, the device driver information is deleted from the memory of the imaging device. |
| US09213505B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program product
An information processing apparatus includes: a generating unit that generates a print job including one or more print data, first information indicating the one or more print data divided into multiple units for which respective print conditions when printing is executed are set, and second information indicating the print conditions; an accepting unit that accepts designation input which designates a print range of a specified job indicating a print job specified from among one or more print jobs; a determining unit that determines whether a unit is included in the print range with respect to each of units indicated by first information included in the specified job; and an output control unit that performs control, as for a unit determined to be partially included in the print range by the determining unit, so as to output options to set a print condition for the unit. |
| US09213504B2 |
Printing apparatus, power supply control apparatus, power supply control method, and storage medium
A power supply control apparatus directs a switching device to stop power supply from a first power source to a main body when a power supply disable condition is satisfied in a first state where the main body is powered by the first power source. The power supply control apparatus also directs the switching device to supply power from the first power source to the main body when a power supply enable condition is satisfied in a second state where the power supply from the first power source to the main body is stopped. The power supply control apparatus is powered by a second power source different from the first power source when the main body is in the second state. |
| US09213502B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for recording printing information
An information processing apparatus includes an identifier generation unit that generates an identifier unique to a combination of, at least, destination information of a destination of printed matter and content information related to part of content to be printed on the printed matter, an address generation unit that generates an address including the identifier generated by the identifier generation unit, a print information generation unit that generates print information that is to be printed on the printed matter and includes the destination information, the content information, and the address generated by the address generation unit, and a recording unit that in an associated form records the destination information, the content information, the identifier, and process result information related to the print information that is processed subsequent to printing of the printed matter. |
| US09213498B2 |
Memory system and controller
According to one embodiment, according to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory, a second memory, an interface, a managing unit, and a control unit. The second memory stores data read out from the first memory. The interface receives a read command. The managing unit manages a corresponding relationship of a first address included in the read command and a second address. The second address is an address indicating a position in the first memory where data designated by the first address is stored. The control unit acquires a plurality of second addresses corresponding to a sequential first address range including the first address in a case where the read command is received, and determine an amount of data to be read out from the first memory to the second memory based on whether the plurality of second addresses is sequential or not. |
| US09213497B2 |
Storage apparatus and storage apparatus migration method
A migration-destination primary storage apparatus (MD-PDKC) comprises a second PVOL and a second journal storage area storing a journal corresponding to write data for the second PVOL, and executes a data copy to the second PVOL from a first PVOL, which is in a migration-source primary storage apparatus (MS-PDKC) and forms a copy pair with an SVOL in a secondary storage apparatus (SDKC). After the data copy has been completed, the MD-PDKC acquires the latest write sequence information from the MS-PDKC, and upon receiving a write request for the second PVOL, writes the write-request write data to the second PVOL, creates a journal by using journal data corresponding to the write data and also by using update information showing write sequence information based on the acquired latest write sequence information, and writes the journal to the second journal storage area. |
| US09213496B2 |
Method, system, and program for moving data among storage units
Provided are a method, system, and program for managing data in storage units. Storage pool information indicates an assignment of a plurality of storage units to a plurality of storage pools, wherein each pool is assigned zero or more storage units, wherein data associated with one storage pool is stored in a storage unit assigned to the storage pool, wherein the storage pool information for each pool indicates a threshold and target storage pool, and wherein the target storage pool is capable of being different from the storage pool. One storage unit associated with a source storage pool is selected and a determination is made of the threshold from the storage pool information for the source storage pool. A determination is made of whether the selected storage unit satisfies the determined threshold and if the selected storage unit satisfies the determined threshold, then a target storage unit in the target storage pool is selected if the storage pool information for the source storage pool indicates a target storage pool different from the source storage pool. Data from the selected storage unit is copied to the selected target storage unit. |
| US09213492B2 |
SD memory card
The present invention relates to an SD memory card, including an SD card adapter and a memory card. One end of the SD card adapter is provided with an SD interface, and the other end is provided with a receiving groove. Both ends of the memory card are respectively provided with a set of SDIO interface contacts and a USB interface. The memory card can be inserted into the receiving groove to electrically connect the set of SDIO interface contacts and the SD interface. When the memory card of the SD memory card is inserted into the receiving groove of the SD card adapter, the SD interface of the SD card adapter is electrically conducted with the set of SDIO interface contacts of the memory card, for the SD card adapter to be inserted into the SD slot to serve as an ordinary SD memory card; when the memory card of the SD memory card is unplugged of the receiving groove of the SD card adapter, the set of USB interfaces of the memory card can be inserted into the USB slot to serve as an ordinary USB storage device. Hence, the SD memory card can be electrically connected with the USB connection port without the help of a multi-functional card reader. |
| US09213491B2 |
Disabling a command associated with a memory device
In an embodiment, a memory device may contain device processing logic and a mode register. The mode register may a register that may specify a mode of operation of the memory device. A field in the mode register may hold a value that may indicate whether a command associated with the memory device is disabled. The value may be held in the field until either the memory device is power-cycled or reset. The device processing logic may acquire an instance of the command. The device processing logic may determine whether the command is disabled based on the value held by the mode register. The device processing logic may not execute the instance of the command if the device processing logic determines the command is disabled. If the device processing logic determines the command is not disabled, the device processing logic may execute the instance of the command. |
| US09213490B2 |
Computer system and data migration method
The present invention continues host access and holds data of a migration source volume as the latest data even when a fault occurs in any of a plurality of access paths.Upon receiving a first write command from a host computer via a first access path, the migration source controller writes first update data to the migration source volume and, upon receiving a second write command from the host computer via a second access path, the migration destination controller transfers second update data to the migration source controller via a storage path and, upon receiving the second update data from the migration destination controller, the migration source controller writes the second update data to the migration source volume. |
| US09213484B2 |
Method for detecting single-finger rotate gesture and the gesture detecting circuit thereof
A method for detecting a single-finger rotation gesture and a gesture detecting circuit thereof are provided. The gesture detecting circuit comprises a quadrant dividing unit, a register, a control unit, a comparing unit, and an outputting unit. The quadrant dividing unit, according to the center point, divides a touch panel into at least three quadrants and sets a plurality of data codes respectively corresponding to the quadrants. Within a predetermined time, the control unit controls the register to sequentially record the data codes respectively corresponding to the touched quadrants. When the predetermined time is reached, the comparing unit compares to judge whether the temporary data buffered in the register is the same with the default data. If the temporary data is the same with the default data, then the outputting unit outputs a rotation gesture signal. |
| US09213483B2 |
Mobile terminal and information transfer method thereof
A mobile terminal may always display an image (or icon) representing a specific object on a display screen and directly transmit certain information to the specific object by using the image (or icon). The mobile terminal may include a user input unit to receive a user's selection about at least one object to be floated from a user list, a display to display a floating icon indicating the selected object to be floated on one side of a display area, and a controller for transmitting certain information to the object to be floated when the certain information is dragged or moved onto the floating image (or icon) or when the floating image (or icon) is dragged or moved to the certain information. |
| US09213481B2 |
Method for judging number of touches
Disclosed is a method for precisely judging the number of touches. The method includes a step A of reading a touch sensing signal sensed by an ith infrared ray sensor module located at an ith corner (i being a natural number not exceeding 3) of a touch panel, a step B of defining a portion of the touch sensing signal having a signal intensity lower than a predetermined touch recognition threshold signal as a touch recognition signal corresponding to the touches, and a step C of, when the touch recognition signal is recognized as representing one touch and the length of the overall section of the touch recognition signal is within a critical range as a result of analysis of the touch recognition signal, finally judging whether or not the touch recognition signal is recognized as one touch or two touches through re-analysis of the touch recognition signal. |
| US09213480B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for joining the displays of multiple devices
A method is provided for enhancing a user interface with a mobile device by joining the displays of multiple devices together to function together with one another. In particular, example methods may provide for detecting a first touch or drag event, receiving a message indicating a second touch or drag event from a nearby device occurring during the first touch or drag event, creating a join event, and providing for transmission of the join event to the nearby device. The method may also include updating a registry of nearby devices in response to receiving a message regarding a touch or drag event from a nearby device. The method may further include providing for presentation of content on a display of a device and direction of content to be presented on a display of the nearby device. |
| US09213477B2 |
Apparatus and method for touch screen user interface for handheld electric devices part II
A system of touch screen user interface in a touch screen equipped handheld electronic device has a bounded control area on a touch screen that is used for touch control in lieu of the entire touch screen surface. The control area is able to provide touch control user interface functions of scroll, zoom, action item selection, and other control functions. The control area may be minimized enabling the entire touch screen to resume its touch screen control function in lieu of the control area control and maximized enabling only the bounded control area to be used for touch screen control depending upon a user's preference. The bounded control area for selection control functions may be used in conjunction with unique type of hop-cursors, for different types of displays that change automatically when the display content changes. |
| US09213471B2 |
Content visualization
Displaying a preference by a user of a content contribution is disclosed. A preference event by the user is detected. A plurality of detected events is stored. In response to a query from a client, at least a portion of the stored detected events is stored. At least a portion of the received events is displayed in an interface. |
| US09213469B2 |
System and method for using navigational and other commands on a mobile communication device
A wireless handheld communication device having a housing containing a display screen located above a physical keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of physical keys and corresponding indicia. Some of the keys are associated with alphabetic characters corresponding to a QWERTY array of letters A-Z and some are associated with numeric characters 0-9 corresponding to a telephone keypad arrangement. At least some of the keys associated with numeric characters are overlaid on the physical keys associated with alphabetic characters. A microprocessor is included that runs the device in at least a telephony mode, an email mode and at least one additional mode. The microprocessor displays a key-function map on the display screen indicative of enabled functions associated with particular physical keys of the keyboard which are different from any function signified by the indicia associated with the respective particular physical key. |
| US09213468B2 |
Application reporting in an application-selectable user interface
This document describes techniques for application reporting in an application-selectable user interface. These techniques permit a user to view reports for applications in a user interface through which these applications may be selected. By so doing, a user may quickly and easily determine which applications to select based on their respective reports and then select them or their content through the user interface. |
| US09213467B2 |
Interaction method and interaction device
The present invention provides an interaction device including an interaction interface, where a display area is formed of multiple display boundaries among which a corner area is formed between every two adjacent display boundaries; an interface interaction unit, for generating two first boundaries at a position that is corresponding to at least one corner area in the display area, where the two first boundaries and corner sides display boundaries form a main menu selection area which includes a selectable object; a processing unit, configured to, when the selectable object in the main menu selection area is selected and moves towards a position where any one of the two first boundaries is located and the selected selectable object crosses over a predetermined position, replace the selected selectable object in the main menu selection area with predetermined upper level selectable objects or lower level selectable objects correlated to the selected selectable object. |
| US09213464B2 |
Providing graphic user interface based upon usage history
A multimedia data processing device for providing a graphic user interface includes a multimedia data processing unit configured to process a plurality of multimedia data corresponding respectively to a plurality of sources; an icon generating unit configured to generate a plurality of icons corresponding respectively to the plurality of sources; and a controller configured to control updating at least one of the plurality of icons to reflect a usage history of the at least one of the plurality of icons. |
| US09213460B2 |
Visual editing tool buffer region
A website construction tool allows website construction via an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) using containers and modules defining predetermined website constructs from a robust assortment of common and popular rendering formats and content source definition for individual webpages, and arranges the individual pages for navigation. A user selects from the predefined constructs by selecting modules for generating code, corresponding to the desired content, source and rendering format. Pointing device positioning locates the on-screen location by generating a container dedicated to the desired content. Webpage structure, or page flow, is generated by insertion of navigation controls and page insertions for navigating between pages in the deployed site, The predetermined constructs, therefore, provide templates of complex rendering formats allowing for content insertion without burdening the user with development of the constructs so rendered. Constructed websites may be hosted by the development entity, further relieving the user from website maintenance. |
| US09213459B2 |
Electronic apparatus provided with resistive film type touch panel
A two-point touch determining module performs determination of a one-point touch or a two-point touch. A one-point touch coordinate detecting module detects a coordinate of the one-point touch. A two-point touch coordinate detecting module detects two-point coordinates of the two-point touch. A display screen generating module generates a display screen of a resistive film type touch panel. A touch input controlling module determines whether the display screen is a one-point detecting screen or a two-point detecting screen. The touch input controlling module performs the coordinate detection using the one-point touch coordinate detecting module in a case of the one-point detecting screen. The touch input controlling module performs the coordinate detection using the one-point touch coordinate detecting module or the two-point touch coordinate detecting module according to a determination result of the two-point touch determining module in a case of the two-point detecting screen. |
| US09213456B2 |
Display device, drive method therefor, program, and recording medium
The source driver (20) of the present invention substantially evenly divides one (1) horizontal scanning period into sub-periods the number of which is equal to or larger than a multiple of the number of the primary colors. In each of sub-periods (i) which are among all the sub-periods and (ii) the number of which is identical with the multiple, a source signal is supplied to source lines (i) which are connected with pixels for displaying a certain primary color and (ii) the number of which is obtained by dividing a total number of the plurality of source lines by the multiple. |
| US09213451B2 |
Thin glass for touch panel sensors and methods therefor
Improved techniques are disclosed for fabrication of touch panels using thin sheet glass, coupling external circuitry, and securely holding the touch panel within a portable electronic device. The thin sheet glass may be chemically strengthened and laser scribed. |
| US09213448B2 |
Positioning module, optical touch system and method of calculating a coordinate of a touch medium
A method of calculating a coordinate of a touch medium is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes obtaining a first image to determine whether the first image overlaps a first threshold, generating a first interceptive boundary when the first image overlaps the first threshold, obtaining a second image to generate a second interceptive boundary by overlap of the second image and a second threshold, determining whether the first interceptive boundary overlaps the second interceptive boundary, and confirming a status of the touch medium according to determination. |
| US09213446B2 |
Handwriting input device
This handwriting input device is equipped with an object to be coated 101, a detection means 102, and a display means 103. The object to be coated 101 is transparent or translucent. When a letter or a figure is written or drawn with a coating material, the detection means 102 detects a position in which the coating material attaches on the object to be coated 101. The display means 103 causes a visual change in accordance with the position in which attachment of the coating material is detected by the detection means 102, thereby displaying the letter or figure written or drawn with the coating material. |
| US09213445B2 |
Optical touch-screen systems and methods using a planar transparent sheet
An optical touch screen that utilizes a planar transparent sheet and that is configured to determine the position of a touch event on the transparent sheet is disclosed. Light-source elements and light-sensing elements are operably disposed at a perimeter of the transparent sheet. Light is detected over lines-of-sight between the light-source elements and the light-sensing elements. Attenuated lines-of-sight due to the touch event are determined. Central lines are established based on the attenuated lines-of-sight. The locations of central-line intersections are then established. The average of the locations of the central-line intersections is then used to establish the location of the touch event. |
| US09213442B2 |
Electronic underlay with wireless transmission function
Provided is an electronic underlay with a wireless transmission function, designed not to sense a hand holding a writing tool at the time of writing on a sheet. The electronic underlay with a wireless transmission function can be laid under a sheet to perform writing with a writing tool. The electronic underlay is provided with: a sheet-like optical waveguide formed by sandwiching lattice-like cores between a sheet-like under cladding layer and a sheet-like over cladding layer; a light emitting element connected to one end surface of the core; a light receiving element connected to another end surface of the core; and wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting inputted letters as electronic data. An elasticity modulus of the core is larger than an elasticity modulus of the under cladding layer and the over cladding layer. |
| US09213441B2 |
In-cell touch panel and liquid crystal device
An in-cell touch panel and a liquid crystal device are disclosed. The in-cell touch panel includes a first substrate having a plurality of displaying pixels, a second substrate facing toward the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, a plurality of touching units, and a plurality of sensing areas and driving areas. The displaying pixels include thin film transistors (TFT) and pixel electrodes. The second substrate includes a plurality of color filtering patterns corresponding to the displaying pixels. The touching units are arranged between the TFTs and the first substrate, and are separated from each other. The sensing areas and the driving areas are arranged below the common electrodes. In addition, the sensing areas and the driving area connect to the touching units via the conductive through holes. |
| US09213434B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator and method
An apparatus including a display; and at least one piezoelectric member connected to the display. The at least one piezoelectric member is configured to move the display. When the display is pressed to mechanically stress the at least one piezoelectric member, the apparatus is configured to wake up the apparatus from a sleep mode based upon electricity from the at least one piezoelectric member, and/or determine a location where the display was pressed based upon respective signals from at least two of the piezoelectric members. |
| US09213432B2 |
Mobile device and method for operating the same
A mobile device including a first display, a second display, a foldable coupling portion for coupling the first display to the second display, an angle sensing unit for sensing a folding angle between the first display and the second display, a direction-of-sight sensing unit for sensing a direction of sight of a user, and a controller for determining whether to use a touch input sensed by either the first display or the second display based on the sensed folding angle and the sensed direction of sight. |
| US09213427B2 |
Over-drive controller applied to a display panel and method for over-drive control therein
An over-drive controller applied to a display panel and a method for over-drive control are provided. The over-drive controller includes an analyzing unit and an over-drive delta value determining unit. The analyzing unit is arranged for analyzing information of a current pixel in order to generate an over-drive information. The over-drive delta value determining unit is coupled to the analyzing unit, and is arranged for determining an over-drive delta value according to the over-drive information. Herein the over-drive information includes a position information or a field information of the current pixel. |
| US09213424B1 |
Stylus devices with eraser
A stylus device including a first end or active end for writing and interacting with a touchscreen of a computing device, and a second end or passive end for using an erase function with the touchscreen of the computing device. This allows a user to write or interact with a computing device with one end of the stylus device and simply turn the stylus device over and erase without having to select an eraser function from a menu on the computing device. In this manner, the stylus device provides a more traditional method of writing and erasing, similar to that of traditional pencils. |
| US09213422B2 |
Method of automatically moving a cursor within a map viewport and a device incorporating the method
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for automatically moving a cursor within a map viewport. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods that determine a location of various objects within a 3D scene displayed within a map viewport and determining a location of a 3D cursor within the 3D scene. When a distance between an object location and the 3D cursor location is less than a threshold distance, the geometric shape data of the 3D cursor is automatically modified to at least partially surround the object. The location of the object may be determined based on data representative of the 3D scene. The location of the 3D cursor may be determined based on data representative of the 3D cursor location. |
| US09213421B2 |
Electronic device and method of displaying information in response to detecting a gesture
A gesture is detected by an electronic device including a display. In response to detecting a first part of the gesture, a first part of first information is displayed on the display. In response to detecting a second part of the gesture subsequent to the first part of the gesture, the display of the first part of the first information is maintained. In response to detecting a third part of the gesture subsequent to the second part of the gesture, an additional part of the information is displayed. |
| US09213419B1 |
Orientation inclusive interface navigation
An orientation of a computing device can be determined using at least in part one or more orientation sensors on the computing device. In some embodiments, a location of a head (and a face) of a user of the computing device can be determined and utilized at least in part for the determining of the orientation of the computing device. The computing device can play a media file, for example, via an application capable of media playback. A change to the orientation of the computing device can be determined by the one or more orientation sensors. The playing of the media file can be modified based on the determined change to the orientation of the computing device. |
| US09213417B2 |
Keyboard device with luminous key
A keyboard device with a luminous key is provided. The keyboard device includes at least one luminous key, a top-view light-emitting element, and a light shade. The top-view light-emitting element is used for emitting a light beam. The light shade is used for shading the light beam. Moreover, the light beam is transmissible through a light-outputting part of the light shade to illuminate the luminous key. The at least one luminous key includes at least one keycap and at least one elastic element. The elastic element and the light shade are integrally formed with each other. Since the total area of the bottom surfaces of the elastic element and the light shade is increased, the light shade can be securely fixed. |
| US09213413B2 |
Device interaction with spatially aware gestures
Described is a system and technique for providing the ability for a user to interact with one or more devices by performing gestures that mimic real-world physical analogies. More specifically, the techniques described herein provide the ability for a user to interact with a device by limiting the conscious gesturing for a computer component by camouflaging computer-recognizable gestures within manipulations of a physical objects. |
| US09213412B2 |
Multi-distance, multi-modal natural user interaction with computing devices
Systems and methods may provide for receiving a short range signal from a sensor that is collocated with a short range display and using the short range signal to detect a user interaction. Additionally, a display response may be controlled with respect to a long range display based on the user interaction. In one example, the user interaction includes one or more of an eye gaze, a hand gesture, a face gesture, a head position or a voice command, that indicates one or more of a switch between the short range display and the long range display, a drag and drop operation, a highlight operation, a click operation or a typing operation. |
| US09213406B2 |
Head-mount eye tracking system with improved determination of gazing position
A head-mount eye tracking system including a first light source, a first pupil image capturing device, a first and a second environmental image capturing devices, a fixing device and an image identification system. The first light source is applied to illuminate a first eye of a user. The first pupil image capturing device is applied to capture a first pupil image of the first eye. The first and the second environmental image capturing devices are respectively applied to capture a first and a second environmental images in front of the user. The fixing device is mounted to the head of the user to fix the first light source, the first pupil image capturing device, the first and the second environmental image capturing devices on the head of the user. The image identification system is applied to map the first or the second environmental images to the first pupil image. |
| US09213401B2 |
Zero power hibernation mode with instant on
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a processor configured with a zero power hibernation/sleep mode during which the processor consumes no power are described. According to one embodiment, a processor includes a power management logic. The power management logic is configured to receive a control signal requesting the processor to transition into a power saving mode that reduces power to the processor while retaining a current state of the processor. The power management logic is configured to store, in response to the control signal, a current state of components of the processor in a non-volatile memory. The power management logic is configured to adjust power to the processor to a zero power mode to place the processor into the power saving mode, wherein during the zero power mode the processor is receiving no power. |
| US09213399B2 |
BIOS controlled peripheral device port power
A BIOS controlled peripheral device port power device is described. The device includes a processor and at least one peripheral device port. The processor powers up a host controller in preparation for the processor to enter a sleep state. The processor also places the processor in the sleep state after the host controller is powered up. The processor also selectively powers the at least one peripheral device port by the host controller when the processor is in the sleep state according to at least one setting stored in the processor. |
| US09213396B1 |
Methods and apparatus for setting the address of a module using a clock
A method of operating a module is disclosed. The method includes determining a voltage between an I2C clock connection and a ground connection, setting a module communication address based on the determined voltage, receiving via the I2C clock connection and the I2C data connection a first command addressed to the module communication address, and responding to the first command. Other methods and devices are disclosed. |
| US09213394B1 |
System and method for determining power consumption
A system and method is provided to measure the power consumption of circuits whereby, in one aspect, a processor's temperature is maintained so that its power consumption is measured at the point the processor throttles. |
| US09213393B2 |
Power management of low power link states
A method and apparatus for intelligent power management for low power link states. Some embodiments include methods, apparatuses, and systems for a device coupled to a controller via a link; a link power management engine to alter a power state of the link based on a transaction and some knowledge of future transactions between the device and the controller; and a memory or logic to store the link power management engine. In some embodiments, the memory stores information about at least one of the following: the power state of the link, the device buffering, the controller or device state or a history of transactions. In some embodiments, the device is a peripheral of a computer system. In some embodiments, the method may include transitioning the device to various link states. Other embodiments are described. |
| US09213391B2 |
Using a processing device as a dock for a media player
By integrating multiple electronic devices, it is possible to increase the functionality of the devices individually. For example it is possible to improve media playback functionality, create media playlists “on-the-go” and to use a first device power supply to charge the power supply of the second device. By integrating the devices, it is possible to address some of the shortcomings of devices that are decreasing in size with increasing power requirements, while still maintaining the advantages that these devices offer. |
| US09213388B2 |
Delaying reset signals in a microcontroller system
A microcontroller system includes a reset delaying module that is configured to, during a power saving mode, receive and delay a reset signal from a reset source. The reset delaying module waits for a regulator ready signal from a voltage regulator because, prior to the reset signal, the voltage regulator is in a power saving mode. In response to receiving the regulator ready signal, the reset delaying module releases the reset, e.g., to a reset controller. |
| US09213387B2 |
Smart meters, and systems and method for electrical power reconnection
An electrical power system having an electricity meter connected to power lines on one side and a load on the other side, the electricity meter having a processor and memory, a communications module, a sensor, and a service disconnect switch. The system has a communications and control system adapted to send information to the electricity meter and receive information from the electricity meter. The service disconnect switch is locally operable based on a preprogrammed time delay stored in the memory of the electricity meter to restore power in a controlled fashion following a power outage. Electricity meters and electricity reconnection methods are described, as are other aspects. |
| US09213384B2 |
Generation of energy consumption profiles
The subject matter described herein relates to a system and a method for generation of energy consumption profiles corresponding to a plurality of computing systems. For each of the plurality of the computing systems, a plurality of consumption parameters from at least one measurement device is received. The consumption parameters include a processor utilization parameter and an energy consumption parameter. Further, a normalization factor corresponding to each of the plurality of the computing systems is identified. Based on the normalization factor, the processor utilization parameter is normalized. Based on the normalized processor utilization parameter and the energy consumption parameter, the energy consumption profile is generated. The energy consumption profile is indicative of energy efficiency of the plurality of the computing systems. |
| US09213383B2 |
Switching circuit module, computer system, and method for controlling computer system reset thereof
A switching circuit module, a computer system, and a method for controlling computer system reset thereof are disclosed. The switching circuit module is used for allowing a user to cut off a RTC reset high-level signal generated by an internal power supply module at a shutdown state. The switching circuit module includes a processing module, a first control switch, a chipset, and a switch module. The first control switch is used for being operated by the user to generate a first control signal. The chipset is used for receiving a RTC reset signal. When the processing module continuously receives the first control signal to exceed a first setting time, the processing module further determines whether stop receiving the first control signal in a second setting time. If yes, a pulse signal is generated to cut off the RTC reset high-level signal transmitted to the chipset. |
| US09213381B2 |
Voltage regulator dynamically determining whether requested power transition can be supported
A method of controlling voltage in a circuit is provided. Within the circuit, a block of an electrical component provides an indication that it desires to switch states (such as from off to on, on to off, or from one speed to another). The change in states requires a different current draw by the electrical component block. The indication is received by an electrical component that controls the voltage of the circuit. The electrical component that controls the voltage then issues a signal granting permission for the electrical component block to switch states. This permission signal is received by the electrical component and the electrical component block changes state. |
| US09213380B2 |
Mapping computers and ports of power distribution units in a data center
Mapping computers and ports of power distribution units in a data center, the data center including a plurality of computers and a data center management server, each computer in the data center connected for power to one of a plurality of power distribution unit (‘PDU’) ports of a PDU, each PDU connected through the communications module and a data communications network to the data center management server, including generating, by a power modulating module of a computer, a power consumption signal in the PDU, the power consumption signal encoding a unique identification of the computer; demodulating, by the PDU, the power consumption signal, including retrieving from the signal the unique identification of the computer; and reporting, by the PDU to the data center management server, an association of the unique identification of the computer and a PDU port. |
| US09213378B2 |
Cooling system for electronic components
Embodiments of the present invention provide for non interruptive fluid cooling of an electronic enclosure. One or more electronic component packages may be removable from a circuit card having a fluid flow system. When installed, the electronic component packages are coincident to and in a thermal relationship with the fluid flow system. If a particular electronic component package becomes non-functional, it may be removed from the electronic enclosure without affecting either the fluid flow system or other neighboring electronic component packages. |
| US09213376B2 |
Conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel comprising a plurality of first-axis conductor cells and a plurality of second-axis conductor cells
Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulator is formed on a surface of each adjacent first-axis conductor cell. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulator disposed on the adjacent first-axis conductor cell. |
| US09213374B2 |
Computer device
A computer device includes a main casing, a computer body disposed in the main casing, a linkage mechanism including first and second sheets and a first shape-memory alloy, and a movable casing pivoted to the main casing. The main casing is for engaging with the movable casing to position the movable casing at an open position exposed from the main casing. A driving end of the first sheet is movably inserted into a slot of the movable casing. The second sheet is disposed on a recess structure of the main casing and pivoted to the first sheet. The first shape-memory alloy is pivoted to one of the second sheet and the recess structure and the driving end for moving the driving end along the slot when being heated to shorten or elongate to push the movable casing from a closed position contained in the recess structure to the open position. |
| US09213372B2 |
Retractable keyboard keys
A keyboard includes a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. A plurality of keycaps are positioned within the plurality of key openings. A chassis is included that has a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in a press direction and a second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The keypad or keyboard includes a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel wherein the key holding features of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanisms move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position. |
| US09213367B1 |
Kit for shipping an electrical cabinet
A kit for providing shipping cartons and apparatus used to transport electrical cabinets between a seller and a buyer. The kit includes: a pallet for supporting the cabinet; and a pair of scored panels. The panels are folded along the scores into a pair of flat units disposed over the pallet. The scores are arranged to provide, when the units are unfolded, a pair of opposing outer U-shaped side covering for the cabinet. Stacked engageable ramp-like members are disposed over the pallet to form, when engaged, an elongated ramp. The kit includes a pair of opposing outer U-shaped side members disposed about: sides of the pallet; side of the pair of folded panels; and sides of the ramp-like members to provide sidewalls of shipping package for the kit. |
| US09213365B2 |
Method and system for viewing stacked screen displays using gestures
An intuitive technique for inputting user gestures into a handheld computing device is disclosed allowing a user to better manipulate different types of screen display presentations, such as desktops and application windows, when performing tasks thereon, wherein a window stack for application windows and/or desktops can be navigated and sequentially displayed according to the window stack ordering without disturbing or changing this ordering. |
| US09213362B1 |
Touch panel and film body
Provided is a touch panel and a film body, which ensure that a region where the touch panel and a display section are in contact with each other is hard to be conspicuous and that an apparatus formed by the touch panel and a display device can be made thinner. The touch panel is a transparent touch panel which is disposed with air gaps provided at predetermined intervals between the transparent touch panel and a surface of a display section of a display device, wherein a back surface of the transparent touch panel facing the surface of the display section is provided with a projection formation layer on which a plurality of fine projections protruding toward the surface side of the display section are dispersively formed, the surface of the projection formation layer is configured to have an average irregularity height (Ra) of equal to or more than 0.01 μm and equal to or less than 0.06 μm and a maximum irregularity height (Ry) of equal to or more than 0.15 μm and equal to or less than 0.70 μm, and the projections having a height of equal to or more than 0.1 μm are dispersed with a density of equal to or more than 100 and equal to or less than 180 per 1 mm2. |
| US09213360B2 |
Time setting system and time setting method
The present invention provides a time setting system and method thereof that are capable of correctly setting time if a delay occurs in the transmission of time information. In the system for setting a master time outputted from a master apparatus to a slave time of a slave apparatus that counts time independently of the master apparatus, the slave apparatus has transmission section for transmitting master time request information to the master apparatus via a network and the master apparatus has an allowable range information acquisition section for acquiring allowable range information indicative of an allowable time in which the master time may be set to the slave time of the slave apparatus and transmission section for transmitting the master time and allowable range information to the slave apparatus. The slave apparatus obtains a time difference between a first slave time to be obtained before or after the transmission of master time request information and a second slave time to be obtained at reception of the master time and the allowable range information. If the allowable time is greater than the obtained time difference, the master time is set. |
| US09213359B2 |
Interface for controlling the phase alignment of clock signals for a recipient device
Interface circuitry transmitting transactions between an initiator and a recipient includes: a clock input receiving a clock signal; a transaction input receiving transactions; clock outputs for outputting the clock signal; transaction outputs outputting the transactions to the recipient; and synchronizing circuits clocked by the clock signal and transmitting the transactions to the transaction output in response to the clock signal. A controllable delay circuit is provided between the clock input and the synchronizing circuits. A further synchronizing circuit configured to provide a similar delay. Phase detection circuitry is arranged to detect alignment of the received clock signals. Calibration control circuitry adjusts a delay of the controllable delay circuit during calibration until the phase detection circuitry detects alignment. The calibration control circuitry controls the controllable delay circuit to generate a delay to the clock signal in dependence upon the delay that generated the alignment detected during calibration. |
| US09213354B2 |
Pedal with active release
An active release system for a pedal assembly which permits the pedal to be operated after releasing. A pivot pin supporting the pedal arm is mounted in a plurality of slots. The pin is held in position in the slots by a release lever assembly. The release lever assembly is held in position by two shear pins. The force of the discharge during a crash breaks the shear pins to rotate a release lever away from the pivot pin. The pedal pivot pin is then free to travel in the slots in the mounting bracket towards the occupant thereby pivoting the pedal arm from the passenger compartment allowing the pedal to be operated after releasing. |
| US09213353B2 |
Band gap reference circuit
A band gap reference circuit is provided that includes a first resistor (R1), a second resistor (R2), a third resistor (R3), a fourth resistor (Ra), a fifth resistor (Rb), a capacitor (Ca), an operational amplifier A, a first field effect transistor (FET) (P1), a second FET (P2), a third FET (P3), a fourth FET (Pa), a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT) (Q1), a second BJT (Q2), and a third BJT (Q3). P3 and Rb are used to control Pa, which is configured to control current flow to a reference node, and thus a reference voltage (Vref) output by the band gap reference circuit. The band gap reference circuit is configured to output a substantially constant reference voltage and is less sensitive or susceptible to noise from a power supply. Additionally, the band gap reference circuit prevents Vref from overshooting when the band gap circuit is enabled. |
| US09213351B2 |
Bi-directional current sensor
A bidirectional current sensor circuit can be configured to generate a scaled version of a load current using a first transistor from a power regulator output stage and a second transistor that can be a mirror or scaled version of the first transistor. A trim circuit can be provided to correct gain errors under current sinking or current sourcing conditions. In an example, the bidirectional current sensor circuit can be configured to detect a polarity or a magnitude of a current signal that is used to operate a thermoelectric device. |
| US09213346B2 |
Multiphase switching power supply circuit
There is provided a multiphase switching power supply circuit in which an input terminal receives an input voltage, an output terminal outputs an output voltage, first to an Nth power stages each include an inductor having one end connected to the output terminal; a high-side switch that connects another end of the inductor to the input terminal; and a low-side switch that connects the other end of the inductor to a reference voltage, a switch signal controller supplies first to an Nth control signals to the first to Nth power stages, the first to Nth control signals complementarily turning on and off their corresponding high-side switches and low-side switches at a frequency fs, and a switch signal controller determines phases of the first to Nth control signals according to a ration between inductance values of the inductors included in the first to Nth power stages. |
| US09213341B2 |
Biological safety cabinet with a falling-film evaporator
A method for decontaminating a biological safety cabinet with a falling film evaporator. The method includes the steps of: providing a falling-film evaporator within a cavity of a biological safety cabinet, the evaporator having a housing defining a cavity and an evaporation element is disposed in the cavity; conveying a liquid decontaminant from a source of liquid decontaminant to the evaporation element such that the liquid decontaminant flows along a surface of the evaporation element; conveying a carrier gas through the cavity of the housing wherein the carrier gas is conveyed along the surface of the evaporation element to evaporate the liquid decontaminant thereby forming a mixture of the carrier gas and the vaporized decontaminant; and exhausting the mixture into the cavity of the biological safety cabinet to decontaminate articles and surfaces in the cavity. |
| US09213334B2 |
Runway traction estimation and reporting system
A runway traction estimation and reporting method and computer readable medium is provided. Upon detection of a landing event, a runway traction estimation and reporting method provides for various measurements and calculations to estimate the traction of the runway and create a traction map of the runway. A computer readable medium may contain instructions for a runway traction estimation and reporting processor directing the processor to perform various measurements and calculations to estimate the traction of the runway. The processor may communicate with a ground station or with other aircraft to produce collaborative results. |
| US09213332B2 |
System and method for automated vehicle selection and automated fix detection
A system and method for automating the selection of vehicle identifying information for a diagnostic tool and for searching multiple databases of fix information and providing such information to a user. |
| US09213327B1 |
Selective electrical coupling based on environmental conditions
An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device that is electrically coupled to the first electrical-connection node may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device that is electrically coupled to the second electrical-connection node. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Moreover, a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device may provide sensor data based on the one or more measurements. Alternatively, an antenna and an interface circuit in the environmental monitoring device may receive the sensor data from a third electronic device. |
| US09213325B2 |
System and method for managing services in a living place
A system is provided for managing services in a living place, including: a supervision system, an anticipative solving system, the anticipative solving system including a processing and memory system for: storing service type problem generators and powers and occupants' satisfaction-related transversal problem generator; collecting service type and related parameters for each service; generating instantiated constraint data for each service according to its type and an anticipative service type problem data based on the constraint data; generating global anticipative problem data; computing set-point data for each service based on the solved global anticipative problem; sending set-point data to the supervision system; and a reactive system adapted to adjust the set-point data computed by the anticipative system depending on the current state of each service. |
| US09213324B2 |
Systems and methods for managing interaction with controllable lighting networks
Systems and methods for managing interaction with controllable lighting networks are disclosed. Particularly, a user's input regarding the user's preferred level of interaction with a controllable lighting network is used in conjunction with memories and processors, to selectively allow the controllable lighting network access to the user's personal data such as the user's identity or the user's personal lighting preferences. A user's preferred level of interaction with a controllable lighting network is also used, in conjunction with personal mobile electronic communication devices, to allow the user to control lighting within controllable lighting networks. |
| US09213323B2 |
Oscillatory failure common-mode monitor
A method includes receiving signals processed according to a control law and generating an error signal based on the signals. The method includes determining at least one characteristic of the error signal, and determining whether to disable the control law based on the at least one characteristic. |
| US09213321B2 |
Control System for rotating shaft
A rotating element control system includes a rotating element rotatably disposed on a main body, a first sensing unit which senses a rotational speed of the main body, a driving unit which drives the rotating element, a second sensing unit which senses a rotational speed of the rotating element, a torque compensation unit which generates a first compensation signal within a first range and a second compensation signal within a second range, and a stabilization control unit which controls the driving unit based on the first and second compensation signals and a difference between a speed of a command to drive the rotating element and the rotational speed of the rotating element. |
| US09213320B2 |
Electronic timepiece with internal antenna
An electronic timepiece has a tubular outside case of which at least part is a conductive material, a transparent crystal, a dial housed in the outside case, an annular antenna body disposed around the dial, a feed part that feeds the antenna body, and a dial ring made of a non-conductive material covering the antenna body. The antenna body includes an annular dielectric base, and an arc-shaped fed element feed by the feed part, an annular parasitic element disposed between the dial ring and crystal, and receives circularly polarized waves. |
| US09213318B2 |
Electronic timepiece and electronic device
An electronic timepiece enables a simple construction, and an electronic device has the electronic timepiece. A wristwatch 1 has a button A 6; a mode setting unit 32 that sets the operating mode of the wristwatch 1 based on an input operation of the button A 6. Based on the continuous input time that the button A 6 is operated continuously, the mode setting unit 32 changes the operating mode between a timekeeping mode that receives satellite signals from one or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information contained in a received satellite signal; and a positioning mode that receives satellite signals from three or more GPS satellites and adjusts the internal time information based on time information and positioning information contained in the received satellite signals. |
| US09213317B2 |
Method and arrangement for transferring a time of day value between network elements
The invention relates to transferring of a time of day value between network elements of a data transfer network. It has been surprisingly detected that the phase reference signals available to various network elements can be utilized in the synchronization of time of day values between these network elements. In the solution according to the invention, a first network element sends to a second network element a difference variable (401, 402, 403) that indicates how much the timing phase of the time of day value maintained in the first network element differs from the timing phase of the phase reference signal available to the first network element. In the second network element that receives the message, an estimate of the time of day value is formed (404, 405) based on the difference variable and the timing phase of the phase reference signal available to the second network element. |
| US09213315B2 |
Timepiece with movable ornamental body
A timepiece, which includes a base board made of any of ABS resin, AS resin, and PS resin, and further includes a projection portion; a rotary board made of any of ABS resin, AS resin, and PS resin, and rotatable about and relative to the projection portion; and a rotational shaft projecting toward a front side of the base board through an opening formed in the projection portion. An end of the rotational shaft is connected with a hand provided for indicating time. The timepiece further includes an ornamental body movable relative to the base board; and a securing member made of any of POM resin, PBT resin, and PA resin. The ornamental body is prevented from moving forward to the front side and coming into contact with the hand provided for indicating time when, for example, shock is applied to the timepiece. |
| US09213313B2 |
Synthetic optical holography
Methods and apparatus for imaging a phase or amplitude that characterizes a scattered field emanating from a physical medium. A local probe is stepped to a plurality of successive probe positions and illuminated with an illuminating beam, while a specified phase function is imposed on a reference beam relative to the illuminating beam. A field associated with the scattered field is superimposed with the reference beam and the detection of both yields a detected signal which is recorded as a function of probe position in order to obtain a hologram. The holograph is transformed, filtered, and retransformed to generate an image. Alternatively, the illuminating beam may directly illuminate successive positions of the physical medium. |
| US09213309B2 |
Image forming apparatus having image forming unit
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a cover unit, and a liquid channel. The cover unit is disposed above an image forming unit. The cover unit includes a first member, a second member, and a neighboring portion positioned between the first member and the second member. The liquid channel is configured to guide liquid and includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is disposed between the neighboring portion and the image forming unit. The first channel includes a recess part and a liquid outlet. The recess part is disposed below the neighboring portion and extending toward the frame in an extending direction. The liquid outlet is positioned at an end portion of the recess part in the extending direction. The second channel is disposed at the frame. The second channel is configured to allow liquid to pass through the frame in the extending direction. |
| US09213308B2 |
Cartridge provided with protection cover capable of protecting developer carrier and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A cartridge includes: a first cartridge; a second cartridge; and a protection cover. The first cartridge includes: a photosensitive body; a photosensitive-body accommodating portion for accommodating the photosensitive body; and a cartridge mounting portion. The second cartridge is detachably mounted in the first cartridge and includes a developer carrier. The protection cover provides an attached state to be attached to the second cartridge and a detached state to be detached from the second cartridge. The protection cover at the attached state faces the developer carrier to protect the developer carrier. The second cartridge provides an accommodated position to be accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the attached state, and a mounted position to be mounted in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the detached state. |
| US09213303B2 |
Replaceable unit for an image forming device having a drive coupler that includes a locking member
A replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a drive coupler accessible on an exterior portion of a body of the replaceable unit. The drive coupler includes an axial locking member that prevents the drive coupler of the replaceable unit from axially disengaging from a corresponding drive coupler of the image forming device. The drive coupler of the replaceable unit includes an axial opening that permits the drive coupler of the replaceable unit to axially disengage from the corresponding drive coupler of the image forming device when the corresponding drive coupler of the image forming device is rotated relative to the drive coupler of the replaceable unit from its operative engagement with the drive coupler of the replaceable unit in a direction opposite an operative rotational direction of the drive coupler of the replaceable unit. |
| US09213302B2 |
Image forming apparatus having mechanism for restricting movement of cover
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a cartridge supporting member, a cover and a restricting member. The cartridge supporting member supporting cartridges is movable along a moving path between an inside position and an outside position relative to the main body. The cover is provided at the main body and pivotally movable between a first position and a second position higher than the first position in a direction generally perpendicular to the moving path. The restricting member is movable in interlocking relation with the movement of the cartridge supporting member between a restricting position and a permitting position for restricting and permitting movement of the cover from the second position to the first position. The restricting member is in the restricting position when the cartridge supporting member is in the outside position, and in the permitting position when the cartridge supporting member is in the inside position. |
| US09213301B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes; a belt unit detachably mountable to a main assembly, said belt unit including a movable endless belt, a belt supporting roller, a steering unit for swinging the belt to incline relative to the supporting roller by a force produced by movement of the belt in a widthwise direction, and a cleaning unit, supported by the steering unit, for removing and collecting toner from the belt; a toner receiving unit, provided in the assembly, for receiving the toner collected by the cleaning unit; and a path member for guiding the toner collected by the cleaning unit to the toner receiving unit, the path member being supported by the assembly when the belt unit is not mounted, and the path member being supported by the cleaning swingably relative to the toner receiving unit when the belt unit is mounted. |
| US09213299B2 |
Sliding member for image forming apparatus, cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A sliding member for image formation which is disposed in an image forming apparatus, includes a base material, the entirety of which contains a resin and which further has a carbon-containing region containing carbon, which has an sp3 bond, on a contact side with a contacted member, and in which a region other than the carbon-containing region is formed of an identical material, wherein the sliding member satisfies any one of the requirements of the following (A) and (B): (A) the carbon-containing region configures a contact portion with the contacted member; and (B) the sliding member is provided with a carbon layer which does not contain a resin but contains carbon having an sp3 bond on a surface further on the contact side with the contacted member of the carbon-containing region and configures a contact portion with the contacted member. |
| US09213298B2 |
Image forming apparatus and electric charge eliminating method
An image forming apparatus includes a power supply portion, a driving portion, a detection portion, and a control portion. The power supply portion is connected to an external power supply and configured to generate a DC voltage. The driving portion is configured to drive with, as power, the DC voltage generated by the power supply portion. The detection portion is configured to detect a cut-off state of the external power supply with respect to the power supply portion. The control portion is configured to perform control so as to drive the driving portion when the cut-off state of the external power supply is detected by the detection portion. |
| US09213297B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a power storage unit. The power storage unit includes a constant voltage generation part configured to generate a constant voltage from a commercial power supply, the constant voltage generation part being connected to an external apparatus operating by consuming power; a voltage increasing circuit configured to increase the constant voltage generated by the constant voltage generation part; a capacitor configured to store an electric charge supplied from the voltage increasing circuit; a circuit control part configured to control charging of the capacitor; and an output part configured to output power stored in the capacitor, the power having a voltage different from the constant voltage. |
| US09213284B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for correcting images on a medium according to a temperature
An image forming apparatus includes a transport unit that transports plural recording media having developer images transferred thereon, at an interval; a fixing unit that fixes the developer images to the recording media transported by the transport unit, by applying heat; a temperature measuring unit that measures an ambient temperature; a speed changing unit that decreases a fixing speed of the developer images in the fixing unit if the ambient temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit is a preset temperature or lower, as compared with the fixing speed if the ambient temperature is higher than the preset temperature; and an interval changing unit that decreases the interval if the ambient temperature is the preset temperature or lower, as compared with the interval if the ambient temperature is higher than the preset temperature. |
| US09213283B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a fixing device including a heating rotating body that heats a toner image formed on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotating body including an endless belt that is placed in such a manner that an outer circumferential surface thereof faces the heating rotating body, a first pressurizing member that is placed on a side of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and forms a fixing nip portion between the endless belt and the heating rotating body, and a second pressurizing member that guides the recording medium so that the recording medium comes into contact with the heating rotating body on an upstream side of the fixing nip portion in a transportation direction of the recording medium, and a releasing unit that releases pressure contact of the pressurizing rotating body that is in pressure contact with heating rotating body. |
| US09213281B2 |
Fixing device with mechanism capable of heating fixing rotary body by electromagnetic induction effectively and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a heat generator including a first non-conductive portion having a first width in an axial direction of the heat generator and a second non-conductive portion spaced apart from the first non-conductive portion in a circumferential direction of the heat generator and having a second width in the axial direction of the heat generator that is smaller than the first width of the first non-conductive portion. The heat generator is movable between a first heating position where the first non-conductive portion is disposed opposite an exciting coil unit and a second heating position where the second non-conductive portion is disposed opposite the exciting coil unit. |
| US09213280B2 |
Image-forming apparatus supplying power to heat generating member using phase control and/or wave number control
An image-forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit which forms an unfixed toner image on a recording material; a fixing unit having a heat generating member which generates heat by power supplied from a commercial AC power source via a choke coil, the fixing unit heating the unfixed toner image formed by the image forming unit and thereby fixing the image to the recording material; and a control unit which controls the supply of power from the commercial AC power source to the heat generating member. The control unit supplies power to the heat generating member by control including phase control, during printing for performing an image forming operation by the image forming unit, and supplies power to the heat generating member by wave number control during standby for awaiting a print instruction. |
| US09213278B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit including a heater, a necessary integral power calculation unit configured to calculate a necessary integral power required for the fixing unit to reach a predetermined fixable temperature, a suppliable integral power calculation unit configured to calculate a suppliable integral power capable of being supplied to the heater in a time elapsing until the recording material reaches the fixing unit, a power source condition detection unit configured to detect a power source condition of a power source for supplying power to the heater, and a controller configured to control a timing to start conveyance of the recording material according to the necessary integral power and the suppliable integral power, wherein the suppliable integral power calculation unit calculates the suppliable integral power according to a resistance value of the heater and the power source condition. |
| US09213277B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method thereof
To appropriately adjust a fixing temperature according to the amount of applied toner, an image forming apparatus for controlling a temperature of a fixing unit configured to fix a color material on a printing sheet, acquires a color material amount of each page of image data of a plurality of pages, determines whether a setting for printing image data of the plurality of pages on a printing sheet has been performed, determines one color material amount out of a plurality of acquired color material amounts if it is determined that the setting for printing image data of the plurality of pages on one printing sheet has been performed, and controls the temperature of the fixing unit using a fixing temperature corresponding to the determined color material amount. |
| US09213273B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for conveying the toner image; and a transfer device for rubbing the belt, and a surface of the transfer device, which is brought into contact with the belt includes linear concave portions or linear convex portions. The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents a friction force between the belt and the transfer device rubbing the belt from increasing and brings a transfer member into a stable contact with the belt for conveying the toner image, thereby suppressing increase in drive torque of the belt which rubs the transfer device and suppressing occurrence of image failure. |
| US09213272B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a holding member to hold a roller relative to a frame
An image forming apparatus includes multiple image bearing members, toner image forming devices, and a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt entrained about a plurality of rollers and onto which toner images are transferred from the image bearing members, a reference member to position the transfer unit in place, a frame to hold the plurality of rollers a certain distance from the reference member, and a moving device including a holding member to hold movably one of the rollers relative to the frame to change the position of the roller between a multiple color mode for forming a multiple color image and a single color mode for forming a single color image so that the intermediate transfer belt contacts and separates from the image bearing member. As the holding member contacts the reference member, the intermediate transfer belt contacts the image bearing members. |
| US09213270B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable transfer member rotatably driven while carrying a toner image thereon; a rotary transfer member to form a transfer nip for transferring the toner image to a recording medium; a housing rotatable about a first rotation center together with the rotary transfer member and switching between a closed state and an open state by the rotation about the first rotation center; a guide member to guide the recording medium conveyed through a conveyance path toward upstream in the direction of rotation of the rotatable transfer member than the transfer nip; a support frame to support the rotatable transfer member; a biasing member to bias the guide member; and a receiving part, disposed on the support frame, configured to contact the guide member biased by the biasing member and position the guide member in the closed state of the housing. |
| US09213264B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes: a developing device which includes a developing unit storing a developer containing a first carrier and a toner and a toner concentration detection unit detecting a toner concentration within the developing unit; and a supply container which stores a supply developer containing a second carrier and the toner, and supplies, based on a detection value by the toner concentration detection unit, the supply developer to the developing unit and discharges an excessive amount of the developer within the developing unit from the developing unit. Then, the setting value of the toner concentration detection unit is corrected based on the presence proportion of the second carrier within the developing unit detected by a calculation unit. |
| US09213261B2 |
Toner container and manufacturing method for toner container
A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, having a first opening in a first end thereof and a notch in a circumferential surface thereof continuous with the first opening in the first end, a flange member to engage the first opening and the notch in the container body and having a toner outlet therein through which toner in the container body is discharged, a shutter member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the container body, a conveyance member, rotatably installed inside the container body to convey the toner from a second end of the container body opposite the first end to the toner outlet in the flange member, and a recessed portion in the container body that projects inward into the interior of the toner container 5 mm or less from an inner surface of the container body. |
| US09213260B1 |
Image forming apparatus for suppressing non-uniformity of an image caused by a difference in toner particle diameter
Provided is an image forming apparatus, including a first image portion that uses a first toner, and a second image portion that uses a second toner having a particle diameter greater than a particle diameter of the first toner, wherein, in a case where a first image of the first image portion is formed on a recording medium and a second image of the second image portion is formed on the first image, as compared to a case where only the first image is formed on the recording medium, an amount of the first toner per unit area of the first image increases. |
| US09213258B2 |
Developing assembly, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
In a developing assembly, the surface of a developer bearing member on which a developer is borne is provided with a first dielectric portion and a second dielectric portion. A regulating portion that regulates the layer thickness of the developer borne on the developer bearing member, the first dielectric portion, and the second dielectric portion each have a charge polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the developer. In a triboelectric series, one of the first dielectric portion and the second dielectric portion is positioned between the developer and the other dielectric portion, and the other dielectric portion is positioned between the one of the dielectric portions and the regulating portion. |
| US09213257B2 |
Small-sized developing device and process cartridge having stable developer regulation
A developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member includes a rotatable developing-agent bearing member configured to bear developing agent, a developing container configured to form a developing-agent storage chamber that stores the developing agent, a developing-agent regulating portion provided in the developing container to regulate an amount of the developing agent born on the developing-agent bearing member, a support portion configured to support the developing-agent bearing member movably relative to the developing-agent regulating portion, and a pressurizing member configured to pressurize the developing-agent bearing member toward the developing-agent regulating portion. A contact portion of the developing-agent regulating portion with the developing-agent bearing member is fixed to the developing container without forming a gap from the developing container on a downstream side in a pressurizing direction of the pressurizing member. |
| US09213252B2 |
Transparent developer, developer housing, development device, and image formation apparatus
A transparent developer has a glass transition point of 63.0° C. to 66.0° C., both inclusive, and a melt temperature, indicative of a softening point by a 1/2 method, of 94.3° C. to 97.0° C., both inclusive. |
| US09213242B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a substrate processing method is disclosed. The method can include treating a substrate with a first liquid. The substrate has a structural body formed on a major surface of the substrate. The method can include forming a support member supporting the structural body by bringing a second liquid into contact with the substrate wetted by the first liquid, and changing at least a portion of the second liquid into a solid by carrying out at least one of causing the second liquid to react, reducing a quantity of a solvent included in the second liquid, and causing at least a portion of a substance dissolved in the second liquid to be separated. The method can include removing the support member by changing at least a part of the support member from a solid phase to a gaseous phase, without passing through a liquid phase. |
| US09213241B2 |
Method of making nanostructure
A method for making nanostructure is provided. The method includes following steps. A conductive layer including a graphene film is applied on an insulating substrate. A resist layer is placed on the conductive layer. A number of openings are formed by patterning the resist layer via electron beam lithography. A part of the conductive layer is exposed to form a first exposed portion through the plurality of openings. The first exposed portion of the conductive layer is removed to expose a part of the insulting substrate to form a second exposed portion. A preform layer is introduced on the second exposed portion of the insulating substrate. Remaining resist layer and remaining conductive layer are eliminated. A number of nanostructures are formed. |
| US09213240B2 |
Electron beam exposure method
An electron beam exposure method includes the steps of: preparing an exposure mask having a plurality of opening patterns formed by dividing a drawing object pattern into exposable regions; and drawing the drawing object pattern by performing exposure with an electron beam passing through the opening patterns of the exposure mask. Each end portion serving as a joint in each opening pattern of the exposure mask is provided with a joining portion tapered in a width of the opening pattern. The exposure is performed in such a way that portions drawn through adjacent joining portions overlap each other. |
| US09213238B2 |
Orthogonal processing of organic materials used in electronic and electrical devices
An orthogonal process for photolithographic patterning organic structures is disclosed. The disclosed process utilizes fluorinated solvents or supercritical CO2 as the solvent so that the performance of the organic conductors and semiconductors would not be adversely affected by other aggressive solvent. One disclosed method may also utilize a fluorinated photoresist together with the HFE solvent, but other fluorinated solvents can be used. In one embodiment, the fluorinated photoresist is a resorcinarene, but various fluorinated polymer photoresists and fluorinated molecular glass photoresists can be used as well. For example, a copolymer perfluorodecyl methacrylate (FDMA) and 2-nitrobenzyl methacrylate (NBMA) is a suitable orthogonal fluorinated photoresist for use with fluorinated solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide in a photolithography process. The combination of the fluorinated photoresist and the fluorinated solvent provides a robust, orthogonal process that is yet to be achieved by methods or devices known in the art. |
| US09213237B2 |
Pattern forming method, actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film, manufacturing method of electronic device, and electronic device
There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (i) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid to decrease the solubility for an organic solvent-containing developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a solvent, and (D) a resin substantially free from a fluorine atom and a silicon atom and different from the resin (A), (ii) a step of exposing the film, and (iii) a step of performing development by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern. |
| US09213236B2 |
Fluorine-containing polymer, purification method, and radiation-sensitive resin composition
A fluorine-containing polymer for use in a radiation-sensitive resin composition is used for forming a photoresist film in a process of forming a resist pattern, including a liquid immersion lithographic process in which radiation is emitted through a liquid having a refractive index larger than the refractive index of air at a wavelength of 193 nm, and being present between a lens and the photoresist film. The fluorine-containing polymer has a weight average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography in the range from 1,000 to 50,000 and a receding contact angle with water and the photoresist film formed therefrom is 70° or more. |
| US09213234B2 |
Photosensitive material and method of lithography
Photosensitive materials and method of forming a pattern that include providing a composition of a component of a photosensitive material that is operable to float to a top region of a layer formed from the photosensitive material. In an example, a photosensitive layer includes a first component having a fluorine atom (e.g., alkyl fluoride group). After forming the photosensitive layer, the first component floats to a top surface of the photosensitive layer. Thereafter, the photosensitive layer is patterned. |
| US09213228B2 |
Device and method for measuring a camera
A device and a method are described for measuring a camera having an image sensor, in particular a fixed-focus camera, the device including: a camera support for accommodating at least one camera to be tested in at least one camera position, a collimator device for emitting collimator light of a test pattern having different object distances, a mirror system for deflecting the collimator light to the camera position, the mirror system having at least one first mirror device which is pivotable by a mirror adjustment device into multiple pivot positions, and a second mirror device having multiple second mirror units, the second mirror units reflecting the light emitted by the first mirror device in its different pivot positions to the camera position for imaging the test pattern in different image regions of an image sensor. |
| US09213224B2 |
Projector having cooling device that supplies cooling air in two supply directions
A projector includes an optical element and a cooling device configured to supply cooling air along the surface of the optical element. The cooling device supplies the cooling air in two supply directions crossing each other and extending from one edge to the other edge of two opposed edges of the optical element. |
| US09213222B2 |
Control arm for an imaging device
A tripod head suitable for holding an imaging device thereon being supported by a tripod includes the tripod head being movable to position the imaging device at a desired orientation. A control arm is affixed to and movable in a two-dimensional arc, without being movable in three-dimensions over the two-dimensional arc, with respect to the tripod head. The control arm has selectable resistance to movement along the two-dimensional arc as a result of selectively increasing or decreasing the resistance between at least three friction plates having surfaces in face-to-face engagement with one another. |
| US09213217B2 |
Imaging apparatus for taking a picture of a driver of a motor vehicle through a front glass of the motor vehicle
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus provided with: a light irradiation unit which irradiates a target area with light; a differential image generation unit which generates a differential image between a first image which was taken in synchronization with the irradiation period during which the light irradiation unit irradiates the light and a second image which was taken outside the irradiation period; a transmittance estimation unit which estimates the light transmittance of an object in the target area; and a light exposure adjustment unit which adjusts the exposure based on the estimation result from the transmittance estimation unit. The transmittance estimation unit estimates the transmittance of the object from at least one of the first image, the second image, and the differential image. |
| US09213216B2 |
Low noise photo-parametric solid state amplifier
A solid state detection system includes a degenerate photo-parametric amplifier (PPA), wherein the PPA comprises a photo diode, and a periodically pulsed light source, wherein the photo-parametric, amplifier (PPA) is synchronized to the pulsed light source with a phase locked loop that generates a pump waveform for the PPA at twice the frequency of the excitation pulse rate. |
| US09213214B2 |
Optical path-changing device having curved waveguide
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical path-changing device having one or more curved waveguides, which not only can change an optical path at a large angle close to a perpendicular direction after light or an optical signal has been incident and reflected, but also can change the optical path in various directions, such as for straight pass, left turn, and right turn. An optical path-changing device having one or more curved waveguides according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first waveguide (11) formed in a straight line. A second waveguide (12) is configured to branch from the first waveguide in a first direction and formed in a shape of curved line. A first reflector (21) is arranged in a region in which the second waveguide branches from the first waveguide. |
| US09213211B2 |
Luminescent pixel assembly
An assembly corresponding to a pixel includes sub-assemblies that each correspond to a sub-pixel of the pixel. At least one of the sub-assemblies includes a luminescent fluid, black particles and a mirror. The luminescent fluid converts wavelengths of light less than a conversion wavelength of the sub-assembly to the conversion wavelength. The black particles are positionable within luminescent fluid in accordance with a color to be displayed by the assembly. The mirror is disposed at a bottom end of the sub-assembly. |
| US09213202B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A display device includes a first substrate having a plurality of TFTs, a passivation film, and a plurality of pixel electrodes, and a second substrate arranged with a gap with the first substrate. The passivation film has a plurality of contact holes, and the plurality of pixel electrodes are connected to the plurality of TFTs via the plurality of contact holes. The second substrate has a plurality of columnar spacers for ensuring the gap with the first substrate, and a plurality of columnar projections for misalignment prevention formed at positions corresponding to the contact holes. The number of the plurality of columnar projections is less than the number of the plurality of columnar spacers. |
| US09213198B2 |
Display apparatus, automotive display apparatus, and method for manufacturing the display apparatus
A display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal panel (31); a touch panel (31) placed on the liquid crystal panel (31); a base material layer (37, 40) stacked on the touch panel (34); and an adhesive layer (36, 39) interposed between the touch panel (34) and the base material layer (37, 40). Fiber having properties to solve polarization is contained in at least one of the base material layer (37, 40) and the adhesive layer (36, 39). |
| US09213191B2 |
Color changing materials arranged in slow particle coloration materials
Articles comprises iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein the chains of nanocrystals are embedded within a material used to form the article or a transfer medium used to transfer a color to the article are described. The material or transfer medium includes elastic properties that allow the nanocrystals to display a temporary color determined by the strength of an external force applied to the article, and the material or transfer medium includes memory properties that cause the displayed temporary color to dissipate when the external force is removed, wherein the dissipation of the displayed temporary color is sufficiently slow as to be visually observable by an average observer's unaided eye. |
| US09213185B1 |
Display scaling based on movement of a head-mounted display
A wearable computing system may include a head-mounted display (HMD) with a display configured to display images viewable at a viewing location. When aligned with an HMD wearer's line of sight, the entire display area of the display may be within the HMD wearer's field of view. The area within which an HMD wearer's eye can move and still view the entire display area is termed an “eye box.” However, if the HMD slips up or down, the display area may become obscured, such that the wearer can no longer see the entire image. By scaling or subsetting an image area within the display area, the effective eye box dimensions may increase. Further, in response to movements of the HMD with respect to the wearer, the image area can be adjusted to reduce effects such as vibration and slippage. |
| US09213180B2 |
Electrowetting display device
An electrowetting display device includes a first base substrate, a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first base substrate and positioned to respectively correspond to positions of a plurality of pixels, a partition wall disposed on the first base substrate to partition the pixels, a second electrode disposed on the partition wall and including a plurality of openings, a second base substrate facing the first base substrate, and an electrowetting layer disposed between the first base substrate and the second base substrate, the electrowetting layer respectively being moved by voltages respectively applied to the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09213179B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a light source, a light guide, a light extraction unit, and a drive circuit. The light source emits a first light. The light guide has a first end, a second end arranged in a first direction, and a side surface extending in the first direction. The light guide guides the first light from the first end toward the second end. The light extraction unit opposes the side surface, and includes first and second conductive units provided parallel to the side surface. The light extraction unit extracts the first light guided inside the light guide by coming close to the side surface for a state in which a voltage is applied to the first and second conductive units. The drive circuit applies the voltage between the first and second conductive units. |
| US09213177B2 |
Achieving focus in a digital pathology system
Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information during scanning digital microscope slide data with a line scan camera. The systems and methods include a dynamically interleaved procedure that works by moving the specimen relative to the objective lens while the height of the objective lens is adjusted relative to the stage. Imagery data is acquired at a plurality of objective lens heights the image data from the objective lens height having maximum contrast is stored and combined into a composite digital image of at least a portion of the specimen. |
| US09213173B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a negative third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group. Upon zooming from the short to the long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups decreases, the distance between the second and third lens groups increases, and the distance between the third and fourth lens groups decreases. The following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied: −2.50 |
| US09213171B2 |
Zoom lens having optical path bending member and image pickup apparatus equipped with same
A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit including a lens. The distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit changes during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The first lens unit consists, in order from the object side, of a front sub lens unit having a negative refractive power, an optical path bending member, and a rear sub lens unit having a positive refractive power. The front sub lens unit includes a biconcave single lens, and the rear sub lens unit includes one or two single lenses. |
| US09213166B2 |
Imaging lens and electronic apparatus having the same
An imaging lens includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first lens element has a positive refractive power, and a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has a negative refractive power, and an image-side surface with a convex portion. The third lens element has a convex image-side surface. The fourth lens element has an object-side surface with a convex portion, and a curved image-side surface with a concave portion and a convex portion. |
| US09213164B2 |
Five-piece imaging lens assembly
The present disclosure illustrates a five-piece imaging lens assembly which includes an aperture stop, an optical lens assembly, an image plane. The optical lens assembly, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first lens element with positive refractive power adjacent to the optical axis and having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power adjacent to the optical axis and having a concave object-side surface, a third lens element and a fourth lens element with refractive power adjacent to the optical axis, and a fifth lens element with negative refractive power adjacent to the optical axis and having a convex image-side surface. At least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element has an inflection point. The image plane is for image formation for an object. |
| US09213155B2 |
Light steering for silicon photonic devices
A photonic device comprising a base plate, a photonic laser coupled to the base plate, wherein the photonic laser is configured to generate a light, a lens coupled to the base plate, wherein the lens is configured to receive the light from the photonic laser, form a focused light, and pass the focused light to a reflector, and the reflector incorporated with the base plate such that the lens is positioned between the photonic laser and the reflector, wherein the reflector is configured to receive the focused light, and wherein the reflector is configured to steer a first portion of the focused light through the base plate using total internal reflection. |
| US09213154B2 |
Optoelectronic packaging assembly
An optoelectronic packaging assembly having an optical interposer and a method of same. The assembly includes a photonic and/or optoelectronic device; a planar optical interposer coupled to the photonic and/or optoelectronic device on a first side of the optical interposer and including an optical transmission element on a second side opposite to the first side; a deflecting element; and at least one optical waveguide on the first side, in-plane with the optical interposer. The waveguide is coupled at one end to the photonic and/or optoelectronic device and at another end to the deflecting element. The deflecting element is configured to enable optical transmission between the waveguide and the optical transmission element through the optical interposer. The optical interposer includes a material allowing for optical transmission between the deflecting element and the optical transmission element. |
| US09213146B2 |
Optical signal coupling assembly
An optical signal coupling assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first main body and a number of first optical coupling lenses. The second connector includes a second main body and a plurality of second optical coupling lenses to be optically coupled with the first optical coupling lenses. The first main body further includes two first connecting members, and the second main body further includes two second connecting members. The second connecting member matches with the first connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are configured for both fixing and aligning the first connector with the second connector. |
| US09213143B1 |
Making connections through an optical circuit switch
An optical circuit switch and method. A first mirror element rotates about orthogonal axes in response to first and second voltages applied respectively to first and second electrodes. A second mirror element rotates about orthogonal axes in response to third and fourth voltages applied respectively to the third and fourth electrodes. A controller may apply first through fourth voltages respectively to the first through fourth electrodes to make a connection between first and second ports. When an initial insertion loss of the connection does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the controller may conduct independent single-dimension searches to determine values for the first through fourth voltages that minimize the insertion loss. When the initial insertion loss exceeds the predetermined threshold, the controller may conduct a four-dimensional search to determine values for the first through fourth voltages that reduce the insertion loss to not exceed the predetermined threshold. |
| US09213142B2 |
Device and method for micro-electro-mechanical-system photonic switch
In one embodiment, a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) photonic switch includes a first plurality of collimators and a first minor array optically coupled to the first plurality of collimators, where the first minor array includes a first plurality of minors, and where a first minor of the first plurality of minors includes a first plurality of photodiodes integrated on the first mirror. |
| US09213139B2 |
Imprinted multi-level optical circuit structure method
A method of making an imprinted optical micro-channel structure for transmitting light to an optical receiver or receiving light from an optical transmitter includes forming a curable optical layer over a substrate and imprinting one or more optical micro-channels in the optical layer with a first stamp. The curable optical layer is cured to form a cured optical layer having the optical micro-channels imprinted in the cured optical layer. A curable light-transparent material is located in the optical micro-channels and cured to form light-pipes of cured light-transparent material in the optical micro-channels. The optical transmitter located in alignment with a light-pipe for transmitting light through the light-pipe or the optical receiver is located in alignment with a light-pipe for receiving light from the light-pipe. |
| US09213137B2 |
Semiconductor devices including photodetectors integrated on waveguides and methods for fabricating the same
Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a waveguide layer in a detector region of a semiconductor substrate to form a recessed waveguide layer section. A ridge structure germanium (Ge) photodetector is formed overlying a portion of the recessed waveguide layer section. |
| US09213134B2 |
Alignment for splicing multi-core optical fibers
A multi-core optical fiber may include a cladding with a cross section having a central region and an outside diameter. Multiple transmission cores are arranged symmetrically within the central region of the cladding, extending parallel to a central axis of the multi-core optical fiber. Multiple alignment cores are arranged within the cladding, extending parallel to the central axis of the multi-core optical fiber and near the outside diameter of the cladding so that each of the multiple alignment cores are visible through a side view of the cladding. Ends of similarly configured multi-core optical fibers may be mated and aligned. Alignment cores of a first multi-core optical fiber may be aligned with alignment cores of a second multi-core optical fiber using a side view of the mating interface. Aligning the alignment cores causes multiple transmission cores with the multi-core optical fibers to also align. |
| US09213131B2 |
Back-plate structure of backlight, backlight and display device
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a back-plate structure of backlight, a backlight and a display device. The backlight is applied to a display device. The back-plate structure comprises a substrate and a plurality of optical fibers disposed on the substrate. Each optical fiber is provided with a light outlet corresponding to a sub-pixel of the display device so that light inputted into the optical fiber is emitted to the sub-pixel to which the light outlet corresponds via the light outlet. |
| US09213129B2 |
Brightness enhancing film and backlight unit comprising the same
Disclosed is a brightness enhancing film, including a multilayered thin film wherein a plurality of first thin film layers which are optically anisotropic and a plurality of second thin film layers which are optically isotropic are alternately stacked, the multilayered thin film including a first wavelength reflection region which reflects a wavelength of 160˜451 nm, a second wavelength reflection region which reflects a wavelength of 451˜836 nm, and a third wavelength reflection region which reflects a wavelength of 836˜1040 nm, and a thickness of each of the first and second thin film layers in the first and second wavelength reflection regions is linearly increased from the short wavelength reflection side toward the long wavelength reflection side, and a thickness of each of the first and second thin film layers in the third wavelength reflection region is nonlinearly increased from the short wavelength reflection side toward the long wavelength reflection side. |
| US09213128B2 |
Isotropic optical filter and method of manufacturing thereof
The present invention discloses an isotropic optical filter comprising high-index refraction material positioned between low-index-refraction matter. At least some of the high-index refraction material has a grated structure and lateral and vertical dimensions with respect to the low-index-refraction matter such that the high-index refraction material is operative to act as a leaky waveguide for light incident on the ZOF. The grated structure comprises at least two different grating patterns. Each of the at least two grating patterns constitutes a subpixel. A plurality of subpixels is operative to diffract incident light to at least two zero-order wavelength spectra respective of the at least two grating patterns such to exhibit an isotropic color effect with respect to the rotational orientation of the isotropic optical filter. The plurality of subpixels constitute an isotropic pixel. |
| US09213127B2 |
Virtual image emerging ornamental body and method for manufacturing virtual image emerging ornamental body
A virtual image emerging ornamental body including: a unit array in which pixel units are disposed; and a condensing element array configured of a plurality of condensing elements which are disposed in positions are associated with the pixel units, in which an arrangement pitch of one side of the pixel units or the condensing elements includes an arrangement pitch having a value of two or more integral multiples of a value which is obtained by adding a predetermined difference to an arrangement pitch of the other side. |
| US09213125B2 |
Well logging apparatus and system
A system and apparatus for configuring a well logging assembly having an elongate sub with a bore therethrough, a leading end connection and a trailing end connection, a plurality of sets of recesses in an exterior wall of the sub to receive a plurality of sets of inserts, each having a threaded exterior surface, a plurality of internally threaded retainer rings, and a plurality of well logging devices securable to the exterior wall of the sub using the retainer rings to threadably engage the inserts received in the recesses. The system enables convenient configuration and reconfiguration of the well logging assembly by enabling convenient securing of a first well logging instrument to the sub at a variety of spacings from a second well logging instrument to provide a variety of depths of investigation into a geologic formation penetrated by a drill string containing the well logging assembly. |
| US09213123B2 |
Non-invasive method and apparatus for detecting the presence of illicit substances
The present invention is directed to a system for screening the content of the air proximate to a target for the presence of one or more illicit substances by using a chemical detector, a metal detector and a radiation detector all houses within a portable detection unit that may be carried by hand to detect threat substances on a target. The system also comprises a support module that is coupled either wirelessly or though a conduit to the portable detection unit to support the operations of the portable detection unit by proving processing and analysis of the detected results and power. The system also comprises a vacuum source for drawing air proximate to the target into the portable detection unit for vaporization and analysis. The vacuum source may be within the support module and drawing air through a hose in the conduit, or may be within the portable detection unit itself. The system may be used by passing the portable detection unit over or near to a target in a manner similar to airport metal detectors. |
| US09213122B2 |
Single well anisotropy inversion using velocity measurements
At least one elastic parameter of a region of interest of a formation is modeled, and at least one velocity measurement acquired in a wellbore extending in the formation is predicted based on the modeling. The model is refined based on the predicted velocity measurement(s) and based on at least one actual measurement acquired from within a single wellbore. |
| US09213120B2 |
Seismic data processing method for surface related multiple attenuation
An embodiment of the invention relates to a method of processing seismic data comprising a plurality of traces, each trace having a source position, a receiver position and a midpoint position, each having coordinates in an inline direction and a crossline direction. The invention uses a data set comprising traces having one of the source position, the receiver position or the midpoint position having coordinates which are invariant in one of the inline or the crossline directions. A non-iterative surface related multiple attenuation algorithm is applied to the data set which assumes substantial non-variation of depth of reflectors in the same one of the inline or the crossline directions. |
| US09213117B2 |
Dip seismic attributes
A method can include receiving a request for a dip value for a location within a sub-surface volume; responsive to the request, locating complementary dip values for locations within the sub-surface volume where the location for the requested dip value lies within bounds defined by the locations for the complementary dips values; and interpolating a value for the requested dip value based on the complementary dip values. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09213116B2 |
System and method for moment tensor migration imaging
A method for estimating moment tensor components of a source can use a waveform based method that performs a stack function on projected data from each sensor. The method can produce a cumulative result for each moment tensor component, for each propagation phase at each image point and origin time. A system for use in imaging a subterranean region of interest can include instructions which operate on recorded actual seismic data output from seismic receivers having known positions, and at least one processor, whereby the instructions cause the processor to project a selected data sample from the seismic data onto a moment tensor component. |
| US09213115B2 |
Analog in power supply module
The present disclosure relates methods and apparatus conducting a seismic survey. The apparatus includes an analog interface and power supply both disposed in a housing. The analog interface is configured to receive analog seismic data from a seismic sensor. The apparatus includes one or more of: (i) an isolation transformer disposed between the power supply and the analog interface and (ii) a analog interface clock configured to synchronized with a power supply clock. The method may include reducing power transmission losses and/or the effect of power supply noise on the seismic signals. |
| US09213112B2 |
Neutron radiation sensor
Embodiments utilize high energy particles generated by nuclear reactions involving neutron radiation and neutron-sensitive materials to generate and maintain an electric potential gradient between an electrode and a region separated from the electrode by an electric insulator. System and methods contemplated by the invention thereby enable passive detection of neutrons without an externally applied electric potential bias by maintaining a charge accumulation facilitated by nuclear reactions involving neutrons. The charge accumulation produces an electric potential gradient within an electric insulator that separates the charge accumulation from an exterior region. |
| US09213111B2 |
Neutron detectors for active interrogation
The present invention includes a method for radiation detection. The present invention utilized boron-coated detectors as a new alternative to large 3He tubes that will address the timing limitations of 3He-based detectors in active interrogation systems, by providing a 100-times faster ion collection time. This may enable the counting of prompt neutrons starting within 10 μs following each gamma ray pulse. Current 3He-based detectors can only count delayed neutrons, and the linac pulse rate is severely limited by the lengthy times required to count these very late neutrons. If detection of the prompt component can be achieved, up to 150 times more neutrons can be detected in each pulse and pulse rate can be increased by more than 10 fold, giving a net sensitivity gain of 1500 while using the same detection array and linac. |
| US09213108B2 |
Photon counting type image detector, X-ray diagnosis apparatus and X-ray computed tomography apparatus
A photon counting type image detector has: a semiconductor cell that detects an X-ray photon; a charge amplifier that generates a plurality of electric pulses each being based on an electric charge collected in response to the detected X-ray photon; a comparator that discriminates a peak value of each of the electric pulses; a threshold logic circuit that performs control so as to count none of the peak-discriminated electric pulses corresponding to energy of characteristic X-rays produced in the semiconductor cell; and a counter that counts the discriminated electric pulses as controlled by the threshold logic circuit. |
| US09213106B2 |
Method of measuring luminescence of a material
A method of measuring luminescence of a material is disclosed. The method includes applying a light source to excite an exposed material. The method also includes amplifying an emission signal of the material. The method further includes measuring a luminescent emission at a fixed time window of about 10 picoseconds to about 10 nanoseconds. The luminescence may be radio photoluminescence (RPL) or optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). |
| US09213102B2 |
Electronic device with gesture detection system and methods for using the gesture detection system
A method in an electronic device, the method includes projecting infrared (“IR”) light from a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed proximate to the perimeter of the electronic device, detecting, by a sensor, IR light originating from at least two of the plurality of LEDs reflected from off of a person, and carrying out a function based on the relative strength of the detected IR light from the LEDs. |
| US09213101B2 |
Self-aligned aiming system and technique for a laser rangefinder incorporating a retroreflector
A self-aligned aiming system and technique for a laser rangefinder incorporating a retroreflector. In operation, a virtual dot perceived in the laser rangefinder viewing window is inherently aligned with a visible beam projected on the target and has zero parallax by design. Even if there is a slight offset in the visual pathway of the laser rangefinder, when the virtual dot in the viewing window is placed on a specific point on the target, the visual beam is located at that same specific point. |
| US09213099B1 |
Sonar-based underwater target detection system
A method and apparatus for detecting targets. A sound wave within an underwater detection region is transmitted from each of a number of sources. The sound wave transmitted by each of these sources comprises a pulse train of identical pulses. Pulses are received at a receiver within the underwater detection region. Data is generated in response to receiving the pulses. Correlation data for the pulses is generated based on the data generated by the receiver. A determination is made as to whether each of the pulses received at the receiver is received from a target located within the underwater detection region or from one of the number of sources. |
| US09213098B2 |
Method and device for detecting presence of vehicle in parking space
A method for notifying a user of the status of a parking space. The method comprises transmitting a pulse from a transceiver assigned to a parking space and for each pulse receiving by transceiver a corresponding echo created by said pulse being reflecting back from a object occupying said parking space. The method further comprises measuring corresponding echo time by a processing unit. The method further comprises comparing said corresponding echo time to a predefined range of echo times by a processing unit to determine occupancy of said parking space. The method further comprises using said occupancy of parking space to determine the parking space status by a processing unit, together with information on time of day and parking space permission. The method further comprises notifying a user of said parking space status by visual indication from at least one light emitting diode array. |
| US09213097B2 |
Aircraft comprising an onboard weather radar antenna provided with inclined panels
An aircraft comprising a fuselage and a radome fixed to the fuselage. The radome defines a housing and the fuselage comprises a sealed bulkhead closing the housing. A weather radar antenna comprises a main panel. A plurality of peripheral panels are arranged around the main panel, inclined from a planar surface of the main panel and located on the same side of the planar surface. The housing contains the antenna which is mounted on the fuselage through a mechanical support fixed to the fuselage and to the weather radar antenna on the same side of the planar surface as the peripheral panels. A bird strike shield is located between the antenna and the sealed bulkhead. The shield comprises a dome with a top and a base, the base being fixed to the aircraft fuselage. An opening is formed at the top of the dome through which the mechanical support passes. |
| US09213087B2 |
Target tracking system and a method for tracking a target
A target tracking system including a tracking module arranged to perform model-based tracking of a target based on received measurements from a sensor. A detector is arranged to detect as a target performs a maneuver. An output switching module is arranged to switch from a first output mode in which model estimations of the tracking module are forwarded, to at least a second output mode in which only reliable outputs are forwarded, in response to information indicating the detection of a target maneuver being received from the detector. Also a collision avoidance system, a method for tracking a target and a computer program product. |
| US09213086B2 |
Computed volume sonography
A system performs ultrasound parameter estimation at specific advantageous sets of points in a two- or three-dimensional field of view within re-configurable, massively parallel, programmable architectures. A power efficient system is used for processing the data, thereby increasing the ability of the system for mobile ultrasound applications. Various architectural aspects provide the ability to simultaneously accept a large number of channels of data characterized by a continuous, simultaneous flow at high sample rates. The input data is routed at high rates to a distributed and large number of processing elements, memory, and connections for simultaneous parameter estimation at multiple points in the field of view, thereby enabling data streaming through the architecture. |
| US09213082B2 |
Processing time determination for wireless position determination
An example method for determining a processing time for wirelessly determining a position of a mobile station includes: measuring a round trip time delay to each of multiple wireless access points; estimating an initial processing time for each of the wireless access points; calculating the position of the mobile station based upon the measured round trip time delays and estimated processing times; and updating the initial processing time for each of the wireless access points based upon the calculated position of the mobile station. |
| US09213079B2 |
Method and apparatus for geolocating a wireless communication unit
A method for geolocating a wireless communication unit. The method comprises receiving measurement data for radio frequency (RF) signals between the wireless communication unit and at least one base transceiver station, calculating an RF measurement based geolocation estimate for the wireless communication unit based at least partly on the received RF signal measurement data, obtaining geographical area data for at least one wireless coverage area visible to the wireless communication unit, determining a geolocation validation area based at least partly on the obtained geographical area data for the at least one wireless coverage area visible to the wireless communication unit, and deriving a confidence factor for the RF measurement based geolocation estimate based at least partly on the determined geolocation validation area. |
| US09213078B1 |
Noise source decomposition system and method using an adaptable aperture phased array
A system and method for determining a characteristic of a noise source. A first array of microphones is mounted on a platform moveable from a starting position to an ending position along a line parallel to a central axis of the noise source. A second array of microphones includes sound sensors mounted in a spaced apart fixed position with respect to the noise source. A processing system processes first information from the first array of microphones and second information from the second array of microphones. The processing system collects and stores the first and second information at each discrete step of the first array, spatially filters the first information, processes and calibrates the filtered first information based on the second information, and further processes the calibrated first information to obtain a characteristic at a selected location. For flyover testing, the first array is instead held in a fixed position. |
| US09213077B2 |
GPS assisted torpedo recovery system
A method of locating an underwater based system, the method including determining the underwater based system's geo-location, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encoding the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmitting RF and acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location to a receiving station. A locator for locating an underwater based system including a buoy, a global positioning system having an antenna and a receiver, an RF transmission system including an antenna and a transmitter, an underwater acoustic transducer, and a locator control unit adapted to determine the underwater based system's geo-location, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for RF transmission, encode the underwater based system's geo-location for acoustic transmission, and transmit RF and underwater acoustic signals containing the encoded geo-location. |
| US09213076B2 |
System, process and computer-accessible medium for providing quantitative susceptibility mapping
Exemplary quantitative susceptibility mapping methods, systems and computer-accessible medium can be provided to generate images of tissue magnetism property from complex magnetic resonance imaging data using the Bayesian statistical approach. The likelihood is constructed directly using the complex data. A prior is constructed from matching structures or information content in known morphology. The quantitative susceptibility map can be determined by, e.g., maximizing the posterior. Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment, system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided for determining information associated with at least one structure. Using such exemplary embodiment, it is possible to receive signals associated with the structure(s), where the signals can include complex data that is in the complex domain. |
| US09213074B2 |
Stem and method for acquiring MRI data from bone and soft tissues
A system and method for producing MR images in which bone and soft tissue are identified. The method includes applying a pulse sequence that includes a first stage configured to acquire a radially-encoded FID and radially-encoded echoes performed after a non-selective RF excitation pulse and before a second stage, which is configured to acquire additional echoes. The radially-encoded MR data acquired during the first stage is substantially representative of bone, while the MR data acquired during the second stage is substantially representative of soft tissues. MR images in which bone and soft tissue are identified are reconstructed from these MR data sets. |
| US09213073B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating for drift in magnetic field strength in superconducting magnets
An MRI system has a cylindrical superconducting magnet assembly contained in a bore tube of a cylindrical vacuum vessel (OVC), and a gradient coil assembly situated within the OVC bore tube. In an imaging region within a bore of the gradient coil assembly, the magnet assembly produces a magnetic field that is subject to drift during operation of the MRI system. Compensating material is located at a radial position between the imaging region and the magnet in a location that will be heated over a range of temperatures during operation of the MRI system. The compensating material is adjustable between two magnetic phases in response to an applied physical characteristic, which is selectively applied thereto so as to change the compensating material from a first magnetization to a second magnetization, and thereby compensate the drift. |
| US09213072B2 |
Radio-frequency traps and methods of common-mode energy damping
Radio-frequency (RF) traps and methods of common-mode energy damping are provided. One RF trap includes a body and a shutter holder rotatably coupled within the body, wherein the shutter holder is configured to rotate within the body about a longitudinal axis. The RF trap further including a magnetic flux shutter coupled to the shutter holder, wherein the magnetic flux shutter rotates within the body with the shutter holder to align the magnetic flux shutter at an angle within the body. |
| US09213071B2 |
Sensor single track trim using stationary hardware and fields
A testing environment is provided in which both accelerometers and magnetometers can be tested in parallel, thereby decreasing the total cycle time for testing a semiconductor device package containing those devices. Embodiments of the present invention can also be configured to test singulated packages, thereby providing a tested and trimmed product that more accurately reflects the package delivered to the customer. In one embodiment, a series of device test locations within a testing region are configured to provide a known relationship with multiple fields of force. The device test locations are configured to provide sensitivity data from the packaged sensors in response to the directional forces. Embodiments provide a mechanism to transport the sensor packages from a device test location to a next device test location. |
| US09213067B2 |
Device for monitoring the voltage output by the cells of an electrochemical generator
An electrochemical generator comprises a stack of cells in series. To control the voltage across the terminals, controlling means comprise, for each cell, a first reactive passive component, the impedance varying depending on the DC voltage across its terminals, being biased by the voltage delivered by the cell, and a second reactive or resonant passive component forming, with the first reactive passive component, a series or parallel resonant circuit having a preset nominal resonant frequency for a nominal biasing voltage delivered by the cell. Using a variable frequency signal generator to supply the resonant circuits allows a detection circuit to detect resonant peak(s) across the terminals. The divergence between the resonant frequency corresponding to a detected peak and the nominal resonant frequency indicates the state of the associated cell. The frequency differences directly, for their part, provide information on the uniformity of the cells with respect to each other. |
| US09213065B2 |
Method and device for detecting a malfunction of an electric machine through the modulation of variables influencing the torque of the machine
A method for detecting the malfunction in a three-phase synchronous electric machine by modulating variables. Two variables, which influence the torque of the electric machine are modulated. The first variable represents the q component of the stator current. The second variable represents the rotor flux. The variables are modulated by superimposing on their base signals, a test signal. Under faultless operation of the machine, there is no effect caused by the modulated variables on an electrical or magnetic parameter of the machine. When the modulated variables cause an effect on an electrical or magnetic parameter of the machine, a fault condition is detected. |
| US09213057B2 |
Testing system and testing method for touch device
A testing system for a touch device includes a touch simulation module, a control module and a determination module is provided. The touch simulation module includes multiple conductive elements respectively corresponding to multiple touch sensing regions of the touch device. The control module selectively provides a testing signal to one or multiple of the conductive elements. The determination module determines whether the touch device correctly responds a testing that the control module provides to the device under testing through the touch simulation module. |
| US09213051B2 |
Impedance measurement system, impedance measurement method and program
A condition input device inputs a measurement condition and the information of an electronic apparatus to be measured. A measurement operation program device selects a program that causes the electronic apparatus to perform an measurement operation based on the information of a measuring target object and the measurement condition. A voltage measurement device measures a voltage variation generated by the power source of the electronic apparatus. A wave form calculating device performs an arithmetic processing, such as a filtering processing or a time-frequency conversion (e.g. Fourier conversion) for the measured voltage variation to obtain the frequency characteristics of the voltage variation. An impedance calculating device calculates an impedance from the frequency characteristics of the voltage variation and the frequency characteristics of current and the condition of the measurement operation program. |
| US09213050B2 |
Delayed meter reporting
Systems and devices for, and methods of, delayed meter reporting to a remote site via a local data-gathering device. The local data-gathering device is configured to: (a) sample, at a first sample rate, energy consumption related data of the local site; (b) store, at the data store, energy consumption related data of the local site; (c) filter the stored data based on the defined rule; and (d) transmit, at a second sample rate, the filtered data, wherein the first sampling rate is equal to or higher than the second sampling rate. |
| US09213046B2 |
Micro inertial measurement system
A micro inertial measurement system includes a housing, a sensing module, and a damper. The sensing module includes a rigid sensing support, a measuring and controlling circuit board mounted on the rigid sensing support and an inertial sensor set on the measuring and controlling circuit board. The inertial sensor includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The sensing module is mounted in the housing. The damper is mounted in the housing and set in the gap between the sensing module and the inside wall of the housing. By use of the above-mentioned structure, the noise immunity of the inertial measuring system can be greatly improved, and the volume and weight of the inertial measuring system can be greatly reduced. |
| US09213045B2 |
Active lateral force stiction self-recovery for microelectromechanical systems devices
A mechanism for recovering from stiction-related events in a MEMS device through application of a force orthogonal to the stiction force is provided. A small force applied orthogonal to the vector of a stiction force can release the stuck proof mass easier than a force parallel to the vector of the stiction force. Example embodiments provide a vertical parallel plate or comb-fingered lateral actuator to apply the orthogonal force. Alternate embodiments provide a proof mass of a second transducer to impact a stuck MEMS actuator to release stiction. |
| US09213041B2 |
Rack transporting apparatus and sample processing apparatus
A rack transporting apparatus including: a first transport path for transporting a sample rack to the sample processing unit; a second transport path for transporting the sample rack, without passing through the sample processing unit, in the same direction as a transport direction of the sample rack by the first transport path; a third transport path for transporting the sample rack in the opposite direction of the transport direction by the first transport path and the second transport path; a first rack transferring mechanism for transferring the sample rack from the second transport path to the first transport path through a first holding region being capable of holding the sample rack; and a second rack transferring mechanism for transferring the sample rack from the first transport path to the second transport path or the third transport path through a second holding region being capable of holding the sample rack. |
| US09213031B2 |
Use of Cbl as biomarker for identifying subject suitable for treatment with anti-c-Met antibody
A method of identifying a cell sample or a subject suitable for treatment with an anti-c-Met antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to an epitope within a SEMA domain of a c-Met protein by determining a Cbl concentration, a Cbl mutation, and/or a mutation of a site of c-Met for interaction with Cbl in a cell sample from a subject, as well as related compositions and methods. |
| US09213027B2 |
Lipoparticles comprising proteins, methods of making, and using the same
The present invention relates to lipoparticles. The invention also relates to producing lipoparticles. The invention further relates to lipoparticles comprising a viral structural protein. The invention further relates to a lipoparticle comprising a membrane protein, and the lipoparticle can be attached to a sensor surface. The invention further relates to methods of producing and using the lipoparticle to, inter alia, assess protein binding interactions. |
| US09213024B2 |
Microfluidic devices for measuring platelet coagulation and associated systems and methods
The present technology relates generally to microfluidic devices for measuring platelet coagulation, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a fluidics device includes an array of microstructures including pairs of generally rigid blocks and generally flexible posts. The fluidics device further includes at least one fluid channel configured to accept the array. The fluid channel is configured to induce fluid flow of a biological sample, such as whole blood, through the array. The fluidics device can further include a detection component configured to measure a degree of deflection of one or more of the flexible posts in the array. In some embodiments, the fluidics device comprises a handheld device and usable for point of care testing of platelet forces and coagulation. |
| US09213023B2 |
Building moisture content certification system and method
A moisture content level certification system and method involves taking moisture content measurements within a structure and issuing a certificate of moisture content level. Moisture content level pass/failure certifications may also be issued. |
| US09213020B2 |
Coupling medium supply of an ultrasonic test device
An ultrasonic testing method is provided. The ultrasonic method includes non-destructively testing a test object with an ultrasound generated by an ultrasound probe, continuously circulating a liquid coupling medium outside of the test probe before and/or during non-destructively testing the test object, branching a part of the liquid coupling medium off from the circulation, and feeding the branched liquid coupling medium to a coupling chamber arranged between the ultrasound probe and the test object. |
| US09213014B2 |
Gas sensor
In a gas sensor, a ratio A2/A1 defined by a ratio of an opening area A1 per first inner gas hole and an opening area A2 per second inner gas hole is set to higher than or equal to 0.9 and lower than or equal to 3.8 and, more preferably, to higher than or equal to 1.5 and lower than or equal to 1.9. Accordingly, adhesion of water to a sensor element can be sufficiently prevented. In addition, a ratio B2/B1 defined by a ratio of a total opening area B1 of the first inner gas holes to a total opening area B2 of the second inner gas holes is set to higher than or equal to 0.85 and, more preferably, higher than or equal to 1.5. Accordingly, adhesion of water to the sensor element can be more reliably, effectively prevented. |
| US09213011B2 |
Method and system for discriminating bulk liquid from foam and residuals of the bulk liquid
A method and an automated system for discriminating bulk liquid from foam and/or residuals of the bulk liquid of a sample contained in a sample vessel are presented. A probe having an electric capacitance is provided and moved into the sample. Consecutive steps of charging and at least partially discharging the probe to generate a discharging current is repeatedly performed. A quantity indicative of the discharging current for the consecutive steps of charging and at least partially discharging the probe is measured. The quantity is analyzed to determine an electric resistance (Rmess) of the sample via the probe. The bulk liquid is discriminated from the foam and/or the residuals of the bulk liquid based on a change of the electric resistance (Rmess) of the sample occurring when the probe contacts the bulk liquid. |
| US09213008B2 |
Differential scanning calorimetry and calibration methods for use therewith
Certain embodiments herein are directed to a differential scanning calorimeter comprising a sample holder thermally coupled to a first furnace, a reference holder thermally coupled to a second furnace, and a processor electrically coupled to the first furnace and the second furnace, the processor configured to receive data during a scan of a sample to provide a heat flow trace and further configured to subtract a calculated baseline from the heat flow trace, the calculated baseline comprising the sum of an isothermal baseline function, a scanning baseline function and a transient baseline function. Calibration methods are also described. |
| US09213007B2 |
Foreign matter detector
A foreign matter detector includes an X-ray source which irradiates a sample moving in a constant direction with primary X-rays, a parallel two-dimensional slit which includes a plurality of slits arranged in at least a moving direction of the sample and emits parallel secondary X-rays by extracting a parallel component of secondary X-rays generated from the sample, a dispersing element which disperses the parallel secondary X-rays to obtain a specific X-ray fluorescence, a TDI sensor which receives the X-ray fluorescence, and a control unit which controls the TDI sensor to detect a foreign matter corresponding to the X-ray fluorescence. The control unit integrates a luminance value of the X-ray fluorescence received by the TDI sensor while matching a direction and a speed of charge transfer of the TDI sensor to a direction and a speed of movement of the sample. |
| US09213001B2 |
Focal position adjustment method and inspection method
In a focal position adjusting method for an inspection apparatus, the inspection apparatus includes an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system configured to perform a defect inspection of a pattern formed in a sample using an image imaged on a first sensor. The focal position adjusting method includes illuminating the light from the first light source on the sample after transmitting the light through a first slit disposed in the illumination optical system. The light from the first light source is condensed into a second sensor disposed in the imaging optical system. A light intensity distribution of a pupil of the illumination optical system is observed. The focal position of the illumination optical system is adjusted by obtaining each light quantity of the front focus and the rear focus of the image of the first slit projected on the sample based on the light intensity distribution. |
| US09212997B2 |
Scattering spectroscopy nanosensor
A scattering spectroscopy nanosensor includes a nanoscale-patterned sensing substrate to produce an optical scattering response signal indicative of a presence of an analyte when interrogated by an optical stimulus. The scattering spectroscopy nanosensor further includes a protective covering to cover and protect the nanoscale-patterned sensing substrate. The protective covering is to be selectably removed by exposure to an optical beam incident on the protective covering. The protective covering is to prevent the analyte from interacting with the nanoscale-patterned sensing substrate prior to being removed. |
| US09212996B2 |
Analyzing and correlating spectra, identifying samples and their ingredients, and displaying related personalized information
Obtaining two spectra from the same sample under two different conditions at about the same time for comparison, where at least one of the spectra measures magnitudes of electromagnetic radiation on at least four different ranges or weightings of wavelengths or frequencies. Classifying a sample using these spectra obtained by a user, and using spectra obtained from different samples by different users to identify the sample. Computing correlations between data related to food and ingredient consumption by one or more users over time, and data related to passive personal log data, user entered feedback, user interaction data or personal information related to those users, and detecting: foods or ingredients to which a user may be allergic or intolerant; a possible medical condition of a user; a possible link between food and ingredient consumption and a medical or health condition; or a similarity between at least two such users. |
| US09212995B2 |
System and method for detecting multiple molecules in one assay
A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge, including an integral lens portion coupled to a planar waveguide, and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample. |
| US09212991B2 |
Refractive index measurment apparatus and refractive index measurment method
A refractive index measurement apparatus includes a light source, a measurement cell including a sample as an object of refractive index measurement and diffracting light incident from the light source, a detector that detects the amount of diffracted light in at least one diffraction order other than zero order of diffracted light exiting from the measurement cell, and a control unit that determines refractive index of the sample based on the measured value of the amount of diffracted light by the detector. The measurement cell includes two substrates disposed so as to be opposed to each other and a diffraction grating disposed between the two substrates, and the diffraction grating has a plurality of members whose width decreases stepwise as approaching from one of the substrates to the other of the substrates, the sample being filled in the space between the substrates not occupied by the diffraction grating. |
| US09212990B1 |
System and methods for molecular detection using intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy
In a gas phase analyte testing method a laser beam is generated using a laser beam from a laser gain medium located within an external laser cavity. A gain parameter of the laser gain medium is changed so that the laser gain medium emits across a range of wavelengths in response to the change. The beam is passed through a test sample as the gain parameter is changed, the test sample being positioned inside the external laser cavity. A change in the spatial or spectral mode distribution or dynamics of the laser emission spectrum is detected. It is then determined whether the change in the spatial or spectral mode distribution or dynamics of the laser emission spectrum is caused by the test sample. |
| US09212988B2 |
Liquid concentration detector for a blood purification apparatus
A blood purification apparatus includes a blood purification instrument for extracorporeally circulating blood of a patient and a concentration detector detecting a concentration of liquid flowing during blood purification. The concentration detector has a light emitter irradiating light onto said liquid, a light receiver receiving light from the light emitter transmitted through said liquid, and a detector detecting the received light intensity received by the light receiver. The concentration detector detects the concentration of the liquid based on the received light intensity and can be calibrated by adjusting an amount of irradiation by the light emitter so that the received light intensity has a predetermined value. |
| US09212987B2 |
Alcoholic compositions with improved properties and methods for evaluating interaction of the compositions with surfaces
A method is provided for measuring the interaction of a disinfecting composition with a floor wax. The method include coating a surface with floor wax, allowing the coating to dry, applying a selected amount of disinfecting composition to the coated surface, and measuring, after a pre-determined amount of time, the tack of the surface, by using a controlled force measurement inverted probe machine. A detectable amount of tack indicates that the disinfecting composition has interacted with the floor wax. Alternatively, any tacky residue on the dried product surface may be sampled and analyzed by Fourier transform spectroscopy. Absorption at a wavelength associated with the floor wax indicates that the product has interacted with the floor wax. A foamable disinfecting composition having reduced interaction with floor wax is also provided. |
| US09212986B2 |
Process of evaluating corrosion resistance
The present invention is directed to a process for evaluating corrosion resistance of coated metals substrates, such as autobodies at an accelerated rate. An anode and cathode coated with protective coating being tested are exposed to an electrolyte in a chamber of a corrosion resistance evaluator. These coatings are provided with predetermined and standardized defects, such as micro-holes to accelerate the corrosion of the underlying metal substrate in a predictable and repeatable manner. The coated cathode/anode pair is subject to a start-up period followed by series preset DC voltages modulated in triangular, truncated triangular or trapezoidal manner for preset durations that are interspaced with recovery periods. The impedance data collected are then used to arrive at the corrosion performance resistance of the coating applied over the cathode/anode pair. The foregoing evaluator substantially reduces the time required to test corrosion from several days (40 plus days) to few days (about two days). |
| US09212984B2 |
Microparticle analysis apparatus and microparticle analysis method
There is provided a microparticle analysis apparatus including a light detection unit configured to detect forward-scattered light generated from a microparticle that is an analysis target. The light detection unit includes a circuit having a high-pass filter that removes low frequency noise included in light entering the light detection unit and switches to the high-pass filter according to a predetermined frequency of the forward-scattered light. |
| US09212981B2 |
Feedback system and method for assessing fixation and stability of implantable leads
A lead fixation and stability feedback assembly for testing stability and anchoring of a fixation tip of a distal end of an implantable lead to a tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a first member including a first coupling arrangement configured to couple to a proximal end of an implantable lead, wherein the proximal end of the implantable lead is coupled to a distal end of the implantable lead configured to be anchored to a tissue, and a second member including a second coupling arrangement configured to couple the first member to the second member, the second coupling arrangement configured to decouple the second member from the first member when a predetermined force is applied to pull the second member away from the first member to thereby test the anchoring of the distal end of the implantable lead to the tissue. |
| US09212977B2 |
Cell separation using microchannel having patterned posts
A micro flow device (11, 71) for separating or isolating cells from a bodily fluid or other liquid sample uses a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by a pattern of transverse posts (23, 81). The posts are spaced across the width of an expanded collection chamber region (17, 75) in the flow path, extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof; they have rectilinear surfaces, being curved in cross-sections, e.g. circular or tear-drop shaped, and are randomly arranged so as to disrupt streamlined flow. The device is oriented so that its lower surface is aligned at about 45° to the horizontal. Sequestering agents, such as Abs, which are attached to surfaces of the collection region via a hydrophilic coating, preferably a permeable hydrogel containing isocyanate moieties, are highly effective in capturing cells or other targeted biomolecules while the remainder of the liquid sample exits horizontally. |
| US09212973B2 |
Device for simulating crash scenarios
A device for simulating the effects of a crash on a test object is provided. The device includes a sled adapted to be accelerated in the longitudinal direction. The sled comprises a lower part and an upper part supported thereon used as a carrier for the test object. The lower part and the upper part have actuators provided between them, whereby pitching and yawing movements of the upper part can be generated. The upper part is, on an impact-side front end of the sled, propped against the lower part by means of a coupling rod which is rotatably coupled on both sides thereof, at least five actuators provided between the lower part and the upper part, the upper part being supported on the lower part via the actuators and the coupling rod such that a rolling movement of the upper part can additionally be generated by means of the actuators. |
| US09212971B2 |
Oxygen sensor regeneration
Methods and systems for heating an oxygen sensor. One system includes an oxygen sensor and controller. The oxygen sensor includes a heater and an electro-chemical measurement cell and a heater. The controller is coupled to the oxygen sensor and is configured to, for each of a plurality of stages of a regeneration process, determine a predetermined temperature for heating the oxygen sensor to, determine a predetermined internal resistance value of an electro-chemical measurement cell of the oxygen sensor associated with the predetermined temperature, apply a pulse-width-modulated signal to the heater, and monitor an internal resistance of the measurement cell while applying the pulse-width-modulated signal to the heater to determine when the internal resistance of the measurement cell reaches the predetermined internal resistance. |
| US09212970B2 |
Laser ignition system based diagnostics
Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine diagnostics, including visual inspections of an engine cylinder, using existing hardware from a laser ignition system. Light pulses from a laser ignition device are received at a photodetector during non-combusting conditions and used to generate images of an inside of the cylinder that can be assessed by a service technician. An electric motor of the vehicle system can be used during a service mode of the vehicle to rotate the engine to, and hold the engine at, specified engine positions that enable the technician to perform selected diagnostic tests. |
| US09212969B2 |
Optical time domain reflectometer user interface
An OTDR user interface including a setup menu that includes a plurality of user settings capable of displaying information corresponding to a test, wherein each of the plurality of user settings is capable of displaying information corresponding to a different aspect of the test, and wherein one of the plurality of user settings is a dynamic range setting capable of displaying a dynamic range of the test. |
| US09212968B1 |
Onboard calibration source for spectral calibraton of a radiometer
A calibration device for a radiometer includes an integrating cavity and a honeycomb blackbody mounted to the integrating cavity. A plurality of emitters are mounted to the exterior rim of the integrating cavity for transmitting narrow band wavelengths of light into and out of the integrating cavity. A controller, selectively, activates one or more emitters to radiate a single narrow band wavelength of light during an ON period and turn OFF during another period. A plurality of reference detectors are also mounted to the exterior rim of the integrating cavity for measuring the intensity of each narrow band radiation outputted from the integrating cavity. The reference detectors are effective in determining changes in intensity output by each of the narrow band emitters from the integrating cavity. The measured changes in intensity outputted by the emitters are used to calibrate the radiometer with the changes traced back to a NIST standard. |
| US09212964B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining geometrical dimensions of a wheel
Method and apparatus for determining geometrical dimensions of a wheel, especially a vehicle wheel, or of at least a part of the wheel, comprising the steps of pivoting at least one sensing device for scanning the wheel surface or a part of the wheel surface about a pivot axis in plane perpendicular to the wheel axis and determining the geometrical dimensions of the scanned wheel surface in dependence from the angular position of the at least one sensing device, wherein the angular position is determined from measured accelerations of the sensing device in two predetermined directions during the pivotal movement of the sensing device. |
| US09212959B2 |
Surface stress sensor
Deflection of a free end of one plate-like member, that is caused by uniform stress, is transmitted to an other plate-like member by moving a free end of the other plate-like member. According to this configuration, the uniform stress applied to the one plate-like member is converted into stress induced by a point force in the other plate-like member, and then, the induced stress is concentrated on a fixed end side narrow portion in which a piezoresistor is provided. Thus, a novel structure for a piezoresistive surface stress sensor having high sensitivity to uniform stress applied to the surface of the sensor is provided. |
| US09212952B1 |
Voltage and temperature sensor for a serializer/deserializer communication application
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits. More particularly, the present invention provides a circuit and method for sensing a voltage and/or temperature from an integrated circuit device such as a Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) integrated circuit device. But it will be recognized that the technique can be used for monitoring other system on chip devices, such as micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microprocessors, networking devices, application specific integrated circuits, and other integrated circuit devices that may desire on-chip temperature and/or voltage sensing capability. |
| US09212944B2 |
Weight determination for objects moving past a fixed spot
System, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes transporting a mail piece, and during transport, determining physical dimensions of the mail piece. The method includes, during transport, determining a density profile of the mail piece using an x-ray scanner and determining a weight for the mail piece according to the physical characteristics and the density profile. The method includes selectively separating the mail piece during transport based on the determined weight. |
| US09212943B2 |
Ultrasonic reactor water level measuring device and evaluation method
An ultrasonic reactor water level measuring device and an evaluation method are provided and prevent a reduction in the measurement accuracy of a water level that is in a wide measurement range. The ultrasonic reactor water level measuring device includes an upper tube extending from a gas phase portion in a reactor, a lower tube extending from a liquid phase portion in the reactor, measurement tubes connected to each other and arranged at multiple stages between the upper tube and the lower tube, and units for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves, the units being arranged at bottom portions of the measurement tubes. The ultrasonic reactor water level measuring device measures levels of water within the measurement tubes and calculates a water level within the reactor from the sum of the measured water levels, the sum excluding an overlapped part of the measurement tubes. |
| US09212941B2 |
High temperature, high pressure (HTHP) radar level gauge
A radar level gauge using comprising a transceiver, processing circuitry, a signal propagating device, and a wave guide arrangement connecting the transceiver with the signal propagation device. The wave guide arrangement includes a hollow wave guide, a first filling member made of a first dielectric material, which first filling member is arranged inside the hollow wave guide, and a second filling member made of a second dielectric material, which second filling member is arranged inside the hollow wave guide outside the first filling member with respect to the tank. The second filling member is fixed in the wave guide at least in a direction out from the tank, and is configured to withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius.During conditions of temperatures sufficiently high to soften the inner filling member, the outer filling member will thus serve to prevent the first filling member from being forced out of the wave guide. |
| US09212937B1 |
Flow meter device
A flow meter device of a fluid includes a time difference measuring means which measures time for a received wave to reach a zero cross point after the received wave exceeds a reference voltage, after transmission of a signal, and a reference voltage setting means which changes the reference voltage from a minimum value to a maximum value, recognizes peak voltages of waves of the received wave based on a plurality of inflection points at which a time difference measured by the time difference measuring means when the reference voltage is changed from the minimum voltage to the maximum voltage, is significantly changed, and automatically sets the reference voltage to a point between peak voltages of particular two waves based on a ratio between the peak voltages, and the reference voltage is changed from a voltage which is close to the peak voltages of the two waves and the peak voltages are newly recognized, when the reference voltage is newly set. |
| US09212933B2 |
Smart grid electricity usage monitoring
An electricity monitoring system of monitoring electricity usage within a unit. The electricity monitoring system may include a transceiver module configured to receive an electricity usage report from a smart device associated with a unit. The electricity usage report may indicate electricity usage for the smart device. The electricity monitoring system may also include a determination module configured to generate a unit electricity usage report for the unit based on the received electricity usage report. The unit electricity usage report may indicate electricity usage for the unit. The transceiver module may be further configured to transmit the unit electricity usage report to a provider of electricity for the unit. |
| US09212931B2 |
Method of assisting piloting an aircraft by adapting the display of symbols
The invention relates to a method of assisting piloting an aircraft. The method is performed when the real position of a symbol for display lies outside the display limit of the screen. The symbol is representative of a parameter associated with the dynamic behavior of the aircraft (FPV, . . . ) or liable to influence said behavior (FD, . . . ). The symbol possesses two components, and the first component is to be given precedence on display over the second component. In the method, the display of the symbol depends firstly on the orthogonal projection (FPV-lock) of the real position (FPV) of the symbol onto the axis of the first component, and secondly on the position of said projection relative to the display limit of the screen. Such a display makes it possible to give reliable information to the pilot. |
| US09212930B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for reporting events on a map
A method of reporting an event is provided. The method includes selecting, by a device, an icon for an event. The method also includes selecting, by a device, a pin attribute for the event, wherein the pin attribute identifies the side of the road which the event is present. The method also includes presenting, by a device, the selected icon and a pin having the pin attribute at the appropriate location on a dynamic map. |
| US09212929B2 |
Routing service for computation of a cross-street associated with a geographic location
Architecture that computes cross-streets of a geographic location using a dynamic routing service. This also means execution can be local on a mobile device without the need to build an additional index of locations and associated cross-streets. Accordingly, the user can now find the cross-streets of a particular location rather than simply the street address. Upon receiving geolocation data for the geographic location, for which the nearest cross-streets are being determined, routing points from which routes are generated to the main point of interest are selected to be sufficiently distant from the main point of interest, since if the routing points are too close, the route may not yield a route sufficiently detailed from which the cross-streets can be inferred. The output is then cross-streets on either side of the geographic location as a means for providing a quick reference to a user seeking the location. |
| US09212927B2 |
Map view
One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for providing navigation-related functions, such as map display, are disclosed. For example, a method may include receiving input corresponding to a location. Photo image data associated with the location are retrieved. The photo image data are based on at least one image captured by a video camera or a photo camera. The photo image data are provided to display at least a portion of a photo image view representing at least a portion of the location. Map data corresponding to the location are retrieved. The map data are provided to display at least a portion of a digital map in the portion of the photo image view, and the digital map is integrated within the photo image view. |
| US09212926B2 |
In-vehicle path verification
A vehicle is operated at least partially autonomously. A predicted path of the vehicle is monitored to identify an object with which the vehicle is likely to collide. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that includes the predicted path, a proposed path for the vehicle to avoid a collision with an object, and the vehicle. A selection is made to follow one of the predicted path and the proposed path. The GUI is updated to include the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path, along with a location of the vehicle on the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path. |
| US09212925B2 |
Travel departure time determination using social media and regional event information
A request is received from a route traveler for a suggested departure time associated with travel to a destination. Community event and social media information, related to events and activities near a travel route to the destination, is evaluated. The suggested departure time is determined based upon the community event and social media information related to the events and activities near the travel route to the destination. The suggested departure time determined based upon the community event and social media information related to the events and activities near the travel route to the destination is provided. |
| US09212917B2 |
Method and device for matching public transportation route with road network
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a public transport line is divided into segments and a dividing point of each of the segments is determined. A matching vertex set associated with the dividing point on a road network is determined. A road matching the public transport line is determined from the road network, in which the determined road passes a point in each matching vertex set and closed polygons surrounded by the determined road and the public transport line have a smallest sum of areas. |
| US09212912B1 |
Ring laser gyroscope on a chip with doppler-broadened gain medium
A laser gyroscope comprising includes a first solid waveguide; a gain medium interaction region where light traveling through the first solid waveguide interacts with non-solid Doppler-broadened gain medium molecules positioned outside of the first solid waveguide; at least one medium exciter configured to excite the non-solid Doppler-broadened gain medium at the gain medium interaction region, wherein the excited non-solid Doppler-broadened gain medium induces first and second laser fields within the first solid waveguide, wherein the first laser field travels in a clockwise direction within the first solid waveguide and the second laser field travels in a counter-clockwise direction within the first solid waveguide; and a photodetector communicatively coupled to the first solid waveguide and configured to detect the portions of the first and second laser fields. |
| US09212911B1 |
Sagnac effect based radio frequency electronic gyroscope incorporated in CMOS integrated circuit
A radio frequency based electronic gyroscope function that may be incorporated in its entirety on a monolithic integrated circuit (IC). The detection and measurement of movement in a particular plane is based on the Sagnac effect as it applies to a radio frequency signal that propagates in two different directions in a loop that may be subject to rotational perturbation. In one embodiment, three mutually perpendicular loops that are incorporated into the same integrated circuit and are used to detect and measure movement in three planes (roll, pitch and yaw) thereby allowing a signal processing unit to quantify a general three dimensional movement. The gyroscope can be incorporated into an IC that is used in portable device, such as a mobile handset, to provide it with inertial navigation and movement detection and measurement capabilities. |
| US09212910B2 |
Microelectromechanical gyroscope with self-calibration function and method of calibrating a microelectromechanical gyroscope
A microelectromechanical gyroscope having a supporting structure; a mass capacitively coupled to the supporting structure and movable with a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom, in response to rotations of the supporting structure about an axis; driving components, for keeping the mass in oscillation according to the first degree of freedom; a read interface for detecting transduction signals indicating the capacitive coupling between the mass and the supporting structure; and capacitive compensation modules for modifying the capacitive coupling between the mass and the supporting structure. Calibration components detect systematic errors from the transduction signals and modify the capacitive compensation modules as a function of the transduction signals so as to attenuate the systematic errors. |
| US09212907B2 |
Short rolling runout compensation for vehicle wheel alignment
An improved method and system are provided for performing rolling runout compensation for vehicle wheel alignment. A plurality of sets of camber and toe measurements are acquired for a pair of vehicle wheels, each at a different, relatively small rollback angle between measurements; e.g., rolling the vehicle more than 0° and less than 180° from the last wheel position. Best fit sine waves are computed for each of the camber and toe measurements using the acquired data, and the best fit parameters are applied to compute runout at the current wheel angle. The computed runouts are subtracted from the measured camber and toe values to get true camber and toe values of the pair of wheels. |
| US09212904B2 |
Device and method for passage measurement
A device for checking the passability of a through-hole of a component includes a front section and an inflatable balloon. The front section is configured so that it can be pressed into or onto the through-hole. The inflatable balloon is fluidically connected to the front section. In one embodiment, a middle section is provided, which is formed as a tube, wherein the inflatable balloon, is fluidically connected to the front section via the middle section. |
| US09212900B2 |
Surface features characterization
Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon detector array configured to receive photons scattered from features in a surface of an article; and a characterization means for characterizing the features in the surface of the article, wherein the characterization means contrasts signals from the photon detector array corresponding to two sets of photons scattered from features in the surface of the article, and the two sets of photons respectively originate from photon emitters at different locations. |
| US09212895B2 |
Flexible strained sensor with protective coating
A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality. |
| US09212888B2 |
Method for compensating measurement errors caused by deformations of a measuring machine bed under the load of a workpiece and measuring machine operating according to said method
A method of compensating the measurement errors of a measuring machine (1) deriving from the deformations of a machine bed (2) of the machine (1) caused by a load exerted by a workpiece to be measured on the machine bed (2), characterized by a first acquisition step (15) in which data regarding the weight of the workpiece and the conditions of constraint of the workpiece on the machine bed are acquired by a measurement and control unit (12) of the measuring machine (1) and a second calculation step (16, 17, 18, 19) in which correction values depending upon said data are calculated by said measurement and control unit (12), wherein the first step (15) includes selecting a standard load condition representing the load of the workpiece from among a plurality of standard load conditions; and the second step includes the step of calculating values correlated to the deformation of the machine bed (2) under the load of the workpiece represented by the selected standard load condition as a linear combination of corresponding values resulting from predetermined basic load conditions. |
| US09212887B2 |
Method for measuring reference point of inclined rotating table in wire electric discharge machine and measuring jig
A reference point on a table center of an inclined rotating table in a wire electric discharge machine is obtained using a measuring jig. A biaxial rotation unit is placed on a table of the wire electric discharge machine. The measuring jig has a shape most suitable for reference point measurement using a contact sensing function of a wire electrode which a wire electric discharge machine generally has and includes a fixed section for being fixed to a work fixing section of the biaxial rotation unit, an arm section which is provided to stand on the fixed section, and a section to be measured which is provided at a distal end of the arm section and has a conductive spherical surface. |
| US09212883B2 |
Caliper force indicator with tactile or auditory feedback
A force indicator arrangement provides tactile or auditory feedback regarding a measuring force applied through a force actuator to a caliper jaw. The force indicator arrangement, coupled between the force actuator and the caliper jaw, includes an incremented member, an engaging member and a compliant element. The incremented member includes increment marker(s), and the engaging member is arranged to engage the increment marker(s) to produce tactile and/or auditory feedback (e.g., clicks) to indicate an amount of measuring force that is being applied arising from deformation of the compliant element. Different increment marker configurations may be provided to indicate different levels of measuring force. A set of interchangeable force indicator arrangements with different force sensitivities may be provided for use in different applications. A retrofitable force indicator arrangement may also utilize a fastening configuration that is compatible with existing mounting features on existing caliper jaws. |
| US09212882B2 |
High precision measuring tape
A high-precision measuring device, a kit including the same, and a method of measuring objects using the same are disclosed. The measuring device can include a tape measure that has a retractable measuring tape adapted to extend longitudinally from the tape measure. The retractable measuring tape comprises a plurality of uniformly spaced primary markings. A secondary scale can be coupled to the tape measure, where the secondary scale includes a plurality of uniformly spaced secondary markings. The distance between adjacent secondary markings can be less than a distance between adjacent primary markings. In some instances, the distance between adjacent secondary markings is set to be equal to 9/10th of the distance between adjacent primary markings. |
| US09212881B2 |
Hole examining device
In a hole examining device, an examination head (105) is supported to be movable in an X direction and a Y direction which are orthogonal to each other, measurement heads (125, 126) are supported to be movable in a Z direction which is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the examination head (105), and a plurality of first measurers (127) and a plurality of second measurers (128) are arranged in the measurement heads (125, 126) in parallel and may be held at an advance position which advances as well as retreats with respect to the Z direction, thereby improving workability of an examining operation. |
| US09212880B2 |
System for steering a flying object using pairs of lateral nozzles
System for steering a flying object using pairs of lateral nozzles—It comprises a gas generator (5) capable of being connected to lateral nozzles (7) via moveable plug devices (8), controlling the flow of gases coming from the generator through said nozzles. The lateral nozzles (7) are associated with at least one pair (P1, P2, P3, P4) such that the nozzles of the pair are aligned in a given axis (A1) and arranged opposite to each other, and, between the two aligned nozzles of the pair, a single controllable plug device (8) is provided, connected to said generator (5) and capable of controlling the flow of gases through said nozzles (7) in both directions. |
| US09212879B2 |
Firearm cleaning shell
A bore cleaning device is disclosed including a propellant providing a force to push the projectile down the bore of the firearm, a frame including a plurality of collapsible legs, and a cylindrically-shaped cleaning agent installed around the legs. The frame further includes a lower charge cap configured to receive the force of the propellant and a rigid front end cap. The provided force creates a crushing force upon the frame. The crushing force causes the legs to collapse and provide an outward force upon the cleaning agent, wherein the outward force causes intimate contact between the cleaning agent and the bore as the device travels along the bore. |
| US09212874B1 |
Self centering spin nock
A nock for promoting a natural spin on an arrow shaft prior to the nock separating from a bowstring includes a nock segment possessing a bowstring rest portion, and a base portion which is coupled to a retaining portion via a collar portion. The retainer is attached to the end of an arrow shaft. The nock segment freewheels independently of the retainer and the arrow shaft to permit the arrow fletching moving through the air to act on the shaft inducing a natural spin to the shaft prior to separation of the bowstring and the nock. |
| US09212871B2 |
Barrier
A barrier formed from a plurality of identical modular units that have an essentially planar front panel and triangular shaped top and bottom plates extending rearward from the front panel. Adjacent units are interconnected to one another at their terminal vertices by a square tubular member. A square shaped opening is formed approximately centrally through each of the triangular shaped plates. In addition, elongated linkages may be provided at about the midpoint of each side edge for purposes of interconnecting units that are positioned adjacent to another unit so as to assist in the formation of the overall barrier. The linkages provide pivotal movement between adjacent barriers through a range of angles from about 90 degrees (to provide a corner arrangement) to 180 degrees (to provide a straight wall arrangement). |
| US09212870B2 |
Guidance method and apparatus
A method of guiding a pursuer to a target is provided, and is of particular use when the possible target location is described by non-Gaussian statistics. Importantly, the method takes into account the fact that different potential target tracks in the future have significantly different times to go. That can give rise to emergent behavior, in which the guidance method covers several possible outcomes at the same time in an optimal way. An example embodiment of the method combines Particle Filter ideas with Swarm Optimization techniques to form a method for generating guidance commands for systems with non-Gaussian statistics. That example method is then applied to a dynamic mission planning example, to guide an airborne pursuer to a ground target travelling on a network of roads where the pursuer has no-go areas, to avoid collateral damage. |
| US09212869B1 |
Passive range estimating engagement system and method
A system and method for determining a 3-dimensional target position and velocity using 2-dimensional IR sensor angular measurements for objects travelling in a ballistic manner within an IR sensor's field of view (FOV). Resulting 3-dimensional states may be used to generate updated inputs for correlation and object selection to drive missile guidance and intercept operations. |
| US09212863B1 |
Toy projectile system and method that utilizes bi-stable ribbon spring projectiles
A toy assembly containing projectiles and a launcher. The launcher is a static structure having a hook projection extending therefrom. The projectile contains a length of coiled ribbon spring that causes the projectile to be biased into a curled configuration. The projectile stores spring energy when unwound from its coiled configuration. The projectile can be made bi-stable so that it can lay at rest in both its initial coiled configuration and a straightened linear configuration. A mechanical connector temporarily engages the first end of the projectile with the launcher. Once the projectile is engaged with the launcher, the first end of the projectile is held in place as the projectile is uncoiled out of its initial coiled configuration. When the projectile is released, it recoils and launches the projectile forward. |
| US09212862B2 |
Crossbow
A crossbow is provided which has an elongated frame and a foot stirrup. The elongated frame has a forward end portion. The foot stirrup is secured to the forward end portion of the elongated frame. The foot stirrup has first and second portions. The first portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend forward of the elongated frame to the second portion. The second portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend downwardly from the first portion. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup provides increased surface area to stabilize the crossbow during a cocking operation. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup is further configured to act as a bipod when the crossbow is aimed and fired. |
| US09212856B2 |
Gas cut-off system for firearms
A gas cutoff system for use with a gas-operated firearm. The gas cutoff system includes a gas block affixed to the barrel and having a plurality of openings adjacent the barrel for receiving gas redirected from the barrel of the firearm upon firing. At least one gas cylinder is disposed within the gas block and includes a piston disposed within and moveable along the gas cylinder. A valve assembly is disposed within the gas cylinder adjacent to the at least one piston. The valve assembly includes a selectively closeable valve that can be actuated upon firing of the firearm when the volume/pressure of gas entering the gas block through the plurality of openings overcomes a biasing force of a spring so as to actuate movement of the valve within the gas cylinder. A portion of the valve is moved to a location blocking the openings through which the gas is entering the gas block to prevent excess gas from entering the gas operating system. |
| US09212855B2 |
Modular firearm
A firearm having a lower receiver is provided. The receiver is adapted to couple with a plurality of upper receivers having different calibers. The lower receiver comprises a receiver extension having an opening therein. A spring is disposed within the opening. A buffer member is provided having a first portion having an end. The buffer member is coupled to the spring within the opening, wherein the buffer member is movable between a first position where the end is within the opening and a second position wherein the end external to the opening. |
| US09212851B2 |
Multi resolution, hierarchical radiance field estimation
Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are described herein. One method includes dividing an enclosure into a number of first field elements and a number of second field elements, determining radiance of a number of first imaging elements and a number of second imaging elements of the enclosure using images of the enclosure, estimating a radiance field and converged parameters of the number of first field elements of the enclosure using initialized parameters of the number of first field elements and the determined radiance of the number of first imaging elements, and estimating a radiance field and converged parameters of a number of second field elements of an enclosure using converged parameters of the number of first field elements, the estimated radiance of the number of first field elements, and the determined radiance of the number of second imaging elements. |
| US09212849B2 |
Air separation method and apparatus with improved argon recovery
A method and apparatus for separating air in which an argon refining column of a distillation column system is reboiled with a liquid air stream. The argon refining column further refines crude argon produced by a crude argon column connected to a lower pressure column of the distillation column system. At least one intermediate reflux stream is formed, at least indirectly, from at least part of the liquid air stream, and is introduced into the lower pressure column at a level thereof above where a crude liquid oxygen column bottoms of a higher pressure column of such system is further refined to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below said level and therefore, argon recovery from the argon refining column. |
| US09212846B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a first storage chamber, a plurality of doors which open and close an access opening formed at a front surface of the first storage chamber, a hinge assembly which rotatably couples each door to the cabinet, and a basket assembly rotatably coupled to the cabinet with respect to the hinge assembly, the basket assembly being configured to define a second storage chamber which is received in the first storage chamber. The basket assembly includes a basket frame defining the second storage chamber and a basket mounted on the basket frame to receive food stuff when at least one of the doors is opened. The basket assembly is configured such that an access into the basket is enabled through a front face and rear face of the basket assembly. |
| US09212843B2 |
Custom bin interface
A refrigerator may include a refrigerator cabinet in at least one enclosure that can be mounted in different locations within the cabinet. The enclosure also can have targeted, independently controlled temperature provided to it. This allows the refrigerator to be highly customizable and reconfigurable according to desire or need. For example, an ice maker ice bin can be mounted in different positions within the cabinet, including door mount, refrigerated food compartment mount or freezer mount. Alternatively, specialized enclosures for such things as can chilling, milk chilling, meat chilling, or even thawing can be placed in multiple locations in the cabinet according to need or desire. |
| US09212842B2 |
Cooler carrier
Embodiments of the present invention provide a carrier that is designed to hold a plurality of beverages, such as but not limited to cans or bottles. In some embodiments, the carrier is designed to also serve as a cooler. For example, the cans or bottles may be loaded into the carrier when the top is opened. Due to the shape and/or configuration of the carrier, the carrier has ample room for not only the beverages, but also ice when in the opened position. As such, the carrier is configured to be a one-time or multi-use cooler. |
| US09212841B2 |
Refrigerator
A structure of an ice making compartment of a refrigerator capable of enlarging the volume of a storage compartment by reducing a width of an ice making compartment, and capable of easily discharging the whole ice separately from pieces of ice, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member configured to open and close a portion of a discharge hole and having a cover portion to prevent the whole ice from being discharged in a state that the portion of the discharge hole is closed, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member integrally formed with a fixed blade configured to crush ice in cooperation with a rotary blade. |
| US09212839B2 |
Portable insulated ice dispenser
A portable, insulated ice dispenser stores ice in a closed container and dispenses it into a glass or cup without contact with the hands or utensils that could cause contamination. The ice dispenser can be manually operated to dispense ice. An ice storage compartment can include holes to drain water from the ice, slowing the melting of the ice and preventing the water from being dispensed. The ice dispenser is sanitary and simple in its design, making it low maintenance, inexpensive, and very appealing for home use as well as commercially. Since it is portable, the ice dispenser can be transported to anywhere its user would like to dispense ice and can be used outdoors at events, for example. |
| US09212837B2 |
Adsorption-type heat pump using seat valve and information processing system
An adsorption-type heat pump includes an adsorber having an adsorbent and capable of switching between an adsorption process of causing an adsorbent to adsorb a refrigerant and a desorption process of desorbing a refrigerant from an adsorbent, a condenser, an evaporator, a first flow hole which causes a refrigerant to flow from the adsorber to the condenser, a second flow hole which causes a refrigerant to flow from the evaporator to the adsorber, and a seat valve body arranged on at least one of the first flow hole and the second flow hole, having a seat material and an opening and closing assisting plate material joined to an end part of the seat material and formed by a temperature-dependent material which deforms in accordance with temperature, and opening and closing at least one of the first flow hole and the second flow hole. |
| US09212834B2 |
System and method for liquid-suction heat exchange thermal energy storage
Disclosed is a method and device for a thermal energy storage liquid-suction heat exchanger (TES-LSHX) for air conditioning and refrigeration (AC/R) applications. The disclosed embodiments allow energy to be stored and aggregated over one period of time, and dispatched at a later period of time, to improve AC/R system efficiency during desired conditions. Not only are the benefits of LSHX stored and aggregated for later use, but when dispatched, the discharge rate can exceed the charge rate thereby further enhancing the benefit of demand reduction to utilities. The disclosed embodiments allow great flexibility and can be incorporated into OEM AC/R system designs, and/or bundled with condensing units or evaporator coils. These TES-LSHX systems can be retrofit with existing systems by installing the product at any point along the existing AC/R system's line set. |
| US09212826B2 |
Method and apparatus for climatic conditioning of space within a building structure
A method and apparatus are configured for providing thermal comfort (i.e., climatic conditioning) within an interior space of a building structure in multiple climate zones including hot and humid climates using very low energy consumption. Multiple water vapor phase change cycles are provided within a period of time where only a single such water vapor phase change cycle would typically take place under naturally occurring ambient conditions. These multiple water vapor phase change cycles are generated through artificially creating conditions within a hygroscopic heat sink mass for promoting water vapor phase change cycle. Advantageously, in combination with such artificially promoted water vapor phase change cycles, embodiments of the present invention provide hygroscopic properties and heat sink masses made from materials that can adsorb and retain thermal energy and that exhibit water vapor sorption/desorption attributes commonly associated with compositions referred to as desiccants. |
| US09212822B2 |
Fuel injection assembly for use in turbine engines and method of assembling same
A fuel injection assembly for use in a turbine engine is provided. The fuel injection assembly includes an end cover, an endcap assembly, a fluid supply chamber, and a plurality of tube assemblies positioned at the endcap assembly. Each of the tube assemblies includes housing having a fuel plenum and a cooling fluid plenum. The cooling fluid plenum is positioned downstream from the fuel plenum and separated from the fuel plenum by an intermediate wall. The plurality of tube assemblies also include a plurality of tubes that extends through the housing. Each of the plurality of tubes is coupled in flow communication with the fluid supply chamber and a combustion chamber positioned downstream from the tube assembly. The plurality of tube assemblies further includes an aft plate at a downstream end of the cooling fluid plenum. The plate includes at least one aperture. |
| US09212820B2 |
Furnace burner box
An HVAC burner box includes a burner bank, a manifold and an air director located within an enclosure. The burner bank is oriented such that an outlet end of the burner bank is directed toward a first end of the enclosure. The manifold is located within the enclosure and adjacent an inlet end of the burner bank. The air director has a diffuser that is coupled to a side of the enclosure. The diffuser includes a plurality of openings located therethrough. The diffuser is configured to direct a first portion of a received airstream through the opening and toward the burner bank. The diffuser is further configured to send a second portion of the received airstream toward the manifold. |
| US09212819B2 |
Swirled fuel injection
A fuel injection duct for a combustion apparatus is provided. The fuel injection duct includes an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface exhibits a surface structure imparting a swirl to fuel moving from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, the fuel interacting with the surface structure of the inner surface. The manufacture of the fuel injection duct is easy and cost-effective and imparts a swirl to fuel flowing through the fuel injection duct. |
| US09212818B2 |
Displacement method for the production of a burner fabric membrane for a cool flame base
The invention relates to a production method for a burner fabric membrane (1) consisting of special steel fabric layers for burning fuel/air mixtures. Additional passages (4) in the fabric (8) are produced by the displacement of the fabric and the mouths of the passages protrude from the membrane surface (3). |
| US09212816B2 |
Economizer arrangement for steam generator
An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator. |
| US09212813B2 |
Moisture-proof spotlight
A moisture-proof spotlight includes a lamp housing, a support pivotally supporting the lamp housing from below and a lamp assembly pivotally installed inside the lamp housing, wherein the lamp housing contains therein a moisture-proof partition set provided for a vertical driving device and a horizontal driving device to affix thereto and also together installed inside the lamp housing for moisture-proof, thereby the defect of a conventional spotlight due to its horizontal driving device installed in the support tended to be affected by moisture is capably eliminated. |
| US09212811B2 |
Lighting fixture with flow-through cooling
A lighting fixture including a light-emitting arrangement having first and second ends. The light-emitting arrangement includes (a) at least one LED at the first end and (b) a heat sink connected to the at least one LED and having a length extending therefrom toward the second end. There are LED power circuitry components spaced from the light-emitting arrangement and positioned adjacent the second end of the light-emitting arrangement. The fixture includes an elongate tubular channel formed along the length of the heat sink and having wiring therein from the power-circuitry components to the LED(s). |
| US09212803B2 |
LED light assembly with three-part lens
A lighting assembly includes a number of LEDs and an optical element proximate each one of the LEDs. The optical elements are configured to direct light from that LED toward an area, such that the light intensity from each optical element is substantially uniform across all of the area. Each optical element includes a first element, a second element, and a third element that extends beyond the first and the second elements. |
| US09212802B2 |
Illumination unit, projection display unit, and direct-view display unit
An illumination system including one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device; and an optical member configured to allow light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device to pass therethrough and exit therefrom, and at least one of the chips in the one or more light sources is configured of a laser diode. The optical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emitting device is incident and a second fly-eye lens on which light from the first fly-eye lens is incident, and uniformizing a luminance distribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminated with light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device. A major-axis direction of a luminance distribution shape of light incident on an incident plane of the first fly-eye lens is different from arrangement directions of the cells in the first fly-eye lens. |
| US09212796B2 |
Optical system and method for managing brightness contrasts between high brightness light sources and surrounding surfaces
An optical system and method provides at least one, and preferably an array of relatively small, high brightness light sources with a surrounding surface that exhibits brightness, thereby reducing the contrast between the high brightness produced by the light sources and the brightness of their surrounding surfaces. The optical system includes a light waveguide structure that captures a portion of the light from the individual high-brightness light sources, and then re-emits the source light to create brightness in the light sources' surrounding surfaces. The optical system is particularly adapted for use with LEDs, but could be used with other high brightness light sources. |
| US09212794B2 |
Flashlight including hand crank
A flashlight includes a housing that extends from a first end to a second end, a light source provided at the first end of the housing, a rechargeable power supply electrically coupled to the light source, a generator electrically coupled to the rechargeable power supply, and a hand crank coupled to the generator, the hand crank including a base and an arm, the hand crank movable between a storage position and a cranking position. The base is rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing. The arm is translatable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position such that when the arm is in the extended position, the arm is pivotable relative to the base between a translation position in which the arm is substantially parallel to the housing axis and a fixed position in which the arm is substantially perpendicular to the housing axis. |
| US09212788B2 |
Compact, thermally-enhanced substrate for lighting applications
A solid state light source module having a compact, thermally enhanced substrate with one or more recessed pockets, is provided. The module includes a solid state light source and an electrical connection for the solid state light source, such that it is able to receive power so as to generate light. The solid state light source is connected to a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The substrate includes a recessed pocket in the upper surface, defined by a wall and a floor that are at least large enough to accommodate the solid state light source; thus, the solid state light source sits within the recessed pocket. This allows the module to be substantially flat, even with an attached optical system, even utilizing remote phosphor technology, and increases the amount of heat dissipated by a thermal management system that is part of, or connected to, the module. |
| US09212785B2 |
Passive isolation assembly and gas transport system
Disclosed are techniques to reduce the effects of Paschen events from occurring within a gas transport system. A passive isolation assembly may be used to bridge a gas being transported from a low potential environment to a high potential environment. The passive isolation assembly may include a non-conductive axially bored transport insulator. An irregularly shaped non-conductive isolation tracking insulator may be in direct contact with and surrounding the transport insulator. The passive isolation assembly may also include an electrically conductive front end sealing cap at earth ground potential that has an opening that is adapted to couple with a source gas transport line and an electrically conductive rear end sealing cap at a high voltage potential that has an opening adapted to couple with a destination gas transport line. |
| US09212782B2 |
Cryostat radiation shield with joining conduit supplied with vented cryogen gas
A cryostat has a cryogen vessel retained within an outer vacuum container, the cryogen vessel being provided with a vent path allowing cryogen gas to escape from the cryogen vessel, the cryostat further having a thermal radiation shield interposed between the cryogen vessel and the outer vacuum container. The vent path is arranged such that escaping cryogen gas is directed through a conduit, which forms an integral part of a thermal radiation shield. |
| US09212778B2 |
Apparatus and method for positioning connection equipment on a drilling rig
A positioning apparatus for moving connection equipment on a drilling rig is disclosed. The positioning apparatus includes a piston and cylinder having a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod. The piston and piston rod are moveable relative to the cylinder (601)from a retracted position to an extended position. The positioning apparatus further includes a transfer barrier linked to the piston and cylinder for setting a maximum extension of said piston rod. |
| US09212773B2 |
Connector
A lock member (16) moves between a standby position, in which a locking part (86) of a locking piece (78) provided on the lock member is placed inside a gap (44) provided between a projecting part (40) and a projecting part (42) provided on a lock part (36) of a connection part (18), and a connected position, in which the locking part is placed beneath the projecting part (42), and the lock member (16) moves to the connected position and is locked by the locking piece (78) when a pipe (12) is inserted up to a prescribed position. Also, an elastic piece (80) and the locking piece (78) are pushed to spread outward and accumulate urging force when being contacted by a flange part (12A) of the pipe (12), but return along an outer perimeter surface of the flange part (12A) and release the urging force when the locked state in the standby position of the locking part (86) is unlocked. |
| US09212772B2 |
Needle free connector
A needle free connector includes a tube device having a first tube, a first locking elements formed on a distal end of the first tube and having a transverse channel in communication with the first tube and a push rod integrally formed on a side face of the first locking elements, a resilient frame securely engaged with the first locking elements and having a second ring movably positioned due to movement of the first tube and provided with a hole defined in a bottom face of the second ring to allow the first tube to movably extend therethrough, a hollow casing provided with a second tube to movably receive therein the first tube and a cap securely connected to the hollow casing to form a watertight connection. |