| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09218751B2 |
Clinical simulation device
A dental simulator includes a base and a platform connected to the base. The base has a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end toward the second end. The platform has at least a first portion which is movably connected to the base. The first portion of the base also includes at least one actuator. The simulator further includes a torso support movably connected to the base and at least a first instrument holder movably connected to the base. At least the first portion of the platform, the torso support, and the first instrument holder are configured to move in unison with respect to the base along the longitudinal axis thereof. |
| US09218749B2 |
System and method for monitoring behavior of students in field trips
Provided is a system and method for monitoring a student behavior in a field trip. The system may include: a plurality of member terminals held respectively by a plurality of members conducting a group activity and provided with a plurality of sensors, an imaging device, and a data storage device to collect and store behavior information of the members to match time information, the behavior information including location information, orientation information, view information, and motion information; at least one leader terminal held by a leader and configured to receive and store the behavior information of the members collected by the plurality of member terminals; and an analysis terminal configured to receive the behavior information from the at least one leader terminal and the plurality of member terminals. |
| US09218747B2 |
Self-teaching and entertainment guitar systems
A self-teaching guitar and entertainment system for use by a user to learn how to play a song on a guitar includes a guitar having a plurality of strings, a fret board having a plurality of illuminatable portions, and a processor operable to illuminate the illuminatable portions of the fret board. The processor and the illuminatable portions are operable to selectively display illuminated fret numbers in the frets and adjacent the strings on the fret board corresponding to fret numbers on strings in a guitar tablature for playing the song. |
| US09218746B2 |
Systems and methods for developing computer algorithm solutions by conducting competitions
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a coding competition. In one embodiment, a method for providing a coding competition includes transmitting a coding problem to contestants, receiving computer code created by a contestant, determining a response of the computer code to test data, and evaluating the response of the computer code to the test data. In another embodiment, a method for evaluating a skill level of a contestant includes electronically communicating a coding problem to contestants, electronically receiving a software program in response to the coding problem from one of the contestants, evaluating the received software program, awarding points to the contestant based on the received software program, and determining a rating for the contestant for the competition based on the number of points awarded to the contestant. |
| US09218745B2 |
Virtual simulator method and system for neuromuscular training and certification via a communication network
A system for neuromuscular training via a communication network, including a computer processor connectable to the communication network, the processor capable of performing operations including: retrieving data representative of a training scenario from a database in response to a user selection on an input device, generating test elements, parameters and controls based on the retrieved data, monitoring use of the input device by the user, performing calculations of a simulated environment in response to the use of the input device by the user and the test elements, parameters and controls, generating real time images replicating the simulated environment of management of the test elements by the user and recording results of the simulation in the database. |
| US09218743B2 |
Navigation aid instrument for aircraft
Navigation aid instrument for an aircraft pilot including: a first display device (R3) extending horizontally, wherein the center of the display device embodies the longitudinal axis (X) of the aircraft, a mobile marker can move on either side of the center of the first display device (R3) indicating the aircraft flight direction relative to the ground, and the mobile marker is further away from the center of the display device (R3) the further the aircraft drifts from the rectilinear flight path, and/or two left (R2) and right (R1) display devices that extend vertically at a distance from each other and have the function of indicating the angle of inclination of the aircraft wings relative to the horizontal respectively on the left side or right side of the aircraft, wherein a mobile marker can move either along the left display device (R2), or along the right display device (R1) to indicate to the pilot which way his aeroplane is inclined and the value of the inclination is higher the further the mobile marker is away from the top of the left (R2) or right (R1) display device concerned. |
| US09218734B2 |
System and method for detecting hand hygiene compliance
A device configured to be disposed on or proximate to a dispenser and to detect hand hygiene compliance is provided. The device includes a proximity detection device configured to detect a location and an identifier of a caregiver within a proximity of the device. The device also includes a transducer configured to detect a release event from the dispenser by detecting an acoustic waveform emitted from the dispenser when soap or sanitizer is released from the dispenser. The device further includes a processing device configured to associate the caregiver with the release event based on detecting the acoustic waveform when the caregiver is located within the proximity of the device. |
| US09218733B2 |
Method for early detection of cooling-loss events
A method of detecting cooling-loss event early is provided. The method includes defining a relative humidity limit and change threshold for a given space, measuring relative humidity in the given space, determining, with a processing unit, whether the measured relative humidity is within the defined relative humidity limit, generating a warning in an event the measured relative humidity is outside the defined relative humidity limit and determining whether a change in the measured relative humidity is less than the defined change threshold for the given space and generating an alarm in an event the change is greater than the defined change threshold. |
| US09218732B2 |
Integrated flood and temperature sensor for use in a home network environment
Methods and systems for an integrated flood and temperature sensor may comprise sensing a presence of water in a premises by measuring a resistance between at least one pair of metal probes in an integrated flood and temperature sensor, sensing a temperature utilizing one or more temperature sensors, and sensing an orientation of the integrated flood and temperature sensor with respect to gravity utilizing one or more level sensors. The metal probes may be extendable. The metal probes may be gold plated. A tamper sensor may sense whether an enclosure for the integrated flood and temperature sensor has been tampered with. The presence of water may be sensed utilizing a remote probe. The integrated water and temperature sensor may communicate wirelessly with one or more external devices utilizing a wireless transceiver. |
| US09218730B2 |
Security tag with magnetic gate
Systems (100) and methods (1300) for selectively preventing an unauthorized detachment of a security tag (100) from an article (114). The methods involve: coupling the security tag to the article by locking a tack assembly (110) to a securement member (206) disposed within a housing (104) of the security tag; guiding an external tool (102) into a channel (500) formed within the security tag for releasing the tack assembly from the securement member; and obstructing the external tool's access to the securement member by biasing a post (602) into a first position in which the post at least partially extends into the channel. A magnetic field may be applied to the security tag so as to transition the post from the first position to a second position in which the external tool's access to the securement member is no longer obstructed by the post. |
| US09218724B2 |
Electronic gaming device with quasi-persistent synchronized reel games
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may initiate one or more quasi-persistent synchronized reel structures. The systems and methods may determine one or more replacement symbols for the one or more symbols of the plurality of primary game symbols. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the additional gaming functionality. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the additional gaming functionality. |
| US09218721B2 |
Pari-mutuel bonus round for historical racing device
A method of, and system for, wagering. The method includes the step of providing a random number generator that has a wagering base that is derived at least in part from the outcome of at least one horse/dog race or jai alai game that has previously been completed. Certain information in the wagering base is based at least in part on the outcome of the at least one horse/dog race or jai alai game and is accessible through an input wager, with the probability of accessing the certain information in the wagering base through an input wager being different. Input wagers are directed to the random number generator during the wagering period from each of multiple locations. Between when preliminary and final return amounts are identified for a first input wager that accesses the certain information, based at least in part upon the number of input wagers that have accessed the certain information, an updated return amount is identified for the first input wager. |
| US09218720B2 |
Box office game
In at least one aspect, methods and corresponding systems operable to perform the methods are provided herein that allow multiple players, registered and unregistered, to play a game wherein players submit predictions for box office revenue for a plurality of films and, in certain instances, are awarded points for the proximity of the prediction to actual revenues. |
| US09218717B2 |
Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller
Aspects of the present invention provide a gaming method, system and game controller for a game of skill. The result of the game of skill is evaluated to determine whether any potential award value for the game of skill is lost based on the player's skill based result. Potential award value for the game of skill may be lost as a result of application of the player's skill based result. Any lost potential award value is applied to a prize pool. |
| US09218716B2 |
Integrating social networks and wagering games
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a wagering game player account and determining a social network account associated with the wagering game player account. The social network account can be associated with a social network. The operations can further include determining one or more applications from the social network that are associated with the social network account. The operations can further include integrating the one or more applications with a wagering game session for the wagering game player account. |
| US09218714B2 |
User interface manager for a skill wagering interleaved game
Systems and methods for operating a skill wagering interleaved game are disclosed. For example, a user interface manager for a skill wagering interleaved game operates to send a dialog to a player's end user device, receive the player's responses, and validate that the responses received match the dialog that was sent before providing the responses to the application. Additionally, the system enables pre-authorization of transactions in a game setting, by generating a transaction identifier associated with a game when it is determined that a player is authorized to play the game, and then performing wagers during the game when gaming information is associated with the transaction identifier. |
| US09218711B2 |
Gaming system, device and method involving wagering on a consecutive competition outcome
A gaming system, device and method are operable upon a bet. The system, in one embodiment, receives a bet related to a plurality of different outcome generators. The system provides an award based, at least in part, on consecutive occurrences of a competition outcome. |
| US09218710B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a randomly selected set of reels
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a set of randomly selected reels. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a slot game associated with a plurality of adjacently arranged reels including a plurality of symbols. Each of a plurality of the reels is associated with one of a plurality of different features and an indicator representing that feature. The gaming system begins sequentially displaying the reels and any corresponding indicators. The gaming system selects a set of two or more of the reels and stops sequentially displaying the reels such that the selected reels are displayed. The gaming system generates and displays a plurality of the symbols on the selected reels, determines whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed, determines any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations, and displays any determined awards. |
| US09218705B2 |
Electronic gaming device with additional reel functionality
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more additional reel game functionality. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the one or more additional reel game functionality. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the one or more additional reel game functionality. |
| US09218703B2 |
Virtual vending machine in communication with a remote data processing device
A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services. The vending machine system may include a vending machine with a vending mechanism, a data processing device remote from the vending machine, and a vending bridge. The vending bridge is in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services. |
| US09218697B2 |
Systems and methods for authenticating objects using IR
Systems and methods authenticate an object using IR. IR is projected at a first wavelength onto the object and a first image of the object is captured during the projection of the IR. The object is authenticated by processing the first image to detect IR fluorescence from an IR fluorescing material incorporated into the object in response to the projected IR, where presence of the IR fluorescence within the first image indicates authentication of the object. |
| US09218693B2 |
Drive system power measurement and diagnostic system
An apparatus comprising a housing, a gearing system disposed within the housing and comprising a plurality of targets, a plurality of sensors incorporated within the housing, a processor in electrical signal communication with the sensors, and a user interface in signal communication with the processor. A method comprising providing a drive system comprising a drive system power measuring and diagnostic system, wherein the drive system is configured to rotate one or more components comprising a plurality of targets, sense the targets with a sensor pair, thereby producing a data signal, process the data signal from the one or more sensor pairs, thereby producing a processed data signal, and output the processed data signal to a user. |
| US09218689B1 |
Multi-sample antialiasing optimization via edge tracking
An efficient method and system for multi-sample antialiasing in graphics processing is described. Geometric edges as well as implicit edges of primitives in a bin are identified by iteratively rendering bins of pixels. Selective multi-sample antialiasing is applied to pixels that are touched by either a geometric edge or an implicit edge; pixels that are fully covered are not antialiased. |
| US09218687B2 |
Display of medical device position information in a volumetric rendering
An system and method for displaying a position of a medical device disposed within a region of interest in a body are provided. The system includes a position sensing system disposed outside of the body and configured to interact with a position sensor on the medical device upon generation of an electric and/or magnetic field. The sensor generates a position signal indicative of the position of the device within a coordinate system. The system further includes an electronic control unit comprising a registration module for registering a volumetric data set within the coordinate system. The unit further comprises a generation module for generating a volumetric rendering of the region of interest from the volumetric data set and a superimposition module for superimposing a representation of the medical device on the volumetric rendering responsive to the position signal. |
| US09218674B2 |
Bayesian approach for gas concentration reconstruction based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy
Systems and methods construct a 2 dimensional (2D) gas concentration map (image) from data from one or more laser based absorption projection paths. Embodiments use a Bayesian approach to construct a 2D gas concentration map of a combustion region cross section plane by modeling the 2D map as a Gaussian Process (GP). The GP models the global correlation among all pixels in the 2D map. Data from one or more projection paths is propagated to all pixels in the map instead of just local pixels. The correlation among map pixels is used to propagate projection path data from map pixels traversed by a projection path to other map pixels. |
| US09218673B2 |
Method and system for manipulating camera light spectrum for sample article false color rendering
A system and method for obtaining image information of features of a sample article using non-visible light is described. In one embodiment, a visible light filter is used on a camera to block out the visible light spectrum. The non-visible light is used to generate a colorless image of the sample article that includes the features of the sample article without the color information. Subsequent false color rendering of all or portions of the colorless image can be used to generate a visual representation of the sample article having a desired false color. The false color rendering of the sample article can be used in a catalog, brochure, website, advertisement, or any other publication or visual presentation. |
| US09218671B2 |
Time alignment display technique for a medical device
A system is presented including at least one sensor and a monitor in operable communication with the at least one sensor. The monitor is configured to display a plurality of graphs each representing a measured physiologic parameter versus time, the plurality of graphs configured to be aligned with respect to each other along a time axis. A marker moves along the time axis of each of the plurality of graphs in response to an input received from an input unit. The plurality of graphs are stacked with respect to each other in a vertical orientation and in a non-overlapping manner. |
| US09218669B1 |
Image ghost removal
A method for image ghost removal is provided. The method for image ghost removal includes receiving an image and a background model related to the image, and generating a foreground mask based on the image and the background model. The method also includes identifying image ghosts within the foreground mask, and updating the background model to eliminate the image ghosts. |
| US09218668B2 |
Differentiating among a plurality of subjects in a field-of-view based on vital signs
An apparatus for detecting different subjects on the basis of vital signs includes an image detection unit for detecting radiation from a field of view and for providing image data from the field of view. A detection unit defines image sections in the image data and detects movement patterns in each of the different image sections. An identification unit identifies vital signs in the different image section on the basis of the movement pattern. An analysis unit analyzes the image data and detects the different subjects in the field of view on the basis of a spatial separation of the image sections or of groups of image sections in which the vital signs are identified. |
| US09218667B2 |
Spherical lighting device with backlighting coronal ring
A method for capturing three-dimensional photographic lighting of a spherical lighting device is described. Calculation of boundaries of the spherical lighting device based on lighting properties of at least one light source in a set location of the spherical lighting device is performed. A mapping of multitude points of the spherical lighting device to three-dimensional vectors of at least one camera device using a logical grid is performed. A measurement of brightness of the logical grid of the spherical lighting device is performed. The method further comprises determining brightest grid point of the logical grid of the spherical lighting device, wherein the brightest grid point of the logical grid is measured within a region brightness of the spherical lighting device. The method further comprises calculating the region of brightness of the spherical lighting device based on the determined brightest grid point of the logical grid. |
| US09218665B2 |
Method for determining the pose of a camera and for recognizing an object of a real environment
A method for determining the pose of a camera relative to a real environment includes the following steps: taking at least one image of a real environment by means of a camera, the image containing at least part of a real object, performing a tracking method that evaluates information with respect to correspondences between features associated with the real object and corresponding features of the real object as it is contained in the image of the real environment, so as to obtain conclusions about the pose of the camera, determining at least one parameter of an environmental situation, and performing the tracking method in accordance with the at least one parameter. Analogously, the method can also be utilized in a method for recognizing an object of a real environment in an image taken by a camera. |
| US09218664B2 |
Apparatus and method for image guided accuracy verification
A method includes receiving during a first time interval image data associated with an image of a dynamic body. The image data includes an indication of the positions of a first marker and a second marker on a garment coupled to the dynamic body. The first marker and second marker are each coupled to the garment at a first and second locations, respectively. A distance is determined between the position of the first marker and the second marker. During a second time interval after the first time interval, data associated with a position of a first and second localization element that are each coupled to the garment is received. A distance between the first and second localization elements is determined. A difference is calculated between the distance between the first marker and the second marker and the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. |
| US09218662B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for exchanging images
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for exchanging images. In use, one or more images are received at a server. Additionally, the one or more images are analyzed. Further, image processing code is outputted referencing the one or more images, based on the analysis of the one or more images. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented. |
| US09218660B2 |
Machine vision systems and methods for analysis and tracking of strain in deformable materials
A method and system for analysis of a viscoelastic response in a deformable material. The system includes a light source configured to provide linearly polarized light and a polariscope configured to receive said linearly polarized light and to generate an image associated with a viscoelastic response of said deformable material. The system also includes a machine vision system configured to operate on the image to locate the response on the deformable material and to classify the response as one of a plurality of predefined types of responses. A display may then be provide that is configured to provide feedback of the location of the viscoelastic response and classification of the response to a user of said system. |
| US09218653B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic range enhancement of an image
A method and apparatus are provided for enhancing the local dynamic range of an image using the contents of exposure bracketed image set without affecting overall dynamic range of the image. The method allows a user to select at least one region of a reference image for enhancement after receiving the reference image from the user. Further the method comprises segmenting the reference image by using exposure weights, and selects an enhancement support image from an exposure bracketed image set. Furthermore the method determines weight maps of reference and enhancement support images and generates dynamic range enhanced reference image using determined weight maps. |
| US09218652B2 |
Systems and methods for setting initial display settings
A method for applying a filter to data to improve data quality and/or reduce file size. In one example, a region of interest of an image is identified. A histogram is generated of pixel intensity values in the region of interest. The histogram is iteratively updated to focus (zoom) in on the highest peak in the histogram. A Gaussian curve is fitted to the updated histogram. A bilateral filter is applied to the images, where parameters of the bilateral filter are based on the parameters of the Gaussian curve. |
| US09218650B2 |
Image processing method applicable to images captured by wide-angle zoomable lens
An image processing method applicable to images captured by a wide-angle zoomable lens is provided. Said method comprising steps of: A. utilizing the wide-angle zoomable lens to photograph a calibration pattern under a predetermined focal length to obtain a distorted image corresponding to the calibration pattern; B. calculating a distortion parameter for the wide-angle zoomable lens at the predetermined focal length; C. utilizing the wide-angle zoomable lens to photograph an object under another focal length to obtain another distorted image corresponding thereto; D. calculating a new distortion parameter by using the distortion parameter obtained from Step B and a multiple relation between said another focal length and the predetermined focal length; and E. using the new distortion parameter to perform distortion correction on said anther distorted image corresponding to the object. The present invention can perform distortion correction for real-time images captured by the wide-angle zoomable lens. |
| US09218646B1 |
Distributed path planning for mobile sensors
A method plans paths of a set of mobile sensors with changeable positions and orientations in an environment. Each sensor includes a processor, an imaging system and a communication system. A desired resolution of coverage of the environment is defined, and an achieved resolution of the coverage is initialized. For each time instant and each sensor, an image of the environment is acquired using the imaging system. The achieved resolution is updated according to the image. The sensor is moved to a next position and orientation based on the achieved resolution and the desired resolution. Then, local information of the sensor is distributed to other sensors using the communication system to optimize a coverage of the environment. |
| US09218643B2 |
Method and system for registering images
A system for registering images includes an image registration unit. The image registration unit is configured to receive first image data for a first image in an N-dimensional space, receive second image data for a second image in the N-dimensional space, calculate a field of update vectors that maps the first image into a moving image, and map the first image into the moving image using the field of update vectors such that the moving image more closely matches the second image. The field of update vectors includes a plurality of N+M dimensional update vectors, each update vector having N spatial components and M extra components. N is a number greater than zero, and M is a number greater than zero. The M extra components of the plurality of update vectors identify portions of the first image that are assigned external values during the mapping the first image into the moving image. |
| US09218640B2 |
Image processing device for displaying moving image and image processing method thereof
Data of a moving image has a hierarchical structure comprising a 0-th layer, a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer in a z axis direction. Each layer is composed of moving image data of a single moving image expressed in different resolutions. Both the coordinates of a viewpoint at the time of the display of a moving image and a corresponding display area are determined in a virtual three-dimensional space formed by an x axis representing the horizontal direction of the image, a y axis representing the vertical direction of the image, and a z axis representing the resolution. By providing a switching boundary for layers with respect to the z axis, the layers of the moving image data used for frame rendering are switched in accordance with the value of z of the frame coordinates. |
| US09218639B2 |
Processing order in block processing pipelines
A knight's order processing method for block processing pipelines in which the next block input to the pipeline is taken from the row below and one or more columns to the left in the frame. The knight's order method may provide spacing between adjacent blocks in the pipeline to facilitate feedback of data from a downstream stage to an upstream stage. The rows of blocks in the input frame may be divided into sets of rows that constrain the knight's order method to maintain locality of neighbor block data. Invalid blocks may be input to the pipeline at the left of the first set of rows and at the right of the last set of rows, and the sets of rows may be treated as if they are horizontally arranged rather than vertically arranged, to maintain continuity of the knight's order algorithm. |
| US09218638B2 |
Method, system, and computer-readable medium for embedding and extracting a watermark in a video
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method, system and computer readable medium for embedding a watermark into a video and extracting a watermark from the original or copy of the watermarked video. The method comprises converting a video frame from RGB color space to YUV color space. Divide a chrominance component into plurality of blocks. Select plurality of blocks based on size of watermark. Associate a pixel in the watermark with selected plurality of blocks. Embed the watermark corresponding to selected plurality of blocks wherein embedding comprises replacing a first pixel value of the block with maximum value of first column of the block if binary value of the corresponding watermark pixel is one or else replace with minimum value. Combine Y component and chrominance components resulting processed YUV video frame and convert it to RGB video frame. Extract the watermark substantially in a reverse process. |
| US09218637B2 |
Method of making a video stream from a plurality of viewports within large format imagery
A method of making a video stream from a plurality of viewports within large format imagery is described. In one embodiment, the method includes retrieving a plurality of viewports within a plurality of images, each image being arranged as a matrix of tiles, from a file container. The method includes inputting parameters including an identification of a plurality of records where the plurality of images containing the plurality of viewports are stored, an origin of each of the plurality of viewports and a pixel width and a pixel height of each of the plurality viewports. The method further includes requesting the plurality of viewports from the file container using the parameters; and reading data of each of the plurality of viewports starting from the origin of each or the plurality of viewports. The method may further include arranging the plurality of viewports as a video codestream of a group of pictures. |
| US09218636B1 |
Light positioning system and method for using the same
A light positioning system for use in transferring a container to a buffer is disclosed. The system includes a light signal that is disposed adjacent the buffer for guiding an operator to position a chassis into the buffer and a program logic controller. The system also includes a thru beam sensor. The thru beam sensor senses movement of the container into the buffer and outputs data to the program logic controller. The system further includes a distance sensor. The distance sensor determines a distance from the distance sensor to the container and outputs data to the program logic controller. The program logic controller determines a length of the container based on the data received from the thru beam sensor and the distance sensor and provides an output signal to the light signal based on the length of the container and the data received from the distance sensor. |
| US09218630B2 |
Identifying influential users of a social networking service
Techniques for identifying influential users of a social networking service are provided. Influential users may be identified via an algorithm in which an influence score is assigned to each user based at least in part on other members of the community users having taken an affirmative step with respect to the user's communications. Iterative processing may be performed, with each user's influence score being determined by contributions from other users, and each contribution being determined by the contributor's influence score as of a prior iteration. A map-reduce framework may be employed, with data representing the community being partitioned into a plurality of discrete shards, a map process corresponding to each shard calculating an influence score for users represented in the shard, and reduce processes ranking users according to influence score across all shards. |
| US09218629B2 |
Prioritizing and providing information about user contacts
The present disclosure provides for prioritization and display of relevant news information for at least one watched contact in order to present only news of interest about a user's contacts to a user. A news information spike analysis of news information associated with a watched contact determines whether the watched contact has experienced a news information spike during a time period. News information associated with a news information spike is retrieved and at least one news information item representative of the news information spike are selected and presented in a user interface. |
| US09218628B2 |
Method and system for generating behavior profiles for device members of a network
A method and system for generating a digital profile defined by digital behavior expressed by a device includes receiving digital behavior data and identifying information defined by a device in communication with a content server, generating a device profile for the device, associating the device with at least one device population, and generating a population profile defined by the device population. The device profiles and population profiles may be made accessible to users of a social network. Related contents, including identifying information, device behavior analysis, comparative ratings, service and diagnostic information, messages and alerts may be associated with a device profile or population profile and published to the social network. A population profile may define normal digital behavior of the population, such that the population profile may be compared with the device profile of a device, to determine whether the device operation is abnormal with respect to the population profile. |
| US09218626B1 |
Automatic prediction and recommendation of parts, materials, and services for vehicle insurance claim estimates and supplements
A system includes a parts prediction model module. The parts prediction model module causes the system to, based on information obtained via a network interface and indicative of damage to a specific vehicle, filter vehicle parts data to obtain filtered vehicle parts data that is indicative of a subset of a plurality of parts that were utilized to repair a subset of a plurality of vehicles. The parts prediction model module further causes the system to obtain an indication of at least one specific part determined as being needed to repair the damage to the specific vehicle, and analyze the filtered vehicle parts data to determine one or more recommended parts based on the indication. Still further, the parts prediction model module causes an indication of the one or more recommended parts to be transmitted to at least one of a remote computing device or a user interface. |
| US09218618B2 |
Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task
Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. The task is associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant. The method also includes providing the offer to the customer, receiving the security deposit, applying the benefit to the transaction before performance of the task, and returning at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to a transaction involving the purchase of a lawn mower in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer such as test driving a new car. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. When the customer performs the task by test driving the car, arrangements are then made to return at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer. |
| US09218612B2 |
Methods and apparatus to determine impressions using distributed demographic information
An example method involves receiving, at a first internet domain, a first request from a client device, the first request indicative of access to media at the client. The first request includes identifying information identifying the media. A substitute value is generated at the first internet domain, the substitute value corresponding to the identifying information and obfuscating an identity of the media. If the client is not known, a response including the substitute value in place of the identifying information is sent from the first internet domain to the client. The response instructs the client to send a second request to a second internet domain, the second request includes the substitute value to hide the identity of the media within the second internet domain. If the client is known, an impression of the media is logged without sending the second request to the second internet domain. |
| US09218609B2 |
Platform for providing customizable brand experiences
A computer-implemented method provides customizable brand experiences. The method includes providing a server coupled to a storage system and coupled to a network. The storage system stores end-user data, associated with a first plurality of brands, and a second plurality of end-users. Additionally the method includes operating the sever to run a plurality of modules, each module associated with at least one of the brands and customized to provide an outcome message as an output, conditioned on a change in end-user data from one state to another state, wherein the change from the one state to the other state is further conditioned on receipt by the server of a programmable pattern of a set of trigger messages. Finally, the method includes making the outcome message available over the network to an outcome destination client. |
| US09218608B2 |
Prescription drug discount and therapy delivery systems and methods
A method of delivering a discount on a purchasable item via a cellular message includes capturing a token of the item by a cellular device. The cellular device processes the token and sends a message artifact as a cellular message, such as SMS message. A discount service computer receives and parses the message artifact, and reconstructs the token. The token is matched to a record of an eligibility database, if any exist, or else a corresponding record for the token is generated. A discount database is accessed for a discount coupon relevant to the record and the purchasable item identity. The discount coupon is sent to the cellular device as a text message. A benefit processor may adjudicate an insured coverage, if applicable. The item is discounted at point of purchase, accounting for any insurance coverage, and the applicable record of the discount database is updated. |
| US09218603B2 |
Method for providing a conference system allowing advisors to offer conference sessions to clients
A Conference System that allows Advisors to offer conference sessions to Users who buy conference session time through the system. All conference sessions shall be conducted over the phone. During the conference session, the Advisor shall be talking while all the Users shall be in listening only mode in order to maintain the Users privacy. Advisors and Users can email each other through the system message center before the conference session. During the conference session, the User and Advisor can chat real time online to answer specific questions. The Advisor and Users information such name, address, bank information, credit card info, email, phone numbers, etc are kept confidential through out the process and only “Account Name” is disclosed. The price per conference session varies from conference session to conference session. Each Advisor sets their individual conference session rate. |
| US09218601B2 |
Secure in-line payments for rich internet applications
Methods and systems are provided for making secure financial transactions, such as purchase payments, using rich Internet applications (RIA) running an RIA runtime (also referred to as a platform or framework) on the user's smart phone or other mobile device. Embodiments differ from the usual way of re-directing a user from a third-party application and authenticating the user by providing secure in-line payments from a rich Internet application running on an RIA runtime. A system includes: a mobile device executing a rich Internet application running on an RIA runtime; a payment library communicating with the RIA runtime and a service provider, for which the payment library communicates with the service provider to authenticate the rich Internet application; and in response to authentication by the service provider, facilitates secure financial transactions via the rich Internet application. |
| US09218600B2 |
Mass transit fare processing system
An implementation of a system and method for using existing identification token infrastructures for mass transit fare product entitlement and payment is provided. The system and method make use of tokens—usually issued by a third party—for identification purposes and optionally for settlement purposes. The system does not store information on the tokens and instead maintains access control data (i.e., “white” and “black” lists). This implementation differs from known systems that require specially issued credit cards that have dedicated mass transit functionality. |
| US09218592B2 |
Computer system and method for processing data relating to nurse intervention program decisions
According to some embodiments, historical claim data may be stored in a computer storage unit. The historical claim data may be used to train and verify a predictive model, the predictive model being associated with an evaluation of claim transactions to determine whether to refer each claim transactions to a nurse intervention program. Data for current claim transactions may be processed, and the trained and verified predictive model may be applied to the data for the current claim transactions to generate a respective output for each of the current claim transactions. Some of the current claim transactions may be selectively routed to a case management center associated with the nurse intervention program based on the outputs generated by the predictive model. |
| US09218591B2 |
Method and system for establishing and using a social network to facilitate people in life issues
Embodiments described herein provide numerous applications and implementations of a social network to facilitate individuals to resolve various life issues. These issues may include issues that arise when individuals or families relocate, including logistic problems, assimilation of family members in a community, and roommate pairings. As will be described, embodiments described herein greatly facilitate corporations in relocating their employees logistically, and also assist employees and their families with life issues that may determine whether the employees' relocation will be a success. |
| US09218587B2 |
Information-providing method, and information-providing system
An information-providing method provides a notification relating to an item owned by a user in accordance with change in condition of the item. The information-providing method is implemented on a computer system that stores therein notifications that are each linked to one of a plurality of levels expressing possible conditions of the item. In the information-providing method, condition information is acquired which indicates change in condition of the item resulting from aging or use. Judgment is performed as to whether a current time is a provision time at which a notification is to be provided to the user. Upon judging affirmatively, a level matching condition of the item at the provision time is selected from among the levels, based on the condition information, and a notification linked to the selected level is determined to be the notification that is provided. |
| US09218585B2 |
Supply chain management system
A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data. |
| US09218582B2 |
Quantifying the quality of trend lines
Techniques for quantifying the quality of trend lines. A method includes defining a collection of reference data sets derived from multiple historical projects in a similar subject area as the target project, defining one or more indicators of data set applicability to a target project estimation, said defining based on multiple characteristics of the target project, evaluating applicability of each of the reference data sets based on the one or more indicators, and identifying one or more of the reference data sets as applicable for use in the target project estimation. |
| US09218580B2 |
Detecting retail shrinkage using behavioral analytics
Methods, devices, and systems for detecting retail shrinkage using behavior analytics are described herein. The retail shrinkage may be due to, for example, sweethearting, although embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited and can be used to detect other forms of retail shrinkage as well. One or more device embodiments include a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive data associated with behavior of an individual and use the data associated with the behavior of the individual to determine whether the behavior of the individual is irregular to detect retail shrinkage. |
| US09218579B2 |
Method and system for facilitating retrieval of information from images
Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for facilitating retrieval of information from an image. The one or more image characteristics are modified to degrade the original image. The degraded image is provided as a first task to at least one first remote worker, the first task corresponds to an activity of tagging one or more regions of interest in the degraded image by the at least one first remote worker. Further, one or more second images are generated based on the one or more tagged regions of interest and are provided as one or more second tasks to at least one second remote worker, the one or more second tasks correspond to an activity of retrieving information from the one or more second images. |
| US09218578B2 |
Methods and systems for managing print device licenses using a cloud administration system
A cloud administration system for managing a print device license for a remote print device may include a processing module in communication with a plurality of print devices. The processing module may be located remotely from each of the plurality of print devices. The cloud administration system may include a storage module in communication with the processing module. The processing module may be configured to receive a print device license associated with a print device of the plurality of print devices, store the print device license in the storage module, and transmit the print device license to the print device. The cloud administration system may operate as a shared resource for each of the plurality of print devices. The print device license may include instructions for rendering the print device inoperable if the print device does not receive an approval notification from the cloud administration system within a time period. |
| US09218575B2 |
Periodic training for unmatched signal receiver
I/O parameters are adjusted based on a number of errors detected in a received training signal. A controller device sends the training signal while a memory device is in a training mode. The memory device samples the training signal and the system causes an adjustment to at least one I/O parameter based on a detected number of errors. Either the controller or the memory device can perform the error detection, depending on the configuration of the system. Either an I/O parameter of the controller or an I/O parameter of the memory device can be adjusted, depending on the configuration of the system. |
| US09218574B2 |
User interface for machine learning
Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for machine learning results. An input module may receive user input identifying a value for a machine learning parameter. A display module may display one or more machine learning results for the identified machine learning parameter in response to the input module receiving the user input. An update module may dynamically update the displayed one or more machine learning results in response to the input module receiving additional user input identifying an additional value for the machine learning parameter. A pre-compute module may predetermine permutations of the machine learning results prior to the input module receiving the user input. |
| US09218572B2 |
Technique for classifying data
Provided is a system that generates models for classifying input data into a plurality of classes on the basis of training data previously classified into the plurality of classes. The system includes a sampling unit and a learning unit. The sampling unit samples, from the training data, a plurality of datasets each including a predetermined number of elements classified into a minority class and a corresponding number of elements classified into a majority class, the corresponding number being determined in accordance with the predetermined number. The learning unit learns each of a plurality of models for classifying the input data into the plurality of classes, by using a machine learning technique on the basis of each of the plurality of sampled datasets. |
| US09218568B2 |
Disambiguating data using contextual and historical information
Techniques for disambiguating data using contextual and historical information include determining that data is potentially associated with two or more classifications of a plurality of classifications; obtaining contextual information associated with the data; obtaining historical information associated with a user of the computing system; and determining that the data is more likely associated with one classification of the two or more classifications than other classifications of the two or more classifications based on the contextual information and the historical information. |
| US09218565B2 |
Haptic-based artificial neural network training
In a method for training an artificial neural network based algorithm designed to monitor a first device, a processor receives a first data. A processor determines a first service action recommendation for a first device using the received first data and an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm. A processor causes a second device to provide haptic feedback using the received first data. A processor receives a second service action recommendation for the first device based on the haptic feedback. A processor adjusts at least one parameter of the ANN algorithm such that the ANN algorithm determines a third service action recommendation for the first device using the received first data, wherein the third service action recommendation is equivalent to the second service action recommendation. |
| US09218563B2 |
Spiking neuron sensory processing apparatus and methods for saliency detection
Apparatus and methods for salient feature detection by a spiking neuron network. The network may comprise feature-specific units capable of responding to different objects (red and green color). The plasticity mechanism of the network may be configured based on difference between two similarity measures related to activity of different unit types obtained during network training. One similarity measure may be based on activity of units of the same type (red). Another similarity measure may be based on activity of units of one type (red) and another type (green). Similarity measures may comprise a cross-correlogram and/or mutual information determined over an activity window. During network operation, the activity based plasticity mechanism may be used to potentiate connections between units of the same type (red-red). The plasticity mechanism may be used to depress connections between units of different types (red-green). The plasticity mechanism may effectuate detection of salient features in the input. |
| US09218560B2 |
Device and method for establishing a data linkage between a RFID tag and an object to perform tagging test
The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging device and method, using which a RFID tag which is designed to attach an object is first linking the object information of an object and an RFID tag with programmed memory data or UID (unique identification) code, being scanned and detected in view of optimizing the RFID tag's signal strength and its effective read rate as well so as to determine a position for the RFID tag to attach thereat while allowing the detection to the RFID tag to be prevented from being adversely affected by metals or magnetic materials, and promising to achieve the optimization of the RFID system applications. |
| US09218555B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing control method for determining whether and where to print a watermark relative to print data
A printing apparatus in which watermark data is stored and a printing control method that controls whether or not the watermark is to be printed on a receipt superimposed with specific print data received from a host apparatus. When it is determined that the watermark is not to be printed over the specific print data, a controller determines where on the receipt the specific print data is to be printed to avoid the watermark. |
| US09218553B2 |
Image forming apparatus reproducing gradation based on hue instead of luminance, and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a luminance information acquiring unit, a hue information substituting unit, and a color conversion unit. The luminance information acquiring unit is configured to acquire input luminance information of inputted multi-gradation monochromatic image data. The hue information substituting unit is configured to substitute the acquired input luminance information with hue information to generate hue data. The color conversion unit is configured to convert the hue data into a color space for printing to generate multi-gradation color image data. |
| US09218552B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An output density range is divided such that, after gradation targets have been applied, adjusted density ranges for output are uniform across all objects. Furthermore, through reverse calculation using the gradation targets that are set in one-to-one correspondence with the objects, adjusted density ranges of the respective objects are set independently. |
| US09218548B2 |
Card reader and control method therefor
A card reader for use with a card having magnetic data recorded thereon may include a magnetic head for carrying out at least one of reading the magnetic data recorded in the card and recording the magnetic data into the card; a card insertion part where an insertion slot for inserting the card is formed; a metal sensor structured to detect a foreign object, which contains a metallic material, having been installed around the card insertion part; and a control unit. The control unit may be structured to calculate the amount of change in an output value of the metal sensor, whenever a predetermined reference time period has passed, and judge that the foreign object has been installed around the card insertion part if the amount of change exceeds a predetermined reference value. |
| US09218546B2 |
Choosing image labels
Methods, systems and apparatus for choosing image labels. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data specifying a first image, receiving text labels for the first image, receiving search results in response to a web search performed using at least some of the text labels as queries, ranking the text labels, at least in part, based on a number of resources referenced by the received search results, wherein at least some of the resources each include an image matching the first image, and selecting an image label for the image from the ranked text labels, the image label being selected based on the ranking. |
| US09218543B2 |
Selecting classifier engines
Methods, and apparatus for performing methods, for selecting a classifier engine. Methods include, for two or more portions of a set of items of known classification, classifying members of each portion using a particular classifier engine; selecting a portion of the set of items whose classifications satisfy a first criteria; classifying members of the selected portion of the set of items using two or more classifier engines; and selecting a classifier engine whose classification of the selected portion of the set of items satisfies a second criteria. |
| US09218542B2 |
Localization of anatomical structures using learning-based regression and efficient searching or deformation strategy
Disclosed herein is a framework for localizing anatomical structures. In accordance with one aspect, the framework receives a learned regressor and image data of a subject. The learned regressor may be invoked to predict a first spatial metric from a seed voxel to a target anatomical structure in the image data. The learned regressor may further be invoked to predict second spatial metrics from candidate voxels to the target anatomical structure. The candidate voxels may be located around a search region defined by the first spatial metric. The candidate voxel associated with the smallest second spatial metric may then be output as a localized voxel. |
| US09218541B1 |
Image grid system and method
An image grid system is provided that includes a network manager device and a database. The network manager device is configured to communicatively connect to an interface device and to receive images. The network manager device includes a relational component and a grid generation component. The relational component is configured to determine at least one relationship among two or more images from the interface device and analyze the two or more images to associate at least one character of the images. The grid generation component is configured to generate an image grid with a plurality of viewpoints about the image grid and populate the viewpoints with the two or more images based on the determined relationship and association of the two or more images. The grid generation component is further configured to generate a display of the image grid. The database is communicatively connected to the network manager device. The database stores the images, image relationships, image associations and/or image parameters. |
| US09218539B2 |
Upload an image to a website server using a pointing device
Uploading an image to a website server receives position data defining an image area on a display screen of an image to be uploaded. An image file is created of the image area and uploads the image to the website server. In some examples, the position data are provided by a pointing device with an image upload button. |
| US09218538B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting an object borderline
Methods and systems for detecting an object borderline. A first image with respect to the object can be captured by an image-capturing unit without a flash light and borderlines of the object can be detected. If the detection is successful, the detected borderlines can be outputted. Otherwise, a second image with respect to the object can be captured by the image-capturing unit by applying a flash light and the borderlines can be detected in the image. A geometric transformation between the two images can then be estimated. Finally, the border lines in the first image can be determined by transforming the borderlines detected in the second image. Such an approach effectively detects the appliance borderlines and avoids artifacts caused by applying flash. |
| US09218536B2 |
Methods and apparatus for one-dimensional signal extraction
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting a one-dimensional digital signal from a two-dimensional digital image along a projection line. Disclosed embodiments provide an image memory in which is stored the digital image, a working memory, a direct memory access controller, a table memory that holds a plurality of transfer templates, and a processor. The processor selects a transfer template from the table memory responsive to an orientation of the projection line, computes a customized set of transfer parameters from the selected transfer template and parameters of the projection line, transmits the transfer parameters to the direct memory access controller, commands the direct memory access controller to transfer data from the image memory to the working memory as specified by the transfer parameters, and computes the one-dimensional digital signal using at least a portion of the data transferred by the direct memory access controller into the working memory. |
| US09218535B2 |
Arrangement and method for recognizing road signs
Various embodiments include a system and a method for recognizing road signs. An image of a road sign may be captured by least one image sensor. A vehicle computer may receive the image data representing one or more road signs along a route and display one or more images of the road sign based on the image data. The display may be capable of presenting one or more status of the road sign based on one or more travel states for the vehicle. These travel states may include at least one of an amount of elapsed travel time, distance travelled, or speed. |
| US09218532B2 |
Light ID error detection and correction for light receiver position determination
A light receiver records images of light beams originating from a neighborhood of lights, and demodulates identifiers (IDs) from them at determined image positions. The receiver retrieves a set of neighbor IDs for each demodulated ID and a real-world position of the corresponding light. The receiver cross-references the demodulated IDs against the retrieved sets of neighbor IDs to reveal errors in the demodulated IDs. The receiver corrects the errors to produce correct IDs each indexing a real-world position that is correctly matched to one of the determined light beam positions. The receiver determines a position of the receiver relative to the light transmitter based on the correctly matched real-world and determined light beam positions. |
| US09218528B1 |
VIVID: image-based technique for validation/verification of ID strings
A software system which employs a special set of simulated electrical circuits to generate user-specific textured and signature color images based on alphanumeric strings provided by the user. The output of the system is a unique set of textured and solid color images which can be used as validation and verification components in creating secure identification documents, financial documents and credit/debit cards. |
| US09218521B2 |
Case and data read-write assembly using the same
A case includes a main body, a protective frame, and at least one fixing member. The main body includes a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion rotatably connected to the first mounting portion. The protective frame is disposed on boundaries of the first mounting portion. The at least one fixing member is mounted on the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion. The first mounting portion and the protective frame jointly define an accommodation space to receive a reader, the second mounting portion secures a portable electronic device communicating with and separates from the reader. The first mounting portion rotates relative to the second mounting portion to be secured on the second mounting portion via the at least one fixing member. |
| US09218519B2 |
Subset selection of RFID tags using light
Methods and apparatuses for selecting a subset of RFID tags are provided in some embodiments. These methods and apparatuses utilize the susceptibility to light by persistent nodes found in passive tags. Light can be used to intentionally reduce persistence times in a particular subset tags or even an individual tag. Then, persistent nodes can be used as a selection criterion to distinguish previously illuminated tags from non-illuminated tags. In other embodiments, a power circuit receives a RF input source and generates a direct current (DC) output voltage. The circuit includes a bias circuit to supply a gate to source bias, which is independent of the DC output voltage. The circuit further includes a voltage multiplier circuit that is coupled to the bias circuit. The voltage multiplier circuit has MOS transistors with one transistor to receive the gate to source bias. |
| US09218511B2 |
Semiconductor device having features to prevent reverse engineering
A ROM circuit includes a first N channel transistor having an output and having device geometry and device characteristics adapted to bias the output at a predetermined level when a P channel circuit is connected to the first N channel transistor; a pass transistor connected between the output and a data bus, the pass transistor connected to a word line, the word line adapted to turn ON the pass transistor when the word line is asserted; and the P channel circuit connected to the data bus and adapted to provide leakage current to charge a gate in the first N channel transistor when pass transistor is turned ON. |
| US09218509B2 |
Response to tamper detection in a memory device
In response to a tamper-attempt indication, a memory device selectively disables one or more memory operations. Disabling can be accomplished by different techniques, including altering bias voltages associated with performing the memory operation, gating off a current needed for performing the memory operation, and limiting the needed current to a magnitude below the threshold magnitude required for the operation. After disabling the memory operation, a mock current can be generated. The mock current is intended to mimic the current normally expended during the memory operation when not disabled, thereby leading a user to believe that the device is continuing to operate normally even though the memory operation that is being attempted is not actually being performed. |
| US09218505B1 |
Programmable integrated circuit with DPA-resistant decryption
Approaches for configuring a programmable integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. Encrypted configuration data is input to the programmable IC, and the encrypted configuration data is stored in configuration memory of the programmable IC. As the encrypted configuration data is input, a determination is made as to whether or not the encrypted configuration data is authentic. In response to the encrypted configuration data being authentic, the encrypted configuration data is read from the configuration memory and decrypted, and the decrypted configuration data is stored back in the configuration memory. |
| US09218504B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure mode indication
A method and apparatus for a hand-held device for ensuring a secured mode transition. The method includes receiving a request to transition to a mode, determining the mode of the hand-held device, transitioning to a transition mode relevant to the received request, wherein the relevant transition mode ensures that the transition is securely executed, setting the device in accordance with the received request, and transitioning to the mode requested. |
| US09218500B2 |
System and method for automatic data protection in a computer network
A method of protecting data items in an organizational computer network, including, defining multiple information profiles for classifying the data item, defining rules for protecting the data item belonging to a specific information profile, classifying the data item according to the defined information profiles, applying a protection method to the data item responsive to the classification and the defined rules, automatically updating the classification of the data item responsive to a change in the content or location of the data item; and automatically transforming the applied protection method, throughout the lifecycle of the data item, responsive to a change in classification or location of the data item, according to the defined rules. |
| US09218492B2 |
Programmable display
A programmable display that is connected to a control apparatus controlling apparatuses and that functions as a user interface for the control apparatus, includes a display processing unit displaying, on a display unit, a screen and display objects arranged in the screen; and a storing unit storing, concerning each of a candidate screen, which is a candidate of the screen, and a candidate display object, which is a candidate of the display objects, setting security level information for specifying a level to which the candidate screen or the candidate display object belongs among levels obtained by ranking security in a horizontal division manner and setting security group information for specifying a group to which the candidate screen or the candidate display object belongs among groups obtained by dividing security in a vertical division manner over the levels. |
| US09218491B2 |
Systems and methods for providing security in an electronic device
Security methods are provided. The method can include comparing a first device identifier (125) disposed within a component (120) with a second device identifier (135) disposed within an immutable memory (130). The component and the immutable memory can be disposed at least partially within an electronic device (110). The method can include starting the electronic device normally if the first device identifier corresponds to the second device identifier. The method can further include providing at least one indicator (150) if the first device identifier fails to correspond to the second device identifier. Security systems are also provided. |
| US09218488B2 |
Malicious activity detection of a processing thread
A mechanism is provided for detecting malicious activity in a functional unit. For a current activity value associated with a functional unit, a determination is made as to whether a thermal level associated with the functional unit differs from a verified thermal level beyond a first predetermined threshold. Responsive to the thermal level associated with the functional unit differing from the verified thermal level beyond the first predetermined threshold, a determination is made as to whether there is a known profile of thread activity levels that substantially matches current thread activity levels. Responsive to identifying the known profile that substantially matches the current thread activity levels, thread activity levels are compared to the known profile of thread activity levels. Responsive to the thread activity levels differing from the known profile beyond a second predetermined threshold, an indication of suspected abnormal activity associated with the given functional unit is sent. |
| US09218487B2 |
Remote DOM access
A method for protecting a browser from malicious processes, comprises providing at least one process-proxy object and at least a browser-proxy object, interposed between the browser and a process, such that when the process invokes one of the DOM entry points, the process-proxy object isolates it from the real browser implementation and executes the process-proxy object's code instead. |
| US09218486B2 |
System and method for operating point and box enumeration for interval bayesian detection
When using intrusion detection systems, security specialists are concerned with false positive rates and true positive rates. False positives are when an alert is raised, but no actual intrusion occurs. True positives are when an alert is raised for an actual intrusion. Ideally, true positive rate is 1 and false positive rate is zero, but such a situation is impossible in the real world. So one must balance a true positive rate and a false positive rate to produce the best result at the best price. One can simplify the choice of detection sets by, instead of determining each possible operating point of the information detection system, by only choosing operating points that are not dominated by other operating points. |
| US09218483B2 |
Synthetic processing diversity with multiple architectures within a homogeneous processing environment
A method of increasing processing diversity on a computer system includes: loading a plurality of instruction streams, each of the plurality of instruction streams being equivalent; executing, in a context, a first stream of the plurality of instruction streams; stopping execution of the first stream at a first location of the first stream; and executing, in the context, a second stream of the plurality of instruction streams at a second location of the second stream, the second location corresponding to the first location of the first stream. |
| US09218482B2 |
Method and device for detecting phishing web page
The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for detecting a phishing web page. The method includes: judging whether a unique domain name corresponding to a to-be-detected web page exists in a trusted domain name database; if the unique domain name does not exist in the trusted domain name database, determining a similarity between a content characteristic extracted from the to-be-detected web page and a content characteristic of each template file in a template file database; and determining that the to-be-detected web page is a phishing web page if the similarity between the content characteristic extracted from the to-be-detected web page and a content characteristic of at least one template file is greater than a preset similarity threshold. In the embodiments of the present invention, accuracy of a result of detecting a phishing web page is improved. |
| US09218481B2 |
Managing password strength
A system or computer usable program product for managing password strength including receiving a password on a data processing system for a user, filtering for personal information about the user from multiple independent data sources accessible across a computer network, computing the password strength by the data processing system using an algorithm which compares the password to the filtered personal information about the user, and presenting feedback to the user through a user interface on a data processing system display regarding the computed password strength. |
| US09218480B2 |
Method and system for improved security utilizing location based services for authentication
An improved authentication method and system is provided where a user securely accesses a variety of target servers for online email, online banking, credit card purchases, ecommerce, brokerage services, corporate databases, and online content (movies, music and software). The method involves a bridge server performing authentication tasks that allow a user to access a server or a group of servers with multiple security levels. The method eliminates the need for the user to remember multiple usernames/passwords for each target server. The method also allows one bridge server and one set of security devices to be used to authenticate the user for multiple servers, thereby reducing security costs and increasing user convenience. A location-based password-ID generating device is also described for secure location-based access. |
| US09218478B2 |
Microcomputer, middleware, and operating method for the same
A microcomputer has a processing unit; a plurality of registers; a storage storing hardware initialization data that includes an initial value and a register address in which the initial value is set, the processing unit performing a process including: setting the initial value in a register having the register address based on the hardware initialization data; performing a functional capability limitation releasing processing to determine whether authentication data in an authentication register, which is selected in advance from the plurality of registers, is correct based on an authentication information for releasing limitations on a functional capability of a function, and to put a function corresponding to the authentication information into an executable state when the authentication data is correct; and executing the function which is put into the executable state to realize the functional capability of the executed function. |
| US09218476B1 |
Token based one-time password security
A one-time password (OTP) based security scheme is described, where a provider pre-generates a number of verification codes (e.g., OTP codes) which will be valid for a predetermined interval. The provider then encodes the verification codes (e.g., by hashing each code with a time value), and stores the verification codes into a data structure. The data structure can be provided to a verification system that can use the set of pre-generated OTP codes to authenticate requests received from users having personal security tokens. |
| US09218472B2 |
Piezo based fingerprint sensor structure
A device includes both a fingerprint sensor (112) and a piezo structure (114). The fingerprint sensor senses fingerprint data identifying a pattern of a fingerprint of a user. The fingerprint data for the user can be collected and analyzed in various manners in order to authenticate the sensed fingerprint. The piezo structure can be used in various manners, such as to collect data used to facilitate authenticating the sensed fingerprint data, to provide feedback to the user regarding when the fingerprint authentication process is complete, and/or to cause different types of vibration in order to facilitate sensing fingerprint data. Various additional feedback can also be provided to the user, using the piezo structure or other feedback mechanisms, such as feedback to notify the user to increase or decrease an amount of pressure he or she is applying to the fingerprint sensor. |
| US09218463B2 |
Trust map management and user interface
In an example embodiment, a user interface is presented for interacting with a trust map identifying trust relationships between clients/users and servers/hosts. The trust relationships are defined by public/private key pairs in Secure Shell (SSH), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer (TLS/SSL), Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME), Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), and so forth. A selected entity such as a server, client, client/server, key set, policy, and so forth is selected and displayed at the center of a hub/spoke diagram. Non-selected entities having a trust relationship with the hub entity are displayed as spokes. Similar spoke entitles may be grouped together. Trust relationships and related properties are displayed as lines between the hub and spoke entities. A user performs actions on the entities by manipulation of the hub, spoke, trust relationship and related user interface elements. |
| US09218461B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting malicious software through contextual convictions
Novel methods, components, and systems that enhance traditional techniques for detecting malicious software are presented. More specifically, we describe methods, components, and systems that leverage important contextual information from a client system (such as recent history of events on that system) to detect malicious software that might have otherwise gone ignored. The disclosed invention provides a significant improvement with regard to detection capabilities compared to previous approaches. |
| US09218458B2 |
Pill dispenser
A pill dispensing system that includes pill packages that can be used to dispense pills manually or with a dispenser system to provide enhanced functionality. The packages can be provided with information relating to the packaged pills or to the use of the packaged pills. By reading the information from the package, the dispenser system can know what is in the package, when it is to be taken and can understand and track inventory. The dispenser system provides reminders of when the pills should be taken. The dispenser system may have the ability to key a specific electronic device, such as a cell phone, to a specific user and the dispenser system may require the electronic device to be within proximity of the dispenser system before dispensing pills for that user. |
| US09218449B2 |
Methods for analyzing massively parallel sequencing data for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis
This invention provides several ways of managing GC bias that occurs during seequencing and analysis of genomic DNA. Maternal plasma can be used as a source of fetal DNA for analysis. DNA segments or tags obtained from the plasma can be aligned with a chromosomal region of interest and with an artificial reference chromosome assembled from regions of the genome having matching GC content. This technology can be used, for example, to detect and evaluate aneuploidy and other chromosomal abnormalities. |
| US09218446B1 |
Optimization of integrated circuits for a reticle transmission process window using multiple fill cells
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods of controlling reticle transmission. A process window for reticle transmission is received. For a given design, default fill cells of a default fill pattern are inserted in unused areas of an integrated circuit (IC). A pattern density is computed for each tile of an IC at each appropriate level, such as metallization levels and contact levels. An IC reticle transmission (RT) is computed for an area corresponding to an entire (or area of) IC or reticle. If the integrated circuit RT is outside of the process window, then the tiles that have an individual tile RT that is outside of the process window are identified and ranked into groups. Default fill cells in one group of tiles are replaced with replacement fill cells having an appropriate pattern and pattern density, and an updated IC RT parameter is computed until the updated IC RT parameter is within the process window. |
| US09218445B2 |
Implementing enhanced physical design quality using historical placement analytics
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced physical design quality using historical placement analytics in a design of an integrated gate. Mathematical data analysis is performed to determine placement trends in order to seed an initial placement of subsequent physical design placement processes. A placement seed is generated for a subsequent placement process. |
| US09218444B2 |
Approximate circuits for increased reliability
Embodiments of the invention describe a Boolean circuit having a voter circuit and a plurality of approximate circuits each based, at least in part, on a reference circuit. The approximate circuits are each to generate one or more output signals based on values of received input signals. The voter circuit is to receive the one or more output signals generated by each of the approximate circuits, and is to output one or more signals corresponding to a majority value of the received signals. At least some of the approximate circuits are to generate an output value different than the reference circuit for one or more input signal values; however, for each possible input signal value, the majority values of the one or more output signals generated by the approximate circuits and received by the voter circuit correspond to output signal result values of the reference circuit. |
| US09218440B2 |
Timing verification of an integrated circuit
This disclosure describes a design tool that verifies timing of an integrated circuit design by partitioning the integrated circuit design's gate-level netlist into target cell partition netlists and performs transistor-level circuit simulation on each target cell partition netlist. The design tool performs a back tracing procedure on each target sequential cell to define the target cell partition netlists. The design tool then identifies timing modes that enable valid logical paths through the target cell partition netlists from source sequential cells to the target sequential cells. In turn, the design tool performs transistor-level circuit simulation (e.g., SPICE simulations) on each target cell partition netlist to check for timing violations based upon the timing modes. In one embodiment, the design tool includes clock tree delay information, power supply variations, or routing parasitic information in the simulations to achieve improved timing analysis accuracy compared with traditional static timing analysis or timing optimization. |
| US09218439B2 |
Search systems and computer-implemented search methods
Search systems and computer-implemented search methods are described. In one aspect, a search system includes a communications interface configured to access a plurality of data items of a collection, wherein the data items include a plurality of image objects individually comprising image data utilized to generate an image of the respective data item. The search system may include processing circuitry coupled with the communications interface and configured to process the image data of the data items of the collection to identify a plurality of image content facets which are indicative of image content contained within the images and to associate the image objects with the image content facets and a display coupled with the processing circuitry and configured to depict the image objects associated with the image content facets. |
| US09218435B2 |
Dynamically updating web pages using messaging-oriented middleware
System, computer implemented method and computer program product for dynamically updating a Web page using browser-based messaging. A system for dynamically updating a Web page using browser-based messaging includes a Web page that includes a plurality of Web messaging tags, and a selected data model that can be bound to the Web messaging tags, and at least one messaging client for accepting at least one message from a message server and for processing the accepted at least one message into the selected data model. |
| US09218428B2 |
Techniques for generating different sessions for multiple tabs of a single browser window
A technique for creating different sessions for each tab of a client browser window includes receiving a first login request associated with a first tab of the client browser window, and in response to the first login request: generating a first uniform resource locator and a first session cookie having a path that includes the first uniform resource locator; and transmitting the first session cookie to the client browser. The technique further includes receiving a second login request that is associated with a second tab of the client browser window, and in response to the second login request, generating a second uniform resource locator and a second session cookie. The second uniform resource locator is different from the first uniform resource locator and a path of the second session cookie includes the second uniform source locator. The technique also includes transmitting the second session cookie to the client browser. |
| US09218426B1 |
Apparatus and method for personalized delivery of content from multiple data sources
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes instructions to collect explicit feedback from a user regarding user content preferences. Multiple data sources are monitored. Topics associated with the multiple data sources are classified. The importance of the topics to the user is characterized. Content is delivered to the user when a selected topic exceeds an importance threshold for the user. Implicit feedback from the user that characterizes refined user content preferences is tracked. The instructions to characterize the importance of topics evaluates the explicit feedback and the implicit feedback. |
| US09218424B2 |
Content filtering for personal productivity applications
A set of context profiles containing profile content rules for filtering which content within a set of personal productivity applications (such as e-mail, chat, calendar, and contacts applications) is accessible by a user. Content rules support filtering content by, for example, content originator, and/or subject matter. The context profiles are centrally maintained for control of integrated, non-integrated, and/or independently administered personal productivity applications. |
| US09218423B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically suggesting answers to questions submitted to a portal of an online service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for dynamically suggesting answers to questions submitted to a portal of an online service. These mechanisms and methods for dynamically suggesting answers to questions submitted to a portal of an online service can enable embodiments to provide help document suggestions with limited user input. The ability of embodiments to provide help document search term suggestions with limited user input can enable users to quickly and efficiently find useful help documents. |
| US09218417B2 |
Ad-hoc queries integrating usage analytics with search results
Search results returned by ad hoc queries integrate search results with usage analytics calculated from collected usage information for a system, such as a content management system. In response to receiving a query, the query is submitted to the system to obtain search results. Information from the usage analytics is integrated with the obtained search results. A search index of the system may include all/portion of the usage analytics such that the obtained results from the system may already be integrated with the usage analytics. The system is configurable such that users of the system may configure the usage events that are used to collect the usage information. The users may also configure parameters relating to the usage events and when/how the collected information is stored. The usage analytics may also be used to filter, collapse and boost different items in the search results. |
| US09218412B2 |
Searching a database of listings
A database having listings rather than long documents is searched using a term frequency-inverse document frequency (Tf/Idf) algorithm. |
| US09218411B2 |
Incremental dynamic document index generation
New text associated with an updated document is compared with existing embedded index items within the updated document and with existing contextual text within the updated document associated with the existing embedded index items. A determination is made as to whether any of the new text includes candidate text for at least one new index item that is not already indexed within the existing embedded index items using a contextual index compendium including contextual index item generation rules and the existing contextual text within the updated document associated with the existing embedded index items. At least one new index item is generated, using the contextual index item generation rules, in response to determining that at least one portion of the new text includes the candidate text that is not already indexed within the existing embedded index items. |
| US09218410B2 |
Systems, apparatuses and methods for communication flow modification
An apparatus includes a user interface module configured to receive user information associated with a user. The apparatus also includes a classification module configured to apply a classifier defined within a classification tree to the user information, and to calculate a classification score representing an estimated likelihood that the user is associated with at least one user type. The classification module is also configured to classify the user to an identified user type based on the classification score. The apparatus also includes a database configured to store at least one of user account information associated with the user, historical information associated with the user, or historical information associated with a group of users including the user. The apparatus also includes an interface generation module configured to generate a signal based on the information in the database, the signal specifying a user interface to be presented to the user. |
| US09218408B2 |
Method for automatically creating a data mart by aggregated data extracted from a business intelligence server
Systems and methods are described for automating the creation of data marts within an enterprise. Data is maintained in a plurality of data sources that include at least a relational database and a multidimensional database. The system includes a business intelligence server that provides a virtual logical semantic model to integrate all of the plurality of data sources. The user specifies a list of levels and measures on the virtual logical semantic model. The list of levels and measures can span data from multiple data sources. The user can also specify a location in the plurality of data sources that will store the aggregate matrix. Once the list of levels and measures are specified, the business intelligence server generates a multidimensional cube to store the data for the aggregate matrix and stores the multidimensional cube in the data source location. |
| US09218407B1 |
Replication and intermediate read-write state for mediums
A system and method for exposing volumes with underlying read-write mediums to user operations. When a medium is in the process of being replicated to a storage array, a volume which relies on the medium can be exposed to user operations (e.g., snapshots, read and write operations) once the portions of the medium which underlie the volume have been replicated. The volume can be exposed to user operations while one or more other portions of the medium are unfilled and while the medium is in an intermediate read-write state. |
| US09218400B2 |
Multidimensional data representation
A system for data aggregation and representation, comprising a data aggregator that may request or receive input from a plurality of data sources, a visualization engine that may generate representations of data, and an interaction manager that may handle interactions from an analyst, and a method for multidimensional representation of data. |
| US09218398B2 |
Content storage mapping
A data storage method and system. The method includes defining, by a computing system, a meta-object, a schema based structured definition for the meta-object, and a taxonomy with configuration data. The computing system creates content associated with the taxonomy and associates topics of the content with a logical storage room representations. Reference coordinates associated with the logical storage room representations are associated with the taxonomy. The computing system generates updated configuration data that includes the reference coordinates and a uniform resource identifier associated with the content is generated. The computing system generates an account associated with the meta-object for a user. Metering charges for usage of the account and a report associated with the account and usage are generated. |
| US09218397B1 |
Systems and methods for improved searching
Methods and systems for improved searching are described. In one of the described methods, a user enters a search query, and in response, a search engine receives a substantially complete initial search result set having a plurality of ranked article identifiers. The search engine automatically selects at least one of the article identifiers and provides a final result set in which the selected article identifier is ranked higher than in the initial search result set. |
| US09218396B2 |
Insight determination and explanation in multi-dimensional data sets
Techniques are disclosed for determining reasons underlying insights gleaned from multi-dimensional data. In one embodiment, a contingency table is accessed that represents multiple dimensions of the data, in order to identify one or more insights. One or more dimensions, other than the represented dimensions, are evaluated to identify one or more reasons underlying a first insight of the one or more insights, and the one or more reasons are output. |
| US09218393B2 |
Hierarchical data server
A hierarchical data server provides a query and storage system for hierarchical data with three interfaces that are, data interface for accepting hierarchical data, query interface for accepting a query, and result interface for returning output of the query. The system models hierarchical data with one data object called data vine and one data structure type called data vine list. A data vine includes a name, a property list, and a child list. A data vine list is an ordered list of data vines. A data vine is recursively defined with its child list as a data vine list. The system introduces five basic operators, cast, restrict, unique, sort, and traverse. Each operator acts on one data vine list and returns another data vine list. A property list in a data vine is unordered with set operations implemented, which include default operation, update operation, elimination operation, replacement operation, and intersection operation. |
| US09218388B1 |
Declarative cluster management
An indication associated with an operation is received where the operation includes a mid-operation state and a device associated with the mid-operation state. In response to receiving the indication, the operation is processed using a declarative primitive to obtain metadata associated with one or more of the following: the device or the mid-operation state. The metadata is displayed. |
| US09218386B2 |
Dual locking mechanism for a domain
One embodiment is directed to a method for controlling access to a domain. The method includes receiving a request from a workbook process for a shared lock on a primary lock file and a secondary lock file controlling access to the domain, and providing the shared lock(s) when there is not an exclusive lock. While the workbook process is still in progress, the method may further include receiving a request from a batch process for an exclusive lock on the primary lock file, immediately providing an exclusive lock on the primary lock file the batch process, receiving a request from the batch process for an exclusive lock on the secondary lock file, and providing the exclusive lock on the secondary lock file to the batch process when there is not a shared lock on the secondary lock file. |
| US09218385B2 |
Differentiated secondary index maintenance in log structured NoSQL data stores
There are provided a system and a computer program product for operating multi-node data stores. The system stores a data table in a first computing node and stores an index table in a second computing node. The index table provides keys used for accessing data in the first computing node and other multi-node data stores. The system performs operations that update or read the data table accessed from the first computing node and the index table accessed from the second computing node. The operations optimize between latency in updating or reading the data table and the index table and data consistency maintained between data entries in the data table and data entries pointed by indices in the index table. |
| US09218384B2 |
Evaluation method and information processing apparatus
A memory stores a plurality of data objects and their respective evaluation scores. A processor is configured to update, in response to an update made to a first data object, evaluation values of one or more second data objects linked from at least the first data object, based on the evaluation score of the first data object. In response to a reference request for one data object, the processor determines the evaluation score of the requested data object, based on the evaluation scores of one or more third data objects having a link to the requested data object. |
| US09218380B2 |
Method and system for carrying out searches in a database comprising taxonomic classification of digital information contents
A method for carrying out searches in a database by means of a data processing system is provided. The database includes a first plurality of first data items and a second plurality of second data items, a generic first data item being in relationship with one or more second data items and vice versa. In an internal memory of the data processing system, at least one among a first and a second data table structure are generated, each one including: a first and a second data table, each comprising a plurality of elements, each one corresponding to a respective first, respectively second, data item and univocally identified by a respective first, respectively second, index. The first and second data tables include a third data table including a plurality of elements, each one in a univocal relationship with a respective element of the first and second data tables. |
| US09218378B2 |
Method of indexing a database
A method of sorting a database of records and data items, in which each record has an identifier, data variables and paths pointing to data items being the value of the data variables is disclosed. The database has a first and second frequency for each path of the first and second data variables, respectively. The method includes creating an intermediate array having a section for each value of the second data variable. Storing the identifier of each record. Creating a final array having sections for each value of the first data variable. Storing the identifier of the records into the section of the final array corresponding to the value of its first data variable. Identifying break points in the final array. Repeating the previous two steps for each section of the intermediate array. Creating a break point index. |
| US09218376B2 |
Intelligent data sourcing in a networked storage system
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a repository of client-side data block signature information representative of a set of data blocks stored in a primary storage subsystem. In some cases, the system sources data blocks for secondary copy and restore operations from the primary storage subsystem instead of the secondary storage subsystem. Where multiple primary storage components (e.g., multiple client computing devices) contain copies of a data blocks involved in a secondary copy or restore operation, the system can decide which client to source the data block from based on sourcing criteria. |
| US09218375B2 |
Dedicated client-side signature generator in a networked storage system
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a client-side signature repository that includes information representative of a set of data blocks stored in primary storage. During storage operations of a client, the system can generate signatures corresponding to data blocks that are being stored in primary storage. The system can store the generated signatures in the client-side signature repository along with information regarding the location of the corresponding data block within primary storage. As additional instances of the data block are stored in primary storage, the system can store the location of the additional instances in the client-side signature repository. |
| US09218372B2 |
System and method of record matching in a database
A system and method of record matching using regular expressions and finite state representations. In this manner, the time (or computational effort) involved in record matching is reduced. |
| US09218366B1 |
Query image model
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a query image model. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a set of images determined to be responsive to a query and ranked according to a first order; determining a positive image signature from a first subset of images selected from images ranked highest in the first order, determining a negative image signature from a second subset of images selected from images ranked lowest in the first order, determining a query image signature for the query based on a difference of the positive image signature and the negative image signature; and applying the query image signature to each image in the set of images to rank the images according to a second order that is different from the first order. |
| US09218362B2 |
Markup language for interactive geographic information system
Data-driven guarded evaluation of conditional-data associated with data objects is used to control activation and processing of the data objects in an interactive geographic information system. Methods of evaluating conditional-data to control activation of the data objects are disclosed herein. Data structures to specify conditional data are also disclosed herein. |
| US09218361B2 |
Context-aware tagging for augmented reality environments
A method for tag-based search includes capturing an image, extracting a tag from the image, identifying a location associated with the captured image, and querying stored content for information that matches the location and the tag. Local storage is checked for the information first, and remote storage may be checked subsequently. Any located information may be used to augment the image. Information located in the remote storage may be saved in the local storage until it reaches a certain age, until it fails to be accessed for a threshold period of time, or until the location moves outside a threshold radius associated with a location of the information located in the remote storage. |
| US09218354B2 |
Query-aware compression of join results
A method is provided for compressing results of a join query. A join order of a result set is determined from the join query, where the result set includes a plurality of tuples. A plurality of dictionary entries for the result set is received. A nested hierarchy of dictionaries is created based on the join order and the dictionary entries. A plurality of encoded tuples is received. The nested hierarchy of dictionaries is used by a processor to decode the plurality of encoded tuples so as to produce the plurality of tuples of the result set. |
| US09218349B2 |
Method and system for transformation of logical data objects for storage
There are provided a method of transforming a non-transformed stored logical data object (LO) device into a transformed LO and system thereof. The method includes: a) in response to a respective transformation request, logically dividing the non-transformed LO in a first segment and one or more non-transformed subsequent segments, the segments having predefined size; b) generating a header for the respective transformed LO; c) processing the first segment; d) overwriting the first segment by said generated header and the transformed first segment; e) indexing the first transformed segment and the one or more non-transformed subsequent segments as constituting a part of the transformed LO; f) generating at least one index section; and g) updating the indication in the header to point that the non-transformed LO has been transformed in the transformed LO including the generated header, the first transformed segment, the one or more subsequent segments including data in non-transformed form and the at least one index section. |
| US09218348B2 |
Automatic real-time file management method and apparatus
A method for archiving files includes determining when a change in an operating file is imminent, capturing the operating file immediately before the change in the operating file occurs, if the operating file has not already been captured; and capturing the operating file immediately after the change in the operating file has occurred. |
| US09218344B2 |
Systems, methods, and software for processing, presenting, and recommending citations
The present invention provides systems, methods, and software for automatically processing data included in a document and identifying and recommending citations matching the processed data. The system allows a user to select and submit text segment(s) for analysis and to select from a set of recommended citations a citation(s) that matches the text segment as well as profile data for inclusion in the document. One or more citation libraries or authority databases are queried to find citations for recommendation which best match the text segment selected and submitted by the author. The system automatically processes data submitted by an author to generate a set of recommended citations for consideration and for inclusion within a document while the document is presented by a document rendering application. A selected citation is then formatted and inserted in the document. |
| US09218341B2 |
Method and system for language translation
The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for translating a first language text entered into a computer application to a second language text. The method comprises intercepting the first language text during a display time by a processor. Subsequently, the first language text is translated to the second language text by the processor by performing a language dictionary look-up and/or a phonetic transliteration on the first language text. Thereafter, the second language text is displayed on a display device and the first language text is stored in ANSI format in a memory. |
| US09218340B2 |
Message translations
Systems for translating text messages in an instant messaging system comprise a translation engine for translating text messages into a preferred language of a recipient of the text messages. The systems are preferably configured to send and receive the text messages and to determine whether the text messages that are received in a source language are in the preferred language of the recipients so that the text messages are displayed in the preferred language of the recipients of the text messages. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US09218338B1 |
Text suggestion
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automatic text suggestion are described. One of the methods includes receiving a text item including one or more terms; determining a plurality of text strings, each text string including a matching portion and one or more suffixes, wherein the matching portion matches the text item, and the one or more suffixes are located after the matching portion; ranking the one or more suffixes based on a credibility score and a frequency score of each suffix, the credibility score indicating an estimated credibility of a source of the text string including the suffix, the frequency score indicating an estimated frequency of appearance of the suffix; and providing a group of the one or more suffixes that includes a highest ranking suffix for display as a suggestion for completing a sentence starting from the text item. |
| US09218337B2 |
Text editing apparatus and storage medium
A text editing apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a display device; an operation device; a conversion candidate creating portion that creates at least one conversion candidate associated with a character and outputs a signal for displaying the created conversion candidate; a finally-determined character string output portion that outputs a signal for displaying the corresponding conversion candidate; and a learning portion that learns and storing character string data for the next creation of said conversion candidate at the time of an input of a learning instruction different from the time of the input of said selective final determination. |
| US09218336B2 |
Efficient implementation of morphology for agglutinative languages
Constructing an automaton for automated analysis of agglutinative languages comprises: constructing an affix automaton for each of a plurality of affix types of an agglutinative language, where each of the affix types is associated with one or more affixes associated with a morphological concept; combining any of the affix automatons to form a plurality of template automatons, where each of the template automatons is patterned after any of a plurality of agglutination templates of any of the affix types for the language; and combining the template automatons into a master automaton. |
| US09218326B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting pagination constructs including a header and a footer in legacy documents
A method for identifying header/footer content of a document, in order to sequence text fragments comprising recognizable text blocks as derived from the document. The textual variability of lines comprised of text blocks, including the different kinds of text blocks within the line is analyzed for assessment of textual variability. Header/footer zones are defined by textual content having a low textual variability. An alternative embodiment identifies pagination constructs by comparing selected text-boxes for similarity and proximity and clustering the text boxes satisfying a predetermined similarity value, wherein the clustered text boxes are deemed to comprise pagination constructs. |
| US09218321B2 |
Creating tag clouds based on user specified arbitrary shape tags
Mechanisms are provided for generating a shape tag cloud display. A user input is received that specifies an arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tag. A set of shape tag equivalence classes is updated based on the received user input to assign the arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tag to a shape tag equivalence class having similar previously entered arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tags. Rankings of the shape tags relative to one another are generated. The shape tag cloud display is generated based on the rankings. A representation of each shape tag within the shape tag cloud display has display characteristics based on the rankings. The shape tag cloud display is then output. |
| US09218316B2 |
Remotely controlling a self-propelled device in a virtualized environment
A computing device operating as a controller can obtain image data from a camera component. The computing device can determine a location of the self-propelled device relative to the camera based on the image data. A virtual content may be generated on the computing device based at least in part on the location of the self-propelled device. |
| US09218314B2 |
Boosting remote direct memory access performance using cryptographic hash based approach
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for performing a remote direct memory access operation. Responsive to receiving in a network interface controller a hash value of data to be copied from a source address in a source node to a destination address in a destination node in the remote direct memory access operation, the network interface controller performs a lookup operation in a translation protection table in the network interface controller to match the hash value to a hash value for data existing in memory of the destination node. Responsive to the network interface controller finding a match in the translation protection table, the network interface controller completes the remote direct memory access operation without transferring the data from the source node to the destination node. |
| US09218309B2 |
Systems and methods for impedance matching for multi-drop topologies
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a driver, a plurality of drops, and a plurality of transmission lines, including one transmission line between the driver and one of the plurality of drops and one transmission line between successive adjacent drops. Each particular transmission line of the plurality of transmission lines may be manufactured to have a desired impedance based on a corresponding effective impedance as seen at a drop located on an end of the particular transmission line furthest from the driver in a direction away from the driver. |
| US09218308B2 |
Apparatus and method for arbitrating bus
A bus arbitration apparatus and method are provided. A plurality of masters may be classified into master types based on master characteristics, and bus arbitration may be performed. Thus, it is possible to prevent a bus from being distributed to a predetermined master, and it is possible to improve overall performance of a bus system by solving a problem of unbalanced distribution of performance between the plurality of masters. |
| US09218304B1 |
Method for intercepting input/output requests and responses
A method and system for intercepting I/O requests and responses in a proprietary operating environment or hypervisor-virtualization utilizing open source software or general public license device drivers. The processing includes at the added functionality module comprises at least one of encrypting, de-duplicating, compressing and caching. |
| US09218301B2 |
Storage device security system
A storage device security system includes a server that is coupled to a storage device, a storage controller, a configuration IHS, and a remote access controller. The remote access controller receives a storage device access key request and a storage controller Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) from the storage controller. The remote access controller also receives a server GUID from the server. The remote access controller also receives a security key from the configuration IHS over a network. The remote access controller is configured to use a remote access controller Media Access Control (MAC) address, the storage controller GUID, the server IHS GUID, and the security key to generate a storage device access key. The remote access controller may then provide the storage device access key to the storage controller, and storage controller may use the storage device access key to access the storage device coupled to the server IHS. |
| US09218298B2 |
Electronic device system and storage device
When an SD card is connected to an SD socket of an electronic device, a control unit of the SD card obtains permission/inhibition information (an output signal) outputted from a setting unit of the electronic device. Based on the obtained permission/inhibition information, the control unit starts the operation of a DC-DC converter corresponding to a memory unit from which reading-out of data is permitted. By virtue of this, reading-out of data from the memory unit is achieved in correspondence to the permission/inhibition information. |
| US09218288B2 |
Monitoring a value in storage without repeated storage access
A technique is provided for monitoring a value without repeated storage access. A processing circuit processes an instruction of a program that specifies a memory address of a memory location to be monitored. The processing circuit configures a monitor station for monitoring the memory location. The memory location includes a state descriptor for the program. The processing circuit receives a cross-invalidate request from a memory controller. The cross-invalidate request indicates to the monitor station that content of the memory location has been changed by another processing circuit. |
| US09218283B2 |
Multi-die write management
A die assignment scheme assigns data in the order it is received, to multiple memory dies. Any busy dies are skipped until they become ready again so that the system does not wait for busy dies to become ready. Immediately sequential writes to the same die are prohibited so that reading speed is not impacted. |
| US09218282B2 |
Memory system data management
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for memory system data management. A number of embodiments include writing data from a host to a buffer in the memory system, receiving, at the buffer, a notification from a memory device in the memory system that the memory device is ready to receive data, sending at least a portion of the data from the buffer to the memory device, and writing the portion of the data to the memory device. |
| US09218280B2 |
Non-volatile memory apparatus and operating method thereof
A non-volatile memory (NVM) apparatus and an operation method thereof are provided. A mapping table in a main memory is divided into a plurality of sub-mapping tables according to logical address groups. When an access command of a host is processed by the NVM apparatus, at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is selected from the sub-mapping tables according to a logical address of the access command. If the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is required to be rebuilt, then the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is rebuilt, and the logical address of the access command is converter for accessing the NVM apparatus according to the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table which has been rebuilt. |
| US09218274B2 |
Automated form testing
Systems and techniques are provided that allow for comparison of an automatically-generated form to an original form to identify discrepancies efficiently. Portions of the form, such as those expected to contain dynamic data, may be masked, allowing for more efficient and accurate comparison with a predicted form and an actual output form. Further, testing of the form may be automated, allowing for more accurate and efficient generation of each form considered. |
| US09218273B2 |
Automatic generation of a resource reconfiguring test
A test generator generating a test for a system having a plurality of executing entities that are capable of concurrent execution, the test comprises transactions that comprise one or more access transactions that are configured to access a shared resource and one or more reconfiguration transactions configured that are configured to reconfigure the shared resource, wherein said generating comprises: determining a partial order between pairs of transactions that are both associated with the shared resource and that at least one of which is a reconfiguration transaction; and generating the test so as to enforce the partial order during execution of the test by the system. |
| US09218266B2 |
Systems and methods for replication of test results in a network environment
Systems and methods for replication of test results in a network environment are disclosed. Methods described may include recording network traffic in a first instance of a test case by a network emulator node emplaced in the network environment, recording a time at which a connection open at the network emulator node completes a communication task, and deriving an order of task completion for each extant open connection thereby, and detecting the occurrence of one or more events, such as a packet drop, a packet retransmission, or a packet delay, among other events. Replication, as described, additionally involves recording the nature of the event and identification information associated with the packet to which the event is detected to have occurred; and associating the one or more events with each of the packets recorded, on the basis of the identification information and event recording. |
| US09218257B2 |
Methods for managing failure of a solid state device in a caching storage
Techniques for managing caching use of a solid state device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for managing caching use of a solid state device. Management of the caching use may include receiving, at a host device, notification of failure of a solid state device. In response to the notification a cache mode may be set to uncached. In uncached mode input/output (I/O) requests may be directed to uncached storage (e.g., disk). |
| US09218256B1 |
Systems and methods for shipping I/O operations to prevent replication failure
A computer-implemented method for shipping I/O operations to prevent replication failure may include 1) attempting to perform an I/O operation in a system configured to replicate data from a data cluster to another data cluster, 2) detecting a failure in at least part of the attempt to perform the I/O operation that threatens to fail the system's replication of data from the data cluster to the other data cluster, and, in response to detecting the failure, 3) shipping the I/O operation from a node originally responsible for servicing the I/O operation to another node to complete the I/O operation without failing the system's replication of data from the data cluster to the other data cluster. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09218255B2 |
Multi-volume instant virtual copy freeze
Provided are a computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for creating a consistency group. For each source volume that has an instant virtual copy relationship with a target volume, an indicator for the source volume is set to true in a Fast Incremental with Freeze (FIF) map. The consistency group for each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map and each associated target volume is created by: performing a quick Instant Virtual Copy (IVC) freeze command to freeze each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map and performing a consistency group created command to thaw each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map. |
| US09218254B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for recovering an application from a fault or attack
Systems, methods, and media for recovering an application from a fault or an attack are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method is provided for enabling a software application to recover from a fault condition. The method includes specifying constrained data items and assigning a set of repair procedures to the constrained data items. The method further includes detecting a fault condition on the constrained data items during execution of the software application, which triggers at least one repair procedure. The triggered repair procedures are executed and the execution of the software application is restored. In some embodiments, the restoring comprises providing memory rollback to a point of execution of the software application before the fault condition was detected. |
| US09218245B1 |
Cloning and recovery of data volumes
Aspects of a data environment, such as the cloning, hibernation, and recovery of databases, are managed using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control environment can periodically communicate with the data environment to determine any necessary actions to be performed, such as to recover from faults or events for a data instance in the data environment. A workflow can be instantiated that includes tasks necessary to perform actions such as recovery, hibernation, resumption from hibernation, or backup or cloning. Tasks of the workflow can cause certain jobs to be performed by host managers in the data environment to affect calls made to the control environment. |
| US09218242B2 |
Write operations for defect management in nonvolatile memory
Data that is stored in a higher error rate format in a nonvolatile memory is backed up in a lower error rate format. Data to be stored may be transferred once to on-chip data latches where it is maintained while it is programmed in both the high error rate format and the low error rate format without being resent to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US09218241B2 |
Wireless receiver circuit and method
One example discloses a wireless receiver circuit comprising: a wireless receiver unit having a first voltage power supply and providing an output as a stream of digital output bits; a parity check unit at the output; a control unit configured to derive a control output based on the difference between the parity check unit output and a target parity error rate; and a voltage regulator for providing the first voltage to the wireless receiver unit, in dependence on the control unit output wherein the voltage regulator implements a voltage overscaling function for the wireless receiver unit and is operable to overscale the first voltage in response to a parity error rate of less than 0.5 and to drive the first voltage to a predetermined maximum voltage value in response to a parity error rate of 0.5. |
| US09218236B2 |
Error signal handling unit, device and method for outputting an error condition signal
An error signal handling unit includes an error handler configured to receive an error signal indicating an error condition. The error handler is further configured to receive a recovery signal indicating a mitigation of the error condition or indicating that a mitigation of the error condition is possible. Furthermore, the error handler is further configured to output an error condition signal based on the error signal in response to a reception of the error signal if within a given delay time from the reception of the error signal, the error handler does not receive the recovery signal, and otherwise omit outputting the error condition signal. |
| US09218228B2 |
Computerised machine control system
A computerized machine control system comprises an application-independent machine-specific part with a machine-specific domain model of the machine and a control module, which accesses data points of the machine via a machine-specific communication protocol and updates corresponding data point objects in the machine-specific domain model or data points in the machine. In addition, the machine control system comprises a machine-independent, application-specific part with an application-specific domain model and a mapping module which accesses the machine-specific domain model and maps data objects of the application-specific domain model to data point objects of the machine-specific domain model and vice versa. |
| US09218225B2 |
Discovering object definition information in an integrated application environment
Provided is a method, system, and program for providing an object discovery agent (ODA) client. There is one object discovery agent (ODA) client and at least one ODA, wherein each ODA is associated with one application and includes: (i) application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with the associated application to discover definition information on objects maintained by the application and (ii) code to communicate with the ODA client. The ODA client communicates with one of the at least one ODA to cause the ODA to gather definition information on at least one object used by one application. The gathered object definition information is provided to an integration server to integrate the object in an environment including heterogeneous objects from different applications. |
| US09218224B2 |
Electronic apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium storing information processing program
A disclosed electronic apparatus in which an application program is installable includes an interface information extracting unit configured to extract interface information of a method from an intermediate code of a first application program; and an interface providing unit configured to provide an interface for the method indicated by the interface information, wherein the interface providing unit calls the first application program for the method corresponding to the identification information in response to a request including the identification information of the method. |
| US09218223B2 |
Barrier synchronization with dynamic width calculation
A sequencer of a processing unit determines, at runtime, a barrier width of a barrier operation for a group threads, wherein the barrier width is smaller than a total number of threads in the group of threads, and wherein threads in the group of threads execute data parallel code on one or more compute units. In response to each thread in a subgroup of the group of threads having executed the barrier operation, the subgroup including a same number of threads as the barrier width, the sequencer may enable the subgroup of the group of threads to execute on the one or more processors past the barrier operation without waiting for other threads in the group of threads to execute the barrier operation, wherein the subgroup of the group of threads is smaller than the total number of threads in the group of threads. |
| US09218221B2 |
Token sharing mechanisms for burst-mode operations
Methods and apparatus for token-sharing mechanisms for burst-mode operations are disclosed. A first and a second token bucket are respectively configured for admission control at a first and a second work target. A number of tokens to be transferred between the first bucket and the second bucket, as well as the direction of the transfer, are determined, for example based on messages exchanged between the work targets. The token transfer is initiated, and admission control decisions at the work targets are made based on the token population resulting from the transfer. |
| US09218218B2 |
Method and system for policy based lifecycle management of virtual software appliances
A system and method for managing dynamically allocated resources assigned to a service includes providing a service to be used by a plurality of sites in a federation. Usage information associated with the service is communicated to each of the plurality of sites. A disposition of the service is determined based on local policies and the usage information received from other sites by a service owner. The disposition of the service is updated across a plurality of sites in accordance with messages sent by the service owner to reduce resource usage. |
| US09218217B1 |
Opportunistic job processing in distributed computing resources with an instantiated native client environment with limited read/write access
A global-level manager accesses a work order referencing at least one executable file and one or more input files. The one or more input files are partitioned into multiple shards. The work order is partitioned into multiple jobs. The jobs are distributed among a plurality of to be processed by a task level manager at each of the plurality of clusters. The executable file is loaded into the native client environment through a validator. The validator is configured to insure that the executable file does not include one or more of a defined set of instructions, does not call instructions outside of the executable file, and does not read or write data outside of a data region associated with the executable file. |
| US09218216B2 |
Centrally driven performance analysis of low power and Lossy Networks
In one embodiment, a centralized device for a computer network divides the computer network into one or more regions for which performance is to be measured, and selects one or more nodes within each respective region of the one or more regions. The centralized device may then send a performance measurement request (PMR) to the selected node(s) for each region, and receives measured performance reports from the selected node(s) for each region in response to the PMR. Accordingly, based on the measured performance reports, the centralized device may then adjust at least one of either the divided regions or the selected node(s) for one or more of the one or more regions, e.g., for future PMRs. |
| US09218215B2 |
Job scheduling in a system of multi-level computers
Systems, methods, and computer program products for job scheduling are disclosed. An exemplary computer-implemented method includes receiving a job in a job scheduling system. At least part of the job is transmitted to a job reader. An indication of one or more functions required for performing the job is received from the job reader. A first computing device is selected from among a plurality of computing devices, where the selection is based, at least in part, on whether the first computing device supports the functions required for performing the job. |
| US09218214B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A workload that can be processed with a resource amount available in a physical server is estimated. An information processing apparatus 20 includes a performance information storage unit 25 that stores information indicating each of plural types of workloads and a resource amount of the physical server allocated to each of the workloads when the workloads are run in a physical server 30, in a manner to be associated with each other, an acquiring unit 21 that acquires a resource amount available in the physical server 30, a comparison unit 22 that selects at least one stored work load, and compares the available resource amount with the resource amount associated with the selected workload, and a first extraction unit 23 that extracts the selected workload if the compared resource amount is less than or equal to the available resource amount. |
| US09218212B2 |
Pairing physical devices to virtual devices to create an immersive environment
Pairing physical devices to virtual devices to create an immersive environment, including: identifying, by a device pairing module, a virtual device in a virtual environment; identifying, by the device pairing module, a physical device in a physical environment; and pairing, by the device pairing module, the virtual device in the virtual environment with the physical device in the physical environment such that the physical device in the physical environment delivers virtual environment content, wherein the virtual environment content is content being delivered to an object in the virtual environment. |
| US09218211B2 |
Priority promotion for service requests
A method for priority promotion of a service request comprises receiving the service request for a target address space into a set of work requests, the set of work requests comprising a plurality of service requests for the target address space, the service request originating from a source address space, the service request having a priority equivalent to a priority of the target address space, the source address space having a higher priority than the target address space; determining a number of service requests for the target address space in the set of work requests; and, in the event the number of service requests for the target address space exceeds a predetermined value, promoting the priority of the service request to the priority of the source address space. |
| US09218208B2 |
Method and system of traffic processor selection for broadcast/multicast service in a wireless network
A method and system for selecting traffic processors for processing and transmitting broadcast/multicast service flow in a cellular network includes evaluating processor occupancy of a plurality of traffic processors and selecting the traffic processors with the highest available processor occupancy. The cellular network has one or more base stations that are connected to a radio network controller, the radio network controller having a plurality of traffic processors to process the radio signals and data traffic to be transmitted to the base stations. A required processor occupancy for transmitting the broadcast/multicast service flow to the base stations is estimated and the traffic processors are selected such that their combined available processor occupancy is greater than the required processor occupancy for the broadcast/multicast service flow. The method and system optimizes resource utilization and distribution among the plurality of traffic processors. |
| US09218207B1 |
Configuring virtualization environments
A method includes determining historical resource metrics for a host, and determining a workload forecast for the host based on the historical resource metrics. The method also includes determining a first series of virtual resource configurations based on the workload forecast. Each virtual resource configuration corresponds to a respective virtual machine of a plurality of virtual machines from the host. Each virtual resource configuration includes a time interval of the workload forecast, a processing specification of the corresponding virtual machine, and a host assignment indicative of a corresponding target host of the plurality of hosts on which to run the corresponding virtual machine. The method further includes configuring each respective virtual machine according to each corresponding virtual resource configuration in the first series of virtual resource configurations. |
| US09218199B2 |
Identifying thread progress information by monitoring transitions between interesting states
Embodiments relate to a method, apparatus and program product and for capturing thread specific state timing information. The method includes associating a time field and a time valid field to a thread data structure and setting a current time state by determining a previous time state and updating it according to a previously identified method for setting time states. The method further includes determining status of a time valid bit to see if it is set to valid or invalid. When the status is valid, it is made available for reporting. |
| US09218188B2 |
Animation sequence associated with feedback user-interface element
In one embodiment, a content item and a feedback user-interface (UI) element associated with the content item may be displayed on a user device. The feedback UI element enables a user to provide feedback with respect to the content item. In response to a user interaction with the feedback UI element, an animation sequence featuring the feedback UI element is displayed on the user device. |
| US09218187B2 |
Managing large user selections in an application
The present invention provides a system and methods for managing large user selections in an application. An invertible collection software module solves the problem of managing a large number of user selections within an application. When not inverted, the invertible collection tracks what a user has selected. When inverted, the invertible collection tracks what a user has not selected thus saving memory. One method may comprise defining a specific context having a set of items available for user selection, representing, by an empty inverted invertible collection, the selection of all items within the specific context, tracking one or more items a user has deselected within the specific context depending upon whether the collection is inverted or not inverted and tracking one or more items a user has deselected. |
| US09218183B2 |
System and method for improving memory transfer
System and method for performing a high-bandwidth memory copy. Memory transfer instructions allow for copying of data from a first memory location to a second memory location without the use of load and store word instructions thereby achieving a high-bandwidth copy. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (1) decoding a destination address from a first memory transfer instruction, (2) storing the destination address in a register in the bus interface unit, (3) decoding a source address from a second memory transfer instruction, and (4) copying the contents of a memory location specified by the source memory address to a memory location specified by the contents of the register. Other methods and a microprocessor system are also presented. |
| US09218181B1 |
Automatic software catalog content creation based on bio-inspired computing prediction
A method for automatically creating a software catalog content that includes a plurality of software components associated with a computing system is provided. The method may include creating a population comprising a plurality of potential software signatures associated with the plurality of software components. The method may include ranking the population comprising the potential software signatures based on a highest ratio value. The method may include selecting a set of parent software signatures based on the ranking. Additionally, the method may include creating a new population of potential software signatures based on the selected set of parent software signatures. The method may include performing recombination on the new population of potential software signatures. Furthermore, the method may include predicting at least one potential software signature from the new population of potential software signatures based on a comparison between the performed recombination and the created new population of potential software signatures. |
| US09218177B2 |
Techniques to optimize upgrade tasks
Techniques to prioritize and optimize the execution of upgrade operations are described. A technique may include determining the size of data blocks that are to be copied from one storage medium to another, and the dependencies of upgrade tasks on the data blocks and on other tasks. A task may be prioritized according to a weight that includes the cumulative sizes of the data blocks that it and its dependent tasks depend on. A data block copying may be prioritized according to the cumulative weights of the tasks that depend on that data block. Some embodiments may perform several data copying and/or tasks in parallel, rather than sequentially. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09218175B2 |
Cross-platform application framework
One set of instructions is generated in part by compiling application-specific source code. When natively executed on a platform provided by a device, the set of instructions provides an application. Another set of instructions is generated in part by compiling the same business logic source code. When natively executed on another platform provided by another device, the other set of instructions provides the same application. The business logic source code is substantially free of code specific to any platform. Moreover, the business logic source code defines substantially all application-specific functionality of the application. |
| US09218174B2 |
OSGi program, OSGi system
The invention automatically installs an OSGi bundle needed to use an external device connected to an electronic device having an OSGi framework mounted. The OSGi bundle is installed into the electronic device without imposing a load on a distribution system. The OSGi program related to the invention detects the external device connected to the electronic device having the OSGi framework mounted, downloads an OSGi bundle corresponding to said external device from a distribution server, and installs the OSGi bundle in the electronic device. |
| US09218173B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for collaboratively installing a computer application
According to one embodiment, a computer program product for collaboratively installing a computer application includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code including computer readable program code configured to: monitor an installation process of an application, send a remote assistance request in response to a determination that the installation process requires remote assistance, receive a response to the remote assistance request, and continue the installation process of the application using the remote assistance information. The response includes remote assistance information required for installing the application, and the remote assistance information is invisible to an installer of the application. In other embodiments, and a method for collaboratively installing a computer application includes operations for performing the above described processes, and a system includes modules for performing the above described processes. |
| US09218171B2 |
Method, program, and system for code optimization
Method, program and system for code optimization. The method includes detecting a sign assignment instruction having an input operand and an output operand identical in size to each other. Analyzing and determining whether a value of the input operand results from an add or subtract operation and if the value is greater than the value prior to the operation. If so then removing the sign assignment instruction on the condition that the input operand and the output operand of the sign assignment instruction have their addresses identical to each other and replacing the sign assignment instruction with a copy instruction for copying the value of the input operand of the sign assignment instruction to a value of the output operand on the condition that the addresses of the input operand and the output operand of the sign assignment instruction are not identical and do not overlap each other. |
| US09218170B1 |
Managing table of contents pointer value saves
A compiler identifies a function call in computer code. A linker directive associates the function call with a single table of contents (TOC) pointer value save placeholder. This single placeholder is the only TOC pointer value save placeholder associated with the function call. When a TOC pointer value save instruction occupies the placeholder, it ensures that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. The linker directive is then modified to associate the function call with two or more TOC pointer value save placeholders. When a TOC pointer value save instruction occupies at least one of the placeholders, it ensures that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. Under some circumstances, two or more of the placeholders must be occupied by a TOC pointer value save instruction to ensure that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. |
| US09218167B2 |
Augmenting user interface with additional information
Embodiments of methods, systems, and storage medium for enhancing a user interface of an application with additional information are disclosed herein. In one instance, the method may include a computing device detecting an event associated with an application executing on the computing device, a container of a user interface of the application, or at least one object of the container; determining additional information to augment basic information associated with the at least one object of the container of the user interface of the application; and augmenting the basic information of the at least one object in a display of the container with the additional information or one or more indicators corresponding to the additional information. The additional information is associated with the object. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09218164B2 |
System and method for mobile application development using mobile devices
The present invention is a system to develop mobile applications from a mobile device that includes a database with a memory, a hosting space, an app-creation application with a plurality of options stored on a mobile application repository on said memory over a communications network or within the mobile device. A client device downloads and installs the app-creation application from the mobile applications repository over a communications network to create said mobile applications. There are four methods for mobile application development created by the mobile device that utilize this system. |
| US09218161B2 |
Embedding a software content space for run-time implementation
A computer-implemented method for generating user stories for a software product, includes collecting, by a processor, a plurality of requirements, creating, by the processor, a plurality of content space specification files that includes the plurality of requirements, processing, by the processor, the plurality of content space specification files to generate the user stories, defining, by the processor, a content space, and embedding, by the processor, the content space in the software product. |
| US09218160B2 |
Ultrafast quantum random number generation process and system therefore
The invention is based on a process and system for producing random numbers by means of a quantum random number generator where the method comprises the steps of operating a laser in single mode and high modulation bandwidth by means of an electrical pulse driver, transforming the phase randomized optical pulses produced before in optical pulses with random amplitude and detecting the resulting random amplitude signals by means of a fast photodiode. The numbers thus produced are truly random. |
| US09218155B2 |
Portable information terminal, display control method, and program
A portable information terminal includes a display element and a control element. The display element includes a plurality of display screens. The control element divides a whole image including two or more rows of individual images arrayed in a direction where the plurality of display screens are arrayed into a plurality of divided images by a dividing line passing through gaps between the individual images in the respective rows, and displays each of the divided images on each of the display screens of the display element. |
| US09218153B2 |
Servicing a print request from a client system
A method and system for servicing a print request from a specific client system. Client-specific information from a client profile is read from database accessible to at least two printer server systems. The client-specific information includes the specific client system's geographic location, a favorite time span reflecting when the specific client system was previously connected to a network, an amount of data reflecting data previously printed within a given historical time span, a maximum data transfer rate at which the specific client system can transfer data to the network, a minimum speed required for printing data received from the specific client system by each printer server system, or combinations thereof. At least one best-suited printer is ascertained to be used for servicing the print request, utilizing the client-specific information, printer server information, and printer information. The print request is serviced by the at least one best suited printer. |
| US09218150B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method thereof
A system is provided in which printer driver update work is not required, and in addition, print queue creation work can be hidden. When a virtual printer driver is installed, a generic printer driver is installed in the system without creating a print queue. Then, for execution of printing, the installed generic printer driver is used to create the print queue, and a print job is input to the print queue. |
| US09218149B2 |
Output system, terminal apparatus, and method of outputting data
An output system includes a selection receipt unit that displays a function selection screen enabling a user to select a function based on an output request of data to be output received from the user and causes the user to select the function; a determination unit that determines, in response to the function selected by the user, an accumulation method and an accumulation destination of output data converted from the data to be output; an accumulation control unit that sends the output data converted from the data to be output based on the determined accumulation method of the output data and the output request to the determined accumulation destination and causes the determined accumulation destination to store the output data and the output request; and an output control unit that acquires the output data and the output request from the accumulation destination and outputs the output data. |
| US09218147B2 |
Conditionally displaying errors in a printing apparatus
An information processing apparatus that processes a job includes a determination unit configured to determine whether the job is a job in which print output is not performed by a printing apparatus, and a display unit configured to perform such control that information of occurrence of a first error in the printing apparatus is not displayed, if it is determined that the job is a job in which print output is not performed by the printing apparatus. |
| US09218146B2 |
Information processing system, method of processing information, program, and recording medium
An information processing system includes a first receiving unit receiving a print request; a first specifying unit specifying user identification information stored in a first memory unit in association with first identification information related to a transmission source of the print request; an acquiring unit acquiring second identification information from the print request when the user identification information is not specified by the first specifying unit; a second memory unit storing data related to the print request in association with the user identification information specified by the first specifying unit or the second identification information acquired by the acquiring unit; a second receiving unit receiving the user identification information or the second identification information from an apparatus connected with the information processing system; and a sending unit sending the user identification information received by the second receiving unit or the data stored in the second memory unit to the apparatus. |
| US09218144B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image formation method that perform packet response in the power saving mode
Provided is an image forming apparatus that increases an efficiency for network response. Thus, a network connection part receives a packet from an external network. A filter part distributes the packet received by network connection part for each protocol. A main response part that responds to the packet distributed by the filter part in the normal mode for controlling operation of each part. A sub response part that responds to some types of the packet, which is not distributed to the main response part by the filter part, in addition to the power saving mode where the main response part does not respond to the some types of the packet. |
| US09218139B2 |
Minimally disruptive virtual machine snapshots
Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for creating a snapshot of a virtual server. In an embodiment, a first write storage is created in response to a snapshot request. For each write from the virtual server to primary storage that is the first write of that particular data block since the snapshot request, the data that resided in the data block previous to the write is copied from the primary storage to the first write storage. |
| US09218137B2 |
System and method for providing data migration services
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for migrating data which allows transforming a data source of an existing system into a migrated data source complying with data requirements of a new system, typically in response to an upgrade of an application configured to access the data source. The system and method for data migration services is reusable (i.e., it may be used for different levels of data migration, e.g., in system upgrades to different versions), idempotent (i.e., it may be used multiple times on the same level of data migration, e.g., it may be applied multiple time in the same system upgrade of the same data without causing any disruption or different result when applied multiple times), and metadata driven (i.e., it does not require significant changes to be used for data migration of different systems). |
| US09218136B2 |
Cloud scale directory services
Embodiments described herein are directed to providing scalability to software applications. A computer system partitions a portion of data stored in a directory services system into multiple different data partitions. Each data partition includes a primary writable copy and at least one secondary read-only copy of the data. The computer system receives a client request for a portion of the data that is stored in the directory services system and accesses various stored partition mappings to determine which of the different data partitions includes the requested data. The computer system also accesses a dynamic copy locator to determine which of the read-only copies of the indicated partition to access and provide the accessed primary writeable copy of the indicated partition and the determined read-only copy to the client in a virtualized manner so that the client is not aware of the data partitions. |
| US09218135B2 |
Hierarchical allocation for file system storage device
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to storage allocation. In aspects, a hierarchical data structure is used to track allocation data for storage managed by a file system. The hierarchical data structure may have multiple levels with each level having data regarding a different granularity of storage. Portions of the hierarchical data structure may be locked independently of other portions of the hierarchical data structure. The hierarchical data structure may indicate that one or more portions of storage are for exclusive use by a directory. Extra space may be reserved in allocated space in anticipation of subsequent operations. Allocation requestors may obtain storage allocation from regions associated with different levels of the hierarchical data structure. |
| US09218132B2 |
System and method of writing to a non-volatile storage medium
A process for cataloguing information to an LTO storage device is disclosed. The process begins by writing content data the user wishes to store to an LTO storage device. In one embodiment, such content is written such that each portion of the content is associated with a file. Once the LTO storage device has stored the content, a user creates a catalog identifying particular locations on the LTO storage device associated with particular files of the content the user wishes to recall in the future. The catalog is then stored on a separate memory for later use. |
| US09218130B2 |
Tape storage device and writing method therefor
A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #N(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+1, etc. and WP#M+1 in sequential order in DS containing the second file. The remaining first, second, or third file is packed and DS#N with WP#M is overwritten as DS#N with WP#M+2, and the remaining #N in the DS numbers of the second file and the third file in the subsequent DS are written as DS#N+1, N+2, etc. with WP#M+2, and the DS#N, #N+1, #N+2, etc. with WP#M+2 are stored. |
| US09218129B2 |
User interface
A user interface comprising: (i) a physical keypad comprising a plurality of keys, and (ii) a touch-sensitive display for presenting a screen. The screen comprises: (a) an image illustrating the physical keypad; and (b) a transaction option depicted on one of the keys of the physical keypad. A user is able to select the transaction option either by pressing the transaction option on the touch-sensitive display or by pressing a physical key corresponding to the key on which the transaction option is depicted. |
| US09218127B2 |
Systems and methods for fast keyboard entry using a remote control in video conferencing and other applications
Systems and methods for performing data entry in videoconferencing and other systems that use remote controls and other non keyboard-based user interface devices. In some embodiments, the keys of a numeric keypad are associated with letters and symbols, such that when a number key is pressed the system displays a selection of choices in a spatial configuration, including the number pressed as well as additional character choices. Users can use navigation buttons to move the selection to any one of the displayed characters and select it, thus minimizing the number of remote control operations for data entry. |
| US09218116B2 |
Touch interaction with a curved display
Touch interaction with a curved display (e.g., a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, etc.) is enabled through various user interface (UI) features. In an example embodiment, a curved display is monitored to detect a touch input. If a touch input is detected based on the act of monitoring, then one or more locations of the touch input are determined. Responsive to the determined one or more locations of the touch input, at least one user UI feature is implemented. Example UI features include an orb-like invocation gesture feature, a rotation-based dragging feature, a send-to-dark-side interaction feature, and an object representation and manipulation by proxy representation feature. |
| US09218109B2 |
Recording medium, playback device, recording device, playback method and recording method for editing recorded content while maintaining compatibility with old format
A rewritable recording medium on which Index.bdmv is recorded in the BDMV directory. The Index.bdmv includes editability_flag and extended_editability_flag. When the editability_flag is set ON, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as an editable medium by a legacy device which does not support recording and editing of stereoscopic video. When the editability_flag is set OFF, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as a non-editable medium by the legacy device. When the extended_editability_flag is set ON, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as an editable medium by a non-legacy device even when the editability flag is set OFF, where the non-legacy device supports recording and editing of stereoscopic video. |
| US09218108B1 |
Battery charging metrics and representations
This disclosure describes systems and methods related to determining and providing battery charging metrics for an electronic device. In one embodiment, one or more processors may determine the capacity of the battery of an electronic device and a first battery charge level. A charging rate associated with the battery charger may be determined. A battery charging time may be calculated based at least in part on the battery capacity, the charging rate, the first battery charging time, and a second battery charging time. A representation of a charging status associated with the battery may be generated. |
| US09218107B1 |
Cloud-based text management for cross-platform display
Data including information regarding a display of the host device may be received. Such information may be used to identify one or more top-level windows in the host device display. Further, it is determined which of the top-level windows is currently active. The active top-level window may be determined to include a text caret and further, that the text caret is active such a keyboard display appears in a portion of the display of the client device. Instructions are generated for automatic adjustment of the remaining portion of the display of the client device based on the location of the text caret. |
| US09218106B2 |
Interactive program manager and methods for presenting program content
A particular system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include sending a notification indicator to a first device in response to identifying content of interest associated with a first source. The operations also include, in response to user input responsive to the notification indicator, sending a menu display to the first device. The menu display includes a first user selectable option to view a submenu. The submenu includes an option to selectively enable display of an alert associated with the first source. The alert is displayable on the first device in conjunction with display of a first program. |
| US09218099B2 |
Device-to-device communications based on capacitive sensing and coupling via human body or direct device-to-device coupling
Systems, devices and techniques disclosed in this document provide device-to-device communications via a human body of a user between (1) a capacitor sensor touch screen device that includes a capacitor sensor touch screen that includes capacitor sensors and provides a display function and (2) a capacitor sensor device that includes one or more capacitor sensors that detect or sense, based on capacitive sensing and without providing a display function, signals transmitted from the capacitor sensor touch screen of the capacitor sensor touch screen device. The human body of a user operates as a signal transmitting medium. In addition, the systems, devices and techniques disclosed in this document provide device-to-device communications via direct device-to-device coupling between two capacitor sensor touch screen devices each including capacitor sensor touch screen that includes capacitor sensors and provides a display function. |
| US09218098B2 |
Touch panel substrate and display device
A conducting layer (7) is formed in a shape of a grid having a predetermined width of lines extending along the first direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) and the second direction (vertical direction in the drawing). In a region that, when seen in planar view, overlaps those lines of the conducting layer (7) which extend along the first direction, lines of an insulating light-blocking layer (6) that are wider than those of the conduction layer (7) are arranged at predetermined intervals along the second direction. The conducting layer (7) is broken at predetermined places in a region that overlaps the insulating light-blocking layer 6 when seen in plane view. This makes it possible to achieve a liquid crystal display device including a touch panel substrate that has a high aperture ratio and that can suppress leakage of light through cuts in a conducting layer. |
| US09218097B2 |
Capacitive touch device capable of avoiding reduced frame rate and sensing method thereof
A capacitive touch device and a sensing method thereof are disclosed. The capacitive touch device includes a touch panel and a plurality of touch detection units. The touch panel includes first sensing lines and second sensing lines. The position of a touch between a last one of the first sensing lines and a first one of the second sensing lines is calculated according to sensed values respectively corresponding to a first sensing line prior to the last one of the first sensing lines, the last one of the first sensing lines and the first one of the second sensing lines. The present invention is capable of avoiding the problem that the frame rate is reduced significantly because of the data transmission between the first and second touch detection units. |
| US09218094B1 |
Sense position prediction for touch sensing methods, circuits and systems
A method can include determining multiple sensed positions of an object path in a touch sense region; generating at least a first predicted position from the sensed positions; and filtering a sense position, including associating the sense position with the object path if it is within a first proximity to at least the first predicted position, and not associating the sense position with the object path if it is outside of at least the first proximity from the first predicted position. |
| US09218092B2 |
Curved touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same
A touch screen panel and a method of manufacturing the same, the touch screen panel including a curved substrate; sensing patterns on at least one surface of the curved substrate; and an insulating layer covering the sensing patterns. |
| US09218091B2 |
Optical touch panel assembly and light sensor thereof
A light sensor includes a case, a light reflective layer and a light sensing component. The case has a light incident side. The light incident side is partially covered by the light reflective layer to cause the light incident side to form a light incident area uncovered by the light reflective layer and a light reflective area covered by the light reflective layer and located beside the light incident area. The light sensing component is disposed within the case and has a light sensing surface facing toward the light incident area. An optical touch panel assembly incorporating a plurality of the light sensors is also provided. The optical touch panel assembly includes a touch panel, two above-mentioned light sensors oppositely disposed at two sides of the touch panel. |
| US09218090B2 |
System and method for controlling a projector via a passive control strip
A projector includes an infrared generator, an infrared camera, an infrared control module, and a controller. The infrared generator provides an infrared curtain on a screen that the projector projects an image. The infrared camera detects a selection of an icon on a control strip located within the infrared curtain. The infrared control module is in communication with the infrared generator and the infrared camera, and determines a coordinate position within the infrared curtain associated with the selection of the icon on the control strip. The controller is in communication with the infrared control module, and determines a command for the projector based on the coordinate position of the selection of the icon, and executes the command. |
| US09218087B2 |
Self-capacitive touch panel
A self-capacitive touch panel including a border electrode and a central electrode is provided. The border electrode has a first centroid. The central electrode has a second centroid A first average distance from the first centroid to all possible touch points in the border electrode is smaller than a second average distance from the second centroid to all possible touch points in the central electrode. |
| US09218083B2 |
Methods for parsing content of document, handheld electronic apparatus and computer-readable medium thereof
A method for parsing a content of a document, a handheld electronic apparatus and a computer-readable medium thereof are provided. The method comprises the following steps: displaying the content of the document; parsing the content to find out text groups according to a preset pattern database when a touch event is detected, wherein the preset pattern database comprises a plurality of specific patterns, and a format of each of the text groups conforms to one of the specific patterns; determining whether a touch coordinates matches a corresponding position of a specific text group of the text groups; performing a corresponding action related to the specific text group when the touch coordinates matches the corresponding position of the specific text group. |
| US09218081B2 |
Semiconductor display device and driving method the same
It is an object to provide a semiconductor display device having a touch panel, which can reduce power consumption. The semiconductor display device includes a panel which is provided with a pixel portion and a driver circuit which controls an input of the image signal to the pixel portion, and a touch panel provided in a position overlapping with the panel in the pixel portion. The pixel portion includes a display element configured to perform display in accordance with voltage of the image signal to be input, and a transistor configured to control retention of the voltage. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region. The driving frequency of the driver circuit, that is, the number of writing operations of the image signal for a certain period is changed in accordance with an operation signal from a touch panel. |
| US09218078B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
A touch panel includes an insulating layer, a first axis electrode, and a second axis electrode. The insulating layer has first holes and second holes. The first axis electrode include first upper conductive units disposed on an upper side of the insulating layer and first lower conductive units disposed on a lower side of the insulating layer. Each first hole partially exposes the corresponding first lower conductive unit. The first upper conductive units are electrically connected to the first lower conductive units via the first holes. The second axis electrode includes second upper conductive units disposed on the upper side of the insulating layer and second lower conductive units disposed on the lower side of the insulating layer. Each the second holes partially exposes the corresponding second lower conductive unit. The second upper conductive units are electrically connected to the second lower conductive units via the second holes. |
| US09218076B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a display and a proximity sensor arranged near a display surface of the display and configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a degree of proximity of an object to the display surface, and provides a position of the approaching object in a direction horizontal to the display surface. A user interface control unit has a first operational mode and a second operational mode, where in the first operation mode, the proximity of a user's hand from the display surface is monitored based on the output signal of the proximity sensor. In the second operational mode, a position of the user's hand in a direction horizontal to the display surface is detected within a detection target range and a user's operation is accepted according to the detected position of the user's hand. |
| US09218075B2 |
Haptically-enabled system with braking
A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator. |
| US09218074B2 |
Gate drive circuit and display device having the gate drive circuit
A gate drive circuit in which multiple stages are connected together one after each other. An n-th stage includes a pull-up part, a carry part, a pull-down part, a switching part, a first maintaining part and a second maintaining part. The pull-up part outputs a high voltage of a first clock signal. The carry part outputs a high voltage of the first clock signal. The pull-down part pulls-down the n-th gate signal into a first low voltage. The switching part outputs a first signal synchronized with the first clock signal during an interval other than a high voltage output interval of the n-th carry signal. The first maintaining part maintains the n-th gate signal at the first low voltage in response to the first signal. The second maintaining part maintains the n-th gate signal at the first low voltage in response to a second signal. |
| US09218071B2 |
Interpolation of position of a stylus in a touch sensor
Systems and methods for determining interpolation functions for a stylus position on a sensor matrix and estimating such a position are provided. In one disclosed embodiment, a test apparatus comprises a stylus configured to be positioned on a sensor matrix at each location of a set of known locations. One or more processors are configured to access the touch sensor data corresponding to the set of known locations, where the data is produced in response to positioning the stylus on the sensor matrix at the set of known locations. Stylus location data reflecting the set of known locations is accessed. A stylus position interpolation function is then determined by curve fitting based on the touch sensor data corresponding to the set of known locations and the stylus location data reflecting the set of known locations. |
| US09218068B2 |
Sharing data inputs between multiple peripheral devices and host by converting inputs into operating system independent or specific format(s) based on input device
An apparatus may include a processor arranged to receive an input signal from an input device and a first event conversion module. The first event conversion module may receive an input event from the input device as an operating system (OS)-specific event arranged in a format operable by a first operating system, convert the OS-specific event into a converted event having an OS-independent format, and dispatch the converted event for processing. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09218067B2 |
Mobile communications device user interface
A mobile communications device user interface is described. In an implementation, a method is implemented by a computing device that includes displaying content in conjunction with a first level of a hierarchical menu in a user interface on a display device of the computing device. Responsive to receipt of an input to navigate to a second level of the hierarchical menu that is a sublevel of the first level, the second level in displayed conjunction with the content on the display device, the content having a reduced display richness when displayed in conjunction with the second level than when displayed in conjunction with the first level. |
| US09218066B2 |
Method for character correction
A computer program product is provided and includes a non-transitory tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and on which instructions are stored for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes enabling retrieval of a keyboard pressed sequence of characters of a first type, permitting a re-selection of characters of a second type, which are associated with the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type and permitting modification of the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type to initiate a search for and retrieval of characters of the second type. |
| US09218064B1 |
Authoring multi-finger interactions through demonstration and composition
A computing device comprises a processor and an authoring tool executing on the processor. The processor receives demonstration data representative of at least one demonstration of a multi-finger gesture and declaration data specifying one or more constraints for the multi-finger gesture. The processor generates, in accordance with the demonstration data and the declaration data, a module to detect the multi-finger gesture within a computer-generated user interface. |
| US09218060B2 |
Virtual mouse driving apparatus and virtual mouse simulation method
A virtual mouse simulation method used in a virtual mouse driving apparatus is provided. The method has the following steps of: capturing a plurality of input images continuously; detecting a finger area from the plurality of input images; detecting a specific event of the finger area; and generating a corresponding virtual mouse control command according to the specific event. |
| US09218059B2 |
Input apparatus for vehicle
An input apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus being used for operation input to various vehicular electronic devices, sets position input permission areas on a two-dimensional operation surface of an operation input device discretely by control of a main controller. In control modes of a reaction force, a guide input mode where position indication operations to the areas on the operation surface by the operation input device are guided along unique paths defined in the respective area and an arbitrary mode where the position indication operations are not guided but performed freely can be changed. The guide input mode is set at least during a vehicle travel. |
| US09218056B2 |
Eye tracking method and display apparatus using the same
A display apparatus employs two tracking units to track the gaze of a user. The display apparatus includes a first tracking unit to generate position information on a user positioned relative to a displayed image; and a second tracking unit to track a gaze of the user upon the displayed image, based on the position information. A method of eye tracking using the display apparatus includes steps of displaying an image; generating position information on a user positioned relative to the displayed image; and tracking a gaze of the user upon the displayed image, based on the position information. |
| US09218049B2 |
Dynamic voltage and frequency management
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a self calibration unit configured to iterate a test on a logic circuit in the integrated circuit at respectively lower supply voltage magnitudes until the test fails. A lowest supply voltage magnitude at which the test passes is used to generate a requested supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a series connection of logic gates physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit, and a measurement unit configured to launch a logical transition into the series and detect a corresponding transition at the output of the series. The amount of time between the launch and the detection is used to request a supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. |
| US09218045B2 |
Operating processor element based on maximum sustainable dynamic capacitance associated with the processor
Methods and apparatus relating to dynamic intelligent allocation and utilization of package maximum operating current budget are described. In one embodiment, at least one computational element may be caused to operate at an increased frequency in response to a determination that an opportunity exists to reduce a maximum dynamic capacitance associated with the processor. The determination may be based on an idle status of one or more subsystems of the processor. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09218042B2 |
Cooperatively managing enforcement of energy related policies between virtual machine and application runtime
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for runtime based enforcement of energy policies collaboratively. The application runtime environment executing within a virtual machine on the data processing system receives notification of a change in energy policy for the virtual machine or the physical host it is running on. Responsive to determining the virtual machine is to be run under a power cap based on the notification of a change in energy policy, the application runtime environment dynamically modifies execution of an application in the application runtime environment or requests the execution environment for delaying enforcement of energy policies. The application comprises a set of application modules. |
| US09218040B2 |
System cache with coarse grain power management
Methods and apparatuses for reducing power consumption of a system cache within a memory controller. The system cache includes multiple ways, and individual ways are powered down when cache activity is low. A maximum active way configuration register is set by software and determines the maximum number of ways which are permitted to be active. When searching for a cache line replacement candidate, a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is used to select from the active ways. This ensures that each active way has an equal chance of getting picked for finding a replacement candidate when one or more of the ways are inactive. |
| US09218034B2 |
User-directed motion gesture control
Apparatuses and methods for user-directed motion gesture control are disclosed. According to aspects of the present disclosure, direct user inputs can be used to predictably manipulate power control behavior. In some embodiments, a wearable mobile device may be configured to accept user commands, and be configured to sense multitude of use, use environment, and use contexts. The wearable mobile device may include a memory configured to store a set of reference power control motion gesture sequences, one or more sensors configured to sense a motion gesture sequence, and a controller configured to provide interactive power control of the device using the motion gesture sequence and the set of reference power control motion gesture sequences. |
| US09218033B1 |
Active phase balancing at facility level
A method and apparatus are provided for balancing the load placed by a data center on different phases of a power input. According to the method and apparatus, the load on the power is monitored and a load imbalance detected. Once the load imbalance is detected, a server rack from the data center is selected and a power supply in the selected server rack is reconfigured to output an increased or decreased voltage. |
| US09218028B2 |
Computer housing
A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing. |
| US09218025B2 |
Protective cover for a tablet computer
In certain embodiments, a protective cover includes a housing having a surface, and a latch mechanism hingeably coupled to the housing. The latch can include a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side configured to couple to and secure an input device to the surface of the housing. The latch can be configured to rotate, via the hinge coupling, between a first configuration and second configuration. In the first configuration, the top side of the latch can be flush with the surface of the housing and the bottom side embedded within the housing such that the latch does not protrude from the housing. In the second configuration, the latch can be rotated relative to the first configuration and protrude from the housing. The latch can be operable to be rotated open from the first configuration to the second configuration via the hinge coupling. |
| US09218023B2 |
Foldable structure for portable devices
A foldable structure for the support and use of portable devices is presented. The structure is attached to the back panel of a portable device or the device case. When the structure is unfolded, it rests flat in the indented area at the rear side of a portable device or the device case without changing the look and feel of the device. When the structure is folded, it forms a grip or device support stand to augment the functionality and usefulness of the portable device. |
| US09218022B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a base, a display module, at least one supporting element and at least one sliding assembly. The base includes a first area and a second area. The display module includes a connect end and a display face. Each supporting element includes a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly includes a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding block connected with the connect end and moved along the slide rail. Each sliding block includes at least one auxiliary sliding structure for decreasing sliding friction. |
| US09218019B2 |
Mounting device
An example mounting structure in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure includes an engagement assembly to mount within a pass-through tunnel of a support stand for an electronic display. The structure further includes a mounting bracket coupled to the engagement assembly. The mounting bracket provides a mounting surface for an electronic device. |
| US09218016B2 |
Voltage reference generation circuit using gate-to-source voltage difference and related method thereof
A voltage reference generation circuit includes a current supply circuit and a core circuit. The current supply circuit is arranged to provide a plurality of currents. The core circuit is coupled to the current supply circuit, and arranged to receive the currents and accordingly generate a voltage reference. The core circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a third transistor, wherein the first transistor and the third transistor generate a first gate-to-source voltage and a third gate-to-source voltage, respectively, according to a first current of the received currents; the second transistor generates a second gate-to-source voltage according to a second current of the received currents; and the voltage reference is generated according to the first gate-to-source voltage, the second gate-to-source voltage and the third gate-to-source voltage. |
| US09218014B2 |
Supply voltage independent bandgap circuit
This application discusses apparatus and methods for reducing supply voltage induced band gap voltage variation. In an example, a method of compensating a reference voltage current source for supply voltage variation can include providing at least a portion if a reference current for establishing the reference voltage using a first output transistor coupled to the supply voltage, maintaining a constant voltage across the first output transistor using a second output transistor coupled between the first output transistor and an output node, modulating a compensation impedance between a first node and ground as the supply voltage varies, the first node located where the first output transistor is coupled to the second output transistor, and wherein the modulating includes modulating the compensation impedance to substantially equal an output impedance, the output impedance measured between an output node and an input for the supply voltage. |
| US09218008B2 |
Effectiveness-weighted control of cooling system components
Energy efficient control of cooling system cooling of an electronic system is provided based, in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components. The control includes automatically determining speed control settings for multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The automatically determining is based, at least in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components of the cooling system, and the determining operates to limit power consumption of at least the cooling system, while ensuring that a target temperature associated with at least one of the cooling system or the electronic system is within a desired range by provisioning, based on the weighted cooling effectiveness, a desired target temperature change among the multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The provisioning includes provisioning applied power to the multiple adjustable cooling components via, at least in part, the determined control settings. |
| US09218006B2 |
Thermostatic mixing valve
A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The valve member includes a thermostatic control device in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of at least the first fluid through at least one opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. At least one fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet. |
| US09218003B2 |
Adaptive mapping with spatial summaries of sensor data
A system and method for mapping parameter data acquired by a robot mapping system is disclosed. Parameter data characterizing the environment is collected while the robot localizes itself within the environment using landmarks. Parameter data is recorded in a plurality of local grids, i.e., sub-maps associated with the robot position and orientation when the data was collected. The robot is configured to generate new grids or reuse existing grids depending on the robot's current pose, the pose associated with other grids, and the uncertainty of these relative pose estimates. The pose estimates associated with the grids are updated over time as the robot refines its estimates of the locations of landmarks from which determines its pose in the environment. Occupancy maps or other global parameter maps may be generated by rendering local grids into a comprehensive map indicating the parameter data in a global reference frame extending the dimensions of the environment. |
| US09217998B2 |
Management and development of an industrial environment
System(s), apparatus(es) and method(s) are provided for to managing and developing an industrial system included in the industrial environment. Intelligence related to a configuration of the industrial system is collected and processed to generate information related to operational condition(s) of the industrial system. Intelligence can be collected actively or passively: In active collection, a platform that collects the intelligence retrieves configuration record(s) from the industrial system, whereas in passive collection, the platform received one or more configuration records from the industrial automation system. Collected intelligence is cast into a set of configuration units that defines industrial system and functionality thereof. In addition, a set of services configured to convey specific functionality associated with at least one configuration unit is composed. At least a portion of the generated information can be supplied to the industrial system or one or more components thereof in accordance with a policy configured by the industrial automation system. |
| US09217986B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto a sheet in contact with the image bearing member, and an openable unit including an openable member and a rotational shaft. In addition, a lock member locks the openable unit in a closed state by movement of the openable member, and a cam member, provided in the main assembly, rotatably moves the transfer member toward and away from the image bearing member. A force receiving portion, provided on the openable unit, receives a reaction force in contact with the cam member. The openable member includes the transfer member, and the cam member urges the force receiving portion when rotated to impart a force, for attracting the openable unit toward a locking direction by the lock member, to the openable member. |
| US09217983B2 |
Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus including the same
A drive transmission device includes rotatable shafts, a first transmission mechanism that transmits first driving force, and a second transmission mechanism that transmits second driving force. The first driving force causes a specific rotatable shaft to rotate in a first rotation direction. The second driving force causes the specific rotatable shaft to rotate in a second rotation direction. The second transmission mechanism includes first and second gears, and a switching member that switches between coupling and decoupling of the first and second gears. While the first and second gears are coupled, the second driving force is transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft. The first transmission mechanism includes a cut-off member that cuts off transmission of the first driving force to the specific rotatable shaft upon the second driving force being transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft while the first driving force is being transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft. |
| US09217981B2 |
Positively-charged single-layer electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a positively-charged electrophotographic photoreceptor which uses a tubular photosensitive layer support base with a wall thickness of (t), wherein (t) is 0.7 mm or less, a chamfer angle (a) of an end surface of the photosensitive layer support base is 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to a longitudinal tangent of a surface of a tubular photosensitive layer support base, and an outer end surface-tail edge surface width (b) of the tubular photosensitive layer support base is 0.05 mm or more. |
| US09217980B2 |
Jam sensing at document feeding station
A method for preventing damage to a document by a document transport apparatus provides a member for receiving the document as a stack of sheets to be serial fed to a feeding station. At least two spaced-apart microphones are disposed at the feeding station and responsive to audio to produce signals representing audio energy received by each microphone respectively. The energy received from each microphone is compared to determine if it is ambient noise or if it indicates that two attached sheets are being fed or a single sheet is being damaged. The document transport apparatus is shut off to prevent damage to documents when it has been determined that two attached sheets are being fed or that a single sheet is being damaged. |
| US09217979B2 |
Cooling device and image forming apparatus including same
A recording-material cooling device includes a first belt, a first cooling unit, and a second cooling unit. The first belt is disposed at a first face side of a recording material. The first cooling unit has a first heat absorbing surface to contact the first belt to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit has a second heat absorbing surface to directly or indirectly contact the recording material to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit is disposed at a second face side of the recording material. The first and second cooling units are offset from each other in a transport direction of the recording material. Each of the first and second surfaces has a shape in which an inner area protrudes beyond opposed ends in the transport direction. The first and second surfaces overlap each other in a direction crossing the transport direction. |
| US09217977B2 |
Finisher, bookbinder, and imaging system
Single perforating unit is enabled to perforate for file binders and to cut milling grooves, while with a simple structure file-binder storage and booklet-binding can be carried out reliably. Configurations include: a convey-in path for sequentially transferring sheets; a stacker for collating into bundles sheets from the convey-in path; and an adhesive-layer applicator for adding an adhesive layer to the spine-closure edge of sheet bundles from the stacker. A perforating unit is provided in along the convey-in path, and a control unit for controlling position and/or number of perforations made by the perforating unit is provided with (1) a first operation mode in which it effects the punching of a predetermined number of holes in the edge of sheets, and (2) a second operation mode in which it effects the formation of a predetermined number of crenulated grooves in the edge of sheets. |
| US09217972B2 |
Fixing device of an image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor, the heater having a first region on which the heat generating resistor is formed and a second region, located outside of the first region in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, on which the heat generating resistor is not formed; and a heat conductive member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the heat conductive member having a higher heat conductivity than the substrate. The heat conductive member contacts the heater in a region extending across the first region and the second region, and an amount of heat generated by the heat generating resistor at its end portion is greater than that at its middle portion in the longitudinal direction. |
| US09217971B1 |
Fixing device, heating member, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording medium, and a heating member. The heating member includes a heat-generating layer that generates heat when supplied with electricity; an insulation layer that encloses the heat-generating layer therein to electrically insulate the heat-generating layer; a metallic layer that is laminated on a first surface of the insulation layer, has higher rigidity than the insulation layer, and generates an elastic restoring force; and a thermally conductive layer that is laminated on a second surface of the insulation layer, has lower rigidity than the metallic layer, and has higher thermal conductivity than the insulation layer and the metallic layer. The heating member is supported by one edge of the fixing member in a circumferential direction thereof, elastically deforms by being pressed against an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member, and heats the fixing member. |
| US09217970B2 |
Heater for fixing device
A heater for fixing devices includes a glass substrate, a heating element, electrode patterns connected to the heating element, a first protective layer, and a second protective layer. The glass substrate is made of an alkali-free glass. The first protective layer is formed by firing a mixture of a first glass powder and a first filler. The first glass powder contains no alkali metal oxide and has a lower softening point than the glass substrate. The first filler has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the alkali-free glass for the glass substrate. The second protective layer is made of a material that does not contain the first filler contained in the first protective layer. |
| US09217965B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a first image unit that uses toner which contains a flat pigment, a second image unit that uses toner which does not contain a flat pigment, and a fixing unit that includes a heating member which contacts with one surface of a recording medium where an image is formed to heat the image and a contact member that contacts with the other surface of the recording medium, and fixes the image to the recording medium, wherein an amount of heat that is applied to the image from the contact member is larger when the image formed by the toner containing the flat pigment is fixed to the recording medium than when the image formed by the toner not containing the flat pigment is fixed to the recording medium. |
| US09217962B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by consecutively superposing toner images that have been formed on a plurality of photosensitive drums, on an intermediate transfer member or a transfer medium. The image forming apparatus is made compact and operates at a low cost. Since a current supply member supplies a current in a rotational direction of an intermediate transfer belt, multiple first transfer portions do not need corresponding voltage sources. Even in the case where a charging member supplies a current, the potential of the intermediate transfer belt is maintained at a predetermined potential by a constant-voltage element connected to support rollers. |
| US09217961B2 |
Endless belt for image forming device and image forming device having the same
An endless belt for an image forming device includes a base member that is shaped in a loop and is to be rotated around a center of the loop, and a reinforcement tape that is attached to a side of the base member, has two ends that are overlapped with each other, and has a bonding portion between the two ends in the overlapped portion. The bonding portion has an outer portion, an inner portion and a center portion between the inner and outer portions. A length of the center portion in a rotating direction of the base member is greater than a length of the inner portion and a length of the outer portion. |
| US09217956B1 |
Dispense-end seal for toner containers
A toner container assembly including a seal assembly. The seal assembly can include an outer retainer ring having a non-adhesive carrier, a first adhesive layer on a surface of the non-adhesive carrier, and a first opening through the outer retainer ring. The seal assembly can further include a foam ring having a second opening therethrough, wherein the foam ring is attached to the outer retainer ring with the first adhesive, and a double-sided adhesive attached to the foam ring. The seal assembly may further include a solid foam disc having a first slit therethrough and a second slit therethrough, wherein the first slit is perpendicular to the second slit and the solid foam disc is attached to the foam ring by the double-sided adhesive layer. |
| US09217950B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes a development housing, a developer carrier, a toner carrier, a bias applying unit, a leakage detecting unit, a bias control unit and a leakage detection control unit. The developer carrier carries a developer layer. The toner carrier receives the toner from the developer layer and supplies the toner to an image carrier. The bias applying unit includes one transformer and applies direct-current voltages and alternating-current voltages to the developer carrier and the toner carrier. The leakage detecting unit detects leakage occurring between the image carrier and the toner carrier or between the toner carrier and the developer carrier. The leakage detection control unit detects a value of an inter-peak voltage, at which the leakage occurs, by applying the same direct-current voltage to the toner carrier and the developer carrier and changing the inter-peak voltages of the alternating-current voltages. |
| US09217949B2 |
Image variable magnification device and image variable magnification method
Disclosed is an image variable magnification device including: a first screen processing unit to carry out a first screen processing for the original image by applying a dither threshold on a position in a dither threshold matrix, which corresponds to a position obtained by adding the shift amount; a second screen processing unit to carry out a second screen processing for the original image by applying a dither threshold on a position in the dither threshold matrix, which corresponds to a position obtained by adding the shift amount and +1 or −1; and a variable magnification processing unit to shift each pixel in an image obtained by the first screen processing, in accordance with the shift amount, and to determine a gradation value of a pixel required to be inserted due to the shift, by adopting a processing result obtained by the second screen processing unit. |
| US09217944B2 |
Low structure carbon black and method of making same
A carbon black having an I2 number from 30 mg/g to 200 mg/g and a DBP from 20 cc/100 g to 40 cc/100 g. |
| US09217941B2 |
Method of manufacturing erasable toner
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an erasable toner includes washing toner particles including therein a coloring material that is erasable by heating and a binder resin to obtain a toner cake having the amount of water of 20% by weight to 60% by weight, and drying the toner cake at 40° C. or more and at a temperature which is lower than the complete color erasing temperature of the toner particles by 30° C. or more. |
| US09217940B2 |
Method for producing toner
A method for producing a toner includes: dissolving a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin in an organic solvent; mixing the organic solvent containing the thermoplastic resin and the thermosetting resin with an aqueous medium, and micronizing the thermoplastic resin in a mixture obtained; and forming a film of the dissolved thermosetting resin on surfaces of fine particles formed through the micronization. |
| US09217935B2 |
Method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical interference lithography, and porous carbon structure fabricated by same
Provided are a method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical interference lithography, and a porous carbon structure fabricated by same, wherein the method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical light interference lithography includes: forming a photoresist layer on a substrate; irradiating a three-dimensional optical interference pattern onto the photoresist formed using three-dimensional optical interference lithography to form a three-dimensional porous photoresist pattern; coating the formed three-dimensional porous photoresist pattern with an inorganic material; heating the photoresist pattern on which the inorganic material is coated to carbonize the pattern; and removing the coated inorganic material. |
| US09217933B2 |
Apparatus and methods for keeping immersion fluid adjacent to an optical assembly during wafer exchange in an immersion lithography machine
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a stage assembly having a substrate table on which a substrate is supported and exposed with an exposure beam from a final optical element of a projection optical assembly through an immersion liquid. A confinement member encircles a portion of a path of the exposure beam and has an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected. A movable member is movable in a space between the confinement member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both, such that a first portion of the space is located between a first surface of the movable member and the confinement member, and a second portion of the space is located between a second surface of the movable member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both. |
| US09217932B2 |
Projection objective for microlithography
A projection objective for imaging a pattern arranged in an object surface of the projection objective into an image surface of the projection objective with a demagnified imaging scale has a plurality of optical elements which are arranged along an optical axis of the projection objective and are configured so that a defined image field curvature of the projection objective is set such that an object surface that is curved convexly with respect to the projection objective is imaged into a planar image surface. Such projection objective, with a suitable setting of the object surface curvature, avoids the disturbing effect on the image quality that would otherwise result from gravitation-dictated bending of a mask. |
| US09217931B2 |
Method for operating an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A method of operating an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided. A set of illumination parameters that describe properties of a light bundle which converges at a point on a mask to be illuminated by the illumination system is first determined. Optical elements whose optical effect on the illumination parameters can be modified as a function of control commands are furthermore determined, as well as sensitivities with which the illumination parameters react to an adjustment of the optical elements, induced by the control commands. The control commands are then determined while taking the previously determined sensitivities into account, such that deviations of the illumination parameters from predetermined target illumination parameters satisfy a predetermined minimization criterion. These control commands are applied to the optical elements, before the mask is illuminated. |
| US09217927B2 |
Method for manufacturing micro structure using X-ray exposure
Provided is a method for fabricating a microstructure. The method includes disposing an X-ray mask on photosensitive material and exposing the photosensitive material by radiating X-rays to the photosensitive material, etching the exposed photosensitive material, forming a mold having a micro-pattern by filing the etched photosensitive material with metal, forming a mold module by combining a plurality of molds, and forming a microstructure using the mold module. |
| US09217925B2 |
Method for producing pattern phase difference film, pattern phase difference film, and image display device
A pattern phase difference film, which is used to display 3D images using a passive system, and provides a method for producing a pattern phase difference film that can be manufactured with high precision, easily and in large quantities. A mask, which has slits that are made narrow compared to the width of a region that is to undergo exposure treatment and are provided for exposure treatment, is manufactured. |
| US09217923B2 |
Method of using an EUV mask during EUV photolithography processes
The present disclosure is directed to various masks for use during EUV photolithography processes. In one example, an EUV mask is disclosed that includes, among other things, a substrate, a multilayer stack comprised of a plurality of multilayer pairs of ruthenium and silicon formed above the substrate, wherein the mask is adapted to, when irradiated with EUV light, have an effective reflective plane that is positioned 32 nm or less below an uppermost surface of the multilayer stack and a capping layer positioned above the uppermost surface of the multilayer stack. |
| US09217921B2 |
Resist underlayer film forming composition containing silicon having sulfide bond
There is provided a resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography for forming a resist underlayer film capable of being used as a hard mask; and a forming method of a resist pattern using the underlayer film forming composition for lithography. A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography comprising: as a silicon atom-containing compound, a hydrolyzable organosilane containing a sulfur atom-containing group, a hydrolysis product thereof, or a hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, wherein in the whole silicon atom-containing compound, the ratio of a sulfur atom to a silicon atom is less than 5% by mole. The hydrolyzable organosilane is preferably a compound of Formula (1): [R1aSi(R2)3-a]bR3 wherein R3 has a partial structure of Formula (2): R4—S—R5. |
| US09217918B2 |
Photomask, photomask manufacturing apparatus, and photomask manufacturing method
A photomask according to the present embodiment is used to transfer a pattern to a transfer target substrate in a non-telecentric optical system. A mask substrate includes a first face having a pattern formed thereon and a second face on an opposite side from the first face. A convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the second face in order to correct a position difference in a transfer pattern occurring when the pattern is transferred to the transfer target substrate. The convex portion is formed of a material different from that of the mask substrate. |
| US09217917B2 |
Three-direction alignment mark
A semiconductor device includes a first material formed on a substrate. The first material includes a first alignment mark. The first alignment mark includes alignment lines in at least three directions. The semiconductor device further includes a second material comprising a second alignment mark. The second alignment mark corresponds to the first alignment mark such that when the second alignment mark is aligned with the first alignment mark, the second material is aligned with the first material. |
| US09217915B2 |
Projection-type video display apparatus having a transmission-type screen
A projection-type video display apparatus comprising: a transmission-type screen; a video projection unit configured to project an image displayed on a video display surface as an image light; a projection optic system configured to enlarge and project the image light projected from said video projection unit on a rear surface of said transmission-type screen; and a plane mirror, provided in a part of said projection optic system, configured to reflect the image light from said video projection unit, thereby to project it on said transmission-type screen, wherein said transmission-type screen, said video projection unit and said projection optic system are mounted on a base; said video projection unit builds up an oblique projection optic system; and said transmission-type screen and said plane mirror are disposed on said base, being perpendicularly fixed, independently, in parallel with each other, and on the rear surface of said transmission-type screen is attached a foldable back cover, detachably, so as to cover a rear surface of said plane mirror. |
| US09217914B2 |
Multi-projection system
A multi-projection system having a plurality of projection surfaces onto which images are projected is provided, where the plurality of projection surfaces are disposed on two or more sides not parallel to each other. The multi-projection system provides high three-dimensional images and a high degree of immersion in images and further provides multi-view images, thereby making theater customers feel like they really exist in the space described through the images. |
| US09217911B1 |
Camera assembly having a camera support system with a biased hinge and related methods
A camera assembly having a camera support system that may include a first support member, a second support member, a first biased hinge, and a strap. The first support member may have a first end and a second end. The second support member may have a first end and second end. The first biased hinge may include the first end of the first support member, the first end of the second support member, a first pivoting rod, and the strap wrapped around the first pivoting rod. The camera support system may further include a second biased hinge. The second biased hinge may include the second end of the first support member, a second pivoting rod, a portion of a camera body, and the strap wrapped around the second pivoting rod. |
| US09217910B2 |
Inorganic optical filter, optical element, and light source
The inorganic optical filter of the invention consists of a NdF3 single crystal. The optical element of the invention comprises a wavelength conversion element wherein incident light is subjected to wavelength conversion to twice the frequency by quasi-phase-matching using primary matching or tertiary matching, and emitted, and an inorganic optical filter situated in the optical path of light emitted from the wavelength conversion element, wherein the wavelength conversion element consists of a ferroelectric fluoride single crystal represented by Ba1−y(Mg1−xZnx)1+yF4 (where 0≦x≦1, and −0.2≦y≦0.2), and the inorganic optical filter consists of a NdF3 single crystal. |
| US09217907B2 |
Method and apparatus for electronically displaying information
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for electrically displaying information. Specific embodiments pertain to displaying information on shelf edges in a retail setting. Embodiments can provide a low-cost, low-power consumption, and durable solution that allows retailers to display, and, optionally, automatically update, information on shelf edges utilizing e-paper technology and wireless communications. Specific embodiments pertain to an e-paper display without a glass backplane. Further specific embodiments pertain to a flexible e-paper display incorporating a separate driving mechanism that can drive one or multiple e-papers. |
| US09217898B2 |
Vertical alignment liquid crystal display device and method for driving same
A vertical alignment liquid crystal display device (VA-LCD) includes a display panel. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel unit includes a first thin film transistor (TFT), a second TFT, and a liquid crystal capacitor having a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The common electrode is applied with a common voltage, a first gray voltage is applied to the pixel electrode through a first TFT, and a second gray voltage is applied to the pixel electrode through a second TFT different from the first gray voltage, such that liquid crystal capacitor maintains two different gray voltages in a display frame time of the VA-LCD. |
| US09217896B2 |
Liquid crystal displays
A liquid crystal display comprises two parallel spaced substrates and a liquid crystal layer with negative dielectric anisotropy interposed between the substrates. The ratio d/p, the cell gap d between the substrates to the pitch p of the liquid crystal layer, is equal to or less than 0.3, and the retardation value Δn*d may be in the range of 0.25-0.4. In absence of electric field, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged vertically to the substrates, and when the sufficient electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are parallel to the substrates and twisted by 90° from one substrate to the other. |
| US09217895B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes plural light guide plates each including a light incident surface and a light output surface, plural light sources providing light to the light guide plates, and a display panel receiving the light to display an image. The light guide plates have a rectangular shape, are spaced apart from each other and are in a same plane. The light sources are disposed between two adjacent light guide plates. Each of the light sources includes a light emitting surface, and provides the light to the light guide plates through the light emitting surface. The light emitting surface of the light sources is inclined with respect to one side of the light guide plates. |
| US09217889B2 |
Narrow bezel liquid crystal display module
A narrow bezel LCD module, comprising: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight module having at least one plastic frame to carry the liquid crystal panel; a front frame surrounding the plastic frame to fix the liquid crystal panel and form an accommodating space formed between the front frame and the plastic frame; at least one flexible package component disposed in the accommodating space and having a flexible circuit board which electrically connects to the liquid crystal panel and a driver circuit board; and at least one guide block disposed in the accommodating space, fixed on one inner side of the front frame and having a guide slope facing the flexible circuit board. The invention can avoid the flexible package component from being curved upward and damaged. |
| US09217886B2 |
Repairing line system and repair method thereof
The present invention discloses a repairing line system, which includes a plurality of packages, a substrate having a plurality of data lines awaiting for repair, two repairing lines, and two connecting lines. The repairing line includes outgoing lines led from the packages and a wire disposed on three sides of the substrate without the packages disposed and coupled to the outgoing lines. The wires insulatively intersect second terminals of the data lines awaiting for repair. The connecting line insulatively intersects the outgoing lines and first terminals of the data lines. The present invention further discloses a repair method of the repairing line system. The repairing line system and the repair method of the present invention utilize the same repairing lines led from different packages to connect with each other for forming whole connected wires, thereby increasing flexibility of the repairing line system in repairing data lines. |
| US09217882B2 |
Head mounted display, display device for eyeglasses and temple tip for display device
A head mounted display that is attached to an eyeglass frame for use, includes: a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a first electrical component including a display element and an eyepiece optical part that allows a user to observe a display image by the display element as a virtual image. The second unit which is a temple tip for display device having a temple connecting part to which a temple of the eyeglass frame is attachable includes a second electrical component and an attachment part in which the first unit is detachably engaged and supported. When the first unit is engaged and supported in the attachment part, the first electrical component and the second electrical component are electrically coupled. |
| US09217874B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a display panel having at least, first pixels that display a first parallax image and second pixels that display a second parallax image; and an image conversion element. The image conversion element includes: a plurality of first electrodes arranged at a predetermined pitch; a second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer. The image display apparatus according to the present disclosure simultaneously satisfies the following conditions, wherein f is a distance from the liquid crystal layer to the first pixels or the second pixels, r is a length equal to ½ of an arrangement pitch of the first electrodes, Δn is a birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules, P is an arrangement pitch of the first pixels and the second pixels, and d is a thickness of the liquid crystal layer: f ≥ 5 P ( 1 ) Δ n < r 2 2 d · f . ( 2 ) |
| US09217872B2 |
Liquid crystal display element, image display apparatus, method for driving image display apparatus, and portable device
A display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal display element in which a plurality of display units including at least a pixel that displays an image for a first eyepoint and a pixel that displays an image for a second eyepoint are arranged in a matrix shape; an optical unit which distributes light emitted from the pixel that displays the image for the first eyepoint and light emitted from the pixel that displays the image for the second eyepoint in mutually different directions; a first control electrode and a second control electrode disposed on each pixel in the display units; and a plurality of domain regions of which the orientation is controlled by a diagonal electric field or a lateral electric field formed by the first control electrode and the second control electrode and which have different liquid crystal molecule orientation states. |
| US09217870B1 |
Magnifying device and method
A magnifying device for magnifying selected objects for inspection in particular. The magnifying device includes a support assembly including a flexible and compressible tubular support having a length with open front and back ends and a bore extending therethrough; and a magnifying lens disposed in the bore proximate to the open front end of the tubular support and being maneuverable longitudinally and laterally relative to the back end to view an object in alignment with the open back end. |
| US09217865B2 |
Light projection device
A light projection device capable of irradiating light only onto an object includes: a light projector in which an object and a back surface of the object are taken as a projectable range; a shadow region detector that detects a shadow that occurs on the back surface of the object by projection light; and a controller that corrects a shadow region so that a projection region of the light projector and the shadow region can coincide with each other on the back surface of the object, sets the corrected shadow region as a light projection range and sets, as a non-light projection range, a region other than the shadow region, and sets projection light projected onto the set light projection range, wherein the light projector projects the projection light onto a range where the object is present by projecting the set projection light onto the set light projection range. |
| US09217863B2 |
Scanning optical system and image forming apparatus including the same
A scanning optical system includes a light source including light emission points, a deflector for deflecting a beam in main scanning direction, an optical element for guiding the beam from the light source to the deflector, and a stop for limiting the beam from the optical element, sets the followings appropriately: distance from the light source to the stop; focal length of the optical element; distance in main scanning direction from an intersection of optical axis and the light source at a farthest light emission point from the optical axis in main scanning direction; stop aperture diameter in main scanning direction; total angle at half maximum of a far-field pattern of emitted light; and angle between a marginal ray within main scanning section at the farthest light emission point from the optical axis in main scanning direction and a ray of a maximum intensity. |
| US09217859B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-speed phase shifting for interferometric measurement systems
Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system. |
| US09217856B1 |
Process of fabricating transparent interferometric visible spectrum modulator
The process for fabricating a visible spectrum modulator makes use of thin film conductive oxides and air gaps to reflect colors of certain wavelengths, achieving transparency due to the transparent nature of conductive oxides and via electrostatic pull-in to reduce the air gaps. |
| US09217853B2 |
Divergence-changing device
A divergence-changing device, comprising a ray source, a substantially telecentric arrangement, having an optical system, which has a first focal point and a first system region and a second system region, and having a ray-deflecting device, which is designed such that the beam of rays from the ray source hits the ray-deflecting device, wherein the main ray would hit/hits the ray-deflecting device at the first focal point or close to the first focal point, and that the ray-deflecting device can feed the beam of rays from the ray source to the first system region at different angles of incidence, wherein the beam of rays imaged by the first system region is deflected onto the second system region by a ray-folding device, wherein the beam of rays is imaged by the second system region such that the beam of rays hits the ray-deflecting device again and leaves the divergence-changing device with a constant position. |
| US09217852B2 |
System and method for online inspection of turbines using an optical tube with broadspectrum mirrors
An optical inspection system for nondestructive internal visual inspection and non-contact infra-red (IR) temperature monitoring of an online, operating power generation turbine. The optical inspection system includes an optical tube having a viewing port, at least one reflective mirror or a mirror array having a reflectivity spectral range from 550 nm to 20 μm, and capable of continuous operation at temperatures greater than 932 degrees Fahrenheit (500 degrees Celsius), and a transparent window with high transmission within the same spectral range mounted distal the viewing port. The same optical mirror array may be used to measure selectively surface temperature of metal turbine blades in the near IR range (approximately 1 μm wavelength) and of thermal barrier coated turbine blades in the long IR range (approximately 10 μm wavelength). |
| US09217851B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup device including the same
A zoom lens includes a front unit including one lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear unit including an aperture stop and one or more lens units and having a positive refractive power as a whole, and an interval between adjacent lens units changes during zooming such that an interval between the front unit and rear unit decreases at a telephoto end when compared to a wide angle end. The front unit includes a negative lens G11 in a position closest to the object side, and a lens surface of the negative lens G11 on the image side has an aspherical shape by which the positive refractive power increases from a center to an edge. Various parameters for the zoom lens according to the present invention are properly set. |
| US09217850B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from an object side. Magnification is changed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional formulae. |
| US09217848B1 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises an aperture stop and six lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened. |
| US09217840B2 |
Low-mode high power fiber combiner
A high power fiber laser system is configured with a combiner end fiber spliced to a combiner output fiber. The system further includes a light stripper extending along the combiner end and output fibers and configured with sequentially located zones which are provided with respective refractive indices. In a forward propagating direction of light signal, the upstream zone includes polymeric material with the refractive index higher than that of the cladding of the combiner end fiber. This zone is configured to remove the backreflected core guided light bled into the cladding of the combiner through a splice between combiner end and output fibers. The intermediate zone includes polymeric material configured with a refractive index lower than that of the cladding of the combiner output fiber so it can prevent clad guided signal light from decoupling the cladding under the material. The downstream zone is configured with polymeric material having a refractive index lower than that of the cladding of the combiner output fiber. The polymeric material of the downstream zone is impregnated with a plurality of light diffusers scattering high numerical aperture rays of the clad-guided signal light. |
| US09217838B2 |
Heat sink retention in an optical component
An example embodiment includes a retention spring. The retention spring includes a central portion, a coupling feature, and a spring arm. The central portion includes a heat sink contact surface configured to contact a detachable heat sink. The coupling feature is configured to mechanically couple the retention spring to an optical component. The spring arm connects the central portion to the coupling feature. The spring arm is configured to elastically deform to allow insertion of the detachable heat sink between the heat sink contact surface and a heat dissipation surface of the optical component and to at least partially retain the detachable heat sink against the heat dissipation surface. |
| US09217822B2 |
Encapsulated LED array and edge light guide device comprising such an LED array
This invention relates to structures for mounting LEDs, the structures being suitable for use in the manufacture of light guide devices. This invention also relates to light guide devices comprising the structures and methods of manufacture of the aforementioned. The light guide devices are suitable for use in a range of applications, particularly in connection with the backlighting of displays, for example, liquid crystal displays. |
| US09217820B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus (100) comprising a display screen (110) and a backlight assembly (120) is provided. The backlight assembly (120) comprises a distributed light source (122, 124) and a light guide plate (126) having at least two lateral edges. The light guide plate (126) and the distributed light source (122, 124) are arranged such that the light emitted by the distributed light source (122, 124) is edge-coupled into the light guide plate (126) for being forward projected onto the display screen (110) to illuminate the display screen (110) from back. The distributed light source (122, 124) is mounted on a heat sink structure (130). The heat sink structure (130) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart heat dissipating plates (136). Each heat dissipating plate (136) functions as a heat dissipation fin, is in thermal communication with the distributed light source (122, 124) and spans between the two lateral edges of the light guide plate (126). |
| US09217818B2 |
Polarizer, display device and manufacturing method of polarizer
A polarizer is provided comprising: a transparent substrate, on a main surface of which a plurality of grooves in parallel with each other are provided at an interval; a birefringence crystal layer with a single orientation formed on the main surface of the transparent substrate where the grooves are provided, wherein the birefringence crystal layer is at least filled in the grooves so that linearly polarized light incident on a location corresponding to the grooves and passing through the polarizer is converted into first polarized light, and linearly polarized light incident on a location between the grooves and passing through the polarizer is converted into second polarized light, the polarization directions of the first and the second polarized light are different from each other. |
| US09217817B2 |
Retroreflective appliques and articles
Retroreflective appliqués and articles include a first binder layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, a retroreflective layer including a plurality of retroreflective elements at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer, a second binder layer adhered to the second major surface of the first binder layer, and a substrate layer attached to the second binder layer. The first binder layer is a non-thermoplastic crosslinked copolymer with a Tg of less than 30° C. The second binder layer is an adhesive polymer. The first binder layer and the second binder layer include functional groups capable of co-reacting to form a chemical bond. The retroreflective appliqués can be attached to clothing articles. |
| US09217814B2 |
Cellulose acylate film, a polarizing plate using the same and a liquid crystal display using the same
A cellulose acylate film containing at least one compound represented by the following Formula (I) or (II), and cellulose acylate, a polarizing plate using the same and a liquid crystal display device using the same, wherein in Formula (I), R1 represents an alkyl group; R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or an aryl group; R4 represents an alkyl group; Ar1 represents an aromatic group; m and n are integers; provided that when n is 1, Ar1 represents an aromatic group; and in Formula (II), R11 to R14 each represent a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group; R11 and R12, and/or, R13 and R14 may form a ring; R15 and R17 each represent an alkyl group; and R16 and R18 each represent a hydrogen atom or alkyl group; Ar represents an arylene group; and 1, m1 and n1 are integers. |
| US09217811B1 |
Lightning damage index
The present disclosure teaches a lightning damage index is that used to predict the propensity of a lightning strike to an aircraft and the degree of damage to the aircraft that the lightning strike will cause. This index can help to obviate operational issues and other losses related to subsequent repairs to the aircraft that are required because of lightning damage. The disclosed method of predicting lightning strike damage to an aircraft involves generating data relating to the aircraft by measuring the dimensions of the aircraft, assessing the design features of the aircraft, and/or obtaining electromagnetic density data associated with regions of the aircraft. The method further involves creating a lightning damage index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to the aircraft based on the generated data. The numeric representation may be further modified by factors associated with operation of the aircraft. |
| US09217810B2 |
Wellbore FTIR gas detection system
A system can be constructed and operated with at least a wellbore that is connected to a gas detection system. The gas detection system can house a control module, infrared sensor, and first and second pumps in a portable case. The first and second pumps may be respectively positioned on opposite sides of the infrared sensor and configured to provide uniform sample gas flow through the infrared sensor to detect multiple different types of gasses flowing from the wellbore. |
| US09217806B2 |
Towing methods and systems for geophysical surveys
Disclosed are methods and systems for towing one or more electromagnetic sensor streamers from deflectors in an additional geophysical sensor streamer spread. An embodiment discloses a marine geophysical survey system, comprising: a survey vessel; an electromagnetic sensor streamer; and a geophysical sensor streamer spread configured to be towed by the survey vessel, wherein the geophysical sensor streamer spread comprises: sensor streamers configured to be laterally spaced apart from one another; and deflectors adapted to spread the sensor streamers substantially transversely in relation to a direction of motion of the survey vessel, wherein the electromagnetic sensor streamer is configured to be towed from at least one of the deflectors. |
| US09217805B2 |
Monitoring the quality of particle motion data during a seismic acquisition
A technique includes acquiring particle motion data from a plurality of particle motion sensors while in tow during a seismic survey. During the seismic survey, the particle motion data are processed without deghosting the particle motion data to determine whether at least some portion of the particle motion data is inadequate for an application that relies on the particle motion data. |
| US09217804B2 |
Seismic clock timing correction using ocean acoustic waves
A method for identifying clock timing discrepancies in at least one clock of interest that is associated with a marine seismic receiver, comprises collecting from at least one marine receiver other than the receiver of interest a first data set corresponding to a selected time period, said first data set being selected to include ocean wave signals; collecting from the receiver of interest a second data set corresponding to the selected time period, said second data set being selected to include ocean wave signals; applying a mathematical prediction technique to the ocean wave signals in the first data set so as to generate a predicted response for a receiver co-located with the receiver of interest; comparing the predicted response to the second data set so as to generate a correlation data set; and using the correlation data set to determine a corrected parameter for the receiver of interest. |
| US09217798B2 |
Constant energy displacements
An electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons is provided. In one example, the source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. A foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record. |
| US09217793B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting radiation
Apparatus and method for detecting radiation-of-interest, such as neutron radiation, employs a gas chamber, a gas that responds to ionizing particles by producing electrons and ions, a cathode that attracts ions, and a supporting layer with a conductive pathway. The conductive pathway collects electrons and responds to electrons that drift towards the conductive pathway by inducing production of further electrons and ions within the gas. The electrons that are collected at the conductive pathway and/or the ions that drift away from the conductive pathway will induce an electrical signal, which can be used to detect the radiation-of-interest. |
| US09217792B2 |
System and method for GNSS in-band authenticated position determination
The present invention provides a system and method for determining the authenticity of reported positions of GNSS receivers, such as aircraft equipped with GPS positioning devices, and provides an in-band verification capability for GNSS positions by tasking one or more GNSS satellites as designated authentication support (DAS) satellites that transmit corrupted ephemeris data in a pseudo-random error corrupted C/A signal on the L1 band, and the GNSS receivers determine authentication ranges to the DAS satellites and transmit the DAS authentication ranges as part of their position report. The surveillance system can verify the authenticity by comparing the transmitted authentication ranges to true authentication ranges determined using actual ephemeris data and the known C/A code pseudo-random error for the DAS satellites. |
| US09217785B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition setting unit is configured to display a setting screen of a radio frequency prepulse on a display unit to set imaging conditions including application timings of radio frequency prepulses according to input information from an input device through the setting screen. The setting screen displays an application timing of a radio frequency excitation pulse and the application timings of the radio frequency prepulses on a time axis. The imaging unit is configured to perform imaging of an object according to the imaging condition. |
| US09217783B2 |
Hall effect device
A hall effect device includes an active Hall region in a semiconductor substrate, and at least four terminal structures, each terminal structure including a switchable supply contact element and a sense contact element, wherein each supply contact element includes a transistor element with a first transistor terminal, a second transistor terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the second transistor terminal contacts the active Hall region or extends in the active Hall region; and wherein the sense contact elements are arranged in the active Hall region and neighboring to the switchable supply contact elements. |
| US09217778B2 |
Voltage measuring device
A signal processor includes: a plurality of first capacitors provided for respective output terminals of a plurality of multiplexers, the first capacitors having their one ends connected to the respective output terminals of the multiplexers, the first capacitors being charged in accordance with voltages outputted from the respective output terminals; a differential amplifier including an input terminal connected to the other ends of the first capacitors; a second capacitor connected between the input terminal and an output terminal of the differential amplifier; and a second switch connected parallel to the second capacitor. First switches included in at least one of the plurality of multiplexers are configured as high-voltage switches that allow operation at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of first switches included in the other multiplexer or multiplexers. |
| US09217777B2 |
Current sense circuit for measuring a charge level of a battery
A current sense circuit for measuring a charge level of a battery is disclosure. The circuit comprising: a shunt resistor (R10) connected between a high side terminal of the battery and a load/charge terminal for connecting the battery to a load; translation circuitry arranged to produce a voltage across a pair of current sense terminals (GG_SRP, GG_SRN) in proportion to the voltage across the shunt resistor; wherein one of the current sense terminals (GG_SRP) is provided on a first current path connected at one end between the high side terminal of the battery and the shunt resistor (R10), and connected at the other end to ground, and the other of the current sense terminals (GG_SRN) is provided on a second current path connected at one end between the shunt resistor (R10) and the load/charge terminal, and connected at the other end to ground. |
| US09217772B2 |
Systems and methods for characterizing devices
A device characterization system includes a characterization tool and a test flow development generator. The characterization tool is configured to perform testing on a product device according to a test flow and generate test data. The characterization tool includes a list of available test instances that can be performed. The test flow development generator is configured to automatically generate the test flow according to device specifications for the product device and selected test instances of the list of available test instances. |
| US09217767B2 |
Testing method of a solar cell panel, and testing apparatus thereof
A testing method of a solar cell panel of the present invention, includes steps of: (a) providing an ambient light with steady illumination to the surface of a solar cell panel to introduce a steady signal to its electrical output; (b) providing a modulation light to a given area of the solar cell panel to introduce a modulated signal to its electrical output corresponding to the given area; and (c) analyzing electrical output of the solar cell panel to obtain electrical properties corresponding to the given area. The testing method can test the solar cell panel efficiently, detect and locate defects accurately so that the defects can be corrected and feed back to improve manufacturing process. |
| US09217757B2 |
Systems and methods for 3-axis accelerometer calibration
Systems and methods for calibrating the alignment of 3-axis accelerometers in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a telematics system includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. an accelerometer, and a processor, wherein the GPS receiver is configured to determine velocity information, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine accelerometer acceleration information along one or more accelerometer axes, and wherein the processor is configured to receive a velocity information sample using the GPS receiver, determine GPS acceleration information along one or more vehicle axes using the velocity information sample, receive accelerometer acceleration information samples using the accelerometer, and calibrate one of the vehicle axes to an accelerometer axis in the one or more accelerometer axes using the GPS acceleration information sample and the accelerometer acceleration information sample. |
| US09217756B2 |
Lever mechanisms for anti-phase mode isolation in MEMS tuning-fork structures
A MEMS resonator includes two resonating masses having an anti-phase and in-phase resonance mode, each mode having a resonance frequency, and an anti-phase resonance levering system coupled to the two resonating masses to stiffen and/or dampen the in-phase resonance mode while leaving the anti-phase resonance mode compliant. This effectively raises the in-phase resonance frequency above the anti-phase resonance frequency, and potentially creates a large frequency separation between the two resonance modes. This reduces the energy transfer between the two modes, allowing for robustness to external acceleration, because the in-phase mode is of a higher frequency. The anti-phase resonance levering system is disposed between the two resonating masses as an internal levering mechanism, or is disposed around the two resonating masses as an external levering mechanism. |
| US09217754B2 |
Apparatus and method to aid in finding misplaced, forgotten, or unused items
Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence. |
| US09217753B2 |
Impact and sound analysis for golf equipment
Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products. |
| US09217729B2 |
Floating head contour following holder for ultrasonic testing
An ultrasonic transducer holder with a floating head is disclosed. This transducer holder allows the waterpath of the ultrasonic signal to be maintained over a contoured surface. Maintaining a constant waterpath between a transducer and the piece being inspected allows for inspection of surfaces that normally would not be capable of inspection by prior ultrasonic transducer holders. |
| US09217728B2 |
Device for inspecting a moving metal strip
A device for inspecting a moving metal strip includes a first electromagnetic acoustic transducer having an ultrasonic wave emitter. The waves emitted from the emitter are emitted to be incident on a first edge of a surface of the strip, and the emitter is not in contact with the strip. A second electromagnetic acoustic transducer is provided and includes an ultrasonic wave receiver. The waves received emerging from an area of the strip surface toward the receiver, the receiver is not in contact with the strip. A processing unit is coupled to the second electromagnetic acoustic transducer to provide an inspection criterion using a signature of the ultrasonic waves measured. The area is located on the strip such that a wave path between the first edge of the strip and the area is aligned in a linear direction mainly transverse to the direction of movement of the strip. |
| US09217726B2 |
Gas sensor control apparatus
A gas sensor control apparatus (1) for a gas sensor (2) including an electromotive force cell (24) and a pump cell (14) includes current control means (69) for feedback-controlling the pump current Ip, voltage setting means S5, S13 for setting a target voltage Vr to either of first and second target voltage Vr1 and Vr2, and constant group setting means S4, S12 for setting a group of feedback control constants to a first group Kpid1 when the target voltage is Vr1 and to a second group Kpid2 when the target voltage is Vr2. The second group Kpid2 is determined such the pump current Ip becomes stable more quickly as compared with the case where the first group of control constants Kpid1 continues to be used. |
| US09217721B2 |
No sensor and sensor systems
Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sensor design that exploits the different majority carriers (holes/electrons) in WO3 and Cr2O3 to build sensitivity and selectivity to NO at ppb levels, while discriminating against CO at concentrations a thousand-fold higher (ppm) and spread over a considerable range (0-20 ppm). Practical application of this sensor system for detecting NO in human breath is demonstrated. |
| US09217715B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for magnetic features of articles
Provided herein are apparatuses and methods related thereto, wherein at least one apparatus includes: a photon emitting means configured to emit photons, wherein the photons are scattered from magnetic features of an article; a photon detector array configured to receive scattered photons; and a processing means configured to differentiate the magnetic features from the scattered photons. |
| US09217714B2 |
Reflective surfaces for surface features of an article
Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for emitting photons onto a surface of an article; a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface configured to reflect the photons onto the surface of the article; and a processing means configured for processing signals from a photon detector array corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article. |
| US09217711B2 |
Methods to dissolve beryllium and its compounds present in samples to facilitate determination of beryllium in these samples
A safer, low-cost practical method of dissolving beryllium or a beryllium compound including beryllium oxide in a sample is disclosed. This method discloses use of acidic solutions under mild heating conditions to dissolve beryllium and its compounds. These solutions may then be used to quantitatively analyze for beryllium so as to be able to determine the amount of beryllium in the sample. These solutions may also be combined with fluorescent dye indicating solutions to determine beryllium by fluorescence. A preferred fluorescent dye indicating solution contains a dye (10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline-7-sulfonate) which specifically binds with beryllium under basic conditions. |
| US09217710B2 |
Method of simultaneous frequency-sweeping lifetime measurements on multiple excitation wavelengths
A fast fluorescence lifetime microscopic system images FRET between multiple labels in live cells and deep tissue, using a quantitative analysis method to reconstruct the molecular machinery behind the multiplexed FRET phenomenon. The system measures fluorescence lifetime, intensity and anisotropy as images of excitation-emission matrices (EEM) in real time and high speed within a single image scan, performs high-resolution deep-penetrating 3D FRET imaging in live samples, and fully analyzes all possible photon pathways of multiplexed FRET. The system provides a way for systematic and dynamic imaging of biochemical networks in cells, tissue and live animals, which will help to understand mechanisms of genetic disorders, cancers, and more. |
| US09217705B1 |
Methods for assaying ionic materials using an integrated computational element
The binding state of ionic materials, including metal ions, in a fluid phase can be determined using an integrated computational element. Methods for determining the binding state of an ionic material in a fluid phase can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with an ionic material and one or more integrated computational elements, the ionic material being located in a fluid phase while being optically interacted with the electromagnetic radiation; and determining one or more binding states of the ionic material in the fluid phase, using the one or more integrated computational elements. |
| US09217704B2 |
Device and a method for characterising a chromatic property of foodstuff
The present disclosure provides a device for characterizing a chromatic property of foodstuff. The device includes a light source arranged to emit light having at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. The light source is further arranged to direct the light to a surface of at least the foodstuff. The device also includes a detector positioned to detect at least a portion of reflected light and arranged to generate an output that is indicative of an intensity of detected reflected light. The device is arranged such that respective outputs are generated for the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. A relation between the output for one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges and the output for the other or another one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges is indicative of the chromatic property of the surface of the foodstuff. |
| US09217703B2 |
Device and method for in vivo flow cytometry using the detection of photoacoustic waves
A photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device for the in vivo detection of cells circulating in blood or lymphatic vessels is described. Ultrasound transducers attached to the skin of an organism detect the photoacoustic ultrasound waves emitted by target objects in response to their illumination by at least one pulse of laser energy delivered using at least one wavelength. The wavelengths of the laser light pulse may be varied to optimize the absorption of the laser energy by the target object. Target objects detected by the device may be unlabelled biological cells or cell products, contrast agents, or biological cells labeled with one or more contrast agents. |
| US09217701B2 |
Biomarker normalization
A fluid sample is measured with a tear film measuring system that includes a processing device that receives a sample chip comprising a sample region configured to contain an aliquot volume of sample fluid, the processing device configured to perform analyses of osmolarity and of one or more biomarkers within the sample fluid, wherein the analysis of biomarkers includes normalization of biomarker concentration values. |
| US09217687B2 |
Image analysis system and methods for IR optics
A system for quickly measuring and displaying in real-time a variety of performance characteristics of IR optical components such as lenses, or the like. The system is video based and is under the control of a computer which uses a windowing software program to provide the user with a graphical user interface by which the various components of the system and test lenses may be characterized and operated on through functions available via the interface. The system has features for compensating for the presence of IR background radiation that may be present during a measurement cycle and for drift in the video imager. Thermal management features are included to minimize IR background. |
| US09217686B2 |
Monitoring state of fluid transport pipe
A method, apparatus, and system for monitoring the state of a fluid transport pipe. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of monitoring the state of a fluid transport pipe, the method including: causing a monitor to move along with a fluid inside the fluid transport pipe, the monitor including an elastic gas container and being configured to adjust the volume of the elastic gas container based on ambient pressure of the elastic gas container; and measuring and recording, by the monitor, one or more types of environmental data inside the fluid transport pipe for determining the state of the fluid transport pipe. In other embodiments, there are further provided an apparatus and system for monitoring a state of a fluid transport pipe. |
| US09217680B2 |
Sensor device, sensor module, robot and method of manufacturing sensor device
A sensor device includes a package, a sensor element that is disposed in the package, and a lid that seals the package, in which the sensor element includes a contacting surface that comes in contact with the lid, the package includes a joint surface which is joined to the lid, and the contacting surface and the joint surface are not on the same flat surface. |
| US09217677B2 |
Temperature measuring apparatus with sensor assembly of sensing devices connected together
A temperature measuring apparatus is provided which includes a sensor assembly made up of sensing devices which are connected together to produce an output signal correlated with the temperature of a target object. The temperature measuring apparatus determines the number of the sensing devices of the sensor assembly and corrects the output signal so as to compensate for an error in determining the temperature of the target object which depends upon the number of the sensing devices. |
| US09217676B2 |
Freezer failure indicator
A failure indicator for informing an observer that food in the freezer is not fit to eat comprising: a closed transparent tubular housing; a cup shaped spacer in the interior of the tubular housing for dividing the tubular housing into a fluid storage space and a failure signaling space, having a group of small apertures for allowing fluid from the fluid storage space to enter the failure signaling space when a freezer fails; an opaque label surrounding the tubular housing; and a colored fluid in the housing for signaling whether the freezer has failed and food in the freezer is not fit to eat. |
| US09217675B2 |
Electronic devices with temperature sensors
An electronic device may be provided with electronic components such as buttons and environmental sensors. An environmental sensor may be temperature sensor for gathering temperature data associated with the environment surrounding the device. The temperature sensor may be mounted to a button member for the button. The button member may be an actuating member that moves within an opening in a device housing and that extends beyond an outer surface of the housing into the surrounding environment. The button member may be arranged so that an internal electronic switch is activated when the button member is moved within the opening. The button member may be thermally isolated from other device structures using insulating material on the button member. The button member may be formed from a thermally conductive material that transmits the temperature of environmental materials that contact the button member to the temperature sensor. |
| US09217673B2 |
High responsivity device for thermal sensing in a terahertz radiation detector
There is provided a high responsivity device for thermal sensing in a Terahertz (THz) radiation detector. A load impedance connected to an antenna heats up due to the incident THz radiation received by the antenna. The heat generated by the load impedance is sensed by a thermal sensor such as a transistor. To increase the responsivity of the sense device without increasing the thermal mass, the device is located underneath a straight portion of an antenna arm. The transistor runs substantially the entire length of the antenna arm alleviating the problem caused by placing large devices on the side of the antenna and the resulting large additional thermal mass that must be heated. This boosts the responsivity of the pixel while retaining an acceptable level of noise and demanding a dramatically smaller increase in the thermal time constant. |
| US09217672B2 |
Motion and gesture recognition by a passive single pixel thermal sensor system
Systems and methods for recognizing a gesture made by a warm object are presented. The system includes a thermal sensor configured to generate a low frequency or direct current signal upon receiving thermal energy. A spatially modulating optic is disposed between the thermal sensor and the warm object. The optic is configured to modulate the thermal energy received by the thermal sensor as a function of an orientation of the warm object with respect to the thermal sensor. An electronics unit in communication with the thermal sensor includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured by the memory to detect a change in the thermal sensor signal and recognize a characteristic of the thermal sensor signal. |
| US09217671B2 |
High spectral resolution color sensor using non-dispersive elements
The invention describes a light sensor (1) comprising a filter arrangement (11), which filter arrangement (11) comprises a number of spectral filters (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) for filtering incident light (L), wherein a spectral filter (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) is realized to pass a distinct component of the incident light (L), an aperture arrangement (12) for admitting a fraction of the incident light (L), and a sensor arrangement (13) realized to collect the admitted filtered light (L′), which sensor arrangement (13) comprises an array of sensor elements (130) for generating image-related signals (S, S1, S2, . . . , Sn) and which sensor array is sub-divided into a number of regions (R1, R2, . . . , Rn), wherein a region (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) of the sensor array is allocated to a corresponding spectral filter (Fi, F2, . . . , Fn) such that an image-related signal (S) generated by a sensor element (130) of a particular region (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) comprises information pertaining to the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of the light passed by the corresponding spectral filter (F1, F2, . . . , Fn). The invention further describes a light sensor device (10) for determining the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of light (L) incident at the light sensor device (10), a method of collecting incident light (L), and a method of determining the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of incident light (L). |
| US09217670B2 |
Object recognition apparatus using spectrometer and method thereof
Provided are an apparatus and method for recognizing an object on the basis of property information on an object obtained using a multi-wavelength spectrometer. An apparatus for recognizing an object using a multi-wavelength spectrometer includes an image processing unit configured to extract an region of interest from an input three-dimensional image and output shape information on the region of interest, a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate light of a plurality of wavelengths to an arbitrary position of an object corresponding to the detected region of interest, a light receiving unit configured to measure a spectrophotometric value for each light of the plurality of wavelengths, and a light processing unit configured to generate a differential spectrophotometric map using a differential value between spectrophotometric values of different wavelengths measured at the same light irradiation position, and recognize the object using the differential spectrophotometric map and the shape information. |
| US09217660B2 |
Surface mapping by virtual array processing via separate transmissions
A system for measuring the height of bin contents includes transmitters for transmitting pulses of wave energy towards the upper surface of the contents and receivers for receiving echoes of the pulses and producing corresponding signals. The transmitters and receivers are distributed aerially above the contents. The system also includes a processing apparatus, for using the received signals to map the upper surface, that includes correlators that correlate pulse waveforms with the signals, and a beamformer. In one embodiment, the beamformer computes, from the signals considered as corresponding to echoes, of pulses from fewer synthetic transmitters, received at a synthetic receiver array, respective directions of arrival of the signals. In another embodiment, the beamformer computes respective directions of transmission and arrival of the signals, and the processing apparatus also includes a processor that selects, according to the computed transmission and arrival directions, which signals to use for the mapping. |
| US09217658B2 |
Vaporizer anesthesia level detector
A vaporizer including a reservoir for storing an anesthetic liquid agent and a vaporizing element configured to vaporize the anesthetic liquid agent. A level detector is located outside of and adjacent to the exterior of the reservoir. The level detector includes at least one electrical field sensor configured to provide an output voltage signal based upon the capacitance of material within the reservoir proximate the electrical field sensor. The vaporizer includes a display providing a visual indication of the amount of liquid anesthetic agent in the reservoir. |
| US09217655B2 |
Sensor system for determining at least one flow property of a fluid medium flowing in a main flow direction
A sensor system for determining a parameter of a fluid medium, e.g., an intake air mass flowing through a channel, includes at least one sensor chip situated in the channel for determining the parameter, which sensor chip is accommodated in a sensor carrier which (i) protrudes into the channel and (ii) has a leading edge situated transverse to the flow of the fluid medium. At least one vortex generator is provided, at least in the region of the leading edge, and configured for forming secondary flows in the flowing fluid medium in the region of the sensor carrier, for avoiding or reducing the entry of particles. The secondary flows extend in a plane essentially perpendicular to the main flow direction of the fluid medium, e.g., facing away from the sensor area. |
| US09217654B2 |
Submetering hydrocarbon fueled water heaters with energy manager systems
A hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater for supplying hot water includes a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, a selectively activatable burner for applying heat to a volume of water between the inlet and the outlet, a sensor for sensing activation of the at least one burner, and a communication interface for communicating data corresponding to the activation of the at least one burner to a processor configured to multiply the amount of time the burner is activated by a known value corresponding to a flow rate of the burner to estimate an amount of fuel consumed by the hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater. Other devices and methods of submetering hydrocarbon fueled water heaters are also included. |
| US09217648B2 |
Method of operating a navigation system to provide a pedestrian route
A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide a pedestrian route is provided. The method comprises receiving a request for a route from an origin to a destination. The method evaluates a plurality of pedestrian paths by accessing data representing the pedestrian paths to determine a safety cost associated with including the pedestrian path in the route. The safety cost indicates a safety risk for the pedestrian. The method provides the route comprising the pedestrian paths that form a continuous navigable route between the origin and the destination that minimize the safety cost. |
| US09217642B2 |
Vibrating gyroscope that prevents changes in sensitivity
A vibrating gyroscope includes a frame body, first and second exciting members, detection members that detect vibration of the frame body, a first mass adding member, a second mass adding member, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The frame body includes first and second vibrating portions, first and second coupling portions, a first supporting portion, and a second supporting portion. The first and second coupling portions couple the first and second vibrating portions. The first supporting portion extends towards the second coupling portion from the first coupling portion. The second supporting portion extends towards the first coupling portion from the second coupling portion. The first and second exciting members and excite the first and second vibrating portions, respectively. The first and second mass adding members are provided at outer sides of the frame body, and are connected to the first and second vibrating portions, respectively. |
| US09217641B2 |
Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control method
A microelectromechanical gyroscope that includes a first mass oscillatable according to a first axis; an inertial sensor, including a second mass, drawn along by the first mass and constrained so as to oscillate according to a second axis, in response to a rotation of the gyroscope; a driving device coupled to the first mass so as to form a feedback control loop and configured to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a resonance frequency; and an open-loop reading device coupled to the inertial sensor for detecting displacements of the second mass according to the second axis. The driving device includes a read signal generator for supplying to the inertial sensor at least one read signal having the form of a square-wave signal of amplitude that sinusoidally varies with the resonance frequency. |
| US09217640B2 |
Gyroscopic measurement in a navigation system
A gyroscopic system provides measurements on the basis of a vibrating gyroscope and provides a measurement signal. A periodic control signal is applied to it; in order to rotate the position of vibration, during a half period, according to a first speed profile, from a first up to a second position; and in order to rotate the position of vibration in an opposite direction during the other part of the period, according to a second speed profile, up to a third position. The measurements are based on corrected signals, each of said corrected signals, respectively for each of the vibrating gyroscopes, being obtained by; deducting the control signal from the measurement signal of the vibrating gyroscope; and taking account of errors identified on the basis of a comparison of the measurements provided by the gyroscopic system as a function of the position of vibration with reference measurements. |
| US09217636B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium
A pattern light projection unit which stores information on pattern light including information on line patterns projects pattern light including line patterns having at least two lines and at least one reference line pattern serving as a reference of the line patterns on an object in accordance with the information on pattern light. An image pickup unit captures an image of the object to which the pattern light is projected.An information processing apparatus detects the reference line pattern and the line patterns from the captured image, and establishes correspondence between the information on the line patterns stored in the pattern light projection unit and the line patterns detected from the captured image in accordance with the topological positional relationship between the detected reference line pattern and the line patterns so as to identify the line patterns. |
| US09217631B2 |
Integrated laser alignment aid using multiple laser spots out of one single laser
The present invention relates to light curtains, in particular safety light curtains, for monitoring a protective field. Furthermore, the present invention relates to optical units which are part of such a light curtain. An optical unit for an alignment system of a light curtain monitoring a protective field comprises an optical processing element for generating a defined radiation pattern from the radiation emitted by an alignment radiation source, and at least one additional optical functional element being formed integrally with the optical processing element. |
| US09217628B2 |
Detector
An inductive detector operable to measure displacement along a path comprises: a first inductive arrangement; a second inductive arrangement; said second inductive arrangement being spaced from said first inductive arrangement and extending along at least part of the measurement path; at least one of said inductive arrangements comprises a winding which extends along at least part of the measurement path; and said winding comprising at least four loops in electrical series; wherein adjacent loops have opposite magnetic polarity; and the pitch distance of said winding varies at least once along the measurement path. |
| US09217627B2 |
Training ammunition cartridge with reactive liquid materials for marking a point of impact
A practice ammunition projectile has a projectile head with one or more sheets of plastic material, each having a plurality of frangible “bubble shaped” compartments containing liquid chemical components for optical and/or Infrared marking of a target upon impact. The sheets are preferably flexible sheets in the nature of a “bubble wrap” of the type used as padding for packaging. These so-called “matrix packages” are installed adjacent the inner surface of the shell forming the projectile head and provide stability when the compartments break up upon setback when the projectile is fired from a weapon. |
| US09217626B1 |
Shotshell and cooperating firing system
A non-centerfire shotgun designed to operate with a non-centerfire shotshell, wherein a conventional shotshell is not able to be fired from the non-centerfire shotgun. |
| US09217624B2 |
Spooling pyrotechnic device
A pyrotechnic device including a combustion chamber including a wall, the combustion chamber containing combustible powder; an ignition source adapted to ignite said combustible powder within said combustion chamber; wherein the wall of the combustion chamber is adapted to burst at a predetermined pressure caused by combustion of the combustible powder; wherein the combustion chamber is disposed within a launch structure beneath a projectile and wherein a preselected amount of free space volume is disposed between said combustion chamber and said projectile. |
| US09217623B2 |
Bullet deflecting baffle system
The present invention provides a releasable clamp assembly for supporting one or more bullet deflecting plates, comprising: a first plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a first deflecting plate; a second plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a second deflecting plate; and a bridge comprising a bridge connecting the first plate holder and the second plate holder and one or more releasable clamp integral with the bridge, wherein the one or more releasable clamp is adapted to apply a clamping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plate holder channel and second plate holder channel. The releasable clamp assembly, when disposed over the outer lateral edges of the first and second deflecting plate, positions the releasable clamp over the first and second deflecting plate to apply a clamping force to the one or more deflecting plate, thereby holding the releasable clamp assembly in secure engagement with the first and second deflecting plate. |
| US09217621B2 |
Turning holder
A turning holder enabling an easy operation and a convenient use without the need for repeated mounting and dismounting is provided. The turning holder comprises a base (11), a holder body (12), and a rotary body. A base sleeve (110) is provided on the base (11). A holder sleeve (120) is provided on the holder body (12). The rotary body includes a shaft sleeve (5), a clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8), a pressure ring (9) and a locking means. The clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) is sleeved outside at a groove around an end of the shaft sleeve (5). The holder sleeve (120) is sleeved on the shaft sleeve (5) in a staggered position relative to the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8). The base sleeve (110) is sleeved around the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) and fixedly connected therewith. The pressure ring (9) is sleeved around an end of the shaft sleeve (5) and presses the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) from outside. The present invention can be widely used in the fields of firearms, bows and crossbows. |
| US09217618B1 |
Tool-less trigger guard
Provided is a trigger guard for an AR15-type firearm lower receiver, attachable and removable without application of impact force. It includes an elongated trigger guard member having forward and rear ends with a rear transverse opening positioned to align with mounting openings on the receiver. A mounting pin has a size no greater in cross-section than that of the mounting openings on the receiver and a spring engagement means thereon. A deflectable spring means is operably positioned in the transverse opening to be deflected when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to engage the spring engagement means on the mounting pin when the mounting pin reaches a preselected position. |
| US09217613B2 |
Systems and methods for disrupter recovery
A recovery system for a disrupter barrel. The recovery system limits the distance the disrupter travels as a result of a force or recoil that occurs upon firing the disrupter. |
| US09217611B2 |
Air duct and heat dissipation device having the same
An air duct mounted to a fan having an end board includes a top board which defines an opening, through which the fan is extended. Two opposite blocking members extend up from the top board at opposite first sides of the opening. Two opposite limiting members extend up from the top board at opposite second sides of the opening. Each blocking member includes a tab to block a top of the end board of the fan. Each limiting member includes a projection to abut a bottom of the end board of the fan. |
| US09217606B2 |
Door and valve assembly for a charging installation of a shaft furnace
A hatch and valve arrangement for a charging installation for a shaft furnace, such as a blast furnace, said arrangement comprising a housing (1), inside which is located at least one hatch (21) and/or a valve (31), caused to pivot by an actuator (25, 35) located outside the housing and connected to the hatch or valve by a linking shaft guided in a bearing that is fixed with respect to the housing. The bearing (24, 34) and the actuator (25, 35) are mounted on a detachable door (26, 36) that seals an opening (13, 15) made in the wall of the housing (1) and whose dimensions are determined such that the hatch or the valve can be withdrawn transversely to the axis of the housing through said opening. |
| US09217603B2 |
Heat exchanger and related methods
Heat exchangers include a housing having an inlet and an outlet and forming a portion of a transition chamber. A heating member may form another portion of the transition chamber. The heating member includes a first end having a first opening and a second end having a second opening larger than the first opening. Methods of conveying a fluid include supplying a first fluid into a transition chamber of a heat exchanger, supplying a second fluid into the transition chamber, and altering a state of a portion of the first fluid with the second fluid. Methods of sublimating solid particles include conveying a first fluid comprising a material in a solid state into a transition chamber, heating the material to a gaseous state by directing a second fluid through a heating member and mixing the first fluid and the second fluid. |
| US09217598B2 |
Foldable refrigerator
A foldable refrigerator is provided. The foldable refrigerator moves from a functional First Position A to a collapsed Second Position B. The foldable refrigerator may be folded into the collapsed Second Position B for transportation and/or storage. The foldable refrigerator has an extendable handle and wheels which allow pulling or pushing the refrigerator in a manner similar to luggage. The refrigerator further has extendable and adjustable legs which allow the refrigerator to be raised or lowered to various heights. The refrigerator has a gyroscope which allows the compressor of the refrigerator to remain in an upright position. |
| US09217595B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a refrigerator body including a storage chamber to store foods, a door configured to open or close the storage chamber, an ice maker mounted on the door and an ice maker cover to at least partially cover the ice maker, the ice maker cover including a cool air inlet port for introducing cool air at an upper portion thereof. The ice maker includes a first guide coupled to a lower portion of the ice maker to guide cool air to pass through the lower portion of the ice maker and a second guide provided at an upper side of the ice maker to guide cool air introduced through the cool air inlet port to be branched off and flowed into the upper and lower portions of the ice maker. |
| US09217594B2 |
Method of controlling cooling device
A method of controlling a cooling device capable of stably cooling a heat source is provided. A cooling device includes a first passage through which a coolant discharged from a compressor flows into a cooling unit for cooling EV equipment; a second passage through which the coolant is circulated between a heat exchanger and the cooling unit; a switching valve switching communication of the first passage and communication of the second passage; and a liquid storage container storing a liquid coolant condensed in the heat exchanger. The control method includes the steps of: increasing an amount of the liquid coolant stored in the liquid storage container; and switching the switching valve so as to block the first passage and allow communication of the second passage. |
| US09217589B2 |
Refrigeration compressor that maintains a satisfactory oil level
The refrigeration compressor according to the invention comprises a sealed enclosure containing a compression stage (7) and provide with a refrigerant inlet and outlet (6, 18), the compressor being configured such that under usage conditions, a flow of refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant inlet, the compression stage, and the refrigerant outlet. The compressor has an oil pan (24) and oil recirculation means arranged to orient the oil contained in the oil pan into the flow of refrigerant when the oil in the oil pan exceeds a predetermined oil level (34). The recirculation means include a recirculation line (35) housed in the sealed enclosure and comprising an inlet port (36) situated at a height substantially corresponding to the predetermined oil level, an outlet port (37) emerging in the refrigerant flow, and an intermediate part (38) connecting the inlet and outlet ports. The intermediate part (38) includes a first portion (38a) extending below the predetermined oil level (34). |
| US09217579B2 |
System and method for automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times
A programmable HVAC controller, a method of automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times and an HVAC system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the programmable HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory subsystem, (2) a communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time and (3) a processing subsystem coupled to the memory and communication subsystems and configured to: (3a) set a “sleep” temperature adjustment time based on a time the wake-up alarm time is received and (3b) set a “wake” temperature adjustment time based on the wake-up alarm time. |
| US09217578B2 |
Power device and safety control method thereof
An air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit and a wired controller connected to the indoor unit through two lines to receive power from the indoor unit and to perform data communication with the indoor unit. Each of the indoor unit and the wired controller includes a communication unit that modulates a low-frequency communication signal into a high-frequency communication signal and transmits the high-frequency signal and demodulates a received high-frequency signal into a low-frequency signal. When a plurality of indoor units and a wired controller perform communication, a communication signal is transmitted after being modulated into a high-frequency signal and linking the high-frequency signal with DC power. This reduces the inductance of an inductor required to separate the linked high-frequency signal into DC power and a communication signal and the capacitance of a capacitor required to link the signal with DC power, reducing PCB size and inductor and capacitor costs. |
| US09217575B2 |
Air-conditioning controlling system and air-conditioning controlling method
In an air-cooling-and-heating controlling system, individual variable air volume controllers send, to an air-cooler-and-heater controller, current cooling/heating requirement information for the controlled area that is controlled by that variable air volume controller. If there is a mixing of a cooling requirement and a heating requirement in the cooling/heating requirement information that is received, the air-cooler-and-heater controller establishes a cold air temperature setting value and a hot air temperature setting value that can handle the cooling requirements and the heating requirements at that time, to perform alternating switching of a supply air temperature setting value. If a variable air volume controller that requires heating is supplied cold air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area. If a variable air volume controller that requires cooling is supplied hot air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area. |
| US09217574B2 |
Hot water supply apparatus associated with heat pump
A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is provided. In the hot water supply apparatus, refrigerant flowing through an evaporator and a compressor of a refrigerant cycle may perform a heat-exchange operation with water so that, a hot water supply operation may be substantially continuously performed without performing a defrosting operation. |
| US09217572B2 |
Burner cap and burner
A burner cap and a burner are provided. The burner cap may include a cap body, an opening formed in the cap body, at a location separated from an edge of the cap body, proximate the center of the cap body, a distribution protrusion formed on a bottom part of the cap body, and a connection guide formed on the distribution protrusion. |
| US09217570B2 |
Axial flow fuel nozzle with a stepped center body
An axial flow fuel nozzle for a gas turbine includes a plurality of annular passages for delivering materials for combustion. An annular air passage receives compressor discharge air, and a plurality of swirler vane slots are positioned adjacent an axial end of the annular air passage. A first next annular passage is disposed radially inward of the annular air passage and includes first openings positioned adjacent an axial end of the first annular passage and downstream of the swirler vane slots. A second next annular passage is disposed radially inward of the first annular passage and includes second openings positioned adjacent an axial end of the second annular passage and downstream of the first openings. |
| US09217567B2 |
Adjustable and robust radiant wall burner tip
A radiant wall burner apparatus. The apparatus includes an orifice for the introduction of fuel gas into an elongated mixing conduit for the directional flow and mixing of the fuel gas with combustion air provided through an inlet. The fuel gas and air mixture terminates through an adjustable burner tip. The radiant wall burner apparatus and burner tip allow for a two-leaf, adjustable radiant wall burner tip design that is less susceptible to heat deformation, flashback, and self-destruction, having fewer manufacturing issues, and having the capability to use hydrogen as a fuel source. |
| US09217562B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an embodiment includes an organic light emitting diode panel configured to display images, a back cover attached to the organic light emitting diode panel by an adhesive layer, a driving circuit board disposed at a rear surface side of the back cover, and a heat radiator disposed between the driving circuit board and the organic light emitting diode panel, so as to redirect heat generated from the driving circuit board away from the organic light emitting diode panel. |
| US09217559B2 |
Moving head light fixture with yoke and head position encoding means
The present invention relates to a moving head light fixture comprising: a base; a yoke rotatable connected to the base; a head rotatable connected to the yoke. The head comprises at least one light source generating light. An actuator is adapted to rotate the yoke or the head. Magnetic means is attached to the axel of the actuator and generated a magnetic field, which is perpendicular to the actuator axel. A magnetic encoder is fixed in relation to the axel and provides at an axel position signal based the magnetic field is indicative of the angular position of the axel in relation to the magnetic encoder. Indication means provides an indication signal when the yoke or head is positioned at a number of predetermined angular positions in relation. Processing means are adapted to control the moving head light fixture based on the actuator axel position signal and the indication signal. |
| US09217557B2 |
Apparatus and system for emitting light using a grid light engine
Lighting apparatus may comprise elongated segments interconnected perpendicularly to form a grid light engine, each segment comprising groups of LEDs on both sides such that, when interconnected together, the grid light engine is operable to emit light inwardly to a plurality of grid squares formed by the segments. The apparatus may further comprise a back panel light engine comprising LEDs, the back panel light engine being coupled adjacent to the grid and operable to emit light from its LEDs through the grid. This architecture can allow for light from different sets of LEDs to be projected in different directions. When the different sets of LEDs emit different spectrum outputs, the light fixture can appear visually different depending upon the viewers' perspective. When the different sets of LEDs are controlled separately, visual effects such as the appearance of depth, sunrises and sunsets can be generated. |
| US09217552B2 |
Illumination device
A lighting device (100) includes: a surface light source (1); a first lens (L1) having a first focal point (F1), the first lens being provided on the light exit surface side of the surface light source; and a second lens (L2) having a second focal point (F2), the second lens being provided on a light exit surface side of the first lens, the surface light source, the first lens, and the second lens being configured such that a first virtual image (I1) is formed by the first lens and a second virtual image (I2) is formed by the second lens, wherein the first virtual image (I1) is formed between the second focal point (F2) and the first lens, the second focal point (F2) is on a side opposite to the light source side relative to a predetermined focal position f′, and at least either of a light entry surface or a light exit surface of the first lens or the second lens includes a non-revolution surface (SO) as a lens surface, and a plurality of boundary lines (B1-B4) whose curvatures vary discontinuously are provided in the non-revolution surface. |
| US09217550B2 |
Lighting apparatus
There is disclosed a lighting apparatus that can light a room intensively, fitted to a characteristic of a room, by adjusting an angle of light distribution and that can prevent glare, with improved optical uniformity and beautiful exterior appearance. |
| US09217541B2 |
Stabilization structure including shear release posts
A stabilization structure includes a stabilization layer on a carrier substrate. The stabilization layer includes an array of staging cavities. An array of micro devices are within the array of staging cavities. Each micro device is laterally attached to a shear release post laterally extending from a sidewall of a staging cavity. A pressure is applied to the array of micro devices from the array of transfer heads to shear the array of micro devices off the shear release posts. The sheared off micro devices are picked up from the carrier substrate using the array of transfer heads. |
| US09217539B2 |
High-pressure tank
There is disclosed a high-pressure tank capable of appropriately discharging high-pressure gas. The high-pressure tank is mounted on a mobile body, stores the high-pressure gas, and includes a plurality of gas discharge means for discharging the high-pressure gas from the high-pressure tank. The gas discharge means are disposed at opposite sides of the high-pressure tank in a longitudinal direction. The gas discharge means can each have a path through which the inside of the high-pressure tank communicates with the outside thereof, and a manual valve including a manual operating section for opening and closing the path by a manual operation. |
| US09217530B2 |
Extended range tapping sleeve and gasket
A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main conduit, a gasket between the sleeve and main conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal offset a distance from a branch aperture in the sleeve, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit, an inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a main length portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a junction end portion between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, the junction end portion having a non-uniform thickness, the aperture seal having a non-uniform thickness, and the offset distance being non-uniform. |
| US09217527B2 |
No-skive hydraulic hose coupling with improved hose retention and sealing
A hydraulic hose coupling, and method of assembling such to a hydraulic hose in a no-skive fashion. This is accomplished in many ways, some of which include the provision of a plurality of hose retention and sealing zones within the coupling, each of which include various combinations of radially inwardly directed barbs and radially inwardly and outwardly directed surface features on the inner stem of the coupling. With specific regard to the zone primarily directed to sealing, it includes a radially inwardly directed barb which works in conjunction with a straight cylindrical surface flanked by first and second radially inwardly directed recesses. |
| US09217524B2 |
Coupling lock mechanism
A threaded coupling wherein external threads of the male body of the male coupling half are in mating engagement with internal threads of the female sleeve of the female coupling half. The female sleeve includes an interior hook and the male body includes a locking lever receptacle recessed therein. The locking lever pivotally resides in the receptacle and interlocks circumferentially spaced recesses in the generally cylindrically-shaped hook of the female sleeve uniting the male and female. A tensioning O-ring secures the locking lever to the male body. A locking sleeve extends circumferentially about the male body and prohibits the release of the hook of the female sleeve from a recess in the locking lever unless a window is aligned with the locking lever. A process for locking the threaded coupling is also disclosed. |
| US09217523B2 |
Connecting structure for tube
An oil feeding device includes a tube body formed of metal and having a tube connecting part, and a connection pipe formed of resin and having a pipe connecting end. A press-fitting member and a seal member are clamped between the tube connecting part and the pipe connecting end. The press-fitting member includes a press-fitting body having a cylindrical outer peripheral face, which is fitted to an outer periphery of the tube connecting part, and claws which are formed at one end of the press-fitting body. The pipe connecting end is provided with a reduced diameter part which is formed by annularly reducing a diameter of a part of the pipe connecting end. The reduced diameter part retains the pipe connecting end, in engagement with the claws, by being formed by plastic deformation before or after the pipe connecting end is connected to the tube connecting part. |
| US09217521B2 |
Lead-free high temperature/pressure piping components and methods of use
A piping component for controlling the flow of fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and up to approximately 650° F. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than trace amounts of lead, less than trace amounts of bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). In certain aspects, less than 0.09% of lead and/or less than 0.09% bismuth are contained in the silicon-copper alloy. |
| US09217519B2 |
Systems and methods for supporting tubular members
Apparatus, systems, and methods for supporting tubular members are provided. A support structure can include at least one body having a plurality of openings disposed therethrough. Each opening can have an inner surface that includes at least one circular portion and at least one elliptical portion. |
| US09217512B2 |
Combination of a faucet handle and a control valve
A combined faucet handle and control valve assembly has a faucet handle, a plurality of connecting joints and a control valve. The faucet handle provided with a chamber, with an engaging space formed by a dividing member and a base in the chamber, an assembly aperture disposed in the base and passing through the faucet handle. The assembly aperture is engaged with a corresponding first securing member. Each connecting joint has a rod, an end of the rod provided with a connecting portion having an engaging aperture, the engaging aperture having a shape corresponding to a valve rod of the control valve, another end of the rod provided with a first section and a second section, the first section provided with a through aperture disposed axially through the rod and the connecting portion and engaging with a second securing member, and the second section is provided with a positioning aperture. |
| US09217508B2 |
Seals
An elastomeric or polymeric seal assembly (10) includes an annular elastomeric or polymeric sealing element (60), an internal circumferential surface of which sealingly engaging a first component (12), the sealing element abutting a radial annular face of a second component (16) and an external circumferential surface of the sealing element sealingly engaging an internal circumferential surface of a second component, a vent (92) being provided in the internal circumferential surface of the second component adjacent to the radial face, to vent the space between the external circumferential surface of the sealing element and the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an inlet to the vent being defined by an annular groove (88) in the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an annular helically wound element (94) being provided in the annular groove to prevent extrusion of the sealing element into the vent, the helically wound element being formed from a strip of material of elongate section, adjacent winds of material being spaced from one another. |
| US09217506B2 |
Actuation device for actuating switching elements
An actuating device is provided for actuating at least one shifting element shiftable through a shifting device, whereas the shifting device features a pressure space with a supply for a pressurized medium, along with a shut-off valve. It is proposed that the shut-off valve is connected in an electrically controllable and torque-proof manner to at least one shifting element, and that the electrical energy for the actuation of the shut-off valve is able to be supplied without contact. |
| US09217505B2 |
System and method for enhancing the operation of a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for enhancing the performance of a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle may include engaging a range clutch of the continuously variable transmission, cycling a directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission between an engaged state and a disengaged state while the range clutch is engaged and controlling a position of a swash plate of the continuously variable transmission such that a ground speed of the work vehicle is maintained substantially at zero while the directional clutch is cycled between the engaged and disengaged states. |
| US09217503B2 |
Method for operating a vehicle drive train having an internal combustion engine
A method of operating a vehicle drive-train comprising an internal combustion engine and a transmission system functionally connected to the internal combustion engine. The transmission has an interlocking shifting element, one shifting element half of which is functionally connected to the transmission input shaft while the other shifting element half is functionally connected to a transmission output shaft. Upon receipt of a command to change the transmission from a neutral position, in which a force flow through the transmission is interrupted, to an operating condition, in which the force flow through the transmission is produced, the interlocking shifting element is changed to an engaged operating condition. A speed difference between the shifting element halves is brought by varying the speed of the internal combustion engine into a speed difference window within which the interlocking shifting element can be changed to its engaged operating condition. |
| US09217502B2 |
Electronic transmission control system
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a transmission control system that enables an operator to quickly and effortlessly shift or change gears/selections/modes, in either a sequential or non-sequential manner without incurring the undesired unloading of driveline motion, while retaining consistent launches/start offs. More particularly, an improved transmission control system with an electronic gear shifter is presented for use in a vehicle or machine having an engine and transmission with a plurality of gear ratios or selections. The system allows the operator to shift gears/selections in a normal sequential progression or a progression that skips numerical order. Thus, the vehicle or machine may be accelerated and/or decelerated at a faster and more predictable rate to achieve greater performance in certain operating conditions. |
| US09217501B2 |
Side-by-side vehicle
A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension. |
| US09217495B2 |
Automatic transmission device
An automatic transmission configured with four planetary gear mechanisms, three clutches, and three brakes, which are configured to provide nine forward speeds and a reverse speed. The combination of elements results in, amongst other benefits, improved torque transfer efficiency. A first planetary gear mechanism including first to third rotary elements that form a sequence of the first rotary element, the second rotary element, and the third rotary element when arranged in an order at intervals corresponding to gear ratios in a velocity diagram. A second planetary gear mechanism including fourth to sixth rotary elements, a third planetary gear mechanism including seventh to ninth rotary elements, and a fourth planetary gear mechanism including tenth to twelfth rotary elements. |
| US09217494B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of speed ratio between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output. |
| US09217492B2 |
Multi-speed cycloidal transmission
A transmission assembly for operably coupling an input member to an output member includes a first cycloidal gear stage having a first gear ratio and a second cycloidal gear stage having a second gear ratio different than the first gear ratio. The transmission assembly also includes a shifting mechanism for selectively driving the output member with one of the first cycloidal gear stage and the second cycloidal gear stage. |
| US09217487B2 |
Movement damping apparatus and valve
In a movement damping apparatus, a magnetorheological fluid is pressed through a flow path. A device generating a variable magnetic field comprises a core around which a coil is wound as well as pole surfaces in the flow path, the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid by way of said pole surfaces. The coil is arranged within the flow path along with the core, the axis of the coil extending perpendicular to the direction of flow of the magnetorheological fluid. The flow path has a jacket made of a magnetically conducting material. |
| US09217485B2 |
Hydraulic damper device
A hydraulic damper device includes a cylinder unit including a cylinder body having an inner surface and a plug, and a piston unit including a piston, a piston rod and a valve member. The piston defines an annular groove. The valve member is disposed movably in the annular groove. The piston cooperates with the inner surface to define a valve opening and a valve seat. The valve seat has a truncated conical surface. The valve member is movable between a closing position, in which the valve member covers sealingly the valve opening and abuts against the truncated conical surface, and an opening position, in which the valve member is spaced apart from the truncated conical surface. |
| US09217483B2 |
Valve switching controls for adjustable damper
A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state. |
| US09217480B2 |
Disc brake pad
A disc brake pad includes lugs, each of which is provided with a groove that receives the tongue of a coiled spring disposed in a housing in the brake yoke. The aforementioned groove has an essentially mixtilinear rectangular section, of which the base is formed in cross-section by a central portion in the form of a convex root face forming a support extending on each side into a fillet recessed from the supporting plane. The fillet joins the respective side of the groove behind the supporting plane. |
| US09217478B2 |
Release mechanism for friction clutch
In a release mechanism for a friction clutch that includes a cylinder portion formed by an inner body and an outer body, a piston that moves in a front-back direction in accordance with a fluid pressure supplied to the cylinder portion, and a plate that is formed on the piston and receives an elastic force from elastic members provided on an outer peripheral side of the cylinder portion in a circumferential direction at a predetermined interval, a fastening member that fixes flanges of the inner body and the outer body so as to clamp a sealing member therebetween in an axial direction is provided, and a region in the radial direction in which the fastening member is arranged and a region in the radial direction in which the elastic members are arranged overlap each other at least in part, in the flanges. |
| US09217476B2 |
Friction clutch assemblies
A friction clutch assembly, preferably for a hybrid cooling pump. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction lining carrier member, a friction lining member, a compression spring member, a clutch carrier member and a flux plate member. A solenoid can be utilized to control the compression of the spring member. The friction clutch assembly has a preferred use in a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. The friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside a motor housing. The softening compression spring can minimize parasitic clutch power consumption. |
| US09217468B2 |
Sliding member
A slide member is provided with a base material and an overlay provided over the base material. The overlay includes a plurality of regions in a thickness direction including a region located in sliding-surface side that slides with the counter element and a region located in a base-material side. A material forming the overlay includes a plurality of crystal planes. Orientation index of at least one of the crystal planes differs in the region located in the sliding-surface side and the region located in the base-material side of the overlay. |
| US09217466B2 |
Linear motion bearing system with self-aligning rail
A linear motion bearing system comprising a rolling element retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial rolling element tracks formed therein. The rolling element tracks including an open load-bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing rolling elements are disposed in the rolling element tracks. A plurality of load bearing outer races are axially positioned adjacent the rolling element retainer structure for receiving load from the rolling elements disposed in the load-bearing portion of the rolling element tracks. An outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the rolling element retainer structure. A rail is effective to mate with the rolling element retainer structure, the rail including at least one recess sized and shaped so as to be mateable with at least one of the bearing rolling elements. |
| US09217460B2 |
Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener. |
| US09217459B2 |
Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener. |
| US09217458B2 |
Prevailing torque locknut
A prevailing torque locknut having a nut body, a locking band, and a retainer. The nut body includes a threaded portion and an unthreaded counterbore. The locking includes a coil portion and first and second tangs extending tangentially from the coil portion. The locking band is located within the counterbore, and the first and second tangs engage the counterbore sidewall to prevent relative rotation of the locking band within the nut body. The retainer is swaged into the nut body to secure the locking band within the nut body. |
| US09217457B2 |
Quick adjusting nut, especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine
A quick adjusting nut (1) made especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine, with a housing part (2) and with at least two radially movable thread segments (3) arranged in the housing part (2) and with an actuator (4) for radial movement of the thread segments (3), each thread segment (3) having an inside thread section (3a) and the thread segments (3) being radially movable along guide surfaces (7) of the housing part (2) from an engagement position outward into a disengagement position. The guide surfaces (7) for the thread segments (3) slant upward in the radial outward direction and interact with complementary slanted guide surfaces of the thread segments (3) during movement in the radial direction. |
| US09217454B2 |
Splined fastener
A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6), wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18) provided on the internal wall of the bore of the fastener, such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, once the shank of the fastener has contacted with the walls of the workpiece apertures, the crests of the splines are deformed by the mandrel, breakstem or pin, and material of the crests is displaced into the voids. |
| US09217453B2 |
Mounting structure for parts
A mounting structure comprises a part with a base, a mounting member with a mounting hole, a clip and a cap. The base has a temporary fixing part configured to fix the cap in a temporary fixed position, a permanent fixing part configured to locate the cap in a permanent fixed position, and an elastic hooking pawl configured to restrict entry of the cap into the permanent fixed position by interfering with insertion of the cap when held in the temporary fixed position. When the cap is inserted from the temporary fixed position to the permanent fixed position, each of the elastic lockable parts of the clip are deformed toward a mounting hole and press against the elastic hooking pawl such that the elastic hooking pawl does not interfere with the insertion path of the cap from the temporary fixed position to the permanent fixed position. |
| US09217452B1 |
Blind fastener assembly and release pin apparatus
A blind fastener assembly utilizes flexible legs extending from a cylindrical section of a spring pin. Gripping elements extend radially outwardly from the ends of the flexible legs. When the flexible legs and gripping elements are extended through an opening in the wall, a center pin can be pushed into the cylindrical portion to expand the flexible legs so that the gripping elements can engage the back of the wall. In one embodiment, removal of the center pin causes the flexible legs to contract whereupon the assembly can be removed from the wall. |
| US09217449B2 |
Outdoor unit bracket and outdoor unit comprising the same
An outdoor unit bracket and an outdoor unit comprising the same, which can ensure safe and simple installation, are provided. The outdoor unit bracket includes an outer wall coupling portion, an upper supporting portion, an outer wall contacting portion, and a lower supporting portion. The outer wall coupling portion is coupled to the outer wall of the building. The upper supporting portion is coupled to a rear upper portion of the outdoor unit, being spaced apart from the outer wall coupling portion in a horizontal direction with respect to the outer wall of the building. The outer wall contacting portion contacts the outer wall of the building, being spaced apart from the outer wall coupling portion below the outer wall coupling portion. The lower supporting portion contacts a rear lower portion of the outdoor unit, being spaced apart from the outer wall contacting portion in the horizontal direction with respect to the outer wall of the building. |
| US09217434B2 |
Compressor having drive shaft with fluid passages
A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism supported within the shell, a drive shaft engaged with the compression mechanism and a motor. The drive shaft may define first and second passages extending axially within the drive shaft and a third passage extending radially through an outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft and in communication with the second passage. The drive shaft may define an axially extending wall separating the first and second passages. The motor may include a rotor fixed to the drive shaft and a stator supported within the shell. The third passage may be adapted to provide oil to the stator during compressor operation to cool the stator. |
| US09217424B2 |
Multi-speed hydraulic pump
Hydraulic pump applications sometimes require the pump to be able to provide relatively low pressure with larger amounts of fluid moved, while other applications call for relatively higher pressures but less fluid moved. The multi-speed hydraulic pump can operate at multiple speeds so as to provide multiple outputs of pressure and flow. In a two-mode version, the pump has one mode of operation that provides for lower pressure/more fluid moved and another mode of operation that provides for higher pressure/less fluid moved. Having multiple modes of operation in the pump allows for a single pump to provide greater movement or greater pressure while working within the limits of the force or speed at which the pump is actuated. |
| US09217423B2 |
Energy storage system using supercritical air
Disclosed is an energy storage system using supercritical air, comprising a compressor unit, a heat exchanger and storage device, a cold exchanger and storage device, a cryogenic tank, a throttling valve, at least one cryogenic pump, an expander unit, a generator, and a driver unit. There are several advantages of this invention, including high energy density, high efficiency, no storage cycle and geographical conditions restriction, easy implementation with all kinds of power stations, environment friendliness and capability of recycling low to medium temperature waste heat and so on. |
| US09217418B2 |
Wind farm island operation
A method and a system are described for island operation of at least two wind turbines associated with a wind farm, wherein said wind farm is configured for providing power generated by wind turbines in said wind farm to a main grid and wherein the method comprises: detecting at least two or more deactivated wind turbines in said wind farm, said deactivated wind turbines being disconnected from said main grid; configuring at least one islanded local grid for electrically connecting said two or more deactivated wind turbines; activating at least one of said deactivated wind turbine using a black start operation; and, connecting said at least one activated wind turbine and at least one of said deactivated wind turbines to said local grid, said activated wind turbine acting as a power supply for said at least one deactivated wind turbine connected to said local grid. |
| US09217417B2 |
Ram air turbine generator with external rotor having permanent magnets
A ram air turbine generator, for generating electrical power when the system is exposed to an airstream, includes a turbine having multiple blades and a rotor operably coupled to the blades and rotating about a shaft and stator mounted, such that rotation of the blades rotates the rotor, and the rotation of the rotor about the stator produces electrical power. |
| US09217415B2 |
Estimation of wind properties using a light detection and ranging device
Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for determining a property of wind approaching a wind turbine. A light detection and ranging equipment may emit pulsed radiation into oncoming wind to detect properties of the wind at a plurality of predefined locations. A property of the wind approaching the wind turbine may be determined based on the property of wind measured at at least two predefined locations. |
| US09217414B2 |
Wind power turbine for generating electric energy
A wind power turbine configured to generate electric energy has: a supporting structure; a nacelle; a blade assembly which rotates with respect to the nacelle; a first and second electric machine having, respectively, a substantially coaxial first and second stator, and a first and second rotor coupled to the first and second stator to rotate about a first and second axis; a transmission configured to connect the first rotor to the second rotor; a control device configured to control the wind power turbine; and a detection system connected to the control device to detect relative movement between the first rotor and the second rotor. |
| US09217412B2 |
Wind energy system and method for using same
A wind energy system comprising a wind turbine comprising a cowling surrounded by a diffuser and a plurality of inner rotor blades located inside of the cowling that rotate about an inner hub, a plurality of outer rotor blades positioned between the diffuser and the cowling that are counter-rotating relative to the plurality of inner rotor blades, a drive mechanism located within the inner rotor hub, a dynamic telescopic tower, and a tower support that connects the wind turbine to the dynamic telescopic tower. |
| US09217409B2 |
Starter motor control during automatic engine stop
An internal combustion engine is provided with a ratchet one-way clutch between an output shaft of a starting motor and a crankshaft. The one-way clutch includes a claw piece which rotates integrally with the crankshaft, and an engagement part which rotates integrally with the starting motor and with which the claw piece engages. An electronic control device performs control for driving the starting motor when the engine is stopped to reduce the difference between the rotation speed of the engine and the rotation speed of the starting motor, that is, the difference between the rotation speed of the claw piece and the rotation speed of the engagement part. |
| US09217408B2 |
Ventilating condition determine method of idle stop and go function
A method of determining an Idle Stop and Go (ISG) ventilation condition may include an ISG restriction early step that calculates an expected external air temperature through modeling using information acquired from a vehicle and execute an ISG logic to determine whether ISG entrance is possible based on a current ventilation condition of the vehicle, an ISG restriction proceeding step that detects an voltage of an air-conditioning system, an ISG restriction ascertaining step that determines whether an ISG entrance condition is satisfied, wherein the ISG entrance condition includes comparing the expected external air temperature through modeling with a specific temperature and the voltage of the air-conditioning system with a specific voltage, and an ISG entrance step that controls an engine by performing the ISG entrance when the ISG entrance condition is satisfied. |
| US09217406B2 |
Method for controlling a high-pressure fuel pump
An electrically controllable electromechanical inlet valve (2a) which is closed in the currentless state and is held in the closed state by the force of a spring (2b), an outlet valve (5a), and a displacement element (6), the inlet valve is operated in a self-controlling operating mode after a start command is present. In the self-controlling operating mode, the rail pressure is built without knowledge of the phase position of the displacement element. During the self-controlling operating mode, the phase position of the displacement element is determined. After the phase position of the piston or displacement element is determined, the inlet valve is switched over to a non-self-controlling operating mode. |
| US09217405B2 |
System and method for lubricating a fuel pump
Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated. |
| US09217397B2 |
Fuel tank pressure sensor rationality test for a PHEV
A method for verifying the reliable operation of a fuel tank pressure transducer positioned within a fuel tank of a PHEV. The method detects the initiation of a refueling cycle, which leads to opening a system vent valve positioned between a carbon canister and a system vent, and opening a fuel tank isolation valve. A controller monitors fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the vent valve, and that device determines rates of change of the fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the outlet vent. Reliable operation of the fuel tank pressure transducer is indicated upon a determination that the rates of change of the fuel system pressure in the fuel tank and at the outlet vent are uniform within a predetermined range. |
| US09217394B2 |
Multi-stage supercharging apparatus
A multi-stage supercharging apparatus including a first supercharger and a second supercharger. The first supercharger is provided with a first turbine accommodating section, a first exhaust inlet, and a first exhaust outlet which extends in an axial direction of the first turbine from the first turbine accommodating section and is bent upward. The second supercharger is provided with a second turbine, a second turbine accommodating section, and a second exhaust inlet which is directly connected to the first exhaust outlet to allow the first exhaust outlet to be communicated with the second turbine accommodating section, and the second supercharger is supported by the first supercharger by placing an opening of the second exhaust inlet on an opening of the first exhaust outlet. |
| US09217391B2 |
Turbine engine comprising a contrarotating propeller receiver supported by a structural casing attached to the intermediate housing
An open rotor type aircraft turbine engine including a contrarotating propeller receiver and a dual-body gas generator having a low-pressure compressor and a high-pressure compressor separated by an intermediate housing, in which the gas generator is arranged upstream from the receiver is provided. The turbine engine includes a structural casing for supporting the receiver, surrounding the gas generator and having a downstream end attached to the receiver and an upstream end attached to the intermediate housing; and a connection device between the structural supporting casing and the gas generator, arranged between the upstream and downstream ends of the casing. |
| US09217386B2 |
System and method for preventing stochastic pre-ignition
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria. |
| US09217379B2 |
Reducing turbocharged engine overheating
A method comprising in response to coolant loss in a turbocharged engine, deactivating one or more engine cylinders while limiting engine load of one or more active cylinders based on an engine speed, and a cylinder head temperature. |
| US09217376B2 |
Multi-mode adaptive fail-fixed system for FADEC controlled gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine control system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an automatic control operable to control a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine control system further comprises a module operable to fail-fix the gas turbine engine to one of a multiple of pre-determined modes in response to failure of the automatic control. The exemplary gas turbine engine control system may further comprise a fuel flow meter to sense a fuel flow to the engine, a fuel control to control the fuel flow to the engine, and the module in electrical communication with the fuel flow meter to fix the fuel control in response to one of the multiple of pre-determined modes. |
| US09217374B2 |
Assembly for a jet engine of an aircraft
The present invention proposes a structural unit for an aircraft engine having at least one fuel pump of a fuel circuit and at least one hydraulic fluid pump of a hydraulic fluid circuit, where the structural unit can be coupled to an accessory gearbox shaft of an accessory gearbox of the engine. |
| US09217373B2 |
Fuel nozzle for reducing modal coupling of combustion dynamics
A fuel nozzle includes a center body that extends axially along an axial centerline for a length. A shroud circumferentially surrounds the center body for at least a portion of the length of the center body. A plurality of helical passages circumferentially surround the center body along at least a portion of the length of the center body, and a fuel port in each helical passage has a different convective time. |
| US09217370B2 |
Fluid flow devices with vertically simple geometry and methods of making the same
A micro-turbine engine, consisting of at least a compressor, combustor, and turbine, is a complicated fluid flow device that controls the flow rate and thermodynamic properties of a working fluid in order to generate shaft power. Existing micro-turbines are costly to manufacture because they are designed with sophisticated contours and exotic materials. The present invention discloses a method for designing a micro-turbine with stacked layers of structure, each of which is designed with vertically simple geometry such that it can be manufactured using conventional machining technology. The resulting micro-turbine is low cost compared to existing alternatives in the target range of power outputs and applications. The present invention also describes a method for connecting the micro-turbine to an electrical generator to generate power. Lastly, the method for designing the micro-turbine is applied to heat exchangers, Rankine engines, fluid mixers, and other fluid flow devices. |
| US09217369B2 |
Compressor inlet manifold for a gas turbine engine
A compressor inlet manifold for directing air from a radial airflow inlet into an axial compressor inlet of a compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The compressor inlet manifold provides air flow to the compressor with reduced distortion to the compressor which enables the required design surge margin to be reduced, thereby increasing gas turbine engine efficiency. The improved air flow has reduced distortion, turbulence and unsteadiness. The compressor inlet manifold body may have at least one annular opening extending axially downstream from an upstream wall. Air flow into the compressor inlet manifold may be conditioned with one or more of a flow improvement projection extending radially inward relative to other aspects of a compressor inlet outer wall, a conically shaped inner sidewall, and a baffle positioned at an acute angle relative to an axis aligned with a radially inward air flow. |
| US09217362B2 |
Two-stage turbocharger flow control
A method is disclosed for controlling a two-stage turbocharger system having low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers in line, sequentially, with an engine. The turbochargers include a low-pressure (LP) turbine and an LP compressor, and a high-pressure (HP) turbine and an HP compressor. The LP compressor feeds the HP compressor, which feeds the engine intake. The engine exhaust feeds the HP turbine, which feeds the LP turbine. The method determines a total boost pressure, which provides combustion reactant for the engine. The method calculates an LP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an LP turbine flow from the LP compressor power. The low-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated LP turbine flow. The method calculates an HP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an HP turbine flow from the HP compressor power. The high-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated HP turbine flow. |
| US09217360B2 |
Prechamber device for internal combustion engine
This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber. |
| US09217357B2 |
Method of producing an insulated exhaust device
A method is provided for producing an exhaust gas aftertreatment or acoustic device (20) having a maximum operating temperature TMAX. The method includes the steps of providing a blanket (40) of silica fiber or alumina insulation material having a weight percentage of SiO2 or Al2O3 of greater than 65%; calcining the insulating material by heating the blanket (40) so that all of silica fiber insulation material is raised to a temperature T greater than TMAX; and securing the blanket (40) on the device (20) after the calcining step. The blanket is encapsulated in a covering prior to the securing step, and before or after the calcining step, with the covering between the blanket and the device being a selected one of foil, wire mesh, or siliconized fiber glass. |
| US09217352B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system
An exhaust gas purification system includes a dosing control unit that controls a supply module to supply urea water between a dosing valve and a urea tank in order to remove urea water accumulated in the dosing valve, when receiving a diesel particulate filter regeneration authorization request from an engine control unit, and then transmits the authorization to the engine control unit, when determining that an NH3 amount of a selective reduction catalyst is less than or equal to a prescribed value. |
| US09217351B2 |
Method and device for operating an SCR system
A method for operating a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system having a urea solution supply and an ultrasound based urea concentration sensor, the measurement signal of the urea concentration sensor being representative of a propagation time of an ultrasonic pulse along a predefined path length in a fluid of the urea solution supply includes: heating at least the fluid in a detection region of the urea concentration sensor from a predefined first temperature to a predefined second temperature; during the heating, detecting the measurement signal at at least a third and fourth temperature, and in each case determining a raw concentration characteristic value as a function of the respective measurement signal, which raw concentration characteristic value is representative of the propagation time of the ultrasonic pulse; and determining a concentration characteristic value, representative of a concentration of urea in the fluid, as a function of the raw concentration characteristic values. |
| US09217350B2 |
Method and system for reductant injector degradation
Various systems and methods for detecting exhaust reductant injector degradation based on an exhaust NOx sensor are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the reductant injector is indicated when an actual NOx sensor output differs from an expected NOx sensor output by more than a threshold amount under engine off conditions. |
| US09217345B2 |
Soot burning method for particulate filters
Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a particulate filter in an engine exhaust, where burning of soot is initiated by introducing additional oxygen into the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter where an exhaust temperature exceeds a threshold, a soot burn rate controlled by adjusting pulsing of the additional oxygen. Further, the pulsing of the additional oxygen is introduced via a high-pressure EGR passage during boosted engine conditions. |
| US09217342B2 |
Collecting container for lubricants
The invention relates to a collecting container for lubricants having a housing (1) which has an inlet opening (2) for introducing lubricant (3) and is open on the opposite side, and having a flexible membrane (4) which is fastened to the housing (1) and which delimits a lubricant collecting chamber (5) adjoining the inlet opening (2) in the housing (1). According to the invention the membrane (4) has, starting from the point where it is fastened to the housing (1), firstly a bellows section (6) and a reinforced section (7) connected at the end thereof. |
| US09217341B2 |
Lubrication system for tool
A lubrication system for a tool powered by a drive fluid is provided. The lubrication system includes a reservoir configured to deliver a lubricant and a plunger disposed within the reservoir. The plunger is configured to selectively generate a pilot signal based on a level of the lubricant. The lubrication system further includes a valve having a housing. The housing includes a drive fluid inlet and a drive fluid outlet. The valve also includes a pilot spool configured to move from a neutral position to an actuated position in response to the pilot signal. The valve further includes a main spool selectively actuated by a pressure of the drive fluid to move from a first position to a second position in response to the movement of the pilot spool such that in the second position the drive fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the drive fluid outlet. |
| US09217340B2 |
Bi-directional control groove design for engine rotation reversal on engine with sliding camshaft
A camshaft assembly includes a camshaft rotatable about a cam axis, and a lobe pack slideably attached to the camshaft. The lobe pack includes a barrel cam that defines a control groove disposed annularly about the cam axis. When the camshaft and the lobe pack rotate about the cam axis in a first rotational direction, the control groove is shaped to react against either a first or second shifting pin, to guide the lobe pack along a first or third path respectively, into a first or second axial position respectively. When the camshaft and the lobe pack rotate about the cam axis in a second rotational direction, the control groove is shaped to react against the first and second shifting pins to guide the lobe pack along a second path, into the second axial position. |
| US09217339B2 |
Hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for a poppet valve operator that may be implemented in a hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation system of a vehicle, wherein a hydraulically operated pivot ball selectively engages a pivot pocket of a rocker arm. Simple and reliable deactivation systems are needed that can fit into limited packaging space while including fewer moving mechanical components that are susceptible to wear and damage. The proposed systems and methods involve selectively pressurizing hydraulic fluid to rigidly or flexibly hold a piston of the poppet valve operator in place in order to open or close a gas exchange valve. |
| US09217335B2 |
Fixture and method for adjusting workpiece
A fixture and method for adjusting a workpiece are disclosed. The fixture includes a holding device engageable to a workpiece to secure the workpiece, and an adjustment device engageable to a projecting member of the workpiece and movable along a first axis and a second axis. Movement of the adjustment device along the first axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the first axis, and movement of the adjustment device along the second axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the second axis. |
| US09217334B2 |
Turbine cover plate assembly
The present application provides a cover plate assembly for use with a rotor disk. The cover plate assembly may include a radial flange extending from the rotor disk, a flange aperture extending through the radial flange, a cover plate segment with a fastening aperture and a hook for receiving the radial flange, and a fastener extending through the flange aperture and the fastening aperture. |
| US09217326B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing different modes of communication on a communication line between surface and downhole equipment
Systems and methods for enabling communication using two different alternative protocols on a single communication line between remote tools and control equipment used in well operations. In one embodiment, a system includes control equipment, remote tools and a communication line coupled between the control equipment and the remote tools. Each remote tool detects mode control signals on the communication line and operates alternately in either a first mode or a second mode in response to detecting corresponding mode control signals. The first mode enables two-way communication of data on the communication line according to a first communications protocol. The second mode enables one-way communication of data on the communication line from the remote equipment to the control equipment according to a second protocol. The second protocol is different from the first protocol, and may be incompatible with the first protocol. |
| US09217323B2 |
Mechanical caliper system for a logging while drilling (LWD) borehole caliper
A logging while drilling (LWD) caliper includes a drill collar, at least one movable pad, a hinge coupler, a power transmitter and a power receiver. The hinge coupler couples the movable pad to the drill collar in such a way that the movable pad can move between an open position and a closed position. The power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar in such a way that the power transmitter receives power from the drill collar. The power receiver is coupled to the movable pad in such a way that the power receiver provides power to the movable pad. Also, the power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar and the power receiver is coupled to the movable pad is such a way that power is transmitted from the power transmitter to the power receiver. |
| US09217322B2 |
Methods for installing and retrieving a well monitoring apparatus
A method for installing an apparatus for monitoring physical parameters in an annulus of an oil and/or gas well having a well head. The apparatus comprises a sensor plug including a sensor and a flange assembly arranged with a bore holding a signal processing unit for communication with the sensor. The method comprises installing the sensor plug in a passage in the well head, connecting a cable connector to the sensor plug, positioning the bore of the flange assembly essentially coinciding with the passage of the well head. The invention also comprises a method for retrieving an apparatus for monitoring physical parameters in an annulus of an oil and/or gas well having a well head. |
| US09217321B2 |
System and method of coiled tubing depth determination
A system for determining a depth in a wellbore of a reference point associated with a coiled tubing. The system comprises a sensor coupled to a coiled tubing spool, wherein the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool is configured to determine an angular position of the spool, a processor coupled to the sensor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, determines the depth in the wellbore of the reference point of the coiled tubing based on an input from the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool. |
| US09217317B2 |
Subsea collection and containment system for hydrocarbon emissions
A rapidly deployable flexible enclosure system for the collection, containment and presentation of hydrocarbon emissions from compromised shallow or deepwater oil and gas well systems, pipelines, other structures, including subsea fissures. The flexible containment enclosure can accommodate various depths and collection terminator configurations. The flexible containment enclosure system is connected to a floating platform and supported by positive offset neutral buoyancy attachment devices. The floating platform with the flexible containment enclosure separates liquid and gaseous materials and directs them to separate ports for removal from a rigid enclosure cavity integrated within the floating platform. Gaseous emissions may optionally be directed to a tethered floating flare system. The system has the ability to partially or fully submerge for extended durations and resurface on demand manually or by transmitted signal. The system provides for operation by a combined tele-supervisory and autonomous control system. |
| US09217316B2 |
Correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore
Techniques for correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore include a casing collar locator tool that includes a tubular mandrel defining a bore therethrough; a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly carried on the tubular mandrel; a profile carried on the tubular mandrel axially between the top sub-assembly and bottom sub-assembly and adjustable between an engaged state defined by the profile extending radially away from the mandrel and a disengaged state defined by the profile refracted towards the mandrel; and a wedge sleeve carried on the tubular mandrel between the top sub-assembly and the bottom sub-assembly and arranged, at least in part, axially adjacent the profile, the wedge sleeve actuatable to urge the profile into at least one of the engaged state or the disengaged state. |
| US09217310B2 |
Inner string cementing tool
A cementing adaptor includes a cylindrical carrier carrying a casing seal, a middle interval and a lower end separated by an annular rib, and a cylindrical swivel element disposed around and coaxially rotatable relative to the middle interval. A cylindrical connector has an upper end rotatably disposed around the carrier's lower end and non-rotatably connected to the swivel element, plus a lower end connectable to an inner tubular string. With the carrier's upper end connected to a casing running tool (CRT), this assembly can be disposed within a casing string with the casing seal engaging the casing and preventing fluid flow into the casing annulus below the seal when cement is pumped down the inner string, such that the cement is urged into the wellbore annulus. The swivel connection limits torque transfer that might otherwise overload the CRT or its connection to the cementing adaptor. |
| US09217309B2 |
Hybrid-tieback seal assembly using method and system for interventionless hydraulic setting of equipment when performing subterranean operations
Hybrid-tieback seal assemblies, interventionless setting assemblies, and associated methods of setting downhole components of the hybrid-tieback seal assemblies using such interventionless setting assemblies are disclosed. A hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprises one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies, and one or more interventionless hydraulic setting systems. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by the hydraulic control devices. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set one or more of the anchoring bodies and packer seal assemblies. |
| US09217308B2 |
Active external casing packer (ECP) for frac operations in oil and gas wells
A zonal isolation device (10; 20; 30; 300; 400; 500; 600) in the form of an active external casing packer is provided which includes a tubular section such as a casing or liner (1; 21; 31; 171; 203) arranged to be run into and secured within a larger diameter generally cylindrical structure such as an open borehole (163; 213). At least one sleeve member (3; 23; 33; 43; 173) is positioned on the exterior of the casing or liner and is sealed thereto and at least two deformable band members (201; 401, 403; 501) are provided around and are bonded to the outer circumference of the sleeve member. The sleeve member and the at least two deformable band members is/are expanded into place against the inner circumference of the open borehole by increasing the pressure within the sleeve member. The method detailed herein also provides zonal isolation by use of a pair of spaced apart members during a frac operation where frac fluid is supplied to a zone (in between the pair of sleeve members) requiring to be frac'd, where the frac pressure acts not only on the outside of the zonal isolation device but also on the interior of the sleeve member to enhance the seal provided thereby. |
| US09217306B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coring
A coring apparatus comprises a coring bit operable to cut a core. An outer barrel is coupled to and configured to rotate the coring bit. An inner barrel is disposed within the outer barrel and is isolated from rotation with the outer barrel. A fabric sleeve is disposed within the inner barrel and configured to receive the core cut by the coring bit. |
| US09217305B2 |
Downhole tool string braking
A braking apparatus for a tool string positionable in a wellbore and a method of braking a tool string in a wellbore is disclosed. The braking apparatus includes: a tubular housing having at least one radial arm-bay opening; an actuating mechanism including: a wedge member mounted in an internal cavity of the housing; an axial guide rod coupled at one end to the wedge member; and a push-pull device. The push pull device includes: a biasing member casing through which the guide rod extends to contact the wedge member, a biasing member; and at least one braking arm pivotably mounted to a lower portion of the biasing member casing, wherein when the biasing member casing of the push-pull device in in a lowered position, the braking arm bears on a sloped surface of the wedge member to project the braking arm into contact with a wellbore wall. |
| US09217304B2 |
Support device of equipment inside a well, a process for fixing it and a process for placing such equipment
A support device for tubular equipment, such as a liner inside a well, and methods for using the support device, the support device including two elements attached to each other. The two elements are: a) a cylindrical sleeve, made of ductile metal and having an external diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of the well or of a casing inserted into the well; and b) a set of tabs made of hard metal, which are spaced apart from each other and integral with the cylindrical sleeve. The tabs extend downwards from the cylindrical sleeve and an outer wall of the tabs is fitted with a series of notched formations, such as teeth, whereas an inner wall of the tabs has a conical form, the apex of which is turned down. |
| US09217300B1 |
Subsea riser support and method for bridging escarpments
The present disclosure provides a lateral external sleeve for a riser that can be preinstalled or field installed around the riser as it is deployed onto the seabed and a stress joint installed with the riser and longitudinally partially within the lateral external sleeve. The external sleeve in conjunction with the stress joint can support a laterally deployed riser in an otherwise high stress zone of the riser as it would bend due to changes in elevations and thus reduce stress on the riser. The system can act independently of a buoy-based system typically used in the art. |
| US09217298B2 |
Holding device insertable into the central bore of a tubular drill string component, and corresponding tubular drill string component
A holding device insertable into a central bore of a drill string component, the central bore having a first diameter along at least part of a central portion of the drill string component and a second diameter proximate ends of the drill string component. The second diameter is lower than the first diameter. The holding device includes an elongated body forming at least partly a housing for a transmission line. The elongated body has transversal dimensions lower than the second diameter. A plurality of arcuate elements are arranged along the elongated body and distinct from and attached to the elongated body. The arcuate elements are elastically bendable so as to be able to move through the second diameter and have a largest chord greater than the first diameter in a free state so as to be able to expand within the first diameter once past the second diameter. |
| US09217294B2 |
Erosion resistant hard composite materials
A hard composite composition comprises a binder, and a polymodal blend of matrix powder In an embodiment, the polymodal blend of matrix powder has at least one local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less, at least one local maxima at a particle size of 200 μm or more, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 μm to about 200 μm that has a value that is less than the local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less. |
| US09217292B2 |
Two-port percussion mole
A percussion mole for inserting a ground-loop for a geothermal heat-pump apparatus. The ground-loop includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The mole comprises: a percussive drive mechanism; a first passage connectable to the first pipe, for receiving a driving fluid via the first pipe and delivering it to the drive mechanism, during insertion of the ground-loop; a second passage connectable to the second pipe, for exhausting the driving fluid from the drive mechanism via the second pipe, during insertion of the ground-loop; and a connection connecting the first passage with the second passage. The connection includes a non-return valve arranged to restrict flow of the driving fluid from the first passage to the second passage during insertion of the ground-loop but permit flow in the opposite direction, whereby after insertion, when the heat pump apparatus is in use, the ground-loop comprises the first and second pipes; the first and second passages; and the connection. |
| US09217291B2 |
Downhole deep tunneling tool and method using high power laser beam
A downhole laser tool for penetrating a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a laser surface unit to generate a high power laser beam, a fiber optic cable to conduct the high power laser beam from the laser surface unit to a rotational system that has a rotational head which includes a focusing system and a downhole laser tool head, the focusing system includes a beam manipulator, a focused lens, and a collimator, the downhole laser tool head includes a first cover lens to protect the focusing system, a laser muzzle to discharge the collimated laser beam from the downhole laser tool head into the hydrocarbon bearing formation, a fluid knife to sweep the first cover lens, a purging nozzle to remove dust from the path of the collimated laser beam, a vacuum nozzle to collect dust and vapor from the path of the collimated laser beam. |
| US09217285B2 |
Material lifting mechanism
A lifting mechanism and method for lifting materials onto a structure having a first elongated section having a winch lifting mechanism and a second section slidably mounted on the first section for moving upward and downward and roller guide members for engaging the first and second sections to allow the sliding and a lockable support frame pivotally connected to the second section for securing materials on one side of the first section for lifting onto a structure and rotating to an upper unloading position on the other side of the first and second sections. |
| US09217283B2 |
Sensor device and controller for movable barrier operator systems
An apparatus having a base portion configured to be secured to a mounting surface and a sensor connected to the base portion that is configured to interface with an elongate member and measure one or more characteristics of the elongate member as the elongate member moves from being wound up on or paid out from a rotatable drive of a movable barrier operator. The one or more characteristics can include, for example, position, velocity, and direction of movement of the elongate member. By measuring the one or more characteristics of the elongate member, corresponding properties of a movable barrier connected to the elongate member can be accurately determined. The apparatus may be also used to supplement an estimate of the properties of the movable barrier obtained from measurement of the rotatable drive and provide a more accurate estimate of the movable barrier properties. |
| US09217282B2 |
Window covering and operating system
A window covering includes a head rail that supports a panel by lift cords such that one end of the panel may be raised and lowered relative to the head rail. An operating system controls movement of the panel and includes spools coupled to the lift cords such that rotation of the spools retracts and extends the lift cords. A shaft is connected to a spool of the lift spool assembly and to a brake and a spring motor. The spring motor applies a motor force to the shaft and the brake applies a brake force to the shaft such that the forces generated by the spring motor and brake hold the panel in the desired position. |
| US09217276B1 |
Triangular flange bracket for attaching corners of transparent plastic panels over window and door openings
Systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching transparent rigid plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, that can include generally triangular flange brackets which are attached to both the panels and both sides of the openings. |
| US09217274B2 |
Gas filling apparatus
A gas filling apparatus comprising a lance and control unit remote from the lance is disclosed. The lance has a dispensing nozzle for dispensing gas through an aperture. The lance additionally has a manually operable switch for sending a signal to the control unit to commence dispensing of gas. The provision of the manually operable switch on the lance should result in less errors being made during the filling process, particularly where a plurality of lances are simultaneously operated by a single operator. The lance may additionally comprise a visual indicator indicating the state reached in the dispensing cycle. |
| US09217273B2 |
Apparatus for restricting access to a retail store aisle
An apparatus includes a first retail display unit for supporting one or more retail products and a pocket mounted to a side of the first retail display unit. The pocket has a hollow interior and an open end. A gate has a fixed end coupled to the hollow interior of the pocket and a lockable end. The fixed and lockable ends of the gate are located within the hollow interior of the pocket when the gate is in storage and the lockable end of the gate is extended through the at least one open end of the pocket and away from the first retail display unit when the gate is moved into use. |
| US09217272B2 |
Automatic door with emergency rescue system
Automatic doors have become commonplace in hospitals or retirement homes to facilitate entry into auxiliary rooms, such as bathrooms. Unfortunately, when a patient becomes incapacitated inside the bathroom, the door often becomes obstructed by the patient, making entry into the bathroom through the door impossible without further injuring the patient. In many instances removal of adjacent walls is required to gain entry into the room. The automatic door of the present invention includes a retractable door stop enabling reverse rotation of the door, and sensors for automatically setting and resetting the automatic door controls when the door is opened and closed in either direction. |
| US09217269B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket defines a first bracket surface and a second bracket surface opposite the first bracket surface. The hinge assembly further includes a first link pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets. The first link extends along a first longitudinal axis. The hinge assembly further includes a first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth links is pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets such that the second bracket is movable relative to the first bracket between a first bracket position and a second bracket position. |
| US09217268B2 |
Furniture hinge
A furniture hinge includes a carrier arm and a door fitting having a recessed cup that is rotatably disposed at one end of the carrier arm. A fastening plate is adjustably connected to another end of the carrier arm. A mounting plate is longitudinally adjustably attached to the fastening plate and is attachable to a furniture body. Either the fastening plate or the mounting plate includes a guide wall having a guide slot where the guide wall is bent perpendicularly to a plane of the respective plate. The other of the fastening plate or the mounting plate includes a guide tongue extending into the guide slot where the guide tongue is parallel to a plane of the other respective plate. |
| US09217265B2 |
Joint lock
A joint lock comprises a lock body and a joint bar hoop, wherein the lock body accommodates a lock cylinder and a latch which is selectably movable by the lock cylinder from a locked position into a release position and wherein the joint bar hoop comprises a plurality of joint bars pivotally linked to one another, wherein a first end of the joint bar hoop has an elongate closing bar which can be introduced into an introduction opening of the lock body and which can be locked in the lock body by means of the latch. The joint lock is characterized in that the lock body furthermore accommodates a preloading device which preloads the latch into the locking position, with the latch being temporarily movable against the preloading from the locking position into the release position by introduction of the locking bar into the lock body, with the preloading device being adapted to move the latch back into the locking position again when the locking bar is completely introduced into the lock body. |
| US09217254B2 |
Suspension platform system
A suspension platform system having a work platform suspended from at least one modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular mast is composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide device. The work platform has at least one mast stabilizer that cooperate with the stabilizer guide device to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The hoisting system includes a carriages, hoist, and mast cable. The carriage engages the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast. |
| US09217253B2 |
Floor underlayment having self-sealing vapor barrier
A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot. |
| US09217251B2 |
Articles and methods for laying ceramic tile floor
Ceramic floors and methods of making thereof such that the ceramic tiles are quickly and easily removable from the floor substrate and replaceable at a future date, and the ceramic flooring has crack isolation.A ceramic tile floor is laid by releasably adhering a sheet to a floor substrate using a releasable and not repositionable adhesive and bonding at least one ceramic tile to the sheet with a mortar.The sheet has a non-porous layer which is adhered to the substrate, a paper layer, and a water barrier layer to prevent swelling of the paper layer by water from the mortar and to thereby prevent lippage. The sheet may have an other paper layer to which the mortar is bonded. |
| US09217250B2 |
Floor panel and floor covering consisting of a plurality of such floor panels
The invention relates to a floor panel, in particular a laminated floor panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for mutually coupling two floor panels, in particular laminated floor panels, according to the invention. |
| US09217243B2 |
Drain cleaning tool
The tool for cleaning a drain includes a handle, a strip member, and an end piece. The handle inserts and removes the tool from the drain. The strip member has an elongated and undulated shape and is formed by segments. Each segment has a curvature with a concave side and convex side, which alternate from adjacent segments. Each segment also has barbs on each concave side. The barbs are shielded by an adjacent convex side of an adjacent segment. The end piece connects to a bottom segment of the strip member and has a collar and tip. The collar has a protective shoulder to shield barbs of the bottom segment and an actuatable spike to collect debris when bent. The tip has a distal point with prongs and a distal shoulder, which shields the prongs. The tip may also include a shaft with shaft barbs protected by a shaft shoulder. |
| US09217242B1 |
System for remote fire hydrant reconnaissance
Fire hydrants each have a band of lamps strapped around them, the lamps powered by a solar collector battery circuit. An RF signal is transmitted to a receiver in the circuit by a remote responder causing the lamps to light up with a coded color related to the water flow rating of each of the hydrants and with a blink rate related to the water pressure of each of the hydrants. Upon arriving at the fire scene responders are able to select an appropriate hydrant for the location and size of the fire. The circuit is able to transmit flow and pressure information to the responders which information is presented on a display screen for early reconnaissance of the water resources at the fire scene. |
| US09217239B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
Provided is a hybrid construction machine capable of preventing overcharge, comprising: an engine; a generator-motor; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic actuator to be operated by the hydraulic pump as a hydraulic pressure source; an actuator regeneration section to make a regenerative action of generating actuator regenerated-electric-power through return fluid from the hydraulic actuator; an electric storage device; a charging-rate detector; and a control section. The control section performs: causing the electric storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator-motor and the actuator regenerated-electric-power; causing the generator-motor to make a motor action through electric power stored in the electric storage device to assist the engine; and a regeneration control including stopping the generator action and restricting the actuator regenerated-electric-power, when a detected charging rate of the electric storage device is not smaller than a preset charging-rate limitation value. |
| US09217236B2 |
Work vehicle
A hydraulic excavator includes a urea aqueous solution injection device, a urea aqueous solution tank, a pump, a first pipe, and a second pipe. The urea aqueous solution injection device is disposed in an engine compartment, and injects an aqueous solution of urea to clean exhaust gas. The urea aqueous solution tank stores the aqueous solution of urea. The pump draws up the aqueous solution of urea form the urea aqueous solution tank and supplies it to the urea aqueous solution injection device. The first pipe connects the reductant tank to the pump, and supplies the aqueous solution of urea from the reductant tank to the pump. The second pipe connects the pump to the reductant injection device, supplies the aqueous solution of urea from the pump to the reductant injection device, and has a smaller inside diameter than the first pipe. |