| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09274938B2 |
Dynamic RAM Phy interface with configurable power states
A physical memory interface (Phy) and method of operating is disclosed. The Phy interface includes command and status registers (CSRs) configured to receive a first power context and second power context. Selection circuitry is configured to switch between the first and second power contexts. A plurality of adjustable delay elements are provided, each having a delay time responsive to the selected power context. A first set of CSRs configured may store the first power context and a second set of CSRs configured may store the second power context. The Phy interface may also include a plurality of drivers each having a selectable drive strength responsive to the selected power context. The Phy interface may also include a plurality of receivers each having a selectable termination impedance responsive to the selected power context. Switching between power contexts may result in adjusting of the delay elements, drive strength and/or termination impedance of one or more drivers/receivers. |
| US09274936B2 |
Database code testing framework
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer-implemented methods for providing an integrated testing framework within a database system for testing database code. An example method includes identifying a test script associated with a database, identifying an expected result to be produced by the test script, the expected result stored in an expected results table in the database, executing the test script within the database, where executing the test script produces an actual result, and comparing, within the database, the actual result produced by the test script with the expected result from the expected results table to determine a success condition associated with the execution of the test script. |
| US09274935B1 |
Application testing system with application programming interface
A system is described for testing an application on one or more host devices in a host device farm. A build server uses an application programming interface (“API”) to send a test package containing an application to a test server. The sending may be initiated by a single action such as a click on a control in a user interface, or may be automatic such as on completion of a build. The test server may then execute and test the application across one or more host devices. These host devices may include smartphones, tablet computers, televisions, set-top boxes, in-vehicle computer systems, home entertainment systems, and so forth. Test results based at least in part on the execution of the application module on the one or more host devices may then be provided to the build server. |
| US09274929B2 |
Constraint derivation in context following for use with object code insertion
A method of creating constraints for use with object code insertion technology can include deriving an A-representation and a B-representation of values produced by execution of instructions of a portion of object code, wherein prior to object code insertion the A-representation and the B-representation of a value produced by same instruction(s) are equivalent. The method further can include identifying equalities between A-representations of values produced by different instructions and determining constraints from the identified equalities using B-representations, where the constraints are observed after object code insertion. |
| US09274927B2 |
Pattern oriented data collection and analysis
A process for determining a problematic condition while running software includes: loading a first pattern data set having a symptom code module, a problematic condition determination module, and a set of responsive action module(s), generating a runtime symptom code in response to a first problematic condition being caused by the running of the software on the computer, determining that the runtime symptom code matches a symptom code corresponding to the first pattern data set, determining that the first problematic condition caused the generation of the runtime symptom code, and taking a responsive action from a set of responsive action(s) that corresponds to the first problematic condition. |
| US09274926B2 |
Configurable testing of computer programs
Configurable testing of a computer program includes: storing a set of one or more testing specifications, and attribute information defining one or more attributes of a recognizable portion of the computer program; and processing, using at least one processor, the computer program according to at least a first testing specification associated with the computer program. The processing includes: traversing a representation of the computer program that includes elements that represent recognizable portions of the computer program, and while traversing the representation, recognizing recognizable portions of the computer program, and storing values of attributes, defined by the attribute information, of the recognized portions of the computer program. |
| US09274921B2 |
System and method for managing code displacement
A system for managing code displacement may include a manager and an application operable on a server. The application may include a plurality of modules each module for performing a different operation. The system may also include priority information associated with each module to permit the manager to deactivate selected ones of the modules based on the priority information to improve performance of the application. |
| US09274917B2 |
Provisioning resources in a federated cloud environment
A measure of performance may be calculated for a composite cloud service of a particular cloud in a federated cloud environment. A determination may be made as to whether the measure of performance indicates breaching of a performance policy associated with the composite cloud service. |
| US09274916B2 |
Unit attention processing in proxy and owner storage systems
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include a storage device configured to store a logical volume mapped between a host computer and a computer having multiple initiator ports, and a processor configured to detect a unit attention condition for the logical volume. Examples of unit attention conditions for the logical volume include management operations on the logical volume and host requests for the logical volume. Upon detecting a unit attention condition, the processor can to generate a unit attention code and a respective unique serial number in response to detecting the unit attention condition, and upon receiving an input/output (I/O) request for the logical volume from a given initiator port, the processor can convey, to the given initiator port, the unit attention code and the respective unique serial number in response to the I/O request. |
| US09274910B2 |
Automatic test map generation for system verification test
A response map descriptively modeling the textual format of a test response of a system verification test is created without a priori understanding of the format of the given response. Such response map is applied to the test response or other similar test responses that share the same format. More specifically, a method of identifying and extracting one or more formats of textual data included in test responses from system verification testing of a system under test is provided, by receiving a first test response including first textual data in one or more formats, generating a response map descriptively modeling the first test response without a priori information of the one or more formats, and applying the response map to a second test response to identify and extract second textual data from the second test response. The second textual data is also in the one or more formats. |
| US09274908B2 |
Resolving write conflicts in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by first and second client devices transmitting first and second sets of write requests to storage units. The method continues with a storage unit sending a write response message to the first and second client devices, where the write response message indicates a storage unit score value for one of the client devices. The method continues with the first and second client devices interpreting the storage unit score values from the storage units to determine which client device has write priority. The method continues with the client device that has the write priority sending a set of next-phase write requests to the storage units. The method continues with the other client device that does not have the write priority sending a set of rollback requests to the storage units. |
| US09274906B2 |
Implementing failover processes between storage stamps
Embodiments of the present invention relate to invoking and managing a failover of a storage account between partitions within a distributed computing environment, where each partition represents a key range of data for the storage account. The partitions affected by the failover include source partitions hosted on a primary storage stamp and destination partitions hosted on a secondary storage stamp, where the storage account's data is being actively replicated from the primary to the secondary storage stamp. Upon receiving a manual or automatic indication to perform the failover, configuring the source partitions to independently perform flush-send operations (e.g., distributing pending messages as a group) and then configuring the destination partitions to independently perform flush-replay operations (e.g., aggressively replaying currently pending transactions). Upon completing the flush-replay operations, designating the secondary storage stamp as a new primary storage stamp such that live traffic is directed to the new primary storage stamp. |
| US09274902B1 |
Distributed computing fault management
An automated system may be employed to perform detection, analysis and recovery from faults occurring in a distributed computing system. Faults may be recorded in a metadata store for verification and analysis by an automated fault management process. Diagnostic procedures may confirm detected faults. The automated fault management process may perform recovery workflows involving operations such as rebooting faulting devices and excommunicating unrecoverable computing nodes from affected clusters. |
| US09274901B2 |
I/O request mirroring in a clustered storage system
Clustered storage systems and methods are presented herein. One clustered storage system includes a logical volume comprising first and second pluralities of storage devices. The first plurality of storage devices is different from the second plurality of storage devices and includes at least the same data as the second plurality of devices. The storage system also includes a first storage node operable to process first I/O requests to the first plurality of storage devices and a second storage node communicatively coupled to the first storage node and operable to process second I/O requests to the second plurality of storage devices. An I/O request of the first I/O requests initiates a redirection condition that the first storage node detects. Then, based on the redirection condition, the first storage node directs the second storage node to process data of the I/O request. |
| US09274899B2 |
Providing non-volatile memory for suspend-to-random access memory
A mechanism for providing non-volatile memory for suspend-to-RAM in a computer system. A method includes searching for a checkpoint message in a memory upon receipt of notification of restoring of power in a system. The checkpoint message is a confirmation of storing of state of a storage device prior to loss of the power in the system. The method also includes determining whether the checkpoint message indicates that the system reached the power integrity checkpoint. The power integrity checkpoint is a confirmation of the storing of the state of other device prior to the loss of the power in the system. The other device is different from the storage device. The method further includes restoring operating conditions of the system when it is determined that the system has reached the power integrity checkpoint. |
| US09274895B1 |
Processing device with self-scrubbing logic
An apparatus includes a processing unit including a configuration memory and self-scrubber logic coupled to read the configuration memory to detect compromised data stored in the configuration memory. The apparatus also includes a watchdog unit external to the processing unit and coupled to the self-scrubber logic to detect a failure in the self-scrubber logic. The watchdog unit is coupled to the processing unit to selectively reset the processing unit in response to detecting the failure in the self-scrubber logic. The apparatus also includes an external memory external to the processing unit and coupled to send configuration data to the configuration memory in response to a data feed signal outputted by the self-scrubber logic. |
| US09274890B2 |
Distributed storage network memory access based on memory state
A storage device of a DSN includes a plurality of memory devices, an interface, and a processing module. The storage device receives an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices, wherein a data segment is dispersed storage error encoded to produce the set of encoded data slices. The dispersed storage error encoding includes arranging the data segment into a data matrix of data blocks, generating an encoded data matrix from the data matrix and an encoding matrix, and arranging encoded data blocks of the encoded data matrix into the set of encoded data slices. The storage unit then divides the encoded data slice into encoded data slice partitions and generates a parity data partition therefrom. The storage device then stores the encoded data slice partitions and the parity data partition in separate memory devices. |
| US09274881B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, memory system including the same, and operating method thereof
The memory system includes a semiconductor memory device including a CAM data block for storing CAM data, and a controller configured to control an operation of the semiconductor memory device in response to a CAM data program command received from a host, wherein the semiconductor memory device is configured to perform a pre-program operation and an erase operation of the CAM data block prior to the performance of a CAM data program operation associated with the CAM data block. |
| US09274877B2 |
Incident handling
A first future time occurs sooner than a second future time. The first future time indicates when the first and second future times are to be evaluated. The second future time provides a boundary between schedules occurring sooner and schedules occurring later. A schedule is generated and added to a database stored in a non-volatile storage. The schedule is for executing, in relation to an incident, an incident-handling action corresponding to a condition matching the incident. The schedule has an execution time at which to execute the incident-handling action in relation to the incident. Where the execution time is sooner than the second future time, the schedule is added to a queue stored in a volatile memory. Upon a current time equaling the execution time, the schedule is removed from the queue and correspondingly executing the incident-handling action in relation to the incident. |
| US09274873B2 |
High-volume distributed script error handling
Various embodiments include a method and system for high-volume distributed script error report handling. An error report group threshold may be obtained. The error report group threshold may be determined by available computing resources, at an error facility, to receive error reports. A subset of current user terminals with representative user terminal environments may be identified. The subset may have a cardinality less than the error report group threshold. Members of the subset may be notified to report errors for a distributed program. |
| US09274872B1 |
Set-based bugs discovery system via SQL query
A system for bug discovery using event reports comprises an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive symptom data extracted from event reports from a user system. The symptom data is stored in a symptom database. The symptom data comprises one or more symptoms each with a corresponding symptom occurrence time. The processor is configured to compose one or more SQL queries using one or more bug definitions and determine an existence of one or more bugs of the user system based at least in part on a result of querying the symptom database using the one or more SQL queries. |
| US09274869B2 |
Apparatus, method and storage medium for fault cause extraction utilizing performance values
A fault cause extraction apparatus including a storage unit which stores a model including one or more correlation functions between pieces of performance information acquired from a plurality of elements and a correlation-destruction-propagation detecting unit which calculates a degree of influence for each of the elements based on correlation destruction information. The correlation destruction information is calculated based on whether pieces of performance information newly acquired from the elements satisfy a relationship represented by the correlation functions. |
| US09274865B2 |
Implementing enhanced buffer management for data storage devices
A method, apparatus and a data storage device for implementing enhanced buffer management for storage devices. An amount of emergency power for the storage device is used to determine a time period for the storage device between emergency power loss and actual shut down of electronics. A time period for the storage device for storing write cache data to non-volatile storage is used to identify the amount of write cache data that can be safely written from the write cache to non-volatile memory after an emergency power loss, and using the write cache threshold for selected buffer management techniques for providing enhanced storage device performance, including enhanced SSD or HDD performance. |
| US09274864B2 |
Accessing large amounts of data in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module obtaining a plurality of data objects for storage in a dispersed storage network (DSN) and determining one or more common data object aspects of a data object of the plurality of data objects. The method continues with the DS processing module disperse storage error encoding at least a portion of the data object to produce a set of encoded data slices and generating a set of DSN addresses for the set of encoded data slices, wherein each of the set of DSN addresses includes a field referencing the one or more common data object aspects. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the set of encoded data slices for storage in the DSN based on the set of DSN addresses. |
| US09274858B2 |
System and method for tagging and tracking events of an application platform
A system and method for providing delegated metric tools within a partially closed communication platform that includes receiving a tag identifier linked to at least a first identified platform interaction in the communication platform; associating the tag identifier with at least one logged event of an account associated with the first identified platform interaction; defining a tracking resource with at least one tag identifier; measuring platform interactions tracked by a tracking resource; and providing access to measured platform interactions through an application. |
| US09274857B2 |
Method and system for detecting work completion in loosely coupled components
A computer program product is disclosed. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium that has a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executive on a computer causes the computer to receive a request from a component to invoke a function. Further, the computer readable program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to asynchronously perform the function according to the request. In addition, the computer readable program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to provide, to one or more programs, an indication that the function has completed work according to the request. |
| US09274855B2 |
Optimization for safe elimination of weak atomicity overhead
A method and apparatus for optimizing weak atomicity overhead is herein described. A state table is maintained either during static or dynamic compilation of code to track data non-transactionally accessed. Within execution of a transaction, such as at transactional memory accesses or within a commit function, it is determined if data associated with memory access within the transaction is to be conflictingly accessed outside the transaction from the state table. If the data is not accessed outside the transaction, then the transaction potentially commits without weak atomicity safety mechanisms, such as privatization. Furthermore, even if data is accessed outside the transaction, optimized safety mechanisms may be performed to ensure isolation between the potentially conflicting accesses, while eliding the mechanisms for data not accessed outside the transaction. |
| US09274853B2 |
Utilizing multiple memory pools during mobility operations
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for performing a logical partition migration utilizing multiple paths. Responsive to a virtual machine monitor initiating a logical partition migration operation to move a logical partition from a source system to a destination system, the mechanism allocates a plurality of memory pools and a plurality of threads from a mover service partition to the virtual machine monitor. The virtual machine monitor performs the logical partition migration operation utilizing each of the plurality of threads to transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of memory pools from the source system to the destination system to effect the logical partition migration operation. |
| US09274851B2 |
Core-trunking across cores on physically separated processors allocated to a virtual machine based on configuration information including context information for virtual machines
Techniques for providing core-based virtualization based upon cores provided by one or more processors of a system. A device such as a network device comprising multiple processor cores provides for core-based virtualization. According to one embodiment, a network device is provided comprising a first subsystem for processing packets received by the network device. The first subsystem may comprise a set of one or more processors, the one or more processors providing a plurality of cores. Each core in the plurality of cores may have associated memory resources. |
| US09274848B2 |
Optimizing cloud service delivery within a cloud computing environment
This invention provides a system or method to provide dynamically packaged Cloud services to customers via a Cloud services registry. The Cloud services registry is dynamic and operates by polling different Cloud service providers and Cloud service databases to ensure that the Cloud services registry is up to date with the latest available Cloud services. The Cloud services registry is available for queries from Cloud customers and abstracts multiple Cloud service providers. By abstracting the Cloud services, the dynamic Cloud services registry creates a modular package of different services from different Cloud service providers based on the query and requested priority for services. The dynamic Cloud registry is dynamically updated based on the level of services that the provider has available. The dynamic registry determines what service best matches the requirements from a Cloud service request (CSR) and returns a personalized set of matching services. |
| US09274842B2 |
Flexible and safe monitoring of computers
Described is a server monitoring technology that is scalable to large numbers of servers, e.g., in a datacenter. Agents on servers run queries to monitor data sources for that server, such as performance counters and other events. The agents monitor their resource usage and those of monitored events to stay within an administrator-specified resource budget (policy), e.g., by modifying the running queries and/or monitoring parameters. A controller receives results of the monitoring, analyzes the results, and takes action as needed with respect to server operation and monitoring. The controller may dynamically update an agent's queries, monitoring parameters and/or monitored data post-processing operations. The controller may issue alerts and reports, including alerts indicative of inter-server problems between two or more servers. |
| US09274830B2 |
Service clean-up
Versions of a service not reachable by a set of service requestors that use the service are removed. Multiple, different versions of a service are stored, along with metadata associated with the multiple, different versions of the service. The metadata is examined to determine one or more of the multiple, different versions of the service that are not reachable by the set of service requestors that use the service. Those versions are deleted. |
| US09274817B1 |
Storage quality-of-service control in distributed virtual infrastructure
Techniques for delivering and measuring storage quality-of-service to virtual machines in a distributed virtual infrastructure. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A controller obtains quality-of-service data from at least a portion of components of a distributed virtual infrastructure, wherein the components of the distributed virtual infrastructure comprise one or more storage units, one or more processing units, and one or more switches operatively coupled to form the distributed virtual infrastructure. The controller manages at least one input/output request throughout a path defined by at least one of the one or more processing units, at least one of the one or more switches, and at least one of the one or more storage units, based on at least a portion of the collected quality-of-service data. |
| US09274816B2 |
User driven emulation of applications
Systems and methods allow a user to select one or more applications that are intended to be downloaded to a device (e.g., phone, tablet, PC) and create an emulation environment for testing aspects of the one or more applications prior to download. The emulation environment can be virtual (via emulation or virtual machine) or instrumented by remotely controlling actual hardware. Metrics collected from the emulation environment can include security and usability related aspects of the applications. Interaction between the applications themselves, the applications and other resources, and the user and the applications (e.g., configuration preferences, usage patterns) can be monitored by systems facilitating hosting of the emulation environment. For example, collected metrics can be used to create a measure for security, reputation, user-preference, etc. regarding the applications. Metrics can be shared amongst other potential users to assist in their purchase or usage of the applications. |
| US09274809B2 |
Electronic apparatus hibernation recovery setting method and electronic apparatus having hibernation state and hibernation recovery mechanism
An electronic apparatus hibernation recovery setting method for an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes: assigning different priorities to multiple tasks in process before the electronic apparatus enters a hibernation state; storing multiple image files of the tasks; and first reading and loading the image file for the task having a highest priority when the electronic apparatus recovers from the hibernation state. |
| US09274807B2 |
Selective hibernation of activities in an electronic device
In an electronic device capable of running multiple software applications concurrently, applications, documents, cards, or other activities can be selected for hibernation so as to free up system resources for other activities that are in active use. A determination is made as to which activities should hibernate, for example based on a determination as to which activities have not been used recently or based on relative resource usage. When an activity is to hibernate, its state is preserved on a storage medium such as a disk, so that the activity can later be revived in the same state and the user can continue with the same task that was being performed before the activity entered hibernation. |
| US09274806B2 |
Method of programming the default cable interface software in an indicia reading device
An indicia reading apparatus includes an interconnect cable and an indicia reading device. The indicia reading device is configured so that, if the indicia reader device is not configured to any interconnect cable and detects an indicia which does not contain one of a plurality of specified sequences of data elements that the indicia reading device will recognize and use to configure itself to operate with the interconnect cable, the indicia reading device will indicate to the user of the indicia reading device that the indicia reading device needs to be configured to operate with the interconnect cable. |
| US09274804B2 |
Overlapped boot task fetches and boot task execution to reduce boot time in an electrical device
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes a first processor and a second processor. The system also includes a boot task storage medium that can only be accessed by one processor at a time. A boot process of the system has a first stage and a second stage. During the first stage, the first processor fetches and executes boot tasks without assistance from the second processor. During the second stage, boot task execution performed by first processor overlaps with at least one boot task fetch performed by the second processor. |
| US09274803B2 |
Storage of application specific profiles correlating to document versions
A computer system that includes a processor for operating a software application in the computer system. The software application provides for creation, storage, and retrieval of a file, the file having a corresponding profile that the software application uses for at least the purpose of preparing the software application to display the file upon its retrieval by the software application. Also included is a plurality of storage media that are communicatively coupled to the processor. A storage management module distributes stored files and their accompanying profiles among the plurality of storage media according to predetermined patterns. One of such predetermined patterns is separate storage of a file and the file's corresponding profile. |
| US09274802B2 |
Data compression and decompression using SIMD instructions
Compression and decompression of numerical data utilizing single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) instructions is described. The numerical data includes integer and floating-point samples. Compression supports three encoding modes: lossless, fixed-rate, and fixed-quality. SIMD instructions for compression operations may include attenuation, derivative calculations, bit packing to form compressed packets, header generation for the packets, and packed array output operations. SIMD instructions for decompression may include packed array input operations, header recovery, decoder control, bit unpacking, integration, and amplification. Compression and decompression may be implemented in a microprocessor, digital signal processor, field-programmable gate array, application-specific integrated circuit, system-on-chip, or graphics processor, using SIMD instructions. Compression and decompression of numerical data can reduce memory, networking, and storage bottlenecks. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims. |
| US09274801B1 |
ROM-code programmable digital signal processor
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a digital signal processor that includes a read-only memory are described. According to one embodiment, a processor includes a read-only memory (ROM) configured with a plurality of processing routines that when executed cause the processor to implement corresponding processor features. The processor includes a digital signal processor (DSP) engine. The DSP engine is configured to determine whether a processing routine of the plurality of processing routines is enabled based, at least in part, on a corresponding value in a control register. The DSP engine is configured to selectively execute the processing routine based, at least in part, on whether the value indicates that the processing routine is enabled. |
| US09274799B1 |
Instruction and logic for scheduling instructions
A processor includes a front end and a scheduler. The front end includes logic to determine whether to apply an acyclical or cyclical thread assignment scheme to code received at the processor, and to, based upon a determined thread assignment scheme, assign code to a static logical thread and to a rotating logical thread. The scheduler includes logic to assign the static logical thread to the same physical thread upon a subsequent control flow execution of the static logical thread, and to assign the rotating logical thread to different physical threads upon different executions of instructions in the rotating logical thread. |
| US09274797B2 |
Computer processor with instruction for execution based on available instruction sets
A system and method for testing whether a computer processor is capable of executing a requested instruction set. The system includes a computer processor configured to receive an encoded conditional branch instruction in a form of machine code executable directly by the computer processor, and implement the encoded conditional branch instruction unconditionally, based on underlying hardware architecture of the computer processor. The Method for testing whether a computer processor is capable of executing a requested instruction set, the method including, receiving an encoded conditional branch instruction in a form of machine code executable directly by the computer processor, and implementing the encoded conditional branch instruction unconditionally, based on underlying hardware architecture of the computer processor. |
| US09274795B2 |
Conditional non-branch instruction prediction
A microprocessor processes conditional non-branch instructions that specify a condition and instruct the microprocessor to perform an operation if the condition is satisfied and otherwise to not perform the operation. A predictor provides a prediction about a conditional non-branch instruction. An instruction translator translates the conditional non-branch instruction into a no-operation microinstruction when the prediction predicts the condition will not be satisfied, and into a set of one or more microinstructions to unconditionally perform the operation when the prediction predicts the condition will be satisfied. An execution pipeline executes the no-operation microinstruction or the set of microinstructions. The predictor translates into a second set of one or more microinstructions to conditionally perform the operation when the prediction does not make a prediction. In the case of a misprediction, the translator re-translates the conditional non-branch instruction into the second set of microinstructions. |
| US09274794B2 |
Processor and instruction processing method in processor
The present invention relates to a processor including: an instruction cache configured to store at least some of first instructions stored in an external memory and second instructions each including a plurality of micro instructions; a micro cache configured to store third instructions corresponding to the plurality of micro instructions included in the second instructions; and a core configured to read out the first and second instructions from the instruction cache and perform calculation, in which the core performs calculation by the first instructions from the instruction cache under a normal mode, and when the process enters a micro instruction mode, the core performs calculation by the third instructions corresponding to the plurality of micro instructions provided from the micro cache. |
| US09274793B2 |
Memory fragments for supporting code block execution by using virtual cores instantiated by partitionable engines
A system for executing instructions using a plurality of memory fragments for a processor. The system includes a global front end scheduler for receiving an incoming instruction sequence, wherein the global front end scheduler partitions the incoming instruction sequence into a plurality of code blocks of instructions and generates a plurality of inheritance vectors describing interdependencies between instructions of the code blocks. The system further includes a plurality of virtual cores of the processor coupled to receive code blocks allocated by the global front end scheduler, wherein each virtual core comprises a respective subset of resources of a plurality of partitionable engines, wherein the code blocks are executed by using the partitionable engines in accordance with a virtual core mode and in accordance with the respective inheritance vectors. A plurality memory fragments are coupled to the partitionable engines for providing data storage. |
| US09274789B2 |
In-application upgrade method for optical module firmware not breaking service
An in-application upgrade method is used for optical module firmware not breaking a service. A storage area for internal programs of an optical module is divided into two areas which are respectively used for storing upgrade and application programs, and is divided into an area for backing up an interrupt vector table of a Boot program. An upper computer is in communication with the optical module. The interrupt vector table is switched, and the jump between the Boot program and the application program is achieved. The method includes extracting the contents of firmware, entering a download mode and updating the firmware. The original firmware is erased, and new firmware is written. An application mode is entered, the upper computer sending an exit command from the download mode. The upgrade program exits and a new application program is executed. The optical module operates normally without interruption. |
| US09274787B2 |
Method and system for updating firmware on a beacon device and a communication unit broadcasting beacon signal
Method and system for updating firmware on a beacon device. The system includes: a communication unit and a control unit. The system broadcasts a beacon signal within a certain radius and exchanges information with the service device and the control unit and inquires of the service device about a firmware program version at a predetermined period basis by receiving the firmware program version from the service device and comparing a preset firmware program version with the received firmware program version for controlling the communication unit to stop broadcasting of the beacon signal if both versions are different from each other. The system also requests the service device to update the firmware program through the communication unit, and installs the firmware program received from the service device through the communication unit. |
| US09274786B2 |
Vehicle information update method and apparatus
A vehicle information update method in a mobile device having near field communication (NFC) functionality includes: receiving software version information from an in-vehicle device through NFC tagging, transmitting a predetermined control message including the software version information to an update server using a first wireless access means, receiving latest software corresponding to the software version information from the update server using a second wireless access means, and transmitting the received latest software to the in-vehicle device using a third wireless access means in a vehicle. |
| US09274785B2 |
Method of updating software for vehicle
Disclosed is a method of updating software for a vehicle. The method includes determining whether a vehicle terminal of the vehicle is running out-of-date software; selecting a target vehicle among neighboring vehicles via wireless communication, wherein the target vehicle is running updated software; receiving a shared update file from the target vehicle via wireless communication, the shared update file based on the updated software; storing the shared update file; and updating the out-of-date software using the shared updated file. |
| US09274782B2 |
Automated computer application update analysis
A comparison tool compares metadata that describes an original workflow and metadata that describes a customized workflow. The original workflow and the computer application provide original functionality. The customized workflow is a modified version of the original workflow. The customized workflow and the computer application provide customized functionality. Analysis results, such as a report, are generated that represent the customized functionality. The comparison tool may further compare the original workflow metadata and customized workflow metadata with metadata that describes an updated original workflow. The updated original workflow and an updated version of the computer application provide updated functionality. Analysis results may be generated that represent the customized functionality merged with updated functionality, and a merged workflow may be created. A workflow editor may generate the metadata by associating step-specific metadata, such as origin metadata, type-of-step metadata, and dependency metadata, with individual workflow steps in the workflows. |
| US09274780B1 |
Distribution of applications with a saved state
Disclosed are various embodiments for sharing applications initialized to a specified state. In one embodiment, a saved state service receives a plurality of state parameters that describe a state of the application, wherein the state parameters are reported by the application during execution of the application. The save state service then generates a unique data string that corresponds to the state parameters by serializing the state parameters using a data interchange standard. The saved state service may then generate a link to install the application, wherein the link includes the unique data string. In one embodiment, the saved state service serves up the link that, upon invocation on a client, installs the application and initializes the application in the specified state. |
| US09274776B2 |
Product, method, and apparatus for installing a second program based on a call from a first program
An install method executed by an apparatus, including receiving a call from a first program when the first program is activated; and installing a second program that is used by the first program, in response to the call. |
| US09274775B2 |
Apparatus, control method, and storage medium to instruct a framework to stop a target application based on a usage amount of a resource and a type of the target application
At a timing after a target application is installed, in a case where a usage amount of a resource used at a predetermined timing by the target application exceeds a declaration of a maximum value of the usage amount of the resource described in an application file corresponding to the target application, a framework is instructed to stop the target application. |
| US09274770B2 |
Fault tolerant compilation with automatic error correction
A compilation method is provided for automated user error correction. The method includes using a compiler driver run by a processor to receive a source file for compilation. With a compiler component invoked by the compiler driver, the method includes identifying an error in the source file such as a linking problem or syntax error in the user's program. The method includes receiving with the compiler driver an error message corresponding to the identified error. With an error corrector module run by the processor, the method includes processing the error message to determine an error correction for the identified error in the source file. The compiler driver modifies the source file based on the error correction and compiles the modified source file with the compiler component. |
| US09274768B2 |
Runtime code hooking for print driver and functionality testing
Runtime code hooking techniques are described in which a place holder instruction within a compiled module is used as an entry point to enable code hooking. A hook function to modify a target function is developed. At runtime, the target function to be modified is located. A place holder instruction within the target function is overwritten with instructions to cause execution of the hook function when the target function is called. |
| US09274767B2 |
System and method for stability guarantees in concurrent software
A flexible, extensible and efficient compile-time mechanism that leverages native high-level application programming language constructs (e.g., the template and macro features of C++), thus minimizing any programmer or a software developer learning curve and eliminating the need for programming tool (e.g., compiler) changes, to identify and control aspects of shared resource access in concurrent software at the time of source code compilation. |
| US09274762B2 |
System and method for developing an object-oriented system
A method for developing an object-oriented system includes receiving, at a computer, a request to transliterate a textual flow of events into an activity diagram and transliterating the textual flow of events into an activity diagram where the activity diagram comprising a plurality of actions and a plurality of objects. The plurality of actions are affinitized into a plurality of classes where each of the plurality of classes comprising at least one of the plurality of actions. The affinitized actions are defined for each of the plurality of classes as operations for each of the respective classes. One or more of the plurality of objects are defined as operations for one or more of the plurality of classes. A model is displayed representing the object-oriented system. |
| US09274758B1 |
System and method for creating customized performance-monitoring applications
In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system. The method includes providing a performance-monitoring platform as a service, the performance-monitoring platform comprising at least one agent manager. The method further includes facilitating creation of a customized performance-monitoring application, the performance-monitoring application comprising an agent and at least one user dashboard. The agent is configured to collect performance data related to a specified monitored resource. The agent parses the collected performance data to a monitoring server for storage according to at least one standard data model. The at least one user dashboard allows users to view information related to the collected performance data. The facilitating includes configuring deployment attributes of the customized performance-monitoring application responsive to developer input. Moreover, the method includes deploying the customized performance-monitoring application on the performance-monitoring platform. The method also includes making the customized performance-monitoring application available to end users as a service. |
| US09274757B2 |
Customer tailored release master plan generation for hybrid networked solutions
A business software customer deploying both on-premises and cloud-based applications can be provided with an automatically-generated, customer-tailored release master plan for a hybrid networked business solution that can include specific information and instructions tailored to the business software customer's customer-specific system landscape. |
| US09274755B2 |
Infrastructure for generating code using annotation and template generators
A method for generating boilerplate code is provided. The method may include scanning an initial source code file for an annotation identifying metadata of an element, scanning a generator module for instructions for processing the metadata of the element, and scanning the generator module for a template module that includes an indication of a location for inserting the processed metadata of the element in an output file. The method may further include processing the metadata of the element of the generator module according to the instructions, and inserting the processed metadata of the element at the indicated location in the output file. |
| US09274748B2 |
Transforming a tactually selected user input into an audio output
A contextual input device includes a plurality of tactually discernable keys disposed in a predetermined configuration which replicates a particular relationship among a plurality of items associated with a known physical object. The tactually discernable keys are typically labeled with Braille type. The known physical object is typically a collection of related items grouped together by some common relationship. A computer-implemented process determines whether an input signal represents a selection of an item from among a plurality of items or an attribute pertaining to an item among the plurality of items. Once the selected item or attribute pertaining to an item is determined, the computer-implemented process transforms a user's selection from the input signal into an analog audio signal which is then audibly output as human speech with an electro-acoustic transducer. |
| US09274746B2 |
Latency hiding techniques for multi-modal user interfaces
A multi-modal user interface is described that hides response latency delays. A graphical user interface (GUI) supports different user input modalities including low delay inputs which respond to user inputs without significant delay, and high latency inputs which have a significant response latency after receiving a user input before providing a corresponding completed response. The GUI accepts user inputs in a sequence of mixed input modalities independently of response latencies without waiting for responses to high latency inputs, and responds to each user input in the sequence as if each preceding user input in the sequence had been performed without response latencies. |
| US09274745B2 |
Remote control and synchronization of multiple audio recording looping devices
A musical apparatus including a first audio looping device for being electrically coupled to a second audio looping device is provided. The first audio looping device being configured to receive a first audio signal from a first musical instrument and to store the first audio signal. The first audio looping device being further configured to playback the stored first audio signal as a first loop a first number of times. The first audio looping device being further configured to transmit synchronization information to the second audio looping device that stores a second audio signal and that plays back the stored second audio signal as a second loop a second number of times. The synchronization information enabling the first loop and the second loop to be synchronized with one another during playback. |
| US09274743B2 |
Dedicated voice/audio processing through a graphics processing unit (GPU) of a data processing device
A method includes providing an input port and/or an output port directly interfaced with a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) of a data processing device further including a Central Processing Unit (CPU) to enable a corresponding reception of input data and/or rendering of output data therethrough. The method also includes implementing a voice/audio processing engine in the data processing device. Further, the method includes performing voice/audio related processing of the input data received through the input port and/or voice/audio related processing of data in the data processing device to realize the output data based on executing the voice/audio processing engine solely through the GPU. |
| US09274742B2 |
Visual-symbolic control of remote devices having display-based user interfaces
Traditional, programmatic automated remote control of computerized devices requires extensive tailoring for each device type and operating system. A visual-symbolic control method enables largely device-agnostic control of any target device with access to display and a means of user input (keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touch-screen, etc). An image-processing daemon analyzes the displayed image and recognizes its component visual entities (windows, icons, buttons, etc.), creates symbolic entities from extracted attributes of the visual entities, and organizes the symbolic entities into a symbolic object model instance. The functional relationships and hierarchies of the visual entities are captured in the arrangement of symbolic entities in the symbolic object model instance. Visual-symbolic control commands act on the symbolic entities, and, where appropriate, the commands are transmitted to the target device as user-like target-input. |
| US09274739B2 |
Enhanced power in HDMI systems
There is provided a source device, which is adapted to communicate with a sink device through an HDMI cable. The sink device comprises an internal circuit, handshaking circuitry adapted to verify if the sink device is able to supply a current on a line of the HDMI cable, an internal power supply intended for powering the line and a switching circuit able to uncouple the internal power supply from the line and able to couple the internal circuit to the line. There is also provided a sink device, which is adapted to communicate with a source device through an HDMI cable. The sink device comprises a power supply, hand-shaking circuitry able to indicate that the sink device is able to supply a current on a line of said HDMI cable, and a circuit able to couple the power supply to the line. |
| US09274737B2 |
Information sharing system, information sharing management device, and information sharing method
Provided is an information sharing system which allows setting information relating to a second communication device to be shared with a first communication device. The information sharing system includes an information collection device that retains the setting information and is communicatively connected to the first communication device, and a management device that makes a request for transmission of the setting information with respect to the information collection device. The management device includes a communication management unit that determines whether or not communication is established between the first and second communication devices when receiving the request for transmission of the setting information, and an information request unit that makes a request for transmission of the setting information with respect to the information collection device in a case where it is determined by the communication management unit that the communication is established between the first and second communication devices. The information collection device includes an information management unit that transmits the setting information to the first communication device in response to the request made by the information request unit. |
| US09274732B2 |
Form processing system, form creation device, and computer readable medium
There is provided a form processing system including a form creation device and a printer, wherein the form creation device includes a layout generation unit that generates layout information denoting a layout of a form, a drawing instruction unit that causes a drawing performing unit in the printer to generate referential image data which corresponds to at least part of the generated layout information, based on the generated layout information, and an image transmission unit that transmits the generated referential image data to an OCR device, and the printer includes the drawing performing unit that generates the referential image data in accordance with an instruction from the drawing instruction unit. |
| US09274729B2 |
Print function system and method for secure cloud data storage
A system and method of transferring data between human readable documents using a virtual print driver is disclosed. A first user's computer has a standard text application having a print capability able to output documents in a standard Page Description Language (PDL) file. A virtual print driver then produces an encrypted file that identifies the document source and an intended recipient, establishes a secure link, and transfers the file to a secure cloud store via a secure cloud server that translates the document into a structured format, allowing elements of the document to be accessed individually. The stored document is then accessed in whole, in part, by the intended recipient and third parties authorized by them via a secure communication channel. The intended recipient and the third parties can use the document and/or incorporate further data into, or remove from, the document. |
| US09274728B2 |
Print control apparatus and print control method
There is provided a print control apparatus capable of outputting a plurality of printed materials after a user checks a dividing line of an original image and the layout of image portions on each page when performing poster printing. For this purpose, the original image is divided based on the size of the original image and the size of a sheet such that each of a plurality of image portions obtained by division sets in the predetermined size. At the same time, the original image is displayed in print preview, so that the dividing line of the original image is specified. This allows the user to output printed materials and obtain a product after checking the dividing line of the image. |
| US09274726B2 |
Communication apparatus capable of notifying temporary disconnection from network, communication system, method of controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium
A printing system capable of distinguishing between disconnection of a communication apparatus from a network caused by power-off of the communication apparatus and temporary disconnection of the communication apparatus from the network caused by a change in an operation mode of the communication apparatus. A printing system includes a printing apparatus and a print server. When the printing apparatus has shifted from a first communication mode for performing wireless communication between the printing apparatus and the mobile terminal to a second communication mode for communicating with the print server, the printing apparatus notifies the print server of predetermined information. When the predetermined information is received, the print server transmits a print job spooled therein to the printing apparatus. |
| US09274724B1 |
Distributed virtual tape library
A system and method include a distributed virtual tape library node on a distributed computing system node and using a distributed computing system distributed file system to manage data on multiple nodes of the distributed computing system to form a distributed virtual tape library system. A master virtual tape library on a distributed computing system node, multiple slave virtual tape library on a different distributed computing system node, and a distributed computing system distributed file system to manage data on the master and slave virtual tape libraries form a distributed virtual tape library system. |
| US09274723B2 |
Storage apparatus and its control method
Proposed are a storage apparatus and its control method capable of restoring data of a virtual page to an appropriate device hierarchy according to its data value. This storage apparatus stores, in a backup-destination storage medium, data stored in the respective physical pages allocated with the virtual volume and management information of the virtual volume including information concerning the device hierarchy to which the respective physical pages belong according to a backup command of the virtual volume, and allocates a physical page of the same device hierarchy as the device hierarchy of the physical page that was allocated before the backup to each of the restoration-target virtual pages of the virtual volume, respectively, and writes corresponding data, which was read from the storage medium, into each of the allocated physical pages according to a restoration command of the virtual volume and based on the management information of the virtual volume stored in the storage medium. |
| US09274720B1 |
Distributed RAID over shared multi-queued storage devices
A method for data storage includes, in a system that includes multiple servers and multiple storage devices, holding in a server a definition of a stripe that includes multiple memory locations on the storage devices, to be used by the servers for storing multiple data elements and at least a redundancy element calculated over the data elements. One or more of the data elements in the stripe are modified by the server, by executing in the storage devices an atomic command, which updates the redundancy element to reflect the modified data elements only if a current redundancy element stored in the storage devices reflects the multiple data elements prior to modification of the data elements, and storing the modified data elements in the storage devices only in response to successful completion of the atomic command. |
| US09274712B2 |
Memory wear control
The disclosure is related to systems and methods of controlling wear of a memory. In a particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that comprises a memory and a performance governor circuit coupled to the memory. The performance governor circuit is adapted to control a wear of the memory as a function of time. |
| US09274709B2 |
Indicators for storage cells
Techniques for indicators for storage cells are provided. In one aspect, an indicator is provided that indicates if a portion of storage cells of a storage device contains a pre-defined value. In another aspect, a range of storage cells are initialized to a known value. An indicator may be set to indicate the range of storage cells has been initialized to the known value. In yet another aspect, a request for the indicator may be sent to a storage device. Based on the indicator, initialization of the storage device may be bypassed. |
| US09274707B2 |
Storage network data allocation
A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics. |
| US09274702B2 |
Drawing device, drawing control method, and drawing control program for drawing graphics in accordance with input through input device that allows for input at multiple points
A game device includes: an input position acquiring unit for acquiring the position of an input entry to a touch panel capable of concurrently detecting input entries at a plurality of points; a drawing start determination unit for determining, when the respective positions of concurrent input entries to the touch panel at two points are acquired, to start drawing a graphic if a distance between the two points is within a first range; a drawing unit for drawing, while the input entries at the two points continue to be input after drawing a graphic is started, a graphic calculated based on the respective movement trajectories of the two points and displaying the graphic on a display device; and a drawing end determination unit for determining to end drawing the graphic when the input of the input entries at the two points ends. |
| US09274699B2 |
User interface for a large scale multi-user, multi-touch system
A large scale multi-user, multi-touch system with a specialized zone-based user interface including methods for space management and spatial apportioning of audio cues. The system comprises a multi-touch display component fabricated in dimensions sufficient for at least a plurality of users and for displaying projected images and for receiving multi-touch input. The apparatus includes a plurality of image projectors, a plurality of cameras for sensing multi-touch input and the apparatus includes interface software for managing user space. The interface software implements techniques for managing multiple users using the same user interface component by allocating physical spaces within the multi-touch display component and coordinating movement of displayed objects between the physical spaces. Embodiments include a plurality of audio transducers and methods for performing audio spatialization using the plurality of audio transducers corresponding to the physical spaces, apportioning of volume levels to the audio transducers based on movement of a displayed object. |
| US09274698B2 |
Electronic device and method of controlling same
A system and method is disclosed that provides for character or text selection and editing. The text and character selection is made by user contact with a touch sensitive screen. In order to allow for refinement of the selection, a second expanded view is implemented as compared to the original display configuration of the screen. Furthermore, the selection is described in relation to two endpoints of the block of text. Additionally, a point is specified as the point desired for insertion of the selected text. The expanded view is implemented along with the original view as required when making character selection. |
| US09274697B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and tangible computer-readable recording medium
Disclosed is an information processing apparatus including: a display unit to display a window; a touch panel unit to detect a touch operation which is performed for the display unit; and a control unit, wherein when the touch panel unit receives a flick operation in a first direction for a portion other than a predetermined position in a predetermined scroll area displayed on the display unit, the control unit instructs the display unit to scroll the window displayed in the scroll area in the first direction, and when the touch panel unit receives the flick operation in the first direction for the predetermined position in the scroll area, the control unit executes a function which is previously related to the first direction. |
| US09274696B1 |
Scroll bar with time details
While a newsfeed is scrolled, an icon is displayed that includes the post time of a news story. The icon moves in a vertical direction as the newsfeed is scrolled and displays a post time of a news story when at least a predefined amount of the icon is displayed over the news story. Depending on when a news story was posted, the time icon may include the date the news story was posted. The icon may show a time and/or may include a clock showing time in analog or digital format. The newsfeed may be scrolled in response to a gesture by a user with a touch-sensitive display and the time icon may cease to be displayed once the user breaks contact with the touch-sensitive display. |
| US09274694B2 |
Device, system and method for image-based content delivery
Media content is provided using thumbnail-based images and respective archives linked thereto. In accordance with one or more embodiments, access is provided to interactive single-page and multi-page thumbnail images, with each thumbnail image being linked to at least one of a plurality of media-content units in respective sets of the media-content units (e.g., to pages within respective articles each having one or more pages, with each page having predefined text and image data in a set layout). Archive data is identified and communicated for each media content unit, responsive to user input data indicating a selection of one of the thumbnail images, and based on availability of the archive data locally at a user device. |
| US09274691B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating message selection and organization with group-level actions
One or more messages may be selected and grouped and one or more group-level actions may be initiated for the group, such that the group-level action is performed on each message in the group. Each message in a group shares the at least one attribute value. A messaging user interface may comprise a listing of the set of messages and a message group display portion that displays one or more message groups and a group-level toolbar comprising a selectable indicator for each group-level action. A message, or messages, shown in a message list portion of the user interface may be selected from the message list based on similarity of the message(s) to previously selected messages, and the selected message(s) may be grouping based on shared attribute values. The messages belonging to a group may be modified in the same way via a single action taken on the group. |
| US09274690B2 |
Multimedia visual progress indication system
A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period. |
| US09274689B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication control method, and computer-readable storage medium
A method is provided for enabling sharing of data. The method comprises defining a sharing region corresponding to a portion of a surface of an apparatus. The method further comprises enabling sharing of data with an external device in response to user input associating the data with the sharing region. |
| US09274686B2 |
Navigation framework for visual analytic displays
Systems and methods for model based creation and editing of visual analytic dashboards are disclosed. A dashboard manager receives a dashboard model that defines the specification of a particular dashboard. In particular, the dashboard model can include description of the visual analytics to be rendered in the dashboard. The dashboard model can also include a description of the arrangement of the visual analytics. The dashboard models are compatible with a user interface framework that includes default or standardized navigation patterns for organizing and navigating among and within dashboards. The navigation pattern can include the specification of a number of separate horizontally navigable channels sections into which the visual analytics are groups by type. A title section can also be included with controls for horizontally navigating between multiple dashboard and panels. |
| US09274682B2 |
Off-screen gestures to create on-screen input
Bezel gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, the bezel of a device is used to extend functionality that is accessible through the use of so-called bezel gestures. In at least some embodiments, off-screen motion can be used, by virtue of the bezel, to create screen input through a bezel gesture. Bezel gestures can include single-finger bezel gestures, multiple-finger/same-hand bezel gestures, and/or multiple-finger, different-hand bezel gestures. |
| US09274681B2 |
Terminal and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal and method of controlling the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a touchscreen and a control unit for receiving a first command according to a state of an object in near-proximity to the touchscreen, and receiving a second command according to a state of the object contacting the touchscreen. |
| US09274680B2 |
Method of selection of a button in a graphical bar, and receiver implementing the method
The present invention relates to a method of navigation around documents represented by identifiers displayed on a viewing screen. Navigation commands control the position of a cursor also displayed on the screen, independently of the position of the identifiers. The identifiers automatically scroll over the screen as a function of the position of the cursor on the screen thus defining the direction of scrolling. When the cursor is positioned on an identifier, the latter is highlighted and the user can enter a command to activate the document, for example to reproduce it. Advantageously, the identifiers scroll over concentric carrousels, each carrousel containing identifiers of documents having common properties. The invention also relates to a viewing appliance able to execute a navigation software module. |
| US09274677B2 |
Method and system for providing transparent access to hardware graphic layers
The present invention relates generally to computer graphics, and more specifically to methods of, and systems for, configuring, controlling and accessing multiple hardware graphics layers that are used to compose a single video display. One aspect of the invention is broadly defined as follows: in a computer environment including a software application and an operating system running on a computer, the computer including a graphics card and a video display, the graphics card being operable to render images to the video display. The operating system is operable to: receive draw events; and respond to draw requests from the software application by rendering the draw requests selectively to any of the available hardware layers on the graphics card; whereby the computer environment allows software applications to exploit available hardware layers on the graphics card. |
| US09274675B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal for displaying a three-dimensional image and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a display unit configured to display a three-dimensional image including a plurality of objects; a memory unit configured to store property information of a plurality of applications respectively corresponding to the plurality of objects; and a controller configured to, upon detection of a selection of the plurality of objects, execute the plurality of applications, generate priority information in order to determine the priority levels of the executed applications based on the property information, and arrange the executed applications on the three-dimensional image based on position information mapped to the priority information. |
| US09274670B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for inputting information
Methods and apparatuses for presenting a data input interface. In one exemplary embodiment of a method described herein, a text input field is displayed and, through a first input to the text input field itself, a selection between at least a first operation and a second operation can be made. A first input is received to determine a selected operation which is one of the first operation or the second operation, and a text input is received and the selected operation is performed. Other methods are described, and apparatuses are also described. |
| US09274665B2 |
Touch detecting method and touch detecting apparatus
The embodiments of the present invention provide a touch detecting method and a touch detecting apparatus. The touch detecting method may include: dividing a plurality of detecting rows in a touch screen into row groups; determining a selected detecting row in each row group; performing a primary touch detecting on pixel points in each detecting row in each row group, wherein the touch detecting on the pixel points in the same pixel column in the same row group is performed synchronously; upon there being a pixel column existing touch feedback in any row group, performing a subsidiary touch detecting on the pixel points in the selected detecting row in the pixel column, to determine the pixel point being touched. The touch detecting method and touch detecting apparatus according to the embodiments may solve problems of responding slowly, halting, or not responding caused by too many touch detecting times in the prior art. |
| US09274662B2 |
Sensor matrix pad for performing multiple capacitive sensing techniques
Embodiments in the present disclosure use various individual electrodes in a capacitive sensing pixel of an electrode matrix to perform two different techniques of capacitive sensing. For example, a capacitive sensing pixel may include at least two sensor electrodes that may be driven different by a processing system depending on the current capacitive technique being used to user interaction. When performing absolute capacitive sensing, a first one of the sensor electrodes may be driven with a modulated signal in order to measure a change in absolute capacitance between the driven sensor electrode and an input object. Alternatively, when performing transcapacitance sensing, the first sensor electrode is driven with a transmitter signal while a resulting signal is measured on a second sensor electrode in the capacitive pixel. In this manner, the individual electrodes in a capacitive sensing pixel may be driven differently depending on the current capacitive sensing technique. |
| US09274660B2 |
Touch pad with force sensors and actuator feedback
Electronic devices may use touch pads that have touch sensor arrays, force sensors, and actuators for providing tactile feedback. A touch pad may be mounted in a computer housing. The touch pad may have a rectangular planar touch pad member that has a glass layer covered with ink and contains a capacitive touch sensor array. Force sensors may be mounted under each of the four corners of the rectangular planar touch pad member. The force sensors may be used to measure how much force is applied to the surface of the planar touch pad member by a user. Processed force sensor signals may indicate the presence of button activity such as press and release events. In response to detected button activity or other activity in the device, actuator drive signals may be generated for controlling the actuator. The user may supply settings to adjust signal processing and tactile feedback parameters. |
| US09274659B2 |
Transcapacitive input object sensing
In a method of input object sensing, a plurality of transmitter electrodes are driven in a first way to acquire a first sub-frame image with the plurality of transmitter electrodes and a plurality of receiver electrodes of a sensor electrode pattern during a first sub-frame of a transcapacitive sensing frame. The plurality of transmitter electrodes is also driven in a second way to acquire a second sub-frame image with the plurality of transmitter electrodes and the plurality of receiver electrodes during a second sub-frame of the transcapacitive sensing frame, wherein the first way and the second way differ. A capacitive image is determined by combining the first sub-frame image with the second sub-frame image such that a motion artifact associated with an input object and present in at least one of the sub-frame images is suppressed by the combining. |
| US09274658B2 |
Method for detecting biomolecules using a capacitive touch screen
There is provided a method of detecting biomolecules using a capacitive touch screen receiving a touch with a conductor as an input signal to perform an output on a display screen, and more particularly to a method of detecting target biomolecules by applying biomolecules having electrical conductivity to a touch panel and detecting a change in capacitance of a surface of a touch panel generated according to the concentration of the biomolecules.A method of detecting biomolecule according to the present invention uses a capacitive touch screen capable of being cheaply manufactured on a large scale, such that the method may have advantages such as cheap cost and a short analysis time and simply detect biomolecules in a personal terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, and the like, on which a capacitive touch screen is mounted, as compared to the existing method requiring an expensive exclusive analysis apparatus based on absorbance or fluorescence having a large volume, a skilled experimental technique such as electrophoresis, or a long analysis time to thereby be performed only in an experimental room equipped with specialists and equipment. |
| US09274654B2 |
Projected capacitive touch sensing
Methods, systems, and apparatus relate to touch sensors that are configured to measure input applied to the sensor from a user. Some implementations involve the measurement of changes in capacitance between pairs of adjacent patterned electrodes to detect input at a touch sensor. |
| US09274652B2 |
Apparatus, method, and medium for sensing movement of fingers using multi-touch sensor array
A sensing technique using a capacitance touch sensor as a user interface is provided. An apparatus for sensing the movement of fingers using a multi-touch sensor includes a touch determination module which determines whether a user has actually touched a touch sensor comprising one or more touch points with at least one of his/her fingers, a clustering module which groups a plurality of electrodes arrayed in the touch sensor into one or more clusters according to a set of standards if the touch determination module determines that the user has actually touched the touch sensor with at least one of his/her finger, a position value calculation module which calculates a finger position value indicating the location of the finger of the user that touches the touch sensor for each of the clusters, and a movement information detection module which detects movement information of the finger of the user that touches the touch sensor using information regarding variations over time in the finger position value. |
| US09274651B2 |
Apparatus to track a pointing device
An apparatus for use in helping to track a pointing device is disclosed herein. An example of the apparatus includes an orientation member coupled to the pointing device that includes a plurality of points at least some of which define a plane. The apparatus also includes a sensor to detect the plurality of points of the orientation member and a processor to determine a location in a workspace of each of the points of the orientation member detected by the sensor. The processor also determines a geometric property of the plane defined by at least some of the points of the orientation member and locates a position of an end of the pointing device along a line segment associated with the geometric property. A method for use in helping to track a pointing device in a workspace and a non-volatile storage medium are also disclosed herein. |
| US09274650B2 |
Optical touch device and related image detecting component and locating method
A locating method applied to an optical touch device is disclosed. The optical touch device includes at least one image detecting component for detecting an imaging position of an object and generating a touch position of the object on a plane according to the imaging position. The at least one image detecting component includes a plurality of pixels. The locating method includes dividing the pixels into a first group and a second group along a first direction, analyzing dimension ratios of a darkness point respectively relative to the first group and the second group when the darkness point formed by the object is simultaneously detected by the first group and the second group, and calculating the imaging position of the darkness point inside the image detecting component according to the dimension ratios. |
| US09274649B2 |
Handling of electromagnetic interference in an electronic apparatus
The present invention provides a touch-sensitive apparatus and a method for determining a coordinate position in response to a proximity detection for the touch-sensitive apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: evaluating a plurality of designed measurement modes by measuring noise over a plurality of measurement cycles when a proximity event on the touch-sensitive apparatus has been detected; selecting an optimal measurement mode from the plurality of designed measurement modes; assigning the optimal measurement mode to be a working measurement mode; performing the proximity detection for the touch-sensitive apparatus in use of the working measurement mode; and calculating the coordinates of the touched position based on results obtained with the working measurement mode. |
| US09274648B2 |
Method of compensating for edge coordinates of touch sensing system
A method of compensating for coordinates of an edge portion of a touch sensing system is disclosed. The method includes calculating coordinates of a touch point, suitably converting the coordinates of the touch point based on a resolution of a display panel, deciding whether or not current coordinates of the touch point are present in a bezel area outside an active area of the display panel, in which an image is displayed, and when the current coordinates of the touch point are present in the bezel area, modifying the current coordinates of the touch point into edge coordinates of the active area contacting the bezel area. |
| US09274641B2 |
Game pieces for use with touch screen devices and related methods
There is provided a system and method for communicating with a first peripheral device, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitive system that has a processor and a touch surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method additionally includes communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of the first peripheral device. |
| US09274639B2 |
Display device having a touch panel with auxiliary lines supplying supplemental auxiliary drive signals
A touch display device comprises a controller to generate a touch sync signal for controlling timing of a touch sensing period and a display period. A touch panel has a plurality of touch electrodes in a display area of the touch display device. The touch panel generates touch sensing signals indicating whether or not a touch occurs during the touch sensing period. A gate driver supplies gate pulses to gate lines of the touch panel during the display period and supplies a gate line auxiliary drive signal from the first transfer line onto the gate lines during the touch sensing period that mimics the touch drive signal. One or more auxiliary lines supply a supplemental auxiliary drive signal during the touch sensing period that mimics the touch drive signal. |
| US09274635B2 |
Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display
Systems and methods for compensating for visual distortion caused by surface features on a display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a display including one or more surface features; a processor configured to: receive a display signal including graphical data; determine a location of the surface feature; transform the display signal based at least in part on the location of the surface feature; and cause the transformed display signal to be displayed. |
| US09274632B2 |
Portable electronic device, touch operation processing method, and program
In a portable electronic device, time and effort of a user is reduced while performing mode switching that reflects the user's intention. The portable electronic device includes a first touch sensor, a second touch sensor, and a processing unit which performs a first process when the first touch sensor detects a touch operation and performs a second process related to the first process in place of the first process when the first touch sensor detects the touch operation and the second touch sensor detects a touch operation. |
| US09274630B2 |
In-cell touch liquid crystal display device
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid crystal display, and particularly, relates to a built-in touch liquid crystal display device. The device is further provided with a touch sensing line, and at least in a part of the pixel units, a touch capacitor and a touch switch located between the touch capacitor and the touch sensing line and capable of connecting or disconnecting the both are arranged in correspondence to at least one pixel subunit, and wherein the voltage difference of the touch capacitor can be transferred to the touch sensing line. According to the present disclosure, the existing pressing capacitive built-in touch device is improved. In this way, the defects of this type of device existing before can be overcome. With the pixel aperture ratio improved, the pressing capacitive built-in touch technology can be applied to large-sized panels, and the touch driving circuit is simplified. |
| US09274621B2 |
Apparatus including a sensor arrangement and methods of operating the same
An apparatus is provided, which comprises: a display configured to display an image, a sensor arrangement (100), and a processing arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises first, second and third linear sensor arrays (102,104,106), each of the linear sensor arrays being disposed generally orthogonal to each of the other linear sensor arrays and converging with each of the other linear sensor arrays at or near one end thereof, and wherein the processing arrangement is configured, in response to determining that two consecutive inputs are on different ones of the first and second linear sensor arrays, to rotate the image displayed on the display about a first axis, in response to determining that two consecutive inputs are on different ones of the second and third sensor arrays, to rotate the image displayed on the display about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and in response to determining that two consecutive inputs are on different ones of the first and third linear sensor arrays, to rotate the image displayed on the display about a third axis, the third axis being substantially perpendicular to both the first and second axes. |
| US09274620B2 |
Operating system with shortcut touch panel having shortcut function
An operating system having a shortcut touch panel having shortcut functions, wherein the operating system has an electronic device and a shortcut touch panel. The electronic device has a display screen having multiple display areas. The shortcut touch panel has a first function mode and a second function mode, wherein the shortcut touch panel has a shortcut ring. The shortcut ring has multiple ring sensing sections. When the shortcut touch panel is operated in the first function mode, a screen cursor on the display screen can be moved to any display area rapidly by the shortcut touch panel. When the shortcut touch panel is operated in the second function mode, the shortcut touch panel can launch custom functions of the electronic device rapidly. |
| US09274619B2 |
Input apparatus, input method, and input program
An operation detecting unit detects an operation input direction to an operation input unit attached to a steering wheel, and when an operation input direction recognizing unit recognizes that a vehicle is running, the operation input direction detected by the operation detecting unit is recognized to be a direction corresponding to an arrangement of element images constituting a part of an image to be displayed on an image display unit. Moreover, an operation input direction control unit uses the direction recognized by the operation input direction recognizing unit as the operation input direction related to at least any one of the element images. |
| US09274617B2 |
Optical navigation apparatus calculating an image quality index to determine a matching block size
An optical navigation apparatus, an optical navigation method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium thereof are provided. The optical navigation apparatus includes a light source unit, an image sensing unit, and a processing unit. The processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The image sensing unit captures a first image at a first time instant when the light is projected onto a reflection surface. The processing unit calculates an image quality index of the first image and determines a matching block size between the first image and a second image according to the image quality index. |
| US09274610B2 |
Electronic equipment, letter inputting method and program
An electronic device comprises a display unit that displays a letter/character; a touch pressing input unit including a plurality of keys arrayed in a matrix; the touch pressing input unit allowing touch-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key touched by a user's finger; the touch pressing input unit allowing pressing-inputting a letter/character corresponding to a key pressed; and a control unit that manages control to cause the letter/character input by the touch pressing input unit to be displayed on the display unit; the control unit managing control so that, if a key is touched and pressed at the touch pressing input unit with the user's finger, a letter/character corresponding to the key pressed is displayed on the display unit, and so that, if a key is touched and released without being pressed by the user's finger at the touch pressing input unit, a letter/character corresponding to a key displaced at a position from which the user's finger has been released is displayed on the display unit. |
| US09274608B2 |
Systems and methods for triggering actions based on touch-free gesture detection
Systems, methods and non-transitory computer-readable media for triggering actions based on touch-free gesture detection are disclosed. The disclosed systems may include at least one processor. A processor may be configured to receive image information from an image sensor, detect in the image information a gesture performed by a user, detect a location of the gesture in the image information, access information associated with at least one control boundary, the control boundary relating to a physical dimension of a device in a field of view of the user, or a physical dimension of a body of the user as perceived by the image sensor, and cause an action associated with the detected gesture, the detected gesture location, and a relationship between the detected gesture location and the control boundary. |
| US09274607B2 |
Authenticating a user using hand gesture
The present document describes a method for authenticating a user into a system using gestures. The user may draw the gesture on a touch sensitive device (e.g. touchpad), or make the gesture in the air in front of a camera. In the touchpad embodiment, the trajectory defined by the gesture is received ready from the touchpad. In the camera embodiment, the trajectory is built by analyzing the images of an image stream to find a hand (or another subject i.e. meta-subject). The trajectory may then be built by monitoring the change of position of the hand in the succession of images. The trajectory is analyzed to determine the key-code defined by the gesture, and to determine whether or not it is the authenticated user who is performing the gesture (as opposed to an intruder) based on the speed and the distance between the trajectory and a straight line. |
| US09274604B2 |
Electronic device including actuator for providing tactile output
An electronic device includes a base, a membrane coupled to and spaced from the base, an actuator disposed between the base and the membrane, and spaced from the membrane when the actuator is not actuated, and a controller configured to control actuation of the actuator to cause the actuator to contact the membrane. |
| US09274599B1 |
Input detection
The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method. The method can include receiving eye-scan data from one or more linear sensors while operating in a locked mode, wherein the eye-scan data corresponds to an eye. The method can also include determining that the eye-scan data matches predetermined authorization data. Responsive to determining that the eye-scan data matches the predetermined authorization data, the method can also include causing the computing device to switch from operating in the locked mode to operating in an unlocked mode. |
| US09274598B2 |
System and method for selecting and activating a target object using a combination of eye gaze and key presses
A pointing method uses eye-gaze as an implicit control channel. A user looks in a natural fashion at a target object as a button on a graphical user interface and then presses a manual selection key. Once the selection key is pressed, the present method uses probability analysis to determine a most probable target object and to highlight it. If the highlighted object is the target object, the user can select it by pressing a key such as the selection key once again. If the highlighted object is not the target object, the user can select another target object using additional keys to navigate to the intended target object. |
| US09274595B2 |
Coherent presentation of multiple reality and interaction models
A method for navigating concurrently and from point-to-point through multiple reality models is described. The method includes: generating, at a processor, a first navigatable virtual view of a first location of interest, wherein the first location of interest is one of a first virtual location and a first non-virtual location; and concurrently with the generating the first navigatable virtual view of the first location of interest, generating, at the processor, a second navigatable virtual view corresponding to a current physical position of an object, such that real-time sight at the current physical position is enabled within the second navigatable virtual view. |
| US09274591B2 |
General purpose processing unit with low power digital signal processing (DSP) mode
A method and circuit arrangement utilize a general purpose processing unit having a low power DSP mode for reconfiguring the general purpose processing unit to efficiently execute DSP workloads with reduced power consumption. When in a DSP mode, one or more of a data cache, an execution unit, and simultaneous multithreading may be disabled to reduce power consumption and improve performance for DSP workloads. Furthermore, partitioning of a register file to support multithreading, and register renaming functionality, may be disabled to provide an expanded set of registers for use with DSP workloads. As a result, a general purpose processing unit may be provided with enhanced performance for DSP workloads with reduced power consumption, while also not sacrificing performance for other non-DSP/general purpose workloads. |
| US09274590B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and managing memory blocks to improve power savings
Systems and methods are provided for placing a portion of a memory into a low power mode. A system includes a hot spot region creator configured to determine an activity level for each of a plurality of regions of a memory, where certain of the regions are determined to be active regions, and where certain of the regions are determined to be inactive regions and rearrange the data to position the active region data in a contiguous active portion of memory and to position the inactive regions data in a contiguous inactive portion of memory. A memory controller is configured to place the contiguous inactive portion of memory into a low power mode. |
| US09274588B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing chip power consumption
The present invention discloses a method for reducing chip power consumption. The method includes: monitoring real-time load statuses of an input interface, an output interface, and an internal bus of a chip, and collecting load monitoring information; adjusting a working frequency of the chip according to the load monitoring information; and performing rate limiting for an information transmission rate of each channel of the chip according to the current working frequency of the chip. The method and apparatus for reducing chip power consumption according to the present invention solve a problem in the prior art that in a process of chip frequency modulation and power consumption reduction, it is difficult to implement constant rate limiting for a chip channel, thereby providing a feasible solution for reducing chip power consumption while maintaining constant rate limiting for the chip channel. |
| US09274584B2 |
Processor performance state optimization
A processor performance state optimization includes a system to change a performance state of a processor. In an embodiment, the system to change a performance state of the processor includes a processor and a step logic sub-system operatively coupled with the processor and is operable to communicate a performance state change request to the processor. A core voltage regulator is operatively coupled with the step logic sub-system. An end performance state sub-system to determine a desired end performance state is coupled with the step logic sub-system. And, an enable sub-state transition sub-system to enable sub-state transitions is coupled with the step logic sub-system. |
| US09274573B2 |
Method and apparatus for hardware reset protection
A method and apparatus for protecting access to sensitive information stored in vulnerable storage areas (e.g., public memory, registers, cache) of a microprocessor. A microprocessor having a reset port to receive external reset commands may have a reset diversion circuit that may be selectively enabled. The microprocessor may operate in an open mode or a secure mode, indicating the absence or the potential presence, respectively, of sensitive information in the vulnerable storage areas. In open mode, the reset diversion circuit may be disabled such that external reset requests triggers a hardware reset. In secure mode, sensitive information may be recorded on vulnerable storage areas. The reset diversion circuit may be enabled to divert external reset requests to an interrupt which may trigger execution of a software code. The software code, when executed, may perform a secured system clean-up routine to erase the vulnerable storage areas prior to reset. |
| US09274568B2 |
Mobile electronic device and methods of manufacture thereof
Disclosed herein is a mobile device comprising a plate; the plate being adapted to accommodate a printed circuit board; a ring bonded to the plate; a seal disposed between the ring and the plate, the plate and ring and seal forming a mid-plate structure; wherein the seal comprises a platform; and a housing unit bonded to the platform. |
| US09274565B2 |
Hinge device and electronic apparatus using that hinge device
A hinge device which rotatably connects a display to a keyboard part comprised of a hinge pivot member which attaches the keyboard part and a bracket which is attached to the display and holds the hinge pivot member and of a hinge cover, wherein if making the bracket hold the hinge pivot member, then attaching the hinge cover to the pivot of the hinge pivot member and making it slide in the axial direction to engage it with the housing of the display part and attaching the front cover to the display part in this state, a projecting part which is provided at the front end part of the front cover is inserted in the hinge cover and return of the hinge cover in the axial direction is prevented, so the front cover and hinge cover can be simply removed at the time of maintenance of the display part. |
| US09274564B2 |
Antenna in or below keyboard
An electronic device may include a housing enclosing electronic components, the housing including an aperture on a top portion of the housing, a keyboard within the aperture of the housing, the keyboard comprising multiple keys, and an antenna extending around a subset of the multiple keys. |
| US09274563B2 |
Footpad and carrying apparatus having the same
A footpad and a carrying apparatus having the same are provided. The footpad can be applied to an electronic device to serve as a support for the electronic device. The footpad being disposed on a lower surface of the electronic device includes a hollow elastomer and a spiral structure directly formed on the inner surface of the hollow elastomer. The distance between an inner spiral portion of the spiral structure and the lower surface of the electronic device is greater than the distance between an outer spiral portion of the spiral structure and the lower surface of the electronic device. The footpad is able to physically change the shape thereof according to the weight distribution of the electronic device and provides a support force thereto so as to maintain balance and stability of the electronic device. |
| US09274561B2 |
Display devices and methods of manufacturing display devices
A display device having a base film, a display structure, and a window, the base film including a first bending region having a wrinkled portion and a first region adjacent to the first bending region, a display structure disposed on a first face of the base film, and a window covering the display structure disposed on the first face of the base film, the first bending region having a material different from a material in the first region. |
| US09274558B2 |
Portable computing device dock
A portable computing device dock has a deck movable between a raised position in which an upper surface of the deck extends at or above a height of projections such that no projections extend through and above the deck and a lowered position in which the projections extend through the upper surface of the deck. |
| US09274557B2 |
Stand for electronic device and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a stand for an electronic device, includes a first housing and a connector. The connector is configured to detachably connect to the electronic device and to be rotatably supported by the first housing. The electronic device includes a display face and a second housing. The second housing includes a first opening formed at an end thereof. The connector includes a support, a protrusion, and a base member. The support is configured to support the second housing from outside. The protrusion is spaced from the support and inserted into the first opening. The base member includes a first part configuring at least a portion of the support and a second part integrated with the first part and configuring at least a portion of the protrusion. |
| US09274556B2 |
Tablet computer stand
A tablet computer stand configured to hold a tablet computer in either horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) positions. Tablet computer stand may comprise a T-shaped tablet computer dock (the “T-Arm”), a dock rotator, a neck, and a U-shaped base (the “U-Foot”). |
| US09274554B2 |
Protective case for electronic equipment
A protective case for electronic equipment is used to dissipate heat of electronic equipment. The protective case contains a body including a through hole defined therein and a metal plate disposed in the through hole, a Nano heat dissipation layer formed on a back surface of the metal plate, such that the electronic equipment retains with a protective case and contacts with the metal plate. The metal plate has an external rim retained in the body. The body also includes a recess defined thereon, and the metal plate adheres with the recess. The protective case also contains a dissipating piece, and a back surface of the dissipating piece connects with a front surface of the metal plate, a front surface of the dissipating piece contacts with the electronic equipment. |
| US09274542B2 |
Creation of radio waveforms according to a probability distribution using weighted parameters
Described herein are methods and systems capable of generating weighted parameter sets, which can be randomly addressed for dictating a waveform of each pulse to be generated by using a probability distribution function loader to load a memory table with waveform parameter values, wherein the values are loaded according to a weighted probability distribution function. Each value is then randomly addressed in the memory table and/or randomly selected from the memory table by a random number generator and fed into a signal generation circuit for creation of the waveform to be transmitted. |
| US09274539B2 |
Voltage trimming circuit and method of semiconductor apparatus
A voltage trimming circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes: a first voltage trimming unit configured to trim a first reference voltage having a first characteristic with respect to temperature based on a first trimming signal, and generate a first trimming reference voltage; a second voltage trimming unit configured to trim a second reference voltage having a second characteristic with respect to the temperature based on a second trimming signal, and generate a second trimming reference voltage; and an adjusting unit configured to trim a voltage formed from a potential difference between the first and second trimming reference voltages based on a select signal, and generate a final trimming reference voltage. |
| US09274534B2 |
Feed-forward compensation for low-dropout voltage regulator
A voltage regulator includes a pass element having a control input coupled to a control node and operable to generate an output voltage at an output node, a negative feedback amplifier operable to receive a reference voltage and the output voltage and generate a signal at the control node based on a difference between the reference voltage and the output voltage, and a noise cancellation circuit coupled to the control node and the output node and operable to generate a bias current at the control node based on the output voltage. |
| US09274532B2 |
Temperature controller and thermal control platform
A temperature controller for controlling a thermal module that raises or lowers the temperature of a thermal control platform that includes a reading interface and a control unit. The reading interface is used for reading parameters of the thermal control platform that are stored in a memory module. The control unit is connected to the reading interface for receiving the parameters read by the reading interface and for sending a control signal to the thermal module according to the corresponding parameters. The thermal module then raises or lowers the temperature according to the control signal. Accordingly, the temperature controller automatically adjusts the temperature control to different thermal control platforms. |
| US09274530B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting and resolving liquid pump failures
A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a pump. The method and system may measure a current liquid level in a basin, which houses the pump. The current liquid level may be determined by a liquid level sensor placed slightly above a high liquid level mark in the basin. If the current liquid level is determined to have surpassed the high liquid level mark, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker that produces vibrations to physically shake the pump. If the current liquid level is determined to not have surpassed the high liquid level mark, the method and system may analyze a motor of the pump to detect signatures that indicate potential problems with the motor. |
| US09274528B2 |
Marine vessel control system
A marine vessel control system that includes at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism providing a thrust vector and being movably attached to the vessel. An actuating system is coupled to the at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism manipulating the orientation of the thrust vector. At least one servo control is linked with the actuating system. At least one attitude sensor provides a signal that indicates the attitude of the vessel. A central control computer is operatively coupled to the actuating system, the servo control and the attitude sensor. The central control computer controls the actuation of the at least one primary marine propulsory mechanism's thrust vector in response to the signal from the attitude sensor indicating the attitude of the vessel. The attitude, stability and motion damping and at least one of the pitch, roll and yaw axes of the vessel is controlled. |
| US09274522B2 |
Method for controlling the driving of a big rig and drive control system
A method for remotely controlling a big rig comprises a tractor unit and one or more trailers coupled to the tractor unit, wherein the tractor unit comprises a drive train which can be electronically actuated by the control of the tractor unit and by way of which the tractor unit can be driven automatically. The control of the tractor unit have a wireless communication link to a touchscreen device so that automatic driving of the big rig can be remotely controlled by way of the touchscreen device during which at least one articulation angle between a longitudinal axis of the tractor unit and a longitudinal axis of the trailer is continuously regulated. |
| US09274520B2 |
Method and system for condition monitoring of a group of plants
A system for monitoring machinery and systems in a process plant using a local monitoring and diagnostic system, the system including a plant database configured to store rule sets including at least one rule expressed as at least one of a physics-based model, a data-driven model, and a empirical model of a plant component and a relational expression of a real-time data output relative to a real-time data input, and a server grade computer configured to receive plant component data from a plant unit control panel, generate virtual sensor outputs using the at least one model associated with the plant component, transmit the plant component data and generated virtual sensor outputs to the plant database for storing and to a data visualization system for generating analytical graphics, determine using the at least one model rule set, an operating or performance condition of the plant component in near real-time. |
| US09274517B2 |
Numerical controller for speed control according to instructed path speed condition
A numerical controller that controls a multi-axis machine tool performs speed control based on an instructed path allowable acceleration and an instructed path allowable jerk in a relative path (instructed path) of a tool with respect to a workpiece, and performs speed control based on a tool reference point path allowable speed, a tool reference point path allowable acceleration and a tool reference point path allowable jerk in a tool reference point path being a relative path, with respect to the workpiece, of a point in the tool (tool reference point) that is different from a tool center point. As a result, it is possible to prevent occurrence of large acceleration and jerk in a path of the tool center point with respect to the workpiece, as well as occurrence of large speed, acceleration and jerk in the path of the tool reference point with respect to the workpiece. |
| US09274515B2 |
Systems and methods for recording data associated with the operation of foundation fieldbus devices
Systems and methods are provided for recording data associated with the operation of Foundation Fieldbus devices. Device parameter data associated with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices may be received by a device comprising one or more computers. A visual representation of the operation of the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices may be generated by the device receiving the device parameter data. The device may then record at least a portion of the device parameter data received to generate the visual representation. |
| US09274514B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus includes a reference model unit configured to generate a model output, a feedback unit configured to generate a feedback, and an adder configured to add up the model input and the feedback and generate a control input to the controlled object. The reference model unit includes a storing unit configured to retain, as a vector, a present value of the target value and one or a plurality of past values of the target value, a numerical model configured to simulate a characteristic of the controlled object and generate the model output and a state variable on the basis of the model input, a model controller configured to generate the model input and a controller determining unit configured to determine the model controller. |
| US09274512B1 |
System and method for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the use of utilities
A system and method of monitoring and controlling the use of utilities by devices contained within a specific location. Interactive units are provided within the selected location. A server interface is provided at the location that communicates with a remote computer server. The interactive units control the operations of different devices within the selected location that consume utilities. When used, each interactive unit generates signal information indicating whether the device controlled or monitored by that interactive unit is in operation. The signal information generated by the interactive units is sent to the server interface and then a remote computer server. The server computer analyzes the signal information to determine the amount of utilities being used and enables a programmer to set automatic and selective control parameters to minimize the cost of operations for the various devices. |
| US09274508B2 |
Prismatic lock and key security
Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism. |
| US09274506B2 |
Wearable electronic device
A wearable electric device includes a main body with a circuit module inside and at least a detachable battery strap with a battery module inside, and the main body and the detachable battery strap are detachably fastened together. A female buckle member is formed on the edge of the main body and includes a receiving chamber, a pair of locking notches arranged on the respective sides of the receiving chamber and a plurality of metal conductive points connected with the circuit module. A male buckle member is attached on the front part of the detachable battery strap to be fastened with the female buckle member and includes a plurality of pogo pin connectors for connecting with the metal conducting points, and a locking block for fastening with the receiving chamber. |
| US09274501B2 |
Drive force transmission configuration for an image forming apparatus having cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes: a main body provided with a drive-force supplying part; a cartridge comprising a rotary body and a drive-force transmission part; and a moving member supporting the cartridge. The drive-force transmission part transmits a drive force transmitted from the drive-force supplying part to the rotary body. The moving member is accommodated in and withdrawn from the main body. The cartridge is attached to and detached from the moving member when moving member is withdrawn from the main body. The moving member includes a drive-force relay part having an input portion and an output portion, the input portion receiving the drive force from the drive-force supplying part, the output portion outputting the drive force from the input portion to the drive-force transmission part of the cartridge attached to the moving member. |
| US09274498B2 |
Process unit and exposure unit arrangement in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a process unit having a photosensitive body extending in a first direction; a first roller disposed on one side in a second direction of the process unit, which is substantially perpendicular to a vertical direction and the first direction; an exposure unit; a fixing unit disposed on the other side in the second direction of the process unit; and a second roller disposed on an upper side of the fixing unit and on the other side in the second direction of the first roller and configured to transport the recording medium passed through the fixing unit to an outside of a casing. The casing includes a guide portion configured to guide the process unit into the casing, and the exposure unit is disposed on the one side in the second direction of the process unit and the guide portion. |
| US09274496B2 |
Electrophotographic process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
Uneven charging is improved, and production of a banding image attributed to a slip between the charging member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member is suppressed. An electrophotographic process cartridge including a charging member and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is electrically charged upon being brought into contact with the charging member, wherein the charging member includes a electro-conductive substrate and a surface layer formed on the electro-conductive substrate; the surface layer contains at least a binder resin, an electron conductive agent, and a resin particle having a plurality of pores inside thereof; the surface of the surface layer has a protrusion derived from the resin particle; the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support; and the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a specific component. |
| US09274493B2 |
Image forming apparatus internally provided with shield for preventing foreign light from reaching light sensitive area
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive drum, an exposure head, a developing cartridge, and a light shielding member. The photosensitive drum is rotatably disposed inside the casing. The exposure head is configured to expose the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to light. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller configured to supply the developer onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing cartridge is mountable in and dismountable from the casing. The developing cartridge has an uppermost point and is disposed beneath the exposure head when mounted in the casing. The light shielding member has a first portion disposed between the exposure head and the developing roller and intersecting with an imaginary plane defined by inclusion of the axial line of the photosensitive drum and the uppermost point of the developing cartridge. |
| US09274491B2 |
Power supply apparatus and image forming apparatus
The discharge circuit includes plural resistors connected in parallel to a capacitor and connected between input lines. When input of an alternative voltage has stopped, the plural resistors form plural discharge paths to remove charges accumulated in the capacitor, thereby removing the charges in the capacitor connected between the input lines of the alternative voltage. |
| US09274488B2 |
Image forming apparatus that imparts an electrical charge to a recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit which forms a toner image on an image carrier; a conveying unit which conveys a recording medium; a transfer unit which transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit in a transfer nip; a pre-transfer charging unit which imparts an electrical charge, having a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity of a toner, to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit on an upstream side of the transfer nip in a conveyance direction; and a destaticizing unit which removes a part of the electrical charge that is imparted to a surface of the recording medium by the pre-transfer charging unit and corresponds to unevenness on the surface of the recording medium on an upstream side of the transfer nip in the conveyance direction. |
| US09274476B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method
An image forming apparatus that forms a first image in an image region of printing paper and forms a second image in a non-image region of the printing paper that is outside the image region includes an enlargement/reduction ratio specification unit that enables an enlargement/reduction ratio to be specified for the second image; and an image forming unit that forms the first image in the image region of the printing paper without enlarging/reducing the first image and forms the second image and the non-image region on the printing paper after enlarging/reducing the second image and the non-image region by the enlargement/reduction ratio specified through the enlargement/reduction ratio specification unit. |
| US09274475B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method
an image forming apparatus including; a non-inversion conveyance unit that conveys a sheet to a downstream without inverting through the image forming unit; an inversion conveyance unit that inverts the sheet with printing on one side and that conveys the sheet to an upstream; a first sheet inversion unit that is arranged on the inversion conveyance unit and inverts the front and back of the sheet conveyed by the inversion conveyance unit; a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the conveyance unit, wherein the control unit includes a single-sided print mode and a double-sided print mode, and at a breakpoint of jobs, the control unit discharges the sheet so as to provide charge polarity that does not electrostatically attract a sheet discharged just before the breakpoint and a sheet discharged just after the breakpoint at least in the double-sided print mode. |
| US09274472B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device for thermally fixing an image to a sheet includes: a tubular flexible member; a nip member; a heater; a reflection member; a backup member; and a temperature sensor. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and has a surface and an opposite surface. The heater is disposed in the internal space confronting the nip member. The reflection member is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The backup member may provide a nip region with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and is configured to detect a temperature of the nip member. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of the reflection member and confronting the opposite surface. |
| US09274470B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A fixing apparatus includes a first member that is heated by a heat source and is rotatable; a second member that is rotatable, the second member forming a nip portion capable of sandwiching a recording material between the first member and the second member; and a pressure member that is disposed inside the first member, has a surface coming into contact with an inner surface of the first member, and pressurizes the first member against the second member, in which the pressure member has a surface layer forming the surface of the pressure member coming into contact with the inner surface of the first member, and the surface layer includes a diamond-like carbon film having an sp3 bond ratio of 40% or more and 90% or less. |
| US09274469B2 |
Composition for making flow-coatable fuser topcoat and method of making a fuser topcoat
There is provided a homogenous composite dispersion. The composite dispersion is made from ingredients comprising: a first dispersion comprising a filler dispersed in a liquid continuous phase, the filler selected from the group consisting of nanotubes, graphene or a combination thereof, the liquid continuous phase comprising an acid copolymer and a first solvent, the acid copolymer comprising at least one carboxyl functionalized polymeric unit and at least one carboxylate ester functionalized polymeric unit having an alkyl or fluorinated alkyl attached to an oxygen atom of the carboxylate ester; a second dispersion comprising a fluoroplastic dispersed in a second solvent; and a sacrificial polymeric binder material. |
| US09274466B2 |
Image fixing apparatus having end region temperature control
The present invention relates to an image fixing apparatus including a fan for cooling one end region of the image fixing apparatus and a fan for cooling another end region thereof. When a temperature of the one end region reaches a cooling starting temperature, a fan corresponding to the one end portion is driven at a first rotation speed, and another fan is driven at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed even if the temperature of the other end region is lower than the cooling starting temperature so as to protect the fans from thermal damages. |
| US09274465B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a heater controller and image forming method to control heating
An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion to control a heater to perform a primary heating to heat a fixing rotator with a first amount of power determined based on a temperature of the fixing rotator, a secondary heating control portion to control the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion to control the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job and to perform at least one of a primary switching from the primary heating to the secondary heating and a secondary switching from the secondary heating to the primary heating at a time different from a preset control cycle that defines a power supply time in the primary heating and the secondary heating. |
| US09274464B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to from a measurement image on a recording paper by a color material, a fixing unit configured to fix the measurement image onto the recording paper by heating, a measurement unit configured to measure the measurement image fixed onto the recording paper downstream of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the recording paper, and a control unit configured to perform control such that a period of time from when the recording paper passes through the fixing unit until the measurement unit measures color of the measurement image is longer than a period of time from when the recording paper passes through the fixing unit until the measurement unit measures density of the measurement image. |
| US09274463B2 |
Heat transfer system for a fuser assembly
A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which removes excess heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly and includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; and a heat exchange roll in contact with the backup roll such that rotation of the backup roll rotates the heat exchange roll, the heat exchange roll having an air passage for moving cooling air from one end to an opposite end of the heat exchange roll so as to provide cooling to the fuser assembly. |
| US09274462B2 |
Transfer member and image forming apparatus
A transfer member includes a shaft and a body. When a measurement member is brought into contact with an outer surface of the body and voltage applied to the measurement member is changed by electrically connecting the shaft to ground, a time constant τv is measured based on a change in electric potential occurring on a surface of the measurement member. When a first measurement member is brought into contact with the outer surface, a second measurement member is brought into contact with the outer surface while being spaced apart from the first member by a predetermined distance in a circumferential direction of the outer surface, and voltage applied to the first member is changed by electrically connecting the shaft to ground, a time constant τs is measured based on a change in electric potential occurring on a surface of the second member. τv is larger than τs. |
| US09274458B2 |
Image formation device
An image formation device comprises: a first image carrier for a first developer image; a second image carrier for a second developer image; an intermediate transfer body opposed to the first image carrier and the second image carrier; a first transfer unit to transfer the first developer image to the intermediate transfer body; a second transfer unit to transfer the second developer image onto the first developer image transferred onto the intermediate transfer body; a third transfer unit to transfer, to a recording medium, the first and second developer images transferred onto the intermediate transfer body; and a control unit to control a value of a voltage to be applied to each of the first and second transfer units, according to a type of the recording medium. |
| US09274457B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge having a first side plate and a second side plate spaced opposite from the first side plate, a developer carrying member rotatably supported between the side plates, a developer supplying member rotatably supported between the side plates, a input member to which driving force is input rotatably supported by the first side plate, a primary developing gear to which the driving force is transferred provided on the developer carrying member at the first side plate, a secondary developing gear to which the driving force is transferred provided on the developer carrying member at the second side plate, and a supply gear to which the driving force is transferred provided on the developer supplying member at the second side plate, wherein the input member and the supply gear are arranged so that their projections in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer supplying member overlap. |
| US09274455B2 |
Image forming apparatus supplying toner from container to accumulating unit based on tower density developer in the accumulating unit, and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a replaceable container having toner stored therein includes: an image forming unit including an accumulating unit for accumulating developer containing toner and configured to form an image by using the developer in the accumulating unit; a measurement unit configured to measure a toner density in the accumulating unit; a portion to which the container is attached; a supplementing unit configured to supplement the toner from the attached container to the accumulating unit; and a controller configured to control the supplementing unit based on first information corresponding to a difference between the toner density and a target toner density and second information corresponding to an accumulated value obtained by accumulating differences, wherein the second information does not change in a period from replacement of the container by another container until a predetermined number of times of supplement is performed. |
| US09274449B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for forming an image with multiple toners having different brightness
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image to be transferred to a sheet with a first toner that is decolorizable and has a first brightness, and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image to be transferred to the sheet with a second toner that has a second brightness that is greater than the first brightness. At least a part of the first image transferred to the sheet is formed above the second image transferred to the sheet. |
| US09274446B2 |
Method for manufacturing carrier core particles for electrophotographic developer
A method for manufacturing carrier core particles for electrophotographic developer that include manganese, magnesium, and iron as a core composition. The method includes a granulation step (A) of granulating a mixture of raw materials containing manganese, magnesium, and iron with a reducing agent added at a ratio of 0.10% to 1.00% by mass to a total mass of the raw materials containing manganese, magnesium, and iron, and a firing step of firing the granular material granulated in the granulation step. The firing step includes a first heating step (C) of applying heat at a constant temperature ranging from 500° C. to 800° C. in an atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of 1000 ppm to 15000 ppm for a predetermined period of time and a second heating step (D) of applying heat at a temperature higher than 800° C. for a predetermined period of time after the first heating step. |
| US09274445B2 |
Toner set, developer set, and image forming apparatus
A toner set, including: a transparent toner including a binder resin a, a releasing agent a and no colorant; and one or more color toners, each including a binder resin b, a colorant b and a releasing agent b, wherein the binder resin a includes a non-crystalline resin α and a crystalline resin α, the binder resin b includes a non-crystalline resin β and a crystalline resin β, the releasing agent a has an average particle diameter as a long diameter of 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm, and there is a relationship of 1 |
| US09274444B2 |
Neutralizing agents for resin emulsions
Incorporation of organic amines as neutralization agents in based phase inversion emulsification (PIE) processes to provide emulsification of high molecular amorphous and high molecular branch amorphous polyester resins, which are traditionally difficult to emulsify. The organic amines facilitate emulsification of these resins to achieve desired particle size with a narrow size distribution. |
| US09274437B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus and method exposes a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid supplied to an immersion area below the projection optical system. First and second movable members move below the projection optical system. The first movable member has a mount area that mounts a substrate located in a hole of an upper surface of the first movable member. The upper surface outside the hole can maintain at least a part of the immersion area outside the substrate mounted in the hole. A drive system drives the first and second movable members to move the first and second movable members below the projection optical system relative to the liquid immersion region to replace one member positioned below the projection optical system with the other member such that the liquid immersion area is maintained below the projection optical system. |
| US09274436B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus having: a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; a substrate surface actuator including a fluid opening for fluid flow therethrough from/onto a facing surface facing the substrate surface actuator to generate a force between the substrate surface actuator and the facing surface, the facing surface being a top surface of the substrate or a surface substantially co-planar with the substrate; and a position controller to control the position and/or orientation of a part of the facing surface by varying fluid flow through the fluid opening to displace the part of the facing surface relative to the projection system. |
| US09274435B2 |
Illumination system or projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
The disclosure relates to an optical system, such as an illumination system or a projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, including such an optical system having a polarization-influencing optical arrangement which permits enhanced flexibility in affording a desired polarization distribution. |
| US09274430B2 |
Systems and devices for molecule sensing and method of manufacturing thereof
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a device for molecule sensing. In some embodiments, the device includes a first electrode separated from a second electrode by a dielectric layer. The first electrode comprises a large area electrode and the second electrode comprises a small area electrode. At least one opening (e.g., trench) cut or otherwise created into the dielectric layer exposes a tunnel junction therebetween whereby target molecules in solution can bind across the tunnel junction. |
| US09274429B2 |
Method for producing layered materials using long-lived photo-induced active centers
The invention relates to a method for applying a photo-activated layered polymer coating to a substrate material in which one or more layers do not contain photoinitiator, or are not exposed to initiating light, but cure due to migration of cationic active centers. At least two separate monomer layers are applied to the substrate material. At least one of the monomer layers includes a photoinitiator capable of producing cationic active centers. The at least one layer including the photoinitiator is exposed to a source of UV radiation at a desired wavelength forming cationic active centers. The at least two separate monomer layers react in a polymerization reaction forming a cured layered material. The cationic active centers of the exposed monomer layer migrate to the unexposed layer such that both layers cure via the polymerization reaction. |
| US09274427B2 |
Compositions and processes for photolithography
Topcoat layer compositions are provided that are applied above a photoresist composition. The compositions find particular applicability to immersion lithography processing. |
| US09274426B2 |
Antireflective coating compositions and processes thereof
The present invention relates to a novel absorbing antireflective coating composition comprising a novel crosslinkable polymer comprising at least one repeat unit (A) having structure (1), at least one repeat unit (B) having a structure (2), and at least one repeat unit (C) having structure (3) where D is a direct valence bound or C(R1)(R2) methylene moiety where R1 and R2 are independently H, C1-C8 alkyl, C3-C24 cycloalkyl or C6-C24 aryl; Ari, Arii, Ariii and Ariv are independently phenylenic and naphthalenic moiety, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl; and R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl; and a solvent. The invention also relates to a process for forming an image using the novel antireflective coating composition. |
| US09274424B2 |
Resist composition and resist pattern forming method
A resist composition which generates an acid upon exposure and exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution by the action of the acid contains a high-molecular weight compound (A1) having a constituent unit (a0) represented by a general formula (a0-1) and a constituent unit (a1-1) including a monocyclic group-containing acid decomposable group whose polarity increases by the action of an acid. In the formula (a0-1), R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Ya01 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; X01 represents a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom; and Ra01 represents an optionally substituted cyclic group, chain alkyl group, or chain alkenyl group. |
| US09274420B2 |
Method of stabilizing fluorine-containing acid amplifier
A method of stabilizing a fluorine-containing acid amplifier. The method is provided to include the step of dissolving a fluorine-containing acid amplifier in an organic solvent thereby producing a solution of the fluorine-containing acid amplifier, the fluorine-containing acid amplifier being represented by general formula (1): |
| US09274417B2 |
Method for lithography patterning
A method for lithography patterning is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving an IC design layout, the IC design layout having an IC pattern and receiving a mask, the mask having a defect. The method further includes making at least one mark on the mask in relation to the defect; positioning the IC design layout over the mask thereby covering the defect by the IC pattern; and patterning the mask with the IC design layout. |
| US09274416B2 |
Method for forming photo-mask and OPC method
A method for forming a photo-mask is provided. A first photo-mask pattern relating to a first line, an original second photo-mask pattern relating to a first via plug, and a third photo-mask pattern relating to a second line are provided. A first optical proximity correction (OPC) process is performed. A second OPC process is performed, comprising enlarging a width of the second photo-mask pattern along the first direction to form a revised second photo-resist pattern. A contour simulation process is performed to make sure the revised second photo-mask pattern is larger or equal to the original second-mask pattern. The first photo-mask pattern, the revised second photo-mask pattern, and the third photo-mask pattern are output. The present invention further provides an OPC method. |
| US09274403B2 |
Method for selectively imparting a cinematic appearance to motion pictures photographed and exhibited at high frame rates
A method is disclosed whereby motion pictures photographed and exhibited at high frame rates, typically 48 frames-per-second, are modified to impart a cinematic appearance which tempers the level of motion detail inherent at such high frame rates. Motion pictures can be photographed either on film or by digital means. A controlled amount of motion blur is imparted selectively to certain scenes, sequences, frames or components of images. This can be accomplished by using different shutter angles for digital photography, or by imparting motion blur in post-production. The result is a motion picture that provides viewers with a cinematic appearance while at the same time, retains the spatial and temporal resolution of HFR, due to the high frame rate of photography and exhibition. |
| US09274402B2 |
Imaging device that executes auto focus control by referring to distance image data regarding a depth of a region
An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that images a subject image and generates image data; a receiving unit that receives a mode setting to either one of a full AF mode of executing auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to an entire region of an image to be indicated by the image data and a partial AF mode of executing the auto focus control by referring to data corresponding to a partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data; and a controller that, in response to whether the mode is the full AF mode or the partial AF mode, generates first distance image data regarding a depth of the entire region of the image to be indicated by the image data or second distance image data regarding a depth of the partial region of the image to be indicated by the image data. |
| US09274396B2 |
Electrochemical device having electrically controllable optical and/or energy transmission properties
The invention relates to an electrochemical device (1) having electrically controllable optical and/or energy transmission properties, of the type comprising two electrode coatings (4, 6) and, between them, an electrochemically active layer (6) made of an inorganic material capable of reversibly switching between two states having different optical and/or energy transmission properties by the insertion and extraction of ions. An electrolyte (8) is present between the electrochemically active layer and the second electrode coating. The material of the electrochemically active layer is a material, the insertion and extraction of the ions of which during switching between the two states correspond to a variation in the plasma wavelength λ of the material and in that the material has, at the plasma wavelength λ, a full width at half maximum Δλ of the absorption spectrum equal to or less than 1 micron in the two states. |
| US09274394B2 |
Multi-zone mirrors
A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface. |
| US09274393B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel, liquid crystal display, and method to repair the same
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor array panel, a liquid crystal display, and a method capable of reducing an effect on neighboring pixels in a process of repairing a pixel defect. The thin film transistor array panel may include: a thin film transistor connected to a gate line and a data line to define a pixel area; a pixel electrode formed in the pixel area and connected to the thin film transistor; and a storage electrode including a first portion overlapping the data line between two adjacent gate lines. The storage electrode may also include a second portion connected to the first portion and enclosing an edge of the pixel area except for a region where the first portion is formed. The storage electrode may be branched between pixel electrodes respectively formed in two adjacent pixel areas. |
| US09274392B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including: a first substrate including a pixel area including a first subpixel area and a second subpixel area; a first subpixel electrode positioned in the first subpixel area and a second subpixel electrode positioned in the second subpixel area; an insulating layer formed on the first and second subpixel electrodes; a third subpixel electrode positioned in the first subpixel area and overlapping the first subpixel electrode; a fourth subpixel electrode positioned in the second subpixel area and overlapping the second subpixel electrode; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first and fourth subpixel electrodes are connected to a first thin film transistor, and the second and third subpixel electrodes are connected to a second thin film transistor. |
| US09274391B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate on which a thin film transistor is formed. The liquid crystal display device includes a first transistor which has a gate electrode thereof formed on a side more remote from the first substrate than a semiconductor layer and has a drain electrode thereof connected to the drain line, a second transistor which is connected to the first transistor in series, and has a source electrode thereof electrically connected to a pixel electrode, and a light blocking layer which is formed between the semiconductor layer and the first substrate and blocks a backlight incident from a first substrate side. The light blocking layer is formed in an overlapping manner on the first transistor, blocks a backlight incident on a first transistor side, and allows a backlight incident on a second transistor side to pass therethrough. |
| US09274387B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Pixel electrodes each include a pixel plane portion expanded along a surface of the substrate, and a pixel wall portion rising up from the pixel plane portion. Common electrodes each include a common plane portion expanded along a surface of the substrate, and a common wall portion rising up from the common plane portion so as to face the pixel wall portion. Each of the compartment areas has the pixel wall portion on one of right and left sides in the lateral direction, and has the common wall portion on the other of the right and left sides. Molecules of the liquid crystal material are tilted up from the pixel wall portions in a direction of the common wall portion by the electric field. The respective pixel wall portions of the adjacent compartment areas are positioned on opposite sides to each other in the lateral direction. |
| US09274381B2 |
Fabrication method of a liquid crystal panel
A fabrication method of a liquid crystal panel is provided. A first substrate and a liquid crystal material are heated to a first fabrication temperature and a one drop filling (ODF) process is performed to drop the heated liquid crystal material on the first substrate, wherein the first fabrication temperature is lower than 70° C. The first substrate is assembled to a second substrate through a sealant under a second fabrication temperature so that the liquid crystal material is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and located inside a region surrounded by the sealant, wherein the second fabrication temperature is 50° C. to 70° C. Subsequently, the sealant is solidified. |
| US09274380B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a mounting portion located in a circumference area for mounting a signal source and method of manufacturing the same
A first organic insulating film is arranged on a first substrate in a circumference area outside an active area. A mounting portion is located in the circumference area for mounting a signal source. A second organic insulating film is formed on a second substrate in the circumference area so as to face the first substrate. The second substrate exposes the mounting portion. A seal material is arranged between the first organic insulating film and the second organic insulating film to attach the first substrate and the second substrate. A resin layer is arranged between the first organic insulating film and the second organic insulating film in the circumference area, and formed in a rectangular frame shape including four linear ends. An end along the mounting portion is formed broadly than other ends. |
| US09274377B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display including a partial plate electrode along with a minute pattern in pixel electrode thereby increasing the viewing angle and the lateral visibility of the liquid crystal display, as well as the response speed. A step provider is provided to reinforce the control force of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby reducing the texture generated in the center of the pixel. |
| US09274372B2 |
Quantum dot light-emitting device and display apparatus
A quantum dot light-emitting device and a display apparatus including the same, the device including a light-emitting device that emits a first light; a quantum dot layer facing the light-emitting device, the quantum dot layer including a plurality of quantum dots, absorbing the first light, and emitting a second light and a third light that have different wavelength ranges compared to the first light; and a band pass filter on the quantum dot layer, the band pass filter cutting off a portion of the second light and a portion of the third light. |
| US09274371B2 |
Color conversion substrate, method for manufacturing same, and display device
A color conversion substrate that can improve light use efficiency is provided. A color conversion substrate includes a transparent substrate having a main surface, a plurality of phosphor patterns arranged on the main surface and each of the phosphor patterns having side faces, and a reflective film that reflects light and is formed on at least the side faces of the phosphor patterns. An air layer is defined between the main surface and the phosphor patterns. |
| US09274366B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first substrate which is light transmissive and has a display region and a periphery region surrounding the display region. A light shielding portion is formed in at least the periphery region of the first substrate and has a light passing portion in the periphery region. A first scale mark portion is formed on the first substrate so as to be arranged inside the light passing portion. A second substrate overlaps the first substrate and a second scale mark portion is formed on the second substrate and forms a pair with the first scale mark portion. A sealing member seals the first and second substrates in the periphery region between the display region and the light passing portion. A dam portion is formed on the first substrate between the display region and the light passing portion. |
| US09274364B2 |
Manufacturing method for liquid crystal display device
A LCD device having a large pixel holding capacitance includes opposedly facing first and second substrates, and liquid crystal between them. The first substrate includes a video signal line, a pixel electrode, a thin film transistor having a first electrode connected to the video signal line and a second electrode connected to the pixel electrode, a first silicon nitride film formed above the second electrode, an organic insulation film above the first silicon nitride film, a capacitance electrode above the organic insulation film, and a second silicon nitride film above the capacitance electrode and below the pixel electrode. A contact hole etched in both the first and second silicon nitride films connects the second electrode and the pixel electrode to each other. A holding capacitance is formed by the pixel electrode, the second silicon nitride film and the capacitance electrode. |
| US09274363B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, an array substrate includes an active area in the shape of a rectangle, and first, second third and fourth end portions, surrounding the active area. A source control circuit is electrically connected with one end of the source lines drawn to the third end portion from the active area. First and second common terminals of a common potential are formed in the first end portion. A power supply line is electrically connected with the first common terminal and extends along the second, third and fourth end portions in this order, and connected with the second common terminal. A branch wiring is electrically connected with an intermediate portion of the electric power supply line and the source control circuit, and extending in the first direction. |
| US09274360B2 |
Cushion sheet and display device having the same
A cushion sheet including a cushion film defining a first surface of the cushion sheet; and an adhesive layer on a surface of the cushion film and defining a second surface of the cushion sheet, the cushion film and adhesive layer including a plurality of bubble discharge members inclined with respect to the first and second surfaces and openings extending through the cushion film and the adhesive layer for removing bubbles generated at adhesion, the openings having a first end in the adhesive layer and a second end in the cushion film; and each of the bubble discharge members are inclined at a penetrating angle within the cushion sheet between a respective one of the bubble discharge members and a line perpendicular to a plane of the cushion sheet, the line extending from the first end of the bubble discharge member to the first surface of the cushion sheet. |
| US09274359B2 |
Electronic device display chassis
An electronic device display may include display layers mounted in a display chassis. The display chassis may have a plastic chassis structure and a metal chassis structure. Backlight structures may include a rectangular light guide plate. Light-emitting diodes within the backlight structures may emit light that is coupled into the light guide plate. The display chassis may have four edges that surround a rectangular opening. The rectangular opening may be configured to receive display layers such as the light guide plate. The metal chassis may have a C-shaped cross-section that forms a cavity in which the light-emitting diodes are mounted. The metal chassis structure may have engagement features such as holes and bent tabs. The plastic chassis structure may be overmolded on the metal chassis structure in engagement with the engagement features. Mounting structures may be formed from protruding portions of the plastic chassis structure. |
| US09274358B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
The invention discloses a liquid crystal display apparatus and a pixel element design thereof. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a register, a liquid crystal display panel, a driving circuit, a dynamic frequency adjustment unit and a control circuit. The liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of liquid crystal capacitors and a plurality of pixel units. The driving circuit includes a plurality of storage capacitors corresponding to the liquid crystal capacitors. A capacitance of the storage capacitors far exceeds a capacitance of the liquid crystal capacitors. The driving circuit casts the image information on the liquid crystal display panel. The dynamic frequency adjustment unit computes and judges based on an image characteristic classification of the image information, so as to generate a display mode control signal dynamically. |
| US09274357B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A main voltage step-up circuit includes a coil which one end thereof is connected to a power supply; a main switching element which is connected between the other end of the coil and a ground potential, and which is controlled by the main control circuit; a diode which is connected to the other end of the coil; a smoothing capacitor which is connected to the diode and is a ceramic capacitor; and an auxiliary voltage step-up circuit which is connected to the other end of the coil. The auxiliary voltage step-up circuit is ON when the main step-up voltage circuit is OFF, and compensates a potential change in the smoothing capacitor. The auxiliary voltage step-up circuit includes an auxiliary switching element which is connected between the other end of the coil and a ground potential; and an auxiliary control circuit which controls the auxiliary switching element. |
| US09274355B2 |
Electro-optical modulator and method for making thereof
A low-voltage optical modulator includes a substrate, a waveguide, a first pair of electrodes, and a second pair of electrodes. The waveguide is diffused into the top surface of the substrate, into a major branch and a parallel modulating branch. A structure of the first and second pair of electrodes are same. The first pair of electrodes includes a first and a second electrode parallel to each other. The first electrode is formed on the modulating branch and the second electrode is opposite to the modulating branch and away from the major branch. The second pair of electrodes includes parallel third and fourth electrodes. The third electrode is formed on the major branch. The fourth electrode is opposite to the major branch and away from the modulating branch. |
| US09274354B2 |
Polarization control device and method
A polarization control device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first polarization converter for converting a polarization angle of an input optical signal in response to first control voltages, a second polarization converter for converting a polarization angle of an input optical signal in response to second control voltages, and a third polarization converter for converting an optical signal received from the first polarization converter or the second polarization converter into a first output optical signal having a linear polarization state and outputting the first output optical signal. |
| US09274353B1 |
Electrooptic silicon modulator with enhanced bandwidth
The modulator includes a ring resonator having a phase modulator that tunes blocked wavelengths within phase modulator bandwidths. The blocked bands include blocked wavelengths at which the intensity of an output light signal is minimized. Each of the blocked bands is associated with the phase modulator bandwidth within which the blocked wavelength is tuned. A bandwidth shifting device is configured to shift a selection of wavelengths that falls within each of the phase modulator bandwidths. Electronics are configured to operate the bandwidth shifting device so as to shift the phase modulator bandwidths from a location where a first target wavelength falls within a first one of the phase modulator bandwidths to a location where a second target wavelength falls within a second one of the phase modulator bandwidths. |
| US09274352B2 |
Actively tunable polar-dielectric optical devices
Optical devices that include one or more structures fabricated from polar-dielectric materials that exhibit surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs), where the SPhPs alter the optical properties of the structure. The optical properties lent to these structures by the SPhPs are altered by introducing charge carriers directly into the structures. The carriers can be introduced into these structures, and the carrier concentration thereby controlled, through optical pumping or the application of an appropriate electrical bias. |
| US09274345B2 |
Multiple view display
A multiple view display comprises a display device and a plurality of converging lenses, such as a lenticular screen. Each lens cooperates with a respective region of the display device comprising one or more pixels (L) for displaying part of a first image for viewing in a first viewing region (Region 2 windows) and second pixels (R) for displaying part of a second image for viewing in a second region (Region 1 windows). The second pixels (R) are spaced horizontally from the first pixels (L). Each lens comprises first and second portions (Region 1, Region 2) extending vertically and parallel to each other and having lens centers (Lens Center 1, Lens Center 2) spaced apart horizontally. Each lens forming first and second images of the respective region of the display device, the first and second images being displaced from one another in the horizontal direction. |
| US09274343B2 |
Lens carrier and optical module for a light curtain and fabrication method
A lens carrier and an optical module for forming a light curtain associated with monitoring a protective field. The lens carrier includes at least one lens for focusing a radiation beam forming said light curtain and a lens mask having at least one opening for shaping the radiation beam to have a predetermined aperture. The lens carrier is formed by overmolding said lens mask with a transparent material. The optical module has such a lens carrier and a module body for mounting a radiation transmitter/receiver carrier that comprises at least one transmitter and/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving said radiation. |
| US09274342B2 |
LED light has kaleidoscope means
An LED light with kaleidoscope effects includes an LED light source in the form of a matrix that can be electronically controlled to provide different images. Since image changing is carried out by turning on and off LEDs in the LED matrix, there is also no need for the changing or adjustment means to move the display unit(s) or inner medium (if any). Instead, the changing means only needs to change the LEDs color, brightness, and/or turn-on and turn-off timing or sequence. |
| US09274339B1 |
Worn display system and method without requiring real time tracking for boresight precision
A worn display, includes a projector and at least one wearable diffraction grating member. The member includes an input end for receiving an image from a projector and a combiner end for receiving light from a scene and providing the image received at the input end and the light received from the outside scene to the user. The worn display can be used in aircraft applications to provide guidance information to a pilot. The diffraction grating member can have periscopic characteristics. |
| US09274334B2 |
Dust removal system, image capture device and dust removal vibration method thereof
The invention is directed to a dust removal system, an image capture device and a dust removal vibration method thereof. The dust removal system includes a vibration generation module having a vibration unit which is arranged on a transparent object of an image capture device, and is driven to generate a vibration for dust removal, a vibration detection unit arranged on the transparent object and transform a vibration amplitude into a corresponding electrical signal so as to output a feedback signal continually, a compare unit outputting a control signal when the compare unit determines the feedback signal exceeds the threshold value, and a control unit controlling the vibration generation module based on the control signal to generate the corresponding vibration for dust removal. Thereby, an amplitude of the transparent object can be precisely obtained and the vibration can be precisely adjusted. |
| US09274330B2 |
Optical filter arrangement and a method for adjustment thereof
The present invention relates to an optical filter arrangement that have a cut wavelength for light passing there through. The optical filter arrangement comprises a stack of a first optical layer and a second optical layer. Further, the optical filter arrangement comprises an electro active polymer material arranged between the first and second layers such that the cut wavelength is adjusted upon application of an electrical voltage to the electro active polymer material. |
| US09274329B2 |
Shutter with blade damping
An optical shutter apparatus has at least one shutter blade that is movable between a first position blocking at least a portion of an aperture and a second position spaced apart from the first position. A linkage member is coupled to the at least one shutter blade and has a magnetic material. An actuator is coupled to the linkage member and is energizable to translate the at least one shutter blade between the first and second positions. An intermediate plate has a friction surface of a non-magnetic material. A magnet positioned away from the friction surface of the intermediate plate is disposed to urge the linkage member against the friction surface of the intermediate plate. |
| US09274328B2 |
Image processing apparatus, microscope system, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a normalization unit that generates a plurality of normalized images by correcting, based on different imaging conditions, brightness of a plurality of images at different brightness obtained by imaging a same subject with the different imaging conditions; and an image combining unit that generates a combined image by combining the plurality of normalized images. When the normalized image corresponding to a reference image that is a brightest image among the plurality of images is defined as a reference normalized image, the image combining unit combines the reference normalized image and a non-reference normalized image that is the normalized image other than the reference normalized image to bring gradation of pixel of the combined image close to gradation of pixel of the reference normalized image if the gradation of pixel of the combined image is smaller than the gradation of pixel of the reference normalized image. |
| US09274323B1 |
Hypercentric lens assembly with high numeric aperture aspheric element
An imaging hypercentric lens assembly comprising of a First Lens Group that includes: 1) At least a first high NA (0.40 or greater) aspheric lens element followed by 2) at least a second lens element that converges the light emitted from the first element to a small spot. It is further comprised of a Second Lens Group whose entrance pupil is placed at the same position as said small light spot. The Second Lens Group serves to refocus the light and form an image of an object placed in front of the First Lens Group. In this combination, the present invention allows high NA aspheric lens elements to produce good quality images of objects whose size is not limited to being considerably smaller than the diameter of the clear aperture of the high NA aspheric lens element. |
| US09274321B2 |
Electronic image pickup system
The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system whose depth dimension is extremely reduced, taking advantage of an optical system type that can overcome conditions imposed on the movement of a zooming movable lens group while high specifications and performance are kept. The electronic image pickup system comprises an optical path-bending zoom optical system comprising, in order from its object side, a 1-1st lens group G1-1 comprising a negative lens group and a reflecting optical element P for bending an optical path, a 1-2nd lens group G1-2 comprising one positive lens and a second lens group G2 having positive refracting power. For zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group G2 moves only toward the object side. The electronic image pickup system also comprises an electronic image pickup device I located on the image side of the zoom optical system. |
| US09274320B2 |
MEMS-based zoom lens system
The present application provides a micromechanical (MEMS) based zoom lens system, for use in miniature device applications, such as miniature electronic imaging devices. The MEMS-based zoom lens system comprises at least four optical elements, or two Alvarez or Lohmann lenses, that are configured for passage of optical signals therethrough along an optical signal path. Each optical element is MEMS-driven and displaceable in a direction substantially transverse to the optical signal path. In use, the transverse displacement of the optical elements vary an overall focal length of the MEMS zoom lens system such as to provide an optical zoom function. A method of manufacturing a MEMS zoom lens system is also provided in a further aspect. |
| US09274318B1 |
Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same
An optical imaging lens includes: a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth lens element, the first lens element has a positive refracting power, the second lens element has a negative refracting power and an object-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of its periphery, the third lens element has an object-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of its periphery, and an image-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of the optical axis, the fourth lens has an image-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of the optical axis, the fifth lens element has object-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of its periphery, and an image-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of the optical axis, the sixth lens element has an image-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of its periphery. |
| US09274316B2 |
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 five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side and an aperture stop positioned before the first lens element. 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. |
| US09274314B2 |
Imaging lens, and portable electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes an aperture stop, first, second, third, fourth and fifth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first lens element has a positive refractive power. The second lens element has an image-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of a periphery. The third lens element has an object-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of a periphery. The fourth lens element has an object-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of a optical axis. The fourth lens element and the fifth lens element have an image-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of a optical axis. The fifth lens element is made of a plastic material. |
| US09274312B2 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes first, second, third and fourth optical lens elements that are arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis and that respectively have negative, positive, positive and negative refractive powers, and a fixed aperture stop that is disposed between the first and second optical lens elements. The fourth optical lens element has object-side surface and an image-side surface that has at least an inflection point. The imaging lens assembly satisfies the optical condition of 1.8 |
| US09274305B2 |
Imaging lens barrel and method for controlling operation of the same
An imaging lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a rotating body; a magnetic sensor device; a phase difference calculation section; a correction table memory; a phase difference correction section configured to, when a relative position between the rotating body and the magnetic sensor device according to a posture of the imaging lens barrel is different from that of when a correction table is created, correct a phase difference calculated by the phase difference calculation section according to the relative position and to correct the phase difference calculated by the phase difference calculation section, using a correction value corresponding to the corrected phase difference, and to, when the relative position is not different from that of when the correction table is created, correct the calculated phase difference, using a correction value corresponding to the phase difference calculated by the phase difference calculation section; and an absolute position calculation section. |
| US09274304B2 |
Camera lens assembly
A camera lens assembly includes: a lens holder unit to which a lens module is mounted; a wire member fixed to the lens holder unit and the lens module, and resiliently supporting the lens module such that the lens module is driven in an optical axis direction; and a fixing member mounted to the lens holder unit to fix the wire member and dampen an impact generated in the wire member due to an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Also, a camera lens assembly can include: a wire module resiliently supporting a lens module such that the lens module is movable in an optical axis direction on a lens holder unit, dampening an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and transferring a current applied to drive the lens module to a circuit board. |
| US09274300B2 |
High density enclosure for optical modules
Rack mountable equipment enclosures have been developed that contain a multiplicity of fiber optical component such as optical taps, arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), optical splitters, and optical switches at a greater component density than has been previously achieved. For example, 192 fiber optical taps can be contained in a standard 19 inch wide equipment enclosure that is only 1 Rack Unit (1.75 inches) high. This high component density is achieved by locating the optical components within a multiplicity of modular containers inside of the equipment enclosure. The components are connected to fiber optic pig-tails that extend beyond the modular containers. These pig-tails are terminated with multi-fiber connectors that are mounted on the front panel of the equipment enclosure. This strategy allows for efficient packing of the modular containers containing optical components in the full volume of the rack space that is available to the equipment enclosure. |
| US09274298B2 |
Deformed steel wire for protection tube of submarine cable, method for manufacturing same, and pressure-resistant layer
There is provided a deformed steel wire includes, as a chemical component, by mass %; C: 0.30% to 1.10%, Si: 0.10% to 1.50%, and Mn: 0.20% to 1.50%, and the balance consists of Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which a metallographic structure is a ferrite-pearlite structure or a pearlite structure, integration degrees of a crystal orientation <110> in a longitudinal direction of a thickness center area and a surface area are in a range of 2.0 to 4.0, an absolute value of a difference in the integration degree between an inner surface and an outer surface of the surface area is 0.3 or less, an integration degree of a crystal orientation <100> in a thickness direction of the thickness center area is in a range of 1.2 to 3.8, and a dimensional accuracy index is in a range of 0.5 to 2.0. |
| US09274284B2 |
Wavelength selective switch and method for correcting deviation of wavelength
A wavelength selective switch includes an input port and an output port, a wavelength demultiplexer that demultiplexes wavelength-multiplexed signal light into wavelengths in different optical paths, an optical-path controller that controls an array that has a plurality of switch elements, the plurality of switch elements switching all or a part of the wavelengths to be coupled from the input port to the output port, and an actuator driver that shifts the plurality of switch elements, based on a deviation of a center wavelength of a pass band from a reference wavelength. |
| US09274282B2 |
Coupling light from an external source to a waveguide using a multi-step converter
An optical device may include a waveguide converter that couples an external light-carrying medium to a waveguide embedded within the optical device. In one embodiment, the optical signal emitted from the light-carrying medium enters the converter which focuses the signal (e.g., shrinks the mode of the optical signal) to better match the physical dimensions of the waveguide. Using the converter may improve transmission efficiency relative to directly coupling (e.g., butt-coupling) the light-carrying medium to the waveguide. Specifically, the converter may enable the light-carrying medium to transmit the optical signal directly into the optical device without the use of any external lenses, even if the waveguide is a sub-micron waveguide. |
| US09274281B2 |
Optical-fiber-spliced portion reinforcing heating device
In an optical-fiber-spliced portion reinforcing heating device of the invention, a pressing force that is applied to a sleeve by a second force-applying member is greater than a tension that is applied to an optical fiber by a first force-applying member; in a state in which a tension is applied to the optical fiber by the first force-applying member, a backward movable range of one clamp that applies a tension is ensured in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber and in a direction away from heater; and as a result of ensuring a forward movable range in which it can move toward the heater, one clamp moves in a direction in which a tension that is applied to the optical fiber as a result of pressing the sleeve by the heaters and by the second force-applying member is diminished. |
| US09274279B1 |
Heterogeneous semiconductor photonic integrated circuit with multiple offset heights
Embodiments of the invention describe heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits (PIC) wherein a first silicon region is separated from the heterogeneous semiconductor material by a first distance, and a second silicon region is separated from the heterogeneous semiconductor material by a second distance greater than the first distance. Thus embodiments of the invention may be described as, in heterogeneous regions of a heterogeneous PIC, silicon waveguides using multiple heights of the silicon waveguide, or other structures with multiple offset heights between silicon and heterogeneous materials (as described herein). |
| US09274275B2 |
Photonic integration platform
A SOI device may include a waveguide adapter that couples light between an external light source—e.g., a fiber optic cable or laser—and a silicon waveguide on the silicon surface layer of the SOI device. In one embodiment, the waveguide adapter is embedded into the insulator layer. Doing so may enable the waveguide adapter to be formed before the surface layer components are added onto the SOI device. Accordingly, fabrication techniques that use high-temperatures may be used without harming other components in the SOI device—e.g., the waveguide adapter is formed before heat-sensitive components are added to the silicon surface layer. |
| US09274271B2 |
Reconfigurable liquid metal fiber optic mirror
A true time delay system for optical signals includes a hollow core optical waveguide, a droplet of reflective liquid metal disposed in the hollow core, and an actuator coupled to a first end of the waveguide to move the droplet longitudinally within the hollow core. In one example, the waveguide is a hollow core photonic bandgap fiber. In one example, the actuator is a pressure actuator that introduces or removes gas into the core. Light enters the optical fiber, is transmitted through the fiber toward the reflective surface of the droplet, and is reflected back through the fiber and exits at the same end of the photonic bandgap optical fiber that it entered. The fiber optic device can provide a continuously-variable optical path length of over 3.6 meters (corresponding to a continuously-variable true-time delay of over 12 ns, or 120 periods at a 10 GHz modulation frequency), with negligible wavelength dependence across the C and L bands. |
| US09274269B2 |
Backlight unit and display device
Disclosed are a backlight unit and a display device. The backlight unit includes a bottom cover including first and second longer sides and first and second shorter sides, a light emitting module disposed on at least one of the first and second longer sides and the first and second shorter sides in the bottom cover, a light guide plate having at least a part disposed on the light emitting module in the bottom cover, an optical sheet on the light guide plate, a support member connected to the bottom cover and having at least a part disposed on the optical sheet, and a top cover disposed on the support member and connected to the bottom cover. |
| US09274254B2 |
Optical element array, photoelectric conversion apparatus, and image pickup system
An optical element array includes a first optical element and a second optical element that is further away from a center of an array region than the first optical element. Orthogonal projections of the first and second optical elements include first and second ends and third and fourth ends, respectively, and vertices thereof are at first and second positions. An interval between the third end and the second position is smaller than that between the first end and the first position and that between the fourth end and that second position. The first and second optical elements respectively include first and second outer edges extending from the vertices thereof to the second and fourth ends. A radius of curvature, or a median value of the radius of curvature, of the second outer edge is in the range of 80% to 120% of that of the first outer edge. |
| US09274252B2 |
Polycarbonate resin composition
To provide a polycarbonate resin composition having a high Abbe's number, high strength and excellent stainability.Disclosed is a polycarbonate resin composition prepared by blending a polycarbonate resin (A) prepared by forming carbonate bonds in tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decanedimethanol with a diester or phosgene, and a weight-averaged molecular weight (Mw) of the polycarbonate resin (A) being equal to or more than 25,000, and a polycarbonate resin (B) prepared by reacting 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and phosgene, and weight-averaged molecular weight (Mw) of the polycarbonate resin (B) being equal to or more than 30,000, wherein a ratio thereof, 100×(A)/((A)+(B)), is from 1 to 99% by weight. |
| US09274251B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing environmental predictive indicators
A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions. |
| US09274248B2 |
Downhole mass spectrometry
A method comprising using a first mass analyzer of a downhole tool to isolate specific ions within a sample received in the downhole tool, using a second mass analyzer of the downhole tool to stabilize the ions isolated by the first mass analyzer, and using a third mass analyzer of the downhole tool to catalog the stabilized ions. |
| US09274246B2 |
Well-logging tool for determining properties in a flowstream
A full bore spectral gas holdup tool that measures gas holdup that is corrected for effects of the flowstream lamination and the salinity of the liquid in the flowstream. The basic methodology utilizes spectral data from two gamma ray detectors at different spacings from a nuclear source that emits gamma radiation. 57Co is the preferred source and the gamma ray detectors are scintillation spectrometers. In addition to a full bore gas holdup measurement, the spectral gas holdup tool also provides indications of the degree of flowstream lamination and the salinity of the liquid in the flowstream. An iterative data processing method optimizes the accuracy of the measured flowstream parameters. |
| US09274241B2 |
Method and system for suppressing swell-induced electromagnetic noise
Disclosed are methods and systems for suppression of noise in electromagnetic surveying that includes stacking two or more frames of electromagnetic data. An example embodiment discloses a method for suppressing swell-induced noise in an electromagnetic survey, comprising: measuring an electromagnetic field parameter at one or more positions to provide an electromagnetic signal, the electromagnetic signal comprising a swell-induced portion; and stacking two or more frames of the electromagnetic signal to provide a stacked signal in which the swell-induced portion is suppressed, wherein the swell-induced portion is out of phase between the two or more frames. |
| US09274240B2 |
Systems and methods to discriminate annular heavy fluids from cement
A cement bond logging method for wells containing heavy mud and cement is provided. Acoustic logging tool data from a well having material in the annular space between the casing and the formation is analyzed to map relationships between waveform amplitude, acoustic impedance, and impedance derivative of the material. Map zones representing fully bonded well regions and partially bonded well regions are identified. An image is generated from the log data corresponding to the identified map zones. A cement bond logging system including a memory having cement bond logging software and a processor coupled to the memory to execute the software is also provided. |
| US09274238B2 |
Reliable broadcast delivery of communications in land-based seismic surveying
A method for use in a land-based seismic survey includes: transmitting a plurality of source control commands to a plurality of seismic sources over a VHF/IP network; and managing congestion on the VHF/IP network while transmitting the source control commands. In other aspects, a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform such a method and a computer programmed to perform such a method. |
| US09274235B2 |
Method and apparatus of generating X-ray image
Disclosed herein are an X-ray detection panel, an X-ray image generating module, an X-ray imaging apparatus, and a method of generating an X-ray image. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays; an X-ray detection panel comprising a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group configured to detect X-rays having an energy band and to convert the detected X-rays into electrical signals; and an image processor configured to acquire readout data from the electrical signals of at least one of the plurality of pixel groups, to calculate estimated data, and to generate an X-ray image by combining the readout data and the estimated data. |
| US09274234B2 |
Nuclear medicine imaging apparatus and nuclear medicine imaging system
A PET apparatus includes a clock unit. The clock unit includes: a time measuring unit that measures a time; and a reference time receiving unit that receives a reference time. The PET apparatus also includes a detection time revising unit. By using the reference time received by the reference time receiving unit, the detection time revising unit revises detection times recorded by using the time measured by the time measuring unit. For example, the detection time revising unit revises the detection times by calculating a time error that occurred during an image taking period of a predetermined image taking process by using the time measured by the time measuring unit and the reference time received by the reference time receiving unit and further distributing the calculated time error to each of the detection times recorded during the image taking period. |
| US09274233B2 |
Dosage rate measurement system and dosage rate measurement method
Provided is a measurement unit and measurement method for reducing attenuation due to optical fiber length and SN degradation due to background in a dosage rate monitor that uses optical fiber. This system comprises: a radiation detector for detecting radiation dosage; a light source for irradiating stimulating light on the radiation detector; a photodetector for detecting light generated by the radiation detector; an optical fiber for connecting the photodetector and the radiation detector and light source, and transmitting light from the light source and light from the radiation detector; a measurement unit for counting the pulses outputted from the photodetector; and an analysis unit for extracting the luminous energy originating from the radiation detector, from time information, wave height information, and the count value, which are measurement results obtained by the measurement unit, and converting the luminous energy to a dosage and dosage rate. |
| US09274231B2 |
Demand positioning
Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, for determining background position information for the mobile station using one or more positioning techniques, such as signal metrics. |
| US09274230B2 |
GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are presented for determining position a GNSS rover antenna from single-frequency observations of GNSS signals collected at the antenna over multiple epochs and from correction data for at least one of the epochs. Coded raw data prepared from the single-frequency observations in a binary format are obtained and decoded to obtain decoded raw data. The decoded raw data are used to construct multiple epochs of measurement data of time, range and phase. Correction data are obtained for at least one of the epochs. The measurement data are processed with the correction data in a realtime kinematic positioning engine to obtain a position estimate for each of a plurality of epochs. |
| US09274228B2 |
Positioning satellites
A method comprising: receiving first information for defining a first algebraic function that relates a time variable to a first mapped variable; using the function to convert a time variable value to a first value of the first mapped variable e.g. s; converting the first value of the first mapped variable to a second value of a second mapped variable e.g. U; and positioning a satellite by converting the second value of the second mapped variable value to a position value that positions a satellite. |
| US09274226B2 |
Synchronous network device time transfer for location determination
Examples disclosed herein relate to a method performed at a first mobile station that includes receiving a request for positioning assistance data from a second mobile station over a communication link; and transmitting one or more messages to the second mobile station in response to the request, wherein the one or more messages include the requested positioning assistance data, wherein the first mobile station is on a synchronous network. |
| US09274222B1 |
Dynamic allocation of radar beams in automotive environments with phased array radar
A radar apparatus that focuses a subset of transmit beams within a field of view (FOV) is provided. The radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter that is operable to generate a transmit beam within the FOV, and a phased array receiver that is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV. The apparatus also has a radar controller with an electronic circuit and electronic memory, the electronic memory having a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. The radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV. |
| US09274220B2 |
Method for locating aircraft which is independent of any satellite navigation system
The present invention relates to a method for locating an aircraft (Ak), the said aircraft (Ak) being equipped with at least one device for sending and receiving ADS-B signals, a set of ADS-B communication beacons being deployed on the ground, the position of each of the said ADS-B beacons being known, the said locating method comprising: a step of calibrating the time biases of the ADS-B beacons with a view to correcting the synchronization discrepancies when sending, by means of the calculation of the time discrepancy existing between the ADS-B beacons (B1, B2) upon reception of downgoing ADS-B signals sent by a set of aircraft equipped with at least one device for sending ADS-B signals; a step of calculating the pseudo-distances between the said aircraft (Ak) and the said ADS-B beacons deployed on the ground, on the basis of the upgoing ADS-B signals. |
| US09274217B2 |
Microwave sensor having function of range gates
A microwave sensor is disclosed. The microwave sensor includes an active antenna module, a first low pass filter, a second demodulator, a modulation module, and a discrimination control module. The active antenna module is utilized for transmitting a first FMCW signal towards a target and receiving a second FMCW signal reflected back from the target according to a sweep period. The active antenna module includes a loop antenna and a radio frequency transistor. The first low pass filter and the radio frequency transistor form a first demodulator. The first demodulator and the second demodulator perform two-stage down converting and demodulating to extract information for calculating range and velocity, respectively. The present invention adjusts a radio frequency bandwidth of the FMCW signal by first adjusting an amplitude of a modulation signal generated by the modulation module to control various detection ranges. |
| US09274215B2 |
Ultrasound fusion harmonic imaging systems and methods
An ultrasound imaging system includes: a harmonic filter coupled to an ultrasound transmitter to reduce transmitted harmonic components; a fundamental filter coupled with an ultrasound receiver to reduce received fundamental components; and a fusion processor configured to generate multiple frames of fusion images for two subsequent frames of ultrasound transmissions to improve frame rate. The ultrasound receiver may optionally perform signal alignment and matching to improve image quality. To improve image quality, the ultrasound system may optionally use multiple amplitude-modulated transmit pulses with different delays, or multiple transmit pulses with different amplitudes to extract harmonic signals. |
| US09274207B2 |
System and method for determining signal source location in wireless local area network
A system and method locates a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal source. A wireless LAN signal as an RF signal is propagated from a WLAN signal source at a fixed, known location to a plurality of receivers having unsynchronized clocks. The time-of-arrival is measured at each receiver and the timing relationship from the fixed, known location of the signal source is used to relate time-of-arrival measurements from a signal arriving from an unknown location. |
| US09274206B2 |
Wireless device, control method, recording medium, and display method
A wireless device includes a receiver that receives a first radio signal transmitted from a first communication device and a second radio signal transmitted from a second communication device, and a processor that detects a first arrival direction which is a direction opposite to a propagation direction of the received first radio signal and a second arrival direction which is a direction opposite to a propagation direction of the received second radio signal and generates a first signal for guiding the wireless device so as to be located on a straight line that extends in a propagation direction of the second radio signal received by the first communication device based on the detected first and second arrival directions. |
| US09274203B1 |
Centroid locating sensors having plural spatial filtering logic circuits connected to plural digitization comparators and methods for locating an illuminated spot on a detector
Centroid locating sensors and methods for locating an illuminated spot on a detector are provided. One sensor includes a plurality of photo-diode (PD) detector elements connected to the PD detector elements. The sensor also includes a plurality of digitization comparators connected to the plurality of PD detector elements and configured to receive output signals from the plurality of PD detector elements and generate a binary 1 output when the output from the PD detector element exceeds a threshold set point and generate a binary 0 output when the output is below the threshold set point. The sensor further includes a plurality of spatial filtering logic circuits connected to the digitization comparators and are configured to receive outputs from a plurality of the PD detector elements and to reject noise for one of the PD detector elements. |
| US09274200B2 |
Frequency detection circuits, radio frequency signal processing devices and methods for calibrating inductance and capacitance
A frequency detection circuit includes a filter, a power detector and a voltage comparator. The filter receives and filters a converted signal to generate a filtered signal. The power of the filtered signal relates to a frequency of the converted signal. The power detector generates a voltage according to the power of the filtered signal. The voltage comparator compares the voltage with multiple reference voltages to generate multiple comparison results. At least one of the inductance and capacitance of an LC tank in an amplifier is adjusted according to the comparison results. |
| US09274199B2 |
NMR RF probe coil exhibiting double resonance
NMR probe coils designed to operate at two different frequencies, producing a strong and homogenous magnetic field at both the frequencies. This single coil, placed close to the sample, provides a method to optimize the NMR detection sensitivity of two different channels. In addition, the present invention describes a coil that generates a magnetic field that is parallel to the substrate of the coil as opposed to perpendicular as seen in the prior art. The present invention isolates coils from each other even when placed in close proximity to each other. A method to reduce the presence of electric field within the sample region is also considered. Further, the invention describes a method to adjust the radio-frequency tuning and coupling of the NMR probe coils. |
| US09274197B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging data sampling methods and systems
A magnetic resonance imaging data sampling method includes randomly undersampling a first half of a k-space plane such that a plurality of points in the first half are sampled points and the remaining plurality of points in the first half are unsampled points. The method also includes determining, for each sampled point in the first half, a corresponding point in a second half of the k-space plane that corresponds to the point-wise complex conjugate location of the sampled point. |
| US09274193B2 |
Method for magnetic resonance imaging using radial cones k-space trajectories
A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a radial cone k-space trajectory is provided. The radial cone k-space trajectory is defined by the application of a radial magnetic field gradient and one or more oscillating magnetic field gradients. The amplitude of the radial magnetic field gradient increases with time before decreasing with time. While the amplitude of the radial magnetic field gradient is decreasing, the one or more oscillating magnetic field gradients are applied. As a result, the radial cone k-space trajectory is one that is oriented along an axis and that extends outward from an origin along a substantially radial trajectory before extending outward from the origin while circumscribing a conical volume having a radius that increases nonlinearly with distance from the origin. |
| US09274187B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan plane control device
Example devices, apparatus, and methods concern intervention-independent imaging control for an MRI system. A hand wearable device (e.g., glove) that can be manipulated independently of an interventional device (e.g., catheter) in use to treat a patient transmits position signals describing an orientation of the device to an MRI system. The device may have fiducial markers mounted on an operator's fingers. The MRI system determines a desired scan plane that will correspond to the orientation of the intervention-independent device and performs a diagnostic scan on the desired scan plane. The spatial proximities of the markers may control a switch based control that controls image acquisition parameters including field of view. |
| US09274184B2 |
Patterned MR device with controlled shape anisotropy
A magnetic sensor with increased sensitivity, lower noise, and improved frequency response is described. The sensor's free layer is ribbon shaped and is closely flanked at each long edge by a ribbon of magnetically soft, high permeability material. The side stripes of soft magnetic material absorb external field flux and concentrate the flux to flow into the sensor's edges to promote larger MR sensor magnetization rotation. The free layer may be deposited simultaneously with the soft magnetic layer when they are aligned in the same plane. When the flux absorbing stripes are positioned above or below the MR sensor, then the free layer and flux absorbing stripes are deposited in separate steps. |
| US09274182B2 |
Magnetic field measurement apparatus
A magnetic field measurement apparatus includes an irradiation portion, a gas cell, a measurement unit (polarization separation unit, light receiving portion, signal processing circuit), and a magnetic shield. The magnetic shield is formed in a elongated hollow shape having openings at both sides thereof. The gas cell, in which gaseous atoms are sealed, is disposed in a hollow area of the magnetic shield. The irradiation portion irradiates irradiation light including linearly polarized light adjusted so that the vibration direction of an electric field coincides with the axis direction of the magnetic shield onto the gaseous atoms sealed in the gas cell along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic shield. The measurement unit measures a rotational angle of a polarization plane of the irradiation light that has been irradiated by the irradiation portion and passed through the gaseous atoms. |
| US09274180B2 |
Microfabricated magnetic field transducer with flux guide
A microfabricated magnetic field transducer uses a magnetically sensitive structure in combination with one or more permeable magnetic flux guides. The flux guides may route off-axis components of an externally applied magnetic field across the sensitive axis of the magnetically sensitive structure, or may shield the magnetically sensitive structure from off-axis, stray fields or noise sources. A combination of flux guides and magnetically sensitive structures arranged on a single substrate may enable an integrated, 3-axis magnetometer in a single package, greatly improving cost and performance. |
| US09274179B2 |
Integrated sensor array with offset reduction
A method and system for providing increased accuracy in a CMOS sensor system in one embodiment includes a plurality of sensor elements having a first terminal and a second terminal on a complementary metal oxide semiconductor substrate, a first plurality of switches configured to selectively connect the first terminal to a power source and to selectively connect the first terminal to a readout circuit, and a second plurality of switches configured to selectively connect the second terminal to the power source and to selectively connect the second terminal to the readout circuit. |
| US09274178B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting battery abnormality and cause thereof
Methods and apparatus for detecting abnormality of a battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells coupled in series via at least one connecting wire. A first voltage drop between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery pack is detected. A first set of voltage drops between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of each battery cell in the battery pack is also detected. A total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire in the battery pack is calculated based on an absolute difference between the first voltage drop and a sum of the first set of voltage drops. Whether the battery pack is abnormal is determined by assessing the total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire with respect to a predetermined threshold. |
| US09274174B2 |
Processor TAP support for remote services
An apparatus can include a circuit board; a processor chip mounted to the circuit board that includes a Test Access Port (TAP); a controller mounted to the circuit board that includes a port operatively coupled to the Test Access Port (TAP) of the processor chip; and a network interface operatively coupled to the controller. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09274173B2 |
Selective test pattern processor
A method, system, and computer program product to test a semiconductor device are described. The system includes an input interface to receive a set of test patterns to test the semiconductor device and a user selection corresponding to a subset of the set of test patterns. The system also includes a processor to process the subset of the set of test patterns to output test data to the semiconductor device. |
| US09274171B1 |
Customer-transparent logic redundancy for improved yield
Systems and methods are provided for implementing customer-transparent logic redundancy in scan chains for improved yield of integrated circuits. More specifically, an integrated circuit structure is provided for that includes a plurality of combined latch structures. Each of the combined latch structures includes an original latch and a redundant latch. The integrated circuit structure further includes a plurality of combined logic structures. Each of the combined logic structures includes an original logic structure a redundant logic structure. Each redundant latch is a duplicate of each respective original latch within a combined latch structure and each redundant logic structure is a duplicate of each respective original logic structure within a combined logic structure such that a two fold library of latches and logic is provided for one or more scan chains of the integrated circuit structure. |
| US09274167B2 |
Chip-to-chip signal transmission system and chip-to-chip capacitive coupling transmission circuit
A chip-to-chip signal transmission system is provided, which includes a first chip, a second chip, and a dielectric layer. A signal transmission is performed between a transmitter of the first chip and a receiver of the second chip through a transmission-metal-pad unit and a receiving-metal-pad unit. The transmitter transmits a transmission-testing-coupling signal through the transmission-metal-pad unit according to a driving-testing signal when the transmitter receives the driving-testing signal. A first testing unit receives the transmission-testing-coupling signal and outputs a transmission-testing signal according to the transmission-testing-coupling signal. A second testing unit transmits a receiving-testing-coupling signal through the receiving-metal-pad unit according to the driving-testing signal when the second testing unit receives the driving-testing signal. The receiver receives the receiving-testing-coupling signal and outputs a receiving-testing signal according to the receiving-testing-coupling signal. |
| US09274166B2 |
Pin verification device and method
A device of one embodiment includes a sensor, an indicator electrically connected to the sensor, a first base portion including a plurality of first channels, a second base portion including a plurality of second channels and located between the first base portion and the sensor, and a plurality of pins. Each pin includes first and second ends, and each pin passes through a respective first channel and a respective second channel such that the first end extends beyond the first base portion away from the sensor and the second end extends beyond the second base portion toward the sensor. Each pin is adjustably disposed within the respective first and second channels such that each pin is operable to move along a longitudinal axis of the pin. Furthermore, the sensor is operable to determine whether all pins of the plurality of pins are positioned proximate to the sensor. |
| US09274163B2 |
Turret handlers and methods of operations thereof
In one embodiment, a method of testing a semiconductor component includes loading a plurality of semiconductor components into a main turret of a turret handler, transporting the plurality of semiconductor components using the main turret to a test area, and splitting the plurality of semiconductor components into a first set and a second set. The method further includes testing a first semiconductor component in the first set at a first test pad using a tester while transporting a second semiconductor component in the second set to a second test pad and testing the second semiconductor component using the tester while transporting the first semiconductor component out of the first test pad. The first set and the second set are merged into the plurality of semiconductor components and the plurality of semiconductor components are transported away from the test area using the main turret. |
| US09274162B2 |
Method and system for testing semiconductor device
A method for testing a semiconductor device includes testing the semiconductor device in a plurality of operation modes sequentially, and programming the semiconductor device to operate in at least one of the operation modes when the semiconductor device passes the testing. |
| US09274161B1 |
Voltage profile based fault location identification system and method of use
The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system. The system contains multiple power electronics based converters which convert the local direct current (DC) distributed sources (DRs) to the alternating current (AC) of the grid. The converters also provide the capability of limiting the current in the system when a fault occurs. The converters also protect the power distribution system equipment against high fault currents. |
| US09274153B2 |
Electrostatic capacitance sensor
An electrostatic capacitance sensor 1 includes a semiconductor substrate 4. A first fixing plate 2 is joined to a one-side surface 4a of the semiconductor substrate 4, and a second fixing plate 3 is joined to other-side surface 4b of the semiconductor substrate 4, whereby a space portion S is formed. Then, static electricity suppressing means 70 for suppressing static electricity from being generated in the space portion S is provided in the electrostatic capacitance sensor 1. |
| US09274150B2 |
Systems for synchrophasor data management
A system includes a Synchrophasor Data Management System (SDMS), in which the SDMS includes a Synchrophasor Processor System (SPS). The SPS includes a Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) configured to receive a first plurality of inputs from a first Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU), transform at least one of the first plurality of inputs into a first time aligned output by time aligning the at least one of the first plurality of inputs. The SPS further includes a virtual PMU configured to aggregate the first time aligned output into a PMU dataset, in which the SPS is configured to transmit the PMU dataset to a second PMU, an external PDC, a super PDC, or a combination thereof. |
| US09274147B2 |
AC plug receptacle with non-contact power meter and radio telemetry
A power measurement device in accordance with aspects of the invention comprises a power harvesting unit that extracts a fraction of current flowing through an electric power supply unit to an electronic appliance; a power determination circuit that generates power measurement data indicative of at least one of the extracted current or a power consumed by the electronic appliance determined based on the extracted current; and an output device that outputs the power measurement data. The power measurement device can be used with plugs or sockets as an external component or integrated therein as an internal component. |
| US09274143B2 |
Vertical probe array arranged to provide space transformation
Improved probing of closely spaced contact pads is provided by an array of vertical probes having all of the probe tips aligned along a single contact line, while the probe bases are arranged in an array having two or more rows parallel to the contact line. With this arrangement of probes, the probe base thickness can be made greater than the contact pad spacing along the contact line, thereby advantageously increasing the lateral stiffness of the probes. The probe tip thickness is less than the contact pad spacing, so probes suitable for practicing the invention have a wide base section and a narrow tip section. |
| US09274129B2 |
Methods and reagents for detecting bioactive lipids
Compositions and methods for producing monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives reactive against bioactive lipid targets are described. These compositions include derivatized lipids, each of which comprises a bioactive lipid that having a polar head group and at least one hydrocarbon chain (e.g., a lysolipid such as lysophosphatidic acid or sphingosine-1-phosphate) in which a carbon atom has been derivatized with a pendant reactive group; immunogens made by linking a derivatized lipid to a carrier moiety (e.g., a carrier protein, polyethylene glycol, colloidal gold, alginate, or a silicone bead); monoclonal antibodies and derivatives produced by immunizing an animal with such an immunogen; and therapeutic and diagnostic compositions containing such antibodies and antibody derivatives. Methods for making such derivatized lipids, immunogens, and monoclonal antibodies and derivatives, methods for detecting such antibodies once generated, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using such antibodies and derivatives, are also described. |
| US09274125B2 |
Method and kit for measuring component in the presence of fatty acid alkanolamide or nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactant
Methods and kits for measuring a component to be measured by reacting the component in the presence of a fatty acid alkanolamide, with a first antibody which binds to the component, then reacting a labeled second antibody that binds to the component so as to form an immunocomplex comprising the first antibody, the component and the labeled second antibody. The amount of the label in the formed immunocomplex is measured and correlated to the amount and concentration of component. |
| US09274113B2 |
Method for screening an agent preventing or treating cancer using glycyl-tRNA synthetase and cadherin
The present invention relates to a novel method of screening an agent for preventing or treating cancer using glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GRS) and cadherin (CDH). More particularly, it relates to a method of screening and test agent which modulates the binding level of GRS or their fragment with CDH. As can be seen foregoing, the present invention relates to a novel use of GRS and CDH and provides a method of screening an agent for preventing or treating cancer. The method may be used for developing novel agent for treatment of various cancer. |
| US09274112B2 |
Device and method for detection of analytes
The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest. |
| US09274111B2 |
Method for the diagnosis of and/or monitoring mucormycosis
A method is described for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of active or previous infection by Mucor which consists in the identification of Mucorales-specific T cells in samples from biological fluids taken from the patient and put into contact with a Mucor antigen. These specific immune responses can be detected by the execution of immunoenzymatic assays (ELISPOT, Quantiferon) or of immunocytofluorimetric assays [Cytokine Secretion Assay (CSA), Intracellular Cytokine Staining (ICS)] in vitro. In greater detail, the method in question provides for checking for the presence of specific IFN-γ producing T cells, of specific IL-10 producing T cells and/or specific IL-4 producing T cells. |
| US09274109B2 |
Gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles, and method for searching for a disease model, vaccine, and candidate drug and for diagnosis using the same
The present application relates to a composition including gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles, and to an animal disease model using same. In addition, the present application relates to a method for using the gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles to efficiently search for a candidate drug which may prevent or treat diseases that occur due to gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles, and to a vaccine which can efficiently prevent or treat infections caused by gut flora or diseases that occur due to gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles. Further, the development of diagnostic technology to discover, using the gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles of the present application, the etiology of diseases that occur due to gut flora-derived extracellular vesicles, can be achieved. |
| US09274106B2 |
Methods and devices for detecting binding events via zeta-potential and pharmacologically active compounds and delivery systems identified thereby
Methods, devices and arrays for measuring a change in zeta-potential of a surface indicative of a binding event are provided. Pharmacologically active compounds and delivery systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients determined to be pharmacologically active or optimized for pharmacological activity or determined to be useful for delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to a target via measurement of a change in zeta-potential of the compound, ingredient or delivery system are also provided. |
| US09274103B2 |
Conjugates of 1,4,7-triazacyclononanes, dinuclear metal complexes of such conjugates, and methods of use for both 1,4,7-triazacyclononanes and conjugates
Conjugates of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes with a variety of conjugating members are used in the formation of dinuclear metal complexes which bind to phosphate esters. By virtue of their conjugated forms, the complexes are incorporated into chromatographic media, affinity binding reagents, and dyes, which make the complexes useful in a wide range of assays, separations, and purifications. In addition, dinuclear metal complexes of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes that are not so conjugated are used in the detection of phosphate esters of biological species by either MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or by dye displacement. |
| US09274102B2 |
Method of screening for an inhibitor of odor cause by furaneol
It is intended to identify a substance inhibiting an odor caused by 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone. The present invention provides a method for searching for an inhibitor of an odor caused by 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, comprising: adding a test substance and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone to an olfactory receptor OR5K1 or a polypeptide having at least 80% amino acid sequence identity thereto; measuring the response of the olfactory receptor or the polypeptide to 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone; and identifying a test substance inhibiting the response of the olfactory receptor or the polypeptide, on the basis of the measured response. |
| US09274098B2 |
Analyte meter digital sample detection
An analyte meter is configured to digitally test for the presence of a test strip in the meter and for the presence of a sample in the test strip prior to activating an analog current measurement circuit of the meter. A test strip port connector having a plurality of contacts receives an inserted test strip in which the contacts electrically connect to electrodes on the test strip for digitally detecting both the presence of a test strip and a sample added to the test strip. A control circuit monitoring the contacts maintains the analyte meter in a low power mode until detecting both the test strip and the sample, whereupon the control circuit activates the meter and enables an analog analyte measurement circuit. |
| US09274095B2 |
Systems and methods for in vitro and in vivo imaging of cells on a substrate
Disclosed herein are generally to methods and systems that facilitate imaging of cells on a substrate and more particularly to pre-implantation (in vitro) and post-implantation (in vivo) imaging of cell-seeded substrates implanted in target tissues in the context of stem cell therapy. |
| US09274094B2 |
Self-calibrating gradient dilution in a constitutent assay and gradient dilution apparatus performed in a thin film sample
A method and apparatus for measuring antibody titers in a thin film sample in an automated system which does not require multiple dilutions. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ dilution within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components, and further, to use the same principles to provide a wide range of sample dilutions within the chamber so as to obviate the need for additional dilution steps when dealing with samples possibly containing wide ranges of analyte concentrations. |
| US09274089B2 |
Apparatus and a method for measuring in-plane elastic constants for a laminate
An apparatus is provided that includes a wave generator, plurality of transducers and processing device. The wave generator may be configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of acoustic waves that propagate through a laminate along a plurality of in-plane directions. The transducers may be spaced apart from one another and positionable at one or more known distances from the wave generator along respective in-plane directions. The transducers may be configured to detect acoustic waves propagating through the laminate along the respective in-plane directions. The processing device may be coupled to the transducers and configured to simultaneously calculate a plurality of elastic constants of the laminate as a function of velocities of the acoustic waves detected by the transducers. And the processing device may be configured to calculate the velocities as a function of the known distance(s) and arrival times of the acoustic waves at the transducers. |
| US09274086B1 |
Magnetic shielding of servo-motors in magnetic detection systems
A magnetic detection system includes a platform, a magnetic detection sensor, a servo-motor, and a magnetic shield. The platform is an unmanned platform. The magnetic anomaly detection sensor is located onboard the unmanned platform. The servo-motor is also located onboard the unmanned platform. The magnetic shield is further disposed onboard the unmanned platform over the servo-motor reducing magnetic noise the magnetic anomaly detection sensor receives from the servo-motor. |
| US09274085B2 |
Eddy current inspection device, eddy current inspection probe, and eddy current inspection method
Provided is an eddy current inspection device, an eddy current inspection probe and an eddy current inspection method that make it possible to detect defects existing in deeper parts of test objects. Three or more odd number of excitation coils are arranged at even intervals in a circumferential direction on a postulated circumference. Excitation currents applied to the excitation coils are controlled so that the phase difference between excitation currents applied to adjacent ones of the excitation coils arranged in the circumferential direction on the postulated circumference equals one cycle divided by the number of excitation coils. A magnetic field generated according to an eddy current occurring in the test object due to a magnetic field caused by the application of the excitation currents to the excitation coils is detected by use of a detector arranged on a postulated plane containing the postulated circumference but inside the postulated circumference. |
| US09274084B2 |
Magnetic particle imaging devices and methods
A magnetic particle imaging device is provided. The device includes a magnetic field source configured to produce a magnetic field having a non-saturating magnetic field region, an excitation signal source configured to produce an excitation signal in the non-saturating magnetic field region that produces a detectable signal from magnetic particles in the non-saturating magnetic field region, and a signal processor configured to convert a detected signal into an image of the magnetic particles. Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods of imaging magnetic particles in a sample, and methods of producing an image of magnetic particles in a subject. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of applications, such as medical imaging applications. |
| US09274082B2 |
pH gradients controlled by electrolysis, and their use in isoelectric focusing
A specified proton concentration in a volume (80) is produced by passing a controlled electrophoresis current through an adjacent electrophoresis volume (28) between a working electrode (26) and a counter electrode (24). An array of such volumes with specified proton concentration is used to provide the pH gradient for isoelectric focusing. |
| US09274081B2 |
Sample dependent selection of parameters for use in electrokinetic treatment of the sample
Performing an electrokinetic treatment on different samples includes identifying an electrical signal that is appropriate for use in the treatment of each sample. The identification of the electrical signals results in different electrical signals being identified for different samples. The electrokinetic treatment of a sample results in that sample being exposed to the electrical signal identified for that sample. Accordingly, different samples are exposed to different electrical signals. An electrokinetic treatment employs one or more electrokinetic phenomena to cause movement of one or more agents within the sample relative to the sample. In some instances, the method also includes using each of the electrokinetically treated samples to generate an electrochemical sample and then performing an electrochemical analysis on each of the electrochemical samples. |
| US09274077B2 |
Systems and methods for genetic and biological analysis
The invention relate to systems and methods for sequencing polynucleotides, as well as detecting reactions and binding events involving other biological molecules. The systems and methods may employ chamber-free devices and nanosensors to detect or characterize such reactions in high-throughput. Because the system in many embodiments is reusable, the system can be subject to more sophisticated and improved engineering, as compared to single use devices. |
| US09274073B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the composition of medical liquids with regard to their fraction of electrolytes and non-electrolytes
The present invention relates to a method for determining the composition of medical liquids with regard to their fraction of electrolytes and non-electrolytes, comprising the steps of: determining at least one first physical parameter of the medical liquid for unambiguously determining the fraction of non-electrolytes in the medical liquid; simultaneously determining at least a second physical parameter of the medical liquid for determining the fraction of electrolytes in the medical liquid; and determining the fraction of electrolytes and non-electrolytes in the medical liquid based on the first and second physical parameter. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for determining the composition of medical liquids with regard to their fraction of electrolytes and non-electrolytes, comprising a first measuring apparatus (7) for measuring a first physical parameter of the medical liquid, which is unambiguously related to the non-electrolyte in medical liquid, a second measuring apparatus (8) for determining at least a second physical parameter of medical liquid, which is unambiguously related to the fraction of electrolytes in the medical liquid, and an evaluating apparatus (9) for determining the fraction of electrolytes and non-electrolytes in the medical liquid on the basis of the measured values of the first measuring apparatus (7) and the second measuring apparatus (8). |
| US09274071B2 |
Methods for assessing cell culture fluid by impedance spectra
Provided herein are techniques for identification of viable and nonviable cells in a cell culture that include measuring a resonance impedance spectral response of at least one resonator in proximity to the cell culture and correlating the measured response to the concentration of viable cells in cell culture and/or the concentration of nonviable cells in cell culture. |
| US09274068B2 |
Methods related to X-ray sensitive battery separators
A method for detecting the position of a separator relative to electrodes in a secondary lithium battery includes the steps of: providing a secondary lithium battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a X-ray sensitive separator located between the electrodes, and a can or pouch housing the electrodes and separator, the X-ray sensitive separator comprising a microporous membrane having a X-ray detectable element dispersed therein or thereon, the X-ray detectable element comprising at least 2 and no greater than 20 weight % of the membrane; subjecting the secondary lithium battery to X-ray radiation; determining the position of the separator relative to the electrodes; and approving or rejecting the secondary lithium battery based upon the position of the separator relative to the electrodes. |
| US09274067B2 |
Systems, devices and methods related to calibration of a proton computed tomography scanner
Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies related to calibration of an ion based imaging apparatus such as a proton computed tomography scanner. In some implementations, energy degrader plates having known water-equivalent thickness (WET) values can be introduced to an ion beam to introduce different energy degradation settings. Energy detector responses to individual ions subject to such energy degradation settings can be obtained. Such responses can be normalized and correlated to water-equivalent path lengths (WEPL) of the ions based on the known WET values. Such calibration utilizing degrader plates can be performed relatively quickly and can yield accurate WEPL values that facilitate estimation of, for example, a CT image based on relative stopping power of an object. |
| US09274066B2 |
Method for spectral CT local tomography
A method for performing reconstruction for a region of interest (ROI) of an object is provided. The method includes designating the ROI within the object, the ROI being located within a scan field of view (FOV) of a combined third- and fourth-generation CT scanner, the CT scanner including fixed photon-counting detectors (PCDs), and an X-ray source that rotates about the object in synchronization with a rotating detector. Further, the method includes determining, for each PCD, as a function of view angle, an on/off timing schedule, based on a size and location of the designated ROI, and performing a scan to obtain a first data set from the rotating detector and a second data set from the plurality of PCDs, while turning each PCD on and off according to the determined schedule. Finally, the method includes performing reconstruction using the first and second data sets to obtain ROI spectral images. |
| US09274065B2 |
High-speed security inspection system
The present specification discloses a high speed scanning system for scanning cargo carried by rail. The system uses a two-dimensional X-ray sensor array with, in one embodiment, a cone-beam X-ray geometry. The pulse rate of X-ray source is modulated based on the speed of the moving cargo to allow a distance travelled by the cargo between X-ray pulses to be equal to the width of the detector, for a single energy source, and to half the width of the detector for a dual energy source. This ensures precise timing between the X-ray exposure and the speed of the passing object, and thus accurate scanning of cargo even at high speeds. |
| US09274063B2 |
Building inspection device
The invention is a building inspection device for inspecting a side of a building comprising a body having a underside, a line attachment means connected to the body for movably connecting the body to a guide line, an alignment means for aligning the body so that the underside of the body faces the side of the building, a system controller for controlling the inspection device, and a sensing device disposed in the body having a sensor located on the underside of the body for inspecting a portion of the side of the building, wherein the sensing device is controlled by the system controller. The line attachment means may be connected to a vertical weight-bearing guide line, and the alignment means may comprise a second vertical guide line also connected to the line attachment means. |
| US09274061B2 |
Methods and kits for quantitative determination of total organic acid content in a coolant
The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the total organic acid content in a coolant sample. The disclosed methods and kits may include, in part, steps such as contacting an organic acid in a coolant with an inorganic acid to protonate the organic acid, solvating the protonated organic acid, contacting the protonated organic acid with a reactant species, and detecting consumption of the reactant species to determine the organic acid content in the coolant. |
| US09274059B2 |
Microfluidic electrochemical device and process for chemical imaging and electrochemical analysis at the electrode-liquid interface in-situ
A microfluidic electrochemical device and process are detailed that provide chemical imaging and electrochemical analysis under vacuum at the surface of the electrode-sample or electrode-liquid interface in-situ. The electrochemical device allows investigation of various surface layers including diffuse layers at selected depths populated with, e.g., adsorbed molecules in which chemical transformation in electrolyte solutions occurs. |
| US09274045B2 |
Optically-induced charge separation and induced magnetism in dielectrics for optical energy conversion and intense magnetic field generation
Schemes are described to produce quasi-static charge separation, Terahertz radiation, and programmable magnetic field generation using linearly-polarized light in unbiased, transparent insulators. The methods exploit a recently-observed magneto-electric optical nonlinearity that produces intense magnetization in undoped, homogeneous dielectrics. Analysis reveals that strong magnetic effects can be induced at modest optical intensities even with incoherent light. Consequently, efficient solar power conversion is feasible without the semiconductor processing or electron-hole pair generation that is required in conventional photovoltaic cells. Additionally, conditions and techniques are described to generate intense THz radiation in unbiased substrates and large magnetic fields orientated transverse to the direction of propagation of light, without the need for any external permanent magnetic or electromagnetic apparatus. |
| US09274044B2 |
Cuvette for light scattering measurements incorporating evaporation inhibition means
A cuvette for use with light scattering detectors is disclosed. A trough or moat within the cuvette can be filled with solvent which is not in fluid contact with the sample to be measured. This solvent moat creates saturated vapor pressure in the chamber preventing evaporation from the sample when the cuvette is capped. The cuvette itself may be made of an inexpensive polymer which can be polished to high optical quality while still being moldable in complex forms capable of enabling further utility, such as extra griping surfaces, identification tabs allowing the detection instrument to determine the cuvette model, and various sample chamber forms. The novel cuvette may have extremely small sample volumes, while allowing significant overfill of the measurement chamber, improving ease of sample loading. The polymers used may be relatively inexpensive, and therefore the cuvette can generally be discarded after a single use. |
| US09274042B2 |
Spatially correlated light collection from multiple sample streams excited with a line focused light source
An affordable flow cytometry system with a significantly increased analytical rate, volumetric sample delivery and usable particle size including a light beam that interrogates multiple flow streams so as to provide excitation across all of the streams, and an optical objective configured to collect light from the sample streams and image the light onto an array detector. |
| US09274039B2 |
Permeameter for in-situ measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity
A permeameter for in-situ measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity is presented. The permeameter includes a chamber fixedly installed into streambed sediment such that the inside of the chamber is filled with a medium, sediment at water-sediment interface. First and second hydraulic head-measuring lines are respectively connected to upper and lower portions of an outer circumferential surface of the chamber, these are designed for measuring a hydraulic head difference of the inside of the chamber. A flexible tube is interconnected the chamber with the storage pipe. A storage pipe is designed to regulate a hydraulic head difference from the chamber and to measure a quantity and a flow rate of water introduced from the chamber under the streambed. |
| US09274035B2 |
Clamping device
A clamping device for clamping a flat material test sample while a material test is carried out is provided. The clamping device includes a substantially cylindrical clamping part, from the free end of which there extends a receiving slot for receiving the material test sample, a pressure ring surrounding the clamping part in the region of the receiving slot, and a pressure sleeve provided between the clamping part and the pressure ring, the pressure sleeve is formed and actuable such that, under radial expansion, it connects the clamping part and the pressure ring together and clamps the material test sample held in the receiving slot. |
| US09274034B2 |
Processing apparatus for processing tissue samples having a reading device for user identification units
The invention relates to a processing apparatus (100) for processing tissue samples, having a control unit (140) configured to control at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100); and a communication device (130, 135) configured to read at least one information item from a user identification unit (151, 152, 153) and convey the at least one information item to the control unit (140). The control unit (140) is configured to control the at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100) based on the at least one information item conveyed. |
| US09274032B2 |
Method and a device for treating microparticles
Method for handling microparticles in such a manner, that at least two treatment steps are performed for microparticles in the same vessel without moving the particles to another vessel. There are organs in the device for changing the solution without having to move the microparticles to another vessel. |
| US09274030B2 |
Sample introduction device including channel switching mechanism
A sample introduction device having a channel configuration which allows recapture of samples and in which thorough purging is performed so that no sample components remain inside the channel. In the trap capture process, a first six-way switching valve is placed in state where ports a-f, b-c and d-e are connected, a second six-way switching valve is placed in state where ports a-b, c-d and e-f are connected, and an electromagnetic valve is opened. Carrier gas is introduced through a carrier gas channel, and is discharged via the first six-way valve-sample channel-second six-way switching valve-trap channel-second six-way switching valve-channel-first six-way valve-discharge channel. Carrier gas is also introduced through the path going through the electronic control flow controller, so the operation of stabilization of the analysis channel continues to be performed. |
| US09274026B1 |
Determining an angular position of an output gear
The angular position of an output gear can be determined from the phase difference between the angular positions of pinions engaged with the output gear. The first pinion can have a K-number of teeth, the second pinion can have an L-number of teeth, and the output gear can have an M-number of teeth. The relationship between K, L, and M can include the following: M is the least common multiple of K and L; and the absolute value of the difference between M divided by K and M divided by L is one. It can also be said that the absolute value of L subtracted from K is a non-zero integer. |
| US09274024B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining object characteristics
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of determining one or more characteristics of a target object, comprising determining a first phase map for at least a region of a target object based on radiation directed toward the target object, determining one or more further phase maps for a sub-region of the region of the target object, determining a number of phase wraps for the sub-region based on a plurality of phase maps for the sub-region, and determining a characteristic of the region of the target object based on the number of phase wraps for sub-region and the first phase map. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method of determining one or more characteristics of a target object, comprising determining a phase map for at least a region of a target object based on one or more diffraction patterns, determining a wavefront at a plane of the object based upon the phase map, and determining a refractive property of the object based on the wavefront. |
| US09274017B2 |
MEMS device
According to one embodiment, a MEMS device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first and second MEMS elements on the substrate. Each of the first and second MEMS elements includes a fixed electrode on the substrate, a movable electrode above the fixed electrode, a first insulating film, the first insulating film and the substrate defining a cavity in which the fixed and movable electrodes are contained, and a first anchor on a surface of the first insulating film inside the cavity and configured to connect the movable electrode to the first insulating film. The cavity of the first MEMS element is closed. The cavity of the second MEMS element is opened by a through hole. |
| US09274015B2 |
Device and method for measuring sectional forces
A device and a method are disclosed for measuring sectional forces on a single-piece structural element in respect of a sectional plane by strain gauges, wherein a first and a second strain gauge of the plurality of strain gauges are arranged on a first outer wall, and a third and a fourth strain gauge are arranged on a second outer wall, with the result that, when the structural element is loaded with a first force, the change in length of the first and third strain gauges is opposite to the change in length of the second and fourth strain gauges, wherein the first outer wall and the second outer wall have, in the region of a cavity, at least three openings, which are separated from each other by webs, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth strain gauges are arranged on the webs. |
| US09274012B2 |
Device to capture relative position of a component of which the position can change relative to a reference component of a washing handling device, and corresponding washing handling device
A sensor device to measure a force or pressure in a washing handling apparatus includes a light source, a light receiver, a light-reflecting surface that reflects light emitted by the light source toward the light receiver, and one or more spring elements that biases the light-reflecting surface into a predefined initial position with respect to the light source and the light receiver where the light-reflecting surface is disposed to be displaceable with respect to the light source and the light receiver in response to application of an external force or pressure against a resetting force of the one or more spring elements. |
| US09274011B2 |
Load measurement of the load receiver of hoisting devices
Device for determining the force of an operational arrangement acting on a load receiver, wherein the load receiver is arranged movably relative to a component of the operational arrangement, wherein sensor means are provided, determining the force acting on the load receiver, wherein transmission means are provided, which wirelessly transmit a signal representing the force generated and emitted by the sensor means to a control device of the operational arrangement, and wherein energy supply means providing the power supply at least for the sensor means and/or for the transmission means are provided on the load receiver. |
| US09274009B2 |
Apparatus and method for measurement of the film cooling effect produced by air cooled gas turbine components
A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent. |
| US09274003B2 |
Image pixel apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation, sensor array for detecting electromagnetic radiation and method for detecting electromagnetic radiation by means of an image pixel apparatus
An image pixel apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes an absorption structure device configured to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and to take it up as a quantity of heat. At least one plasmonic resonance structure device of the apparatus is configured to forward the electromagnetic radiation to the absorption structure device. A detection device that has at least one detection element is configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation by way of changes in an electrical property of the at least one detection element that are caused by the quantity of heat taken up. |
| US09274002B2 |
Method for the non-destructive inspection of an organic-matrix composite material
A method for the non-destructive inspection of a part made from an organic-matrix composite material (CMO) includes the steps of: a) carrying out a surface inspection of the part by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIS), b) if step a) reveals a defect, carrying out in-depth inspections of the organic-matrix composite material according to two complementary ultrasound techniques. |
| US09274001B2 |
Dual window processing schemes for spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fourier domain low coherence interferometry
Current apparatuses and methods for analysis of spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (SOCT) signals suffer from an inherent tradeoff between time (depth) and frequency (wavelength) resolution. In one non-limiting embodiment, multiple or dual window (DW) apparatuses and methods for reconstructing time-frequency distributions (TFDs) that applies two windows that independently determine the optical and temporal resolution is provided. For example, optical resolution may relate to scattering information about a sample, and temporal resolution may be related to absorption or depth related information. The effectiveness of the apparatuses and methods is demonstrated in simulations and in processing of measured OCT signals that contain fields which vary in time and frequency. The DW technique may yield TFDs that maintain high spectral and temporal resolution and are free from the artifacts and limitations commonly observed with other processing methods. |
| US09274000B2 |
Tunable light source system with wavelength measurement for a hyper-spectral imaging system
A tunable light source system with wavelength measurement capability for a hyper-spectral imaging system is disclosed. A method includes reference filtering a portion of a tunable light beam while tuning the center wavelength, detecting with at least one photodetector the reference-filtered tunable light beam and generating therefrom at least one detector signal that varies with the center wavelength, and determining a tunable center wavelength based on the at least one detector signal. |
| US09273994B2 |
Method and apparatus for optical asynchronous sampling signal measurements
A method and a system for measuring an optical asynchronous sample signal. The system for measuring an optical asynchronous sampling signal comprises a pulsed optical source capable of emitting two optical pulse sequences with different repetition frequencies, a signal optical path, a reference optical path, and a detection device. Since the optical asynchronous sampling signal can be measured by merely using one pulsed optical source, the complexity and cost of the system are reduced. A multi-frequency optical comb system using the pulsed optical source and a method for implementing the multi-frequency optical comb are further disclosed. |
| US09273993B2 |
Optical subassembly testing system
An optical subassembly testing system includes a pedestal, a rotation device, a holder and a supporting device. The rotation device includes a rotation member, a connecting plate and a retractable pillar. The rotation member is arranged on the pedestal and rotates relative to the pedestal. The connecting plate includes a mounting portion and a protruding portion, the mounting portion is arranged on the rotation member, the protruding portion extends away from the mounting portion and is exposed outside of the rotation member, and the retractable pillar is fixed perpendicular to the pedestal on an end of the protruding portion. The holder is fixed on an end of the retractable pillar and clamps a fiber connector. The supporting device includes a plurality of receiving grooves surrounding the pedestal, the receiving grooves are configured for receiving transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs) to test by aligning the fiber connector with each TOSA in turn. |
| US09273992B2 |
Radiation force balance calibrator
A radiation force balance calibrator (100) for calibrating a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer (106), the radiation force balance calibrator comprising: a balance frame (130); a force sensor (138) for measuring force, wherein the force sensor is attached to the balance frame; a balance (124) with first (132) and second ends (134), wherein the first end is attached to a pivot (128) for enabling the balance to pivot relative to the balance frame, wherein the second end is adapted for exerting force onto the force sensor; an oil target phantom (116) connected to the balance for absorbing ultrasound radiation (112, 114) from the high intensity focused ultrasound transducer, wherein the absorption of ultrasonic radiation causes a reduction in the force exerted by the balance on the force sensor; and wherein the radiation force balance calibrator is constructed of non-magnetic materials. |
| US09273989B2 |
Foam filled dielectric rod antenna
An antenna combination includes a feed-through having an input side including a connector for coupling to a transmission line connector and an output side including an inner cavity attaching to an aperture in a top surface or a nozzle of a tank. A foam filled dielectric rod antenna is coupled to the output side of the feed-through having a nose portion including a sub-portion within the inner cavity and a rod-shaped portion from beyond the inner cavity to an antenna launch end. The rod-shaped portion includes an outer solid dielectric material including a thickness transition region, wherein a thickness of the solid dielectric material decreases toward the antenna launch end to a constant minimum thickness shell region that extends to the antenna launch end. The outer solid dielectric material defines an inner hollow region. A dielectric foam fill material fills the inner hollow region. |
| US09273986B2 |
Water flow measurement device
A chiller system including an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant and a water pipe in fluid communication with the evaporator. The water pipe is configured to allow water to pass through at a flow rate and to circulate the water with the evaporator to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator. The chiller system includes a flow restrictor tube within the water pipe that is configured to allow the water to flow through the flow restrictor tube at a reduced flow rate relative to the flow rate. The chiller system also includes a measuring probe that passes through walls of the water pipe and the flow restrictor tube and includes an accuracy range of flow rates less than the flow rate. The measuring probe is configured to measure the reduced flow rate within the flow restrictor tube where the reduced flow rate is within the accuracy range. |
| US09273984B2 |
Device and method for transmitting data between a position-measuring device and sequential electronics
In a device and a method for transmitting data between a position-measuring device and sequential electronics via a data-transmission channel, the position-measuring device includes an interface unit and a processing unit, the interface unit being connected first of all to the data-transmission channel, and secondly, to the processing unit for the purpose of an internal data exchange with the aid of a request channel and a response channel. The interface unit includes a command interpreter by which, using conversion rules, commands which arrive via the data-transmission channel are convertible into internal requests and are able to be fed via the request channel to the processing unit, and response data which arrives from the processing unit via the response channel is convertible into output data. The interface unit further includes a rules memory for storing the conversion rules, which is at least partially modifiable. |
| US09273983B2 |
System and method of high volume import, validation and estimation of meter data
A meter data management system includes one or more application servers configured to receive, validate and estimate received meter data. The one or more application servers may include various memory/media elements for storing raw and transformed meter data as well as software in the form of computer-executable instructions, which are executed by a processor to implement a variety of functions, including establishing a mapping between the plurality of external devices and a plurality of preconfigured processing workbins (e.g., collections of meter channels in the same time zones), transforming the received meter data into a plurality of data files identified by timing parameter and workbin, validating data provided in each data file, estimating missing or invalid data, and automatically writing validated (and optionally estimated) data as import files to a database server. Such clean data files are then imported to one or more dedicated databases installed on the database server. |
| US09273981B1 |
Distributed unmanned aerial vehicle architecture
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a distributed system architecture for unmanned air vehicles. One of the methods includes obtaining information identifying flight information of a UAV, with the flight information including flight phase information or a contingency condition associated with a flight critical module included in the UAV. The obtained information is analyzed, and one or more first payload modules are determined to enter a modified power state. Requests to enter the modified power state are caused to be transmitted to each determined payload module in the one or more first payload modules. |
| US09273980B2 |
Direction list
A mapping application that intelligently places distance labels along a route in a map is disclosed. A distance label placed at a particular position of the route shows the distance to the particular location from the starting point of the route. Distance labels allow the user of the map to quickly appreciate the distances between the various points of interest (e.g., maneuvers) along the route. In some mapping applications that display the route as a list of driving directions, the distance labels are placed alongside the list of driving directions, and each distance label is associated with a maneuver in the list of directions. |
| US09273978B2 |
Methods, device and systems for delivery of navigational notifications
The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, mobile device for delivering a navigational notification generated for a mobile device. The delivering of the navigational notification includes obtaining one or more notification parameters and one or more audio parameters; and controlling the delivery of the navigational notification at least partly based on the notification parameters and the audio parameters. The notification parameters are indicative of one or more aspects of the navigational notification such as time-sensitivity, priority or the like. Various configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems for controlling the delivery of the navigational notification are also described. |
| US09273973B2 |
Device control apparatus, and self-propelling electronic device
An object of the present invention is to find a route on which a self-propelling electronic device preferentially runs a region which (i) is designated by a user and (ii) the self-propelling electronic device ran less frequently. A server device (80) includes: a preferential running region specifying section (812) which specifies a predetermined number of regions in a running region included in a predetermined space which predetermined number of regions a self-propelling electronic device (20) has most recently run a fewest number or fewer numbers of times, the running region being a region which the self-propelling electronic device (20) can run and which is determined by a user's operation; a route searching section (813) which searches for a running route on which the self-propelling electronic device (20) runs at least once all of the predetermined number of regions in the running region, the predetermined number of regions being specified by the preferential running region specifying section (812); and an instruction issuing section (814) which issues, to the self-propelling electronic device (20), a control instruction for causing the self-propelling electronic device (20) to run the predetermined space along the running route searched for by the route searching section (813). |
| US09273972B2 |
Navigation system with error detection mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: accessing points of interest; identifying a target of interest including a field selection based on accessing the points of interest; generating a categorical set and a further set from the points of interest based on the field selection of the target of interest; calculating an error-related probability based on the categorical set and the further set; and determining an erroneous entry associated with the target of interest based on the error-related probability for displaying on a device. |
| US09273970B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a plurality of trip patterns
Systems and methods for generating a plurality of trip patterns are provided. One exemplary method includes receiving transit graph data describing a plurality of nodes respectively corresponding to a plurality of transit stations and a plurality of arcs respectively connecting the plurality of nodes. The method also includes performing a plurality of identification iterations. Each identification iteration includes determining an optimal transit trip connecting an origin node to a destination node based on a cost model. Each identification iteration also includes revising the cost model based on the determined optimal transit trip, such that the arc costs associated with one or more arcs associated with the optimal transit trip are increased. Each optimal transit trip can have an associated trip pattern describing a sequence of nodes traversed by such optimal transit trip. One exemplary system can include a transit planning platform that includes a trip pattern identification module. |
| US09273966B2 |
Technique for calibrating dead reckoning positioning data
A technique for calibrating sensor data used for dead reckoning positioning comprises the steps of simultaneously recording sensor data of at least one dead reckoning positioning sensor and position data of a position sensor during travel, comparing a first travel path derived from the position data with a second travel path derived from the sensor data, and calibrating the sensor data based on the comparison. |
| US09273965B2 |
Method for determining future position boundary for a moving object from location estimates
A method for estimating a boundary for a future location of a moving object includes: receiving location information about two previous locations of the moving object represented by a first and a second elliptical error probabilities (EEPs); representing each of the EEPs as a conic section via an implicit quadratic equation; defining four tangent lines from the implicit quadratic equation, each tangent line being tangent to both of the EEPs; determining two transverse tangent lines from the four tangent lines; forming a cone in a direction from the first EEP to the second EEP from the two transverse tangent lines; and estimating the boundary of the future location of the moving object as a first side of the cone formed by a first transverse tangent line and a second side of the cone formed by a second transverse tangent line, of the two transverse tangent lines. |
| US09273960B2 |
Laser surveying system
A laser surveying system includes a rotational light emitting unit to rotationally emit a laser beam, having a case and a beam emitter supported on the case with an optical axis of the laser beam rotatable relative to the case, and a light receiving unit to receive the laser beam from the rotational light emitting unit and perform surveying of a light-receiving position, wherein the laser surveying system is configured to determine whether or not the laser beam received by the light receiving unit has been properly emitted from the rotational light emitting unit on the basis of a rotational position of the optical axis of the laser beam relative to the case and an angle of site of the laser beam relative to a reference plane including the optical axis. |
| US09273959B2 |
Surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument (1) which has a measuring unit comprises an operation control panel (4) rotatably mounted on the measuring unit with vertical axis as the center with respect to the measuring unit, and a relative angle detecting means for detecting a relative angle of the operation control panel and the measuring unit, wherein the operation control panel is so arranged that a command is issued to relatively rotate the measuring unit based on the relative angle detected by the relative angle detecting means. |
| US09273957B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for the measurement of material thickness or surface weight
A method is provided for calibrating a sensor used for surface weight measurement or thickness measurement on a material sheet via transmission measurement and/or reflection measurement. The method may include: providing a two-dimensional calibration sample with a known surface weight; detection of the transmission values and/or the reflection values of the calibration sample via the sensor on a plurality of different positions two-dimensionally or areally distributed across the surface of the calibration sample; and the detection of the calibration value for the sensor via calculation of average from the plurality detected transmission values and/or reflection values and the composition of the average transmission and reflection values with the known surface weight of the calibration sample. Also provided is a method for measurement of layer thickness and/or surface weight of material sheets using the calibration method, as well as an apparatus for layer thickness measurements and/or surface weight measurement. |
| US09273954B2 |
Method and system for analyzing geometric parameters of an object
The present invention concerns a method of geometrical analysis of an object comprising: placing the object in front of a lit surface, such that it is silhouetted; taking at least one photograph of the silhouetted object to obtain an image with an outline of the object; and obtaining geometrical parameters of the object based on the outline of the silhouetted object. |
| US09273942B1 |
Disposable, miniature internal optical ignition source for ammunition application
An ammunition cartridge for a gun is optically initiated by a mechanism wholly within the cartridge case itself. The case has as optical primer initiation means producing light fluence to ignite a primer, which ignited primer may in turn ignite into a flashtube, and which ignited flashtube may in turn ignite a bed of propellant in said cartridge. The optical primer initiation means may be an LED, a laser diode, a VCSEL, or some other light emitting device in general. The cartridge optically initiated primer package is so sized and made electrically and mechanically seamlessly physically compatible with current ammunition cartridges such that these new cartridges are completely interchangeable. If the cartridge primer initiation means is of a percussion type, the cartridge is adapted to include an in-line piezoelectric crystal so that electrical power will be generated when the cartridge assembly is struck by a firing pin during percussion type operations; the power is then used to initiate the light emitting device. |
| US09273941B2 |
Combination gas operated rifle and subsonic cartridge
A method of operating a gas operated automatic or semi-automatic weapon that has a bolt that locks by a partial rotation of the bolt with respect to a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier in communication with a gas port on the barrel of the weapon, the method comprising utilizing the gas pressure from a cartridge received from a port in the barrel to unlock the bolt, and utilizing the expansion of a telescoping cartridge in the chamber to recycle the weapon after the bolt is unlocked. In embodiments the cartridge is a 5.56 mm cartridge. In embodiments, the propellant driving the projectile does not provide enough gas pressure to recycle the weapon and the telescoping cartridge supplements the needed power for recycling sufficient to accomplish the recycling. The invention include the telescoping cartridge providing a projectile with lethal energy and recycle capability for gas operated rifles. The subsonic cartridge may have at least 80 ft lbs of energy and operates subsonically. |
| US09273939B2 |
Ignition system for scalable munitions system
An ignition system for a munitions system which is scalable with respect to its power delivery and which includes two different ignition circuits for a sub-detonative and a detonative initiation of an explosive charge of the munitions system, wherein a control mechanism in a sub-detonative ignition circuit monitors function and thus prevents an uncontrolled complete power delivery of the munitions charge. |
| US09273938B2 |
Archery target with coated liner
An archery target includes an impact-absorbing core configured to arrest an incoming projectile and a multilayered bag enveloping the impact-absorbing core and defining an outer surface of the target. The multilayered bag includes a flexible fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven fibers and a polyurethane coating layer applied to the flexible fabric layer and at least partially overlapping the flexible fabric layer such that the polyurethane coating layer at least partially fills spaces between the plurality of interwoven fibers. The fabric layer may be a woven polyester fabric having a denier rating of at least one thousand. The archery target may further include a marking defining a target area. The marking may be applied to the multilayered bag using a dye sublimation process. |
| US09273936B2 |
Hoverball archery training and entertainment shooting gallery and kit
In one illustrative form a shooting gallery kit is disclosed that includes a shooting gallery. The shooting gallery comprises an inflatable structure having a base that includes an upper floor; at least one air vent located in said upper floor operable to generate an air stream; at least one target configured to be placed in said air stream such that said target hovers in said air stream; and a blower operable to inflate said inflatable structure and cause said air stream to be emitted from said at least one air vent. A bow and a non-lethal arrow are also included in the kit. |
| US09273933B2 |
Composite structure and method of making a composite structure
In accordance with the present teachings, a method of producing composite having a 3A Q3D reinforcement phase is disclosed. The method of producing the composite provides producing a three-dimensionally woven configuration where a first fiber from a first sheet of reinforcement phase is interwoven or mechanically linked with at least one of an adjacent second layer and then back into the first sheet. The linking fibers are passed between layers at an acute angle generally less than about 10 degrees. The method includes impregnating the woven construction with a curable polymer such as epoxy. |
| US09273932B2 |
Method of manufacture of composite armor material
An armor material and method of manufacturing utilize nano- and/or microlaminate materials. In one embodiment, the armor material comprises a layered composite material including a strike face, a core layer, and a spall liner. The strike face achieves hardness and toughness by the controlled placement of hard and tough constituent materials through the use of nano- and/or microlaminate materials. The core layer achieves energy absorption through the use of nano- or microlaminated coated compliant materials. The spall liner provides reinforcement through the use of nano- or microlaminated fiber reinforced panels. In one embodiment, nano- and/or microlaminated materials can be manufactured through the use of electrodeposition techniques. |
| US09273929B2 |
Automatic weapon magazine, charging handle, bolt carrier, bolt catch, scope, and bolt features and methods of operation
A magazine well for a firearm having an angled spine receiving portion. A charging handle for a firearm having latch that extends below a bottom surface of a crossbar. A bolt carrier for a firearm having a pair of vent holes disposed in the indented portion and at least one additional vent hole on indented portion adjacent to the pair of vent holes. A bolt catch for a firearm having a receiving portion curved to match the contours of a human thumb. A scope assembly for a firearm having markers on a scope and amount that correspond to the same radial positions. A bolt for a firearm having a plurality of ribs disposed on a main body and extending from a front end toward a tail portion of the bolt. |
| US09273923B2 |
Archery bow limb support
In some embodiments, an archery bow is configurable between a first draw orientation and a second draw orientation. The bow comprises a limb and a limb support. The limb defines an unsupported length in either orientation, wherein the unsupported length of the limb is less in the second draw orientation than in the first draw orientation. |
| US09273918B2 |
Apparatus and method for counting rounds fired from a firearm
A round counter, comprising a detection unit to detect energy pulses resulting from an impact to a firearm; a round counter processor to analyze data obtained by the detection unit to count a number of rounds fired from the firearm; the round counter processor is configured to designate a time window data that is substantially a time length of an energy pulse; wherein the round counter processor compares the time window data to a firing window, the firing window is a predetermined time length required for discharging a round from the firearm; the time window has a substantial time span of firing at least two rounds; a firing counter increases the count when the round counter processor determines the time window data is larger than the firing window and transfers a command to the firing counter to increase the count of the firing counter. |
| US09273915B2 |
Enhanced capacity, reduced turbulence, trough-type liquid collector trays
Liquid collector trays (5) are disclosed for use in vertical towers (7) in which vapor (9) moves upward and liquid (11) moves downward. The liquid collector trays (5) employ elongated plates (13) which in certain embodiments include a primary liquid collector trough (15) and a secondary liquid collector trough (17). In other embodiments, the primary liquid collector troughs (15) of adjacent plates (13) are aligned so as to form elongated, inwardly-tapering entrance channels (29) which are free of sharp corners. In further embodiments, when the liquid collector tray (5) is in its operative orientation and is viewed from above, each plate (13) includes first and second concave surfaces (31, 33), which collect liquid, and third and fourth convex surfaces (35, 37), which are adjacent to the first and second concave surfaces (31, 33) and serve to mechanically stabilize the plate (13). |
| US09273912B2 |
Heat dissipation device for electronic controllers
A heat dissipation device for electronic controllers, is provided and includes a housing that has a hollow portion into which a working fluid for heat transfer and dissipation is filled. The housing of the electronic controller is formed to have the hollow portion using the material containing the heat-conductive filler and the heat transfer working fluid is filled in the hollow portion, to improve the cooling efficiency and achieving the weight reduction. By forming the condensation unit that condenses the vaporized working fluid in the upper end portion relative to the working fluid filled in the hollow portion of the housing, the heat exchange effect of the working fluid may be maximized. |
| US09273907B2 |
Plate type heat exchanger having outer heat exchanger plates with improved connections to end panels
A plate type heat exchanger (102) includes a heat exchanger assembly (104), end panels (106) and end panel connection members (107) connecting the end panels (106). The heat exchanger assembly (104) has a stack of heat exchanger plates (112) and a pair of outer heat exchanger plates (114) located on opposing sides of the heat exchanger assembly (104). At least one outer heat exchanger plate (114) is mechanically connected to an adjacent end panel (106) and has an outer main surface portion (122) facing the adjacent end panel (106) that is thermally connected to an end panel contacting region (125) of the adjacent end panel (106). The in-plane thermal expansion properties of the outer main surface portion (122) are identical to in-plane thermal expansion properties of the end panel contacting region (125). |
| US09273905B2 |
Deacidification process and apparatus thereof
A deacidification apparatus and a deacidification process using the apparatus are disclosed. The deacidification apparatus includes a deacidification furnace, of which a furnace upper section, a furnace middle section and a furnace lower section are provided in upper, middle and lower portions respectively, wherein a gas-solid mixture inlet (1), a exhaust outlet (3) and a filtered air port (2) are provided on the furnace upper section, a product outlet (13) is provided on the furnace lower section, the upper portion of the deacidification is mounted with a filter (5) to which the gas-solid mixture inlet (1), the exhaust outlet (2) and the filtered air port (3) are connected, the filtered air port (2) is connected with a gas pulse device and a vacuum device by a three-way connecting device, and the exhaust outlet (3) is connected with atmosphere or connected with the vacuum device. |
| US09273901B2 |
Microwave vacuum-drying of organic materials
An apparatus (20) for dehydrating organic material in batches has a processing unit (22) having a microwave-vacuum chamber (34), an input module (28) and an output module (30), with a conveyor (54) for moving the material through the chamber on a microwave-transparent window. A material reservoir (68) is arranged to receive the material exiting the output module. A conveyor (78) external to the vacuum chamber conveys material that exits the reservoir to the input module. The vacuum chamber (34), reservoir (68) and external conveyor (78) are in fluid communication to operate at a common, reduced pressure. The organic material passes through the vacuum chamber multiple times to equilibrate and dry to the desired degree. |
| US09273898B2 |
Device for detecting abnormality in refrigeration cycle of refrigerator and method therefor
The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detecting an abnormality in a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator that is capable of detecting whether connection pipes disposed between a refrigerant passage valve and a freezer evaporator and between the refrigerant passage valve and a cold room evaporator are blocked and switched. |
| US09273893B2 |
Manufacturing equipment for rapidly freezing spherically-shaped foods using a cryogenic refrigerant
A method for manufacturing a spherical frozen food is provided. One or more plates are provided. The plates, when together, form a spherical mold. An inlet facilitates the injection of a mixture into the mold. The mold is subjected to a low temperature such that the mixture is caused to freeze. A rotating mechanism may cause one or more of the plates to open and/or rotate outwardly such that the frozen material may be removed from the mold with ease. Liquid nitrogen may be used to freeze the material. |
| US09273886B2 |
Magnetic refrigerator utilizing a permanent magnet to create movement between plates comprising high and low temperature side heat exchangers
A magnetic body is provided to improve heat transport capability and heat transport efficiency. A magnetic body arranged plate has magnetic body units each including magnetic members. Low-temperature side and high-temperature side heat exchange units are disposed at ends of each magnetic body unit. Permanent magnets and heat conductive members are arranged on a magnet/heat conductive member arranged plate. When the magnetic body arranged plate and the magnet/heat conductive member arranged plate are moved relative to each other, the permanent magnets apply magnetism separately to the magnetic members of each magnetic body unit. The magnet/heat conductive member arranged plate creates a temperature difference and conducts heat in one direction between the magnetic members, the low-temperature side heat exchange unit, and the high-temperature side heat exchange unit. |
| US09273884B2 |
Freeze protection system for solar receiver
A solar receiver has an arrangement of heat transfer surfaces and a heat transfer fluid phase separator, such as a vertical steam/water separator, fluidly interconnected thereto. The receiver includes a plurality of heat transfer fluid filled components, and at least one alternate heat source. When various temperature measurements indicate freezing or solidification of the fluid is possible, the alternate heat source is activated to maintain a temperature of the fluid greater than the freezing/solidification point of the fluid. The application of the alternate heat source further induces natural circulation of the fluid within the components, further providing freeze/solidification protection to the receiver. A controller may be configured to receive sensed temperatures of the fluid, components, ambient air, etc., and use these temperatures relative to a threshold temperature to activate, vary output, and deactivate one or more alternate heat sources. |
| US09273882B2 |
Electrical heating device with a plate element comprising conductive paths
An electrical heating includes a plurality of electrical heating elements which are held by a housing and which abut heat conducting surfaces over which a medium to be heated flows. The electrical heating elements comprise contact lugs, arranged essentially at the same height, that are connected through a plate element. The plate element includes conductive paths and contact lug receptacles for the contact lugs. The plate element may include a carrier plate of non-conducting material and a stamped out metal plate that are joined together to form one unit. A method of manufacturing a plate element includes manufacturing the carrier plate by injection moulding and subjecting a metal plate to stamping operations to form area elements which are joined together by connecting ridges and in which the contact lug receptacles are located. The carrier plate and the metal plate are then joined, and the connecting ridges are then parted. |
| US09273877B2 |
Methods and systems for desiccant air conditioning
A desiccant air conditioning system for cooling an air stream entering a building space includes a conditioner and a regenerator. The conditioner includes structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation that are spaced apart from each other with an air stream gap between each pair of adjacent structures. Each structure has a surface facing an air stream gap across which a liquid desiccant can flow. The air stream flows through the air stream gaps between the structures such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air stream. Each structure further includes a separate desiccant collector at a lower end of the surface for collecting liquid desiccant that has flowed across the surface of the structure. The desiccant collectors are spaced apart from each other to permit airflow therebetween. A photovoltaic-thermal module heats a heat transfer fluid used to heat the liquid desiccant in the regenerator. |
| US09273875B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus having indoor, outdoor, and relay units
A refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches the circulation path of the refrigerant, a heat source side heat exchanger that exchanges heat, expansion valves that adjust the pressure of the refrigerant, and two or more intermediate heat exchangers that exchange heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium to heat and cool the heat medium, by piping. A heat medium circulation circuit is configured by connecting two or more intermediate heat exchangers, pumps that pressurize the heat medium, two or more use side heat exchangers that exchange heat between the heat medium and the air in the indoor space, and flow path switching valves that switch paths of the heated heat medium or the cooled heat medium to the use side heat exchangers, by piping. |
| US09273872B1 |
Weather resistant portable heater
An elongated housing of a portable forced air unit is provided with a combustion chamber located therein. One or more side covers of the controls compartment protects the compartment from weather or more specifically water related damage or malfunction. The one or more side covers direct external water away from the controls compartment and may also direct internal water within the controls compartment away from electronic devices contained therein. A successive higher overlapping of the housing, one or more side covers, and the fuel tank assembly may cascade external water away from the unit. |
| US09273867B2 |
Retractable ignition system
An integrated retractable burner ignition system including a burner having an outlet face and a flow passage including a front end substantially coincident with the outlet face of the burner and a gas inlet positioned rearward from the front end of the flow passage, an igniter including a high voltage electrode surrounded by an insulator and extending beyond the insulator to form a tip end of the igniter, the igniter being mounted slidably within the flow passage, an actuator connected to a rear portion of the igniter and configured to advance and retract the igniter within the flow passage, and a slidable seal between the igniter and the flow passage, the seal being positioned rearward of the gas inlet of the flow passage and frontward of the rear portion of the igniter. |
| US09273866B2 |
Geothermal assisted power generation
In a coal fired power plant (17) incorporating a feed-water heater (10), energy is provided to the feed-water heater by pumping geothermal hot water through supply and return pipes (15, 16) from a geothermal reservoir (14) located beneath an adjacent coal seam (19). The coal seam acts as an insulating layer, increasing the temperature of the geothermal reservoir (14). Solar heat collectors (21) and (25) can also be provided to boost the temperature of the geothermal hot water and/or the feed water. |
| US09273865B2 |
Once-through vertical evaporators for wide range of operating temperatures
An evaporator for steam generation is presented. The evaporator includes a plurality of primary evaporator stages and a secondary evaporator stage. Each primary stage includes one or more primary arrays of heat transfer tubes, an outlet manifold coupled to the arrays, and a downcomer coupled to the manifold. Each of the primary arrays has an inlet for receiving a fluid and is arranged transverse to a flow of gas through the evaporator. The gas heats the fluid flowing through the arrays to form a two phase flow. The outlet manifold receives the two phase flow from the arrays and the downcomer distributes the flow as a component of a primary stage flow. One or more of the plurality of primary evaporator stages selectively form the primary stage flow from respective components of the two phase flow, and provide the primary stage flow to inlets of the secondary evaporator stage. |
| US09273863B2 |
Light fixture with airflow passage separating driver and emitter
An illustrative light fixture provides an emitter housing and a driver housing in a single fixture with an airflow channel defined between the emitter and driver housings. The airflow channel minimizes thermal conduction between the emitter and driver housings, and maximizes thermal convective cooling for at least one of the emitter housing and driver housing. The emitter housing includes vertical fins extending into the airflow chamber. The left and right sides of the emitter and driver housings define top and bottom edges that are respectively coplanar with the top and bottom edges of the vertical fins. |
| US09273860B2 |
Sensor module for a lighting fixture
A sensor module is integrated into a lighting fixture. The sensor module includes one or more environmental sensors and can be readily installed in or removed from the lighting fixture. In one embodiment, a heatsink of the lighting fixture is configured to receive the sensor module. Readings from the environmental sensors may be passed to control electronics associated with the lighting fixture and used to control the light output of the lighting fixture. The readings may also be passed on to other lighting fixtures, which may also use the readings to control their light output. |
| US09273859B2 |
Enclosure lighting system
The present invention provides a lighting system for lighting the interior of an enclosure. The enclosure has at least one movable door or drawer for opening and accessing the interior of the enclosure. The lighting system includes a light assembly with a lower casing and an upper casing. The light assembly also includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) mounted within the upper casing, at least one battery mounted within the upper casing, electrical circuitry connecting the plurality of LED's to the battery, a means for mounting the lower casing to a surface, and a electrical receptacle mounted within the lower casing. The lighting system further includes a magnetic switch including an electrical cable or harness. The cable has an electrical plug configured to electrically mate with the receptacle of the lower casing. The magnetic switch has a means for mounting to an interior enclosure surface. The electrical cable or harness allows mounting of the magnetic switch at a location within the enclosure away from the light assembly. The lighting system further includes a magnet having a means for mounting the magnet to the enclosure door. The magnet is positioned in proximity to the magnetic switch when the enclosure door is in a closed position. Upon installation of the lighting system, the plug of the magnetic switch is mated with the electrical receptacle of the lower casing. The battery, magnetic switch, circuitry, and the LED are arranged, mounted, and electrically interconnected within the enclosure. When the enclosure door is opened, the magnet is removed from proximity to magnetic switch, the circuitry connects power from the battery to the plurality of LED's, and the LED's light the enclosure interior. |
| US09273855B2 |
Illuminated pole
The present invention provides an illumination device comprising an elongated support element (10) with an illumination source (20) integrated therein. Preferably the elongated element is collapsible, telescopic or resiliently flexible. It may comprise a plurality of sections (11, 12) which are adapted to reciprocate between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The device is particularly suitable for temporary or collapsible structures such as tents, umbrellas, awnings, shades or the like. |
| US09273852B2 |
Rotary lamp holder
A rotary lamp holder comprises a housing having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal having an opening, a motor stator disposed around the inner circumference of the housing, a rotating shaft and rotatably mounted in the housing, the rotating shaft defining a cavity in communication with the opening of the first longitudinal end, a motor rotor fixed to the rotating shaft and coaxially disposed with the motor stator, a lamp cover bracket rotatably mounted relative to the housing and extending out of the first longitudinal, and a reduction transmission system located in the housing and connected to the rotating shaft and the lamp cover bracket respectively. Since the rotary lamp holder is compact in structure and size and can completely match any standard lamp holder and lamp cover, it can become a universal substitute for the lamp holder mounted on ordinary lamps. |
| US09273848B2 |
Light source unit having reflecting substances with higher and lower reflectivity for light of non-visible light wavelengths and image reading device
The light source unit comprises a light source emitting visible light and light of a non-visible wavelength; a rod-like light guide at the end of which the light source is provided and within which incident light from the light source is propagated in the long axis direction; a reflector that is linear along the long axis direction and provided on the contour surface of the light guide; and a support member encompassing the reflector and light guide, having a given width in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction, and provided with an opening extending along the long axis direction. The reflector and support member are formed by a reflecting material containing a substance reflecting the light of a non-visible light wavelength and reflecting the visible light and light of a non-visible light wavelength. |
| US09273841B2 |
Solar powered ground light
A solar powered ground lights is typically mounted in a walkway, pathway, pool deck, roadway, park pathway, either in cement, wood, synthetic materials, or otherwise, and are ideally suited for use in walkways, walls, ceilings, and pool or dock areas because they are readily mounted from the top, requiring only a cylindrical depression and possibly three screws for mounting and require no external wiring. The solar powered ground lights are LED or electro-illuminescent or similar type, supported close to a lens for a good low angle view factor and are low voltage and safe. A solar panel recharges the battery. The system may be fully IP68 waterproof rated. |
| US09273840B1 |
Integrated illumination system
An integrated illumination system can comprise a combination of components configured to collect, convert, and store solar energy as electrical energy and subsequently convert the electrical energy into visible light. The integrated illumination system can be suitable for installation into or onto a building structure as a convenient, standalone ‘plug-and-play’ package. The integrated illumination system can include control strategies to manage various aspects of the system's “user interface” (e.g., color, color temperature such as ‘warmth’ of emitted light, system efficiency, etc.). The control strategies can manage aspects of the integrated illumination system that can be specified, monitored, controlled, and packaged/customized for an application and/or environment. |
| US09273838B2 |
Light-emitting module and lighting apparatus
A light-emitting module may be configured to have improved light emission efficiency and light distribution characteristics. A light-emitting module may include a substrate having a front surface side as a component mounting surface and a rear surface side as a flat heat dissipating surface, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a manner protruding at a central portion of the component mounting surface of the substrate. The light-emitting elements may radiate light at least in an upper surface direction and in a direction along the component mounting surface. The module may further include one or more lighting circuit components electrically connected to the light emitting elements by a wiring pattern arranged on the substrate and which is arranged closer to the peripheral edge side of the substrate than the light emitting elements on the component mounting surface of the substrate, and a connector for power supply connection. |
| US09273833B2 |
LED light fixtures with arrangement for electrical connection
An LED light fixture includes a heat sink structure, at least one LED board in thermal engagement with the heat sink structure, the at least one LED board having at least one LED emitter thereon, and an on-board connector on the LED board for connecting electrical wiring to the LED emitter(s). At least one enclosing member forms with the heat sink an interior space enclosing a corresponding LED board, the rigid enclosing member defining a wiring aperture therethrough in alignment with the on-board connector. The LED light fixture also has an exterior wireway structure including a one-piece duct which has an end portion engaged with the wiring aperture and forms a channel for wires to the on-board connector. The wireway structure further includes a single-piece rigid cover secured with respect to the enclosing member and enclosing the duct. |
| US09273832B2 |
Fixation device and an assembly structure
There is provided a fixation device (100) and an assembly structure 10 comprising light emitting diode module, LED module, (200) and at least one fixation device (100) for in a mounted position fixating the LED module to a mounting surface (300). The fixation device comprises a main body (103), a first fixation means (102) for securing LED module to the mounting surface, a second fixation means (106, 506) for securing the fixation device to the LED module and at least one resilient portion (107, 108) arranged to extend from the main body and to, in a mounted position, at least partly bear against a predetermined bearing surface (201, 202) of the LED module such that a controlled force which is independent of the first fixation means is applied the bearing surface of the LED module by means of the resilient portion. |
| US09273827B1 |
Counterforce safety system
A kinetic response system comprising an impact member to receive an impact force thereto, one or more annular guides positioned proximate the impact member, one or more projectile masses to respectively travel along the one or more annular guides, a kinetic energy converter to accelerate the one or more projectile masses along the one or more annular guides, and a controller to selectively trigger the kinetic energy converter to accelerate the one or more projectile masses along the one or more annular guides. The one or more projectile masses being accelerated in response to the impact force contributing to acceleration of the impact member above a defined threshold. The accelerated projectile masses create a rotational force to cause a kinetic push against the impact member in opposition to the impact force. |
| US09273825B1 |
Modular item holder and clamp
A modular clamp for storing a spear gun or other items on a marine vessel comprising a fixed clamp arm and a pivoting movable clamp arm, wherein the fixed clamp arm and the pivoting movable clamp arm define an openable clamp releasably receiving one or more items. A support block extends from the rear of the fixed clamp arm and a pressure spring is disposed between an outside wall of the pivoting movable clamp arm and the support block. The pivoting movable clamp arm pivots with respect to the fixed clamp arm and the pressure spring provides for resilient closure of the clamp. A strap is provided to lock the clamp closed. |
| US09273821B2 |
Positioning device working with fixer for handheld, portable, mobile device
A positioning device working with a fixer for handheld, portable, mobile devices includes a securing member coupled to the fixer that serves to hold a mobile device in position. The securing member has a locking unit and a first connecting portion for engaging with the fixer. The securing member can secure the fixer onto an external article with the locking unit securing the securing member to the external article, so as to rapidly, removably suspend the mobile device at a nearby handrail. Thereby, the mobile device is strongly positioned over the external article by the locking unit and prevented from swinging or being displaced. |
| US09273820B2 |
Holder for receiving and securing a vibration- and/or shock-sensitive component
A holder for receiving and securing a vibration- and/or shock-sensitive component, where the holder is provided with a supporting plate. Good damping characteristics are achieved both under vibrational loading and under shock loading by providing the supporting plate with, at two opposite edges, at least one damping element for supporting a profiled rail. In order to support the profiled rail on an inner side of the respective damping element, the profiled rail is provided with a multi-level bearing surface, where one part of the bearing surface is arranged higher than the rest of the bearing surface, where the profiled rails are configured to fasten the component or side walls, which are respectively arranged substantially at right angles to the supporting plate and are configured to fasten the component. |
| US09273815B2 |
Process for coating the interior surface of water service lines
Methods, processes, compositions and systems for preventing leaching effects from drinking water service pipes (such as lead, steel and copper) having an inner diameter of at least approximately 12 mm. 2-part thermoset resin coating is applied to the inner surfaces of the pipes where the curing agent can be a phenol free and plasticizer free adduct type. The coating can reduce heavy metals, such as lead, from leaching from installed pipes to less than approximately 10 μg/L (10 ppb). When cured, specific leachates, Bisphenol A and Epichlorohydrin from the coatings will be (less than) <1 μg/L (1 ppb) with overall TOC levels measured at (less than) <2.5 mg/L (2.5 ppm). Pipes can be returned to service from at least approximately 1 to approximately 2 hours. |
| US09273814B1 |
Apparatus for patching non-linear pipe sections and method of utilizing the same
A repair apparatus and method is utilized for repairing leaks, ruptures or weaknesses in ell pipe fittings. An arcuate reinforcement structure conforms to the radius of curvature of the convex side of the fitting and a second arcuate reinforcement structure conforms to the curvature of the concave side of the fitting. One or both of the reinforcement structures urges a sealing member against the fitting, with at least one of the sealing members sealing over the leak, rupture, or weakness. The reinforcement structures may have integral bands which may attach to encircle the fitting. |
| US09273810B1 |
Metal hose fitting and flanged insert that safely conducts high velocity fluids/gases up to Mach 1
An apparatus to enable the flow of high speed gases through the apparatus, the apparatus including modifying a metal hose which can be a metal hose or a corrugated metal hose having an exterior braid and an interior liner. The improvement includes inserting a non-bendable flange insert into a leading edge of the metal pipe and combining that with a pipe having a tapered interior wall which is welded to the metal hose to facilitate the flow of gases to a level of Mach 1 without damaging the interior portions of the interior liner. |
| US09273808B2 |
Tube fitting assembly
A tube fitting for sealing an end of a tube uses a notch formed in the exterior surface of the tube as a sealing seat. An internally threaded body is configured to receive an externally threaded end of a nut, while the body and the nut are mounted in a surrounding relationship to the tube end. A ferrule mounted between the nut and the tube is forced to plastically deform and move into the notch to thereby seal the tube end. |
| US09273798B2 |
Automate fluid flow control system
An automate fluid flow control system includes a relief valve for being sealedly disposed within a fluid chamber in an immovable manner to seal a flow of fluid flowing from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, and an actuator. The relief valve has a fluid passage for controlling a flow rate of the fluid passing from the fluid chamber to the fluid outlet, and a valve stopper sealedly closing the fluid passage for controlling the fluid flowing from the fluid chamber to the fluid outlet, wherein the valve stopper is driven to move between a closed position that the valve stopper is sealedly retained to close the fluid passage for blocking said fluid passing to the fluid outlet, and an opened position that the valve stopper is moved to unseal the fluid passage for allowing the fluid passing to the fluid outlet through the fluid passage. |
| US09273797B2 |
Chain valve release tool
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed with regard to a tool for actuating chain-operated assemblies. One embodiment includes a tool including an elongated member having a top, a bottom, and a length greater than a width. Further, the tool includes a first set of equidistantly spaced hooks in a linear arrangement along the length, wherein the first set is located closer to the top than the bottom. When one or more hooks engage the chain of the chainwheel, a further feature enables the tool to lock down on those engaged chains, and, thereby, provide safer pulling and pushing to open and close the chain-operated assembly. Further still, the tool includes at least one handle in an offset, parallel position relative to the first set, wherein the at least one handle may be located closer to the bottom than the top. |
| US09273792B2 |
Solenoid valve with magnet filter
A solenoid valve with the magnet filter includes a flange having a guide hollow part formed therein, in which at least one port that communicates with the guide hollow part is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the flange to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction; a spool that is slidably installed in the guide hollow part; and a driving unit that is installed at a lower end of the spool and allows the spool to slide along the guide hollow part by a supply of current, wherein a bypass flow passage is formed in the driving unit so that bypass of oil or air is performed, and a magnet filter is installed at one side of the bypass flow passage so as to prevent introduction of metallic foreign substances. |
| US09273791B2 |
Pilot solenoid valve
The invention relates to a solenoid valve including an electromagnet (17, 4, 3, 10) made of a flat movable core (10), a fixed core (3) and a coil (17), the solenoid valve comprising a body (4) which also belongs to the electromagnet and includes an opening (23) located at the rear of the body (4), opposite the supply opening (18), for inserting the flat movable core (10), the fixed core (3) and the coil (17). The body (4) is secured to a retaining ring (8) made of a non-magnetic material, a flat spring (9) being compressed between the retaining ring (8) and the flat movable core (10). |
| US09273786B2 |
Three-way valve with return end-stop on the air pathway
Three-way valve with two flaps comprising common control means (9) for the two flaps and actuation means (12, 13, 50) arranged each to drive, pivotwise, one of the two flaps, from one to the other of its open and closed position of one of the pathways, with a temporal phase-shift, such that, in a first stage the common control means pivot the second flap, the first flap remaining in a waiting position under the action of return means, and in a second stage, said control means, while continuing to pivot the second flap, begin to pivot the first flap, characterized in that said second actuation means (12, 50) comprises a return driving means (71) making it possible to pivot the second flap (5) to its first position under the action of the common control means (9) in the case of a failure of said return means. |
| US09273785B2 |
Flow channel switching valve
A flow channel switching valve is provided including a stator and a rotor inside a housing, in which the rotor is rotated by a rotor drive portion while sliding on the stator. A rotor drive shaft holding the rotor is biased to a housing top side by an elastic member. A drive shaft stopper is provided that limits movement when the rotor drive shaft moves to the housing top side from a normal position when a housing top is attached to a housing body. |
| US09273782B2 |
Leaf seal
A leaf seal for effecting a seal between two, coaxial, relatively rotating components. The leaf seal has an annular pack of stacked leaves. The pack is mountable to a first one of the components with interleaf gaps formed between working portions of neighbouring leaves. The leaves extend towards the other component such that end edges of leaf working portions are presented for wiping contact with the other component. At least adjacent its end leaf edge, each leaf has a rear section at or adjacent the low pressure side of the pack and a front section which extends from the rear section to the high pressure side of the pack. The rear sections of the leaves are thicker than their respective front sections to reduce the interleaf gaps at the rear sections such that most of the pressure drop across the pack is over the rear sections. |
| US09273779B2 |
Manual transmission for vehicles
A manual transmission for vehicles minimizes rotational inertia and improves rattle as a consequence of preventing unnecessary idling of a first speed gear and a reverse speed gear by maintaining a first input gear to be a free gear state at all shift-speeds except a first forward speed and a reverse speed. |
| US09273774B2 |
Thrust force reactions in an automatic transmission
A system producing force reactions in a transmission includes a case including front and rear surfaces, a reaction component, a gearset including a ring gear and a sun gear that transmits a forward force to the front surface, a first path for transmitting a rearward force from the ring gear to the rear surface, a second path for transmitting a forward force from the ring gear to the reaction component, and a third path for transmitting a rearward force from the sun gear to the reaction component. |
| US09273769B2 |
Automatic transmission device for automobile
An automatic transmission device for an automobile includes a torque converter accommodated in a torque converter housing, a stator shaft supporting a stator of the torque converter, a torque converter housing, a stator shaft supporting a stator of the torque converter, a torque converter sleeve provided concentrically with the stator shaft and coupled with an inner periphery side of an impeller shell of the torque converter, a first bearing provided between an inner peripheral surface of the torque converter sleeve and an outer peripheral surface of the stator shaft, and a second bearing provided between an outer peripheral surface of the torque converter sleeve and an inner surface of the torque converter housing. |
| US09273761B2 |
XYθ precision alignment platform
A xyθ precision alignment platform is provided. The alignment platform includes three power units and three moving platform. Two of the power units can drive a third moving platform moving in X or Y direction. The other power unit has a worm which can drive an arcuate teeth arrangement disposed between the second moving platform and the third moving platform to drive the third moving platform rotating. Whereby, since the worm is arranged to drive the arcuate teeth arrangement laterally, the alignment platform is thin and the rotative movement of the third moving platform can be precisely controlled. Additionally, each power unit may be electrically connected to a controller for respectively driving and controlling each power unit. When only the rotation of the third moving platform is required, only one of the power units needs to be driven, thus simplifying the operation of the alignment platform and improving the work efficiency. |
| US09273760B2 |
Electric traction drives
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT. In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets. |
| US09273759B2 |
Chain guide and chain transmission device
A chain guide having excellent durability is provided. The chain guide includes a guide base arranged along a portion of an outer periphery of a chain for transmitting torque and elongated in the direction in which the chain travels; a plurality of roller shafts attached to the guide base so as to be spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the chain travels; and rollers rotatably supported by the respective roller shafts. The distance between the centers of each adjacent pair of the rollers is set to be shorter in the area where a larger load is applied to the rollers. |
| US09273754B2 |
Non-uniform axisymmetric driveline/axle damper
A non-uniform axisymmetric damper device is provided, comprising a first portion that extends radially outward from an outer surface of a flange protrusion, and is spaced from and concentric with the flange protrusion. Further, a second portion of the damper device is provided with an inner surface coupled to an outer surface of the first portion and a non-uniform outer surface extending radially outward from the first portion. Accordingly, a light-weight damper is provided that allows for resonance suppression in six degrees of freedom. |
| US09273752B1 |
Vibration isolator device for vehicle fairings
Truck fairings are connected together with a vibration-isolating bracket device. The device includes three parts: two brackets and a strap. The brackets are a lightweight material such as aluminum. The brackets are formed and configured to be coupled together by the strap without the need for further fasteners such as bolts or rivets. The strap is flexible and elastic and provides vibration isolation as well as coupling. |
| US09273745B2 |
Shock absorber
A shock absorber includes a damping force adjustment mechanism having a flow passage that allows the fluid from a cylinder, a valve seat, a valve body, and a stepper motor that adjusts a flow passage area by driving the valve body. A valve body position in which step-out may occur in the stepper motor if the valve body is moved further toward the valve seat therefrom is set as a step-out boundary position, a zone between a seated position in which the valve body is seated on the valve seat and the step-out boundary position is set as a step-out zone, and when the valve body is to be moved to the seated position through the step-out zone, the stepper motor is energized to move the valve body by a distance that is at least twice a distance to the seated position. |
| US09273743B2 |
Spring assembly and manufacturing method therefor
A spring assembly includes a substrate, an inner coil spring, and an outer coil spring arranged outside the inner coil spring. One of the inner coil spring and the outer coil spring includes an end turn portion, the end turn portion forming a support wall for an other of the inner coil spring and the outer coil spring. |
| US09273738B2 |
Belt park brake and methods
Park brake systems comprising a motor shaft coupled to a brake drum, wherein the brake drum comprises a first groove and a second groove, wherein the brake drum is mounted to the motor shaft so as to rotate with the motor shaft, a first belt at least partially disposed in the first groove and about a first pivot linkage, a second belt at least partially disposed in the second groove and about a second pivot linkage, a first actuator piston coupled to an actuator and the first pivot linkage, a second actuator piston coupled to the actuator and the second pivot linkage, and a pivot base coupled to the first pivot linkage and the second pivot linkage are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed. |
| US09273736B2 |
Drivetrain-clutch arrangement and fluid cylinder therefor
Fluid cylinder for activating an element of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. The fluid cylinder has a cylinder housing and a piston. The piston is sealed off from the cylinder housing by means of a piston seal. At least one fluid chamber is formed between the cylinder housing and the piston, which fluid chamber can be connected via at least a first fluid connection to a fluid supply device. The piston in a piston stop position rests against a stop surface of the cylinder housing. The first fluid connection is formed in the region of the stop surface of the cylinder housing. The piston is connected to a sealing device which seals off the first fluid connection in the piston stop position. |
| US09273732B2 |
Bearing with a supporting element and method of supporting a first ring of a bearing
A bearing with a supporting element, wherein the bearing is suitable for connecting a rotor blade of a wind turbine with a hub of the wind turbine is provided. The bearing comprises a first ring, which is arranged and prepared to be connected with the hub, and a second ring, which is arranged and prepared to be connected with the rotor blade. The rotor blade is rotatable with regard to the hub around a rotor blade axis of rotation. Furthermore, the bearing comprises a supporting element for supporting the first ring, in particular against deformation. The supporting element is arranged and prepared to be attached to the first ring with a first fixing element and to the hub with a second fixing element. A method of supporting a first ring of a bearing is also provided. |
| US09273728B2 |
Rolling bearing having rings with stepped surfaces opposite to the raceways
A rolling bearing is provided that includes an outer ring having a first portion which includes a first raceway and a second portion that includes a second raceway that has a larger diameter than the first raceway. An outer diameter of the first portion of the outer ring is less than an outer diameter of the second portion of the outer ring. The rolling bearing includes an inner ring having a first portion that includes a first raceway and a second portion that includes a second raceway that has a larger diameter than the first raceway. An inner diameter of the first portion of the inner ring is less than an inner diameter of the second portion of the inner ring. |
| US09273727B2 |
Method for producing a track element of a bearing assembly
A method for manufacturing a raceway element of a bearing assembly includes hardening a raceway element having a raceway surface by at least partially heating the raceway element, deep rolling the raceway surface using a first rolling element, and then deep rolling the raceway surface using a second rolling element. The first rolling element has at least one different dimension than the second rolling element. In the resulting raceway element, compressive residual stresses of at least 400 MPa are present at a depth from the raceway surface of 200 μm or less, and between the raceway surface and a depth of 100 μm from the raceway surface, the amount of the compressive residual stresses changes by 500 MPa or less. |
| US09273726B2 |
Method, cage and rolling bearing
The invention concerns a method to produce a cage (1) for a rolling bearing (40), wherein the method comprises the steps of; —(10): providing an elongated metal profile (1) comprising a first and second distant ends (12, 13), wherein the metal profile (1) is essentially ring-shaped, —(20): subsequently joining the first and second ends (12, 13) of the metal profile (1) to thereby form a closed ring (1), —(30): forming in the closed ring (1) a plurality of openings (14) on at least one axial side face of the ring (1), wherein the openings (14) are meant to receive at least one rolling element (43) of the rolling bearing (40), and wherein the forming of the openings (14) is made by drilling from the axial side face of the ring (1). Furthermore, the invention regards a cage (1) and a rolling bearing (40). |
| US09273719B2 |
Bracket having a secondary locking feature for attachment of a shift cable to a transmission
A bracket assembly is configured for supporting a connector of a shift cable assembly on a transmission. The bracket assembly includes a first section and a second section. The first section defines a groove configured for receiving the connector. The second section is pivotably attached to the first section. The second section is pivotable relative to the first section between an open position and a closed position. The second section is configured for capturing the connector within the groove when the connector is received within the groove and the second section is in the closed position. The second section is configured to allow the connector to be removed from the groove when the second section is in the open position. |
| US09273718B2 |
Rotary joint assembly and combination clip-hook and jewelry piece employing the same
This invention provides a combination clip and hook (clip) for use generally in suspending articles having shoulder or hand straps, or carrying other accessories, such as keys, which is rotatably movable about a rotary joint between a first position in which two opposing, rotatably joined portions of the overall clip structure are oriented together to form a continuous, enclosed shape that can be secured around another strap or loop on an item or piece of clothing, and a second position in which the two portions of the structure are rotated out of the enclosed shape, and into, for example, a substantially S-shaped hook in which one portion of the structure supports the strap of the item and the other portion can be applied to a clothing hook, chair back, table surface, door top, or other supporting member. |
| US09273716B2 |
Self-indexing nut plate
An aircraft comprises a plurality of spanner bars. Each spanner bar has a pattern of mounting holes separated by lands. A plurality of nut plates engage the spanner bars. Each nut plate includes a body having a mounting surface against one of the spanner bars; and first and second posts extending from the mounting surface and through respective holes in the corresponding spanner bar. Each post has an undercut portion that abuts against one of the lands. Each nut plate further includes a locking member occupying a space between one of the posts and the lands to prevent the nut plate from disengaging the corresponding spanner bar. |
| US09273714B2 |
System and method of installing and removing a temporary concrete barrier from a bridge deck
A system for installing and removing a temporary concrete barrier from a bridge deck includes a bolt, a star washer, a flat washer, a two-part sleeve, and a barbed nut. A method of using the system includes the steps of positioning the temporary concrete barrier at a desired location on the bridge deck; drilling a mounting hole in the bridge deck; filling the mounting hole with epoxy; inserting the barbed nut and two-part sleeve into the mounting hole and epoxy; inserting the bolt into the two-part sleeve and the barbed nut; waiting for the epoxy to set, tightening the system so that the temporary concrete barrier is held in place with respect to the bridge deck; loosening the system and removing the concrete harrier when it is no longer needed; and filling the mounting hole with epoxy after the concrete barrier is removed. |
| US09273711B2 |
Method and system of affixing a plaque to a solid surface
A method and system of affixing a plaque to a solid surface is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one opening in a face of the solid surface and inserting a plaque support into the at least one opening. The plaque support includes a body defining a passageway therethrough and having a first end and a second end. The first end has a flange portion. Further, at least one outer tab member extends radially outward toward the first end and at least one inner tab member extends radially inward toward the second end. The outer tab member engages the solid surface upon insertion of the plaque support into the at least one opening. The method and system further include providing the plaque with at least one installation fastener. The at least one installation fastener is inserted into the passageway of the plaque support, such that the at least one inner tab member engages the at least one installation fastener. |
| US09273705B2 |
Aircraft hydraulic system
An aircraft hydraulic system for operating a plurality of hydraulically-operated actuators in the aircraft having a hydraulic reservoir in which hydraulic fluid is stored, a hydraulic distribution system coupling the hydraulic reservoir to the actuators and having a main flow line coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pump fluidly coupled to the main flow line and the hydraulic reservoir to pump hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the main flow line, a main filtration system fluidly coupled to the main flow line upstream of at least some of the actuators, and a self-cleaning filter fluidly coupled upstream of the main filtration system. |
| US09273702B2 |
Dynamically adjusting counterbalance valve
A counterbalance valve is provided with load-sensing, hydro-mechanically setting, features. The counterbalance valve relief setting changes dynamically based on the load pressure at the load port of the counterbalance valve. |
| US09273700B2 |
Pressure medium supply arrangement
A pressure medium supply arrangement for operating a pneumatic apparatus, comprises a pressure medium supply, a pressure medium connection, a vent connection and at least one pressure medium charging connection to the pneumatic apparatus, together with a suction line, a compressor line, a vent line and at least one pressure medium charging line. A charging apparatus is configured to simultaneously direct the pressurized pressure medium applied to the pressure medium charging connection, and the further pressure medium made available in the charging apparatus by the first compressor stage of a two-stage or multistage compressor, to the second compressor stage of the compressor. |
| US09273694B2 |
Reactor coolant pump motor load-bearing assembly configuration
A method of upgrading a 1,500 rpm reactor coolant pump motor having a vertically oriented rotor shaft supported by a lower guide bearing disposed in an oil reservoir. The method includes removing a lower guide bearing support to enhance circulation of the oil to facilitate cooling of the oil and operating the reactor coolant pump motor at 1,500 rpm without the lower guide bearing support or the oil baffle or flinger ring attached to the lower guide bearing support. The method further includes thickening a keeper to support the guide bearing. |
| US09273692B2 |
Centrifugal fan, housing component cast, and method of manufacturing housing component
A centrifugal fan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an impeller, a motor portion, and a housing. The housing includes an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and a side wall portion. The upper plate portion or the lower plate portion includes an air inlet. One of the upper and lower plate portions and the side wall portion together define a single housing component molded by casting. A portion of the one of the upper and lower plate portions which is along a boundary between the side wall portion and the one of the upper and lower plate portions defines an increased thickness portion arranged to have an axial thickness greater than that of a remaining portion of the one of the upper and lower plate portions. |
| US09273690B2 |
Fluid compressor and/or pump arrangement
The present invention relates to a compressor or pump unit for the production or flow of compressed fluid and more particularly to a new uniquely designed compressor which has the capabilities to both draw fluid from an intake opening and direct dischargeable compressed fluid to a storage tank utilizing a single compressor chamber simultaneously. |
| US09273684B2 |
Hermetic electric compressor
An object is to provide a hermetic electric compressor that can simplify the installation structure of an internal protector and improve the ease-of-assembly thereof.In a hermetic electric compressor having a compressor and an electric motor (10) built into a sealed housing (2), the electric motor (10) includes a stator (8) to which plastic insulating bobbins (30) having flanges (30B, 30C) on an inner and outer circumferences of a plurality of tooth parts of a stator core are fitted and around which a stator winding wire (8A) is wound in concentrated winding around the plastic insulating bobbins (30), and an internal protector (29) for electric-motor protection is latched between the inner and outer circumferential flanges (30B, 30C) of the plastic insulating bobbins (30) by being urged against the stator winding wire (8A). |
| US09273680B2 |
Floor pump capable of transmitting air pressure value via wireless transmission to mobile electronic device for indication
A floor pump includes a base, a cylinder, a hose assembly, a valve assembly, a piston rod, and a pressure sensing device. The cylinder is mounted on the base. The hose assembly includes a hose, a nozzle, and a recess connected with each other. The valve assembly is mounted in the base and connected between the cylinder and the hose assembly. The piston rod is connected with a piston reciprocable inside the cylinder. The pressure sensing device is disposed in the recess and interconnected with the valve assembly. The pressure sensing device can measure the pressure value of the air flowing into the pressure sensing recess and is connectable with a mobile electronic device via wireless transmission for indicating the air pressure value. |
| US09273678B2 |
Compression device, and thermodynamic system comprising such a compression device
The compression device according to the invention includes first and second compressors mounted in parallel and an oil level equalization line arranged to fluidly connect the oil sumps of the first and second compressors. The oil level equalization line includes at least one oil level regulating portion positioned near one of the first and second compressors and including a dam wall extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of said oil level regulating portion and a flow opening arranged such that, when the oil level in the oil sump of the compressor situated near the oil level regulating portion extends above the upper level of the dam wall, oil flows through the flow opening toward the other compressor. |
| US09273676B2 |
Piezoelectric pump
The piezoelectric pump comprises a housing, containing the following components connected in series: a rear piezoelectric clamp section, a piezoelectric extender section and a front piezoelectric clamp section. A displacer of pumped fluid is connected to the front piezoelectric clamp section. Electric pulses accessing at sections from a control station cause said sections to become fixed alternately inside the housing. Under the effect of electric pulses, the piezoelectric extender section moves the displacer step-by-step in one direction. Positive effect achieved by the invention is that of increasing the service life of the piezoelectric pump, expanding the scope of use thereof by increasing the number of fluids that can be pumped and also providing for a greater pressure by preventing contact between the pumped fluid and the friction surfaces of the housing and the piezoelectric clamp sections. |
| US09273674B2 |
Device and method for the defined longitudinal shifting of an adjusting device, which rotates along in a drive shaft
The invention relates to a device and method for the defined longitudinal shifting of an adjusting device which rotates along in a drive shaft, along the center axis of the drive shaft. The solution according to the invention is characterized in that a working chamber (12) is arranged at the opposite end of the drive shaft (1), into which working chamber a passage hole (7) arranged in the drive shaft (1) opens, wherein a working piston (13) that operatively connects to the working chamber (12) is arranged in such a way that, in the event of a pressure build-up in the working chamber (12), the adjusting device (2) is variably moved against the spring force of a restoring spring (10) by means of a radial piston pump according to the invention that is arranged on the drive shaft (1). |
| US09273671B2 |
Method for the identification of the drive train main frequency in a wind turbine
Method for the identification in operation of the drive train main vibration frequency of a wind turbine, comprising online steps of: a) obtaining a input signal (r) of the generator speed (Ω); b) filtering the generator speed input signal (r) for obtaining a generator speed signal (r1) in a suitable band for representing the oscillating signal (o) comprised in the input signal (r) of the generator speed (Ω); c) extracting the drive train main vibration frequency (f) from said filtered signal (r1). The invention also comprise a method of damping the drive train vibrations of a wind turbine comprising steps of setting the generator torque reference (Trref) as a function of the generator speed (Ω) and of the drive train main vibration frequency (f) identified by the above mentioned method and wind turbine control system implementing said damping method. |
| US09273670B2 |
Cooling system and method for wind power generator and wind power generator set
A cooling system and method for a wind power generator and a wind power generator set. The cooling system for a wind power generator includes air extraction pipelines and air discharge devices. The air extraction pipelines are located inside a generator case. A pipeline inlet in communication with a generator, a first pipeline outlet in communication with the outside of the generator case, and a second pipeline outlet in communication with the inside of the generator case are arranged on the air extraction pipelines, and the first and second pipeline outlets are provided with air doors. |
| US09273668B2 |
Yaw system for a windmill
The present invention relates to a yaw system 5 for a windmill 1, the windmill comprising a tower 2 and a nacelle 3, the tower and the nacelle being joined by the yaw system and the yaw system further comprising a bearing fixed to the tower, on which bearing the nacelle rests and slides in a yawing movement, and at least one yaw motor arranged to allow the nacelle to perform a rotary motion along the bearing, wherein the yaw system 5 further comprises control means 8 for continuously operating the at least one yaw motor in such a way that the yaw motor strives to maneuver the nacelle according to a setpoint. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the yaw of a windmill 1, comprising the steps of determining a set point for the windmill 1, calculating a yaw error based on the set point and a current alignment of the windmill, determining a size and direction of a torque based at least on the yaw error, and applying the torque to at least one yaw motor of a yaw system for turning the turbine, whereby the method also comprises the step of continuously calculating the yaw error and applying the torque in order to strive towards the setpoint. |
| US09273661B2 |
Combustion control device for internal combustion engine and combustion method for homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture
A combustion control device for an engine capable of operation over a wide range and in which the NOx discharged amount is small is provided, as well as a combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture. The combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture of the present invention forms a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture inside of the cylinder of the engine, and then causes this homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture to combust by way of spark ignition. A temperature at which a steep rise in a laminar burning velocity occurs when changing a cylinder temperature under a pressure condition corresponding to compression top dead center is defined as an inflection-point temperature. With the combustion method of the present invention, the cylinder temperature at compression top dead center inside of the cylinder is raised to higher than the inflection-point temperature upon combusting the homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture. |
| US09273660B2 |
Starter
In a starter, an output shaft is coaxially disposed with a rotating shaft of a motor. A pinion tube is helical-spline-fitted on the output shaft and has a pinion mounted on a non-motor-side end portion thereof. A shift lever is driven by an electromagnetic solenoid to shift both the pinion tube and the pinion relative to the output shaft in a direction away from the motor and thereby bring the pinion into mesh with a ring gear of an engine. A one-way clutch includes an outer arranged so as to be rotated by torque generated by the motor, an inner integrally formed with a motor-side end portion of the output shaft, and a plurality of intermediate members that are arranged between the outer and the inner so as to allow torque transmission from the outer to the inner and inhibit torque transmission from the inner to the outer. |
| US09273651B2 |
Method and system for vacuum generation
Methods and systems are provided for reducing the generation and transmission of objectionable noise from an aspirator to a vehicle cabin during vacuum production. During selected conditions, motive flow through an intake aspirator may cause a hissing noise to be produced at the aspirator, and transmitted through an open check valve in a bypass path between the aspirator and a vacuum reservoir, into a vehicle cabin. During these conditions, an aspirator shut-off valve is closed to reduce motive flow through the aspirator, thereby reducing the hissing noise. |
| US09273647B2 |
Air filter assembly
An air filter assembly for use with an internal combustion engine is provided. The air filter assembly includes a casing having an inlet configured to receive air from the environment, the casing having a passage, and an outlet disposed downstream the passage. A collection chamber collects particles from the drawn air. The collection chamber is disposed downstream from the inlet and upstream from the outlet. A partition is disposed between passage and the collection chamber. The partition has openings configured to allow particles to pass through. A side port is downstream the partition and in fluid communication with the passage. An internal combustion engine utilizing the air filter assembly is also provided. The internal combustion engine includes an air manifold, a combustion chamber and a filter. The air filter assembly is disposed upstream the filter. |
| US09273638B2 |
Variable pressure gaseous fuel regulator
A system for a gaseous-fueled engine, comprising: a gaseous fuel tank, a first pressure regulator comprising: a high pressure chamber coupled to the gaseous fuel tank, a low pressure chamber coupled to an engine fuel rail, and a reference chamber; a second pressure regulator coupled to the reference chamber; a first valve controlling fuel flow from the gaseous fuel tank to the engine fuel rail; a second valve controlling fuel flow from the second pressure regulator to the reference chamber; and a controller including memory with instructions therein for adjusting the valves based on a desired fuel rail pressure. In this way, the system enables at least two different fuel rail pressures such that peak fuel demand can be satisfied without maintaining peak fuel rail pressure at all times. |
| US09273632B2 |
Heat exchanger for aircraft engine
A heat exchanger for an aircraft engine includes: a body including a plate-like first member and a plate-like second member that are stacked in a thickness direction of the first and second members and joined together, and a channel which is defined in the body and in which the cooling target fluid flows; and a corrugated fin plate disposed in the channel in the body. The body is bent along a curved surface to which the heat exchanger is attached. A plurality of heat dissipation fins stand on an outer surface of at least one of the first member or the second member. |
| US09273628B2 |
Piston with improved side loading resistance
A piston including a crown and at least one pin tower coupled to the crown. The pin tower has an opening therein configured to receive a pin therein along a pin axis. The piston further includes a skirt extending generally away from the crown, the skirt including a pair of opposed skirt panel portions. The skirt has a generally non-circular oval shape having a major axis extending generally parallel to the pin axis, wherein the panel portions are offset from the major axis. |
| US09273627B2 |
Injection device
An injection device for an internal combustion engine includes a piezo actuator for moving a valve piston, and a control unit for actuating the piezo actuator. The control unit supplies electrical pulses having different pulse energy to the piezo actuator and determines a return stroke between the piezo actuator and valve piston or a time delay caused by the return stroke. The control unit selects the pulse energies such that a maximum excursion of a movement of the piezo actuator caused by at least one pulse is smaller than the return stroke, whereas a maximum excursion of a piezo actuator movement caused by another pulse(s) is greater than the return stroke, after each of the pulses detects a frequency spectrum of a voltage signal at the piezo actuator during the movement caused by the respective pulse, and determines the return stroke or time delay based on these frequency spectra. |
| US09273625B2 |
Method and control apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine, with a solenoid-actuated intake valve being configured to be biased into a first direction towards a first stop position of the intake valve by means of a biasing force and being configured to be displaced against the biasing force into a second direction opposite to the first direction towards a second stop position of the intake valve by means of magnetic force and to be kept at the second stop position by means of magnetic force. The method includes applying control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve for displacing the intake valve into the second direction to the second stop position and for keeping the intake valve at the second stop position during a first time period by means of magnetic force. |
| US09273624B2 |
Control system having idle speed control learning and method having idle speed control learning for internal combustion engine
A control system for an internal combustion engine that performs learning of a throttle opening degree during idle operation, at which a target idle speed can be obtained, the control system comprising a control section that is configured to use a first learned value and a second learned value as learned values of the throttle opening degree during idle operation and to update the first learned value when a state of combustion is not deteriorated, and update the second learned value when the state of combustion is deteriorated. |
| US09273622B2 |
Methods and systems for pre-ignition control in a variable displacement engine
Methods and systems are provided for reducing pre-ignition incidence in a variable displacement engine during reactivation from a VDE mode. During conditions when one or more deactivated cylinders are reactivated to elevated engine loads, the reactivated cylinder(s) may be temporarily and preemptively enriched to reduce the possibility of cylinder pre-ignition. The preemptive enrichment is learned and further adjusted in a closed loop fashion. |
| US09273620B2 |
Method for regulating a gas engine
The invention relates to a method for regulating a gas engine (1) having a generator (5), wherein a regulator torque is calculated by means of a speed regulator from a speed regulator deviation, wherein a target volume flow is calculated at least as a function of the regulator torque, wherein a fuel volume is determined as a proportion of a fuel-air mixture as a function of the target volume flow, and wherein a target receiver pipe pressure is also calculated as a function of the target volume flow as a guide parameter for a receiver pipe pressure regulating circuit for regulating the mixture pressure (pRRA, pRRB) of a fuel-air mixture in the receiver pipe (12, 13) above the inlet valves of the gas engine (1). The invention is characterized in that a deviation of the regulator torque from a generator torque is calculated and the target receiver pipe pressure is corrected using the deviation. |
| US09273618B2 |
Minimizing alcohol use in high efficiency alcohol boosted gasoline engines
A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions. |
| US09273617B2 |
Control device and control method of vehicle
A control device of a vehicle which device makes a generated voltage of an alternator variable so that a state of charge SOC of a battery installed in the vehicle reaches a control target includes an idle stop permitting SOC setting unit for setting a battery state of charge SOC in which idle stop is permissible, and a battery SOC adjusting unit for reducing and resetting a control target of the battery state of charge SOC in a range beyond the idle stop permitting SOC when a predetermined operation condition holds. |
| US09273615B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine, work machine and control method of internal combustion engine
When an internal combustion engine that is provided in a work machine and that serves as a power source for the work machine is controlled, the following lines are used: a first equal throttle line which is defined to correspond to a case where an amount of fuel injection for the internal combustion engine is maximum where the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is the same and so that an output of the internal combustion engine becomes constant, a second equal throttle line which is defined to correspond to a case where the amount of fuel injection for the internal combustion engine is zero where the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is the same and so that the torque decreases with increase of the rotation speed, and a third equal throttle line which is obtained from the first equal throttle line and the second equal throttle line. |
| US09273612B2 |
Method of operating a gas turbine for reduced ammonia slip
Described herein are methods of operating a gas turbine engine (12) for reduced ammonia slip. An exemplary method (100) includes operating (102) the engine over a range of power output levels; controlling (104) a mass flow of NOx produced in exhaust (19) of the engine to be within 10% over the range of power output levels; and treating (106) the exhaust of the engine in a selective catalytic reduction process (22). In this way, the production of NOx and a corresponding flow of reducing agent (33) utilized in the SCR process remain relatively constant in terms of mass (molar) flow throughout the range of power output levels and ammonia slip is controlled. |
| US09273610B2 |
Starter/generator combination with all variable frequency drives
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor adjacent the compressor, a turbine adjacent the combustor, a shaft, a motor, a primary variable frequency drive, an auxiliary variable frequency drive, and an auxiliary motor. The motor is coupled to the shaft. The primary variable frequency drive is electrically connected to the motor and an AC power source. The auxiliary variable frequency drive is electrically connected to the primary frequency drive. The auxiliary motor is electrically connected to the auxiliary variable frequency drive. |
| US09273607B2 |
Generating power using an ion transport membrane
A system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger and an ITM. The compressor is configured to receive an air stream and compress the air stream to generate a pressurized stream. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the pressured stream and indirectly heat the pressurized stream using heat from an oxygen stream from an Ion Transport Membrane (ITM). The ITM is configured to receive the heated pressurized stream and generate an oxygen stream and the non-permeate stream, wherein the non-permeate stream is passed to a gas turbine burner and the oxygen stream is passed to the heat exchanger. |
| US09273604B2 |
Crankshaft
A crankshaft having a front end, a rear end, and a central axis extending from the front end to the rear end is provided. The crankshaft includes a front crankpin, a rear crankpin, and one or more central crankpins. The front crankpin is located in proximity to the front end and the rear crankpin is located in proximity to the rear end. Further, the one or more central crankpins are located substantially equidistant from the front crank pin and the rear crankpin. The crankshaft further includes pairs of counterweights disposed on each side of the front crankpin, the rear crankpin and the one or more central crankpin. The counterweights are disposed such that counterweights in each pair of counterweights are angularly offset with respect to each other. |
| US09273602B2 |
Intake air oxygen compensation for EGR
To compensate for possible corruption in exhaust gas recirculation control caused by fuel vapor purging, while still enabling the purging to continue, an engine intake oxygen concentration may be corrected based on a fuel canister vapor purge only during boosted conditions. Responsive to the intake oxygen concentration, exhaust gas recirculation may be adjusted. |
| US09273600B2 |
Fuel composition
A fuel composition having a boiling range of between 95 to 440 degrees Fahrenheit wherein the fuel composition has (a) a total sum of n-paraffins and naphthenes content of at least 7 volume percent. |
| US09273599B2 |
Internal combustion engine
To effectively improve flame propagation speed utilizing active species in an internal combustion engine 10 that promotes combustion utilizing active species. The internal combustion engine 10 is provided with an internal combustion engine main body 11 that combusts fuel air mixture in a combustion chamber 20 and an active species generation unit 13 that generates active species in a region which a flame surface has not yet reached during flame propagation in the combustion chamber 20. In a region which the flame will eventually pass through, the active species generation unit 13 generates the active species while the flame surface has not yet reached the region. |
| US09273591B2 |
Vehicle cooling system with directed flows
A cooling system for internal combustion engines provides directed flows of heated or cooled coolant to various engine components and/or accessories as needed. By providing directed flows, the overall coolant flow volume is reduced from that of conventional cooling systems, allowing for a smaller capacity water pump to be employed which results in a net energy savings for the engine. Further, by reducing the overall coolant flow volume, the hoses and/or galleries required for the directed flows are reduced from those of conventional cooling systems, providing a cost savings and a weight savings. Finally, by preferably employing an impellor type water pump, the expense of an electric water pump and its associated control circuitry can be avoided. The direct flows are established by a multifunction valve which, in a preferred implementation, comprises a two-plate valve wherein each plate is operated by a wax motor. |
| US09273590B2 |
Compressor comprising a pressure-relief groove
A compressor is disclosed. In one aspect, the compressor includes a pressure chamber which is delimited by at least two housing parts, the housing parts including sealing surfaces that are connected by a connection device which applies a contact pressing force between the sealing surfaces. At least one groove extending in a circumferential direction is arranged on at least one sealing surface. At least one relief opening is arranged on at least one of the housing parts. The relief opening connects the groove to the surroundings of the compressor and emanates from the groove. The groove is arranged such that when a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded in the pressure chamber, a pressure-building medium can gather in the groove and at least partially escape through the relief opening. |
| US09273589B2 |
Exhaust apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a first exhaust collecting section, a first exhaust passage, a first exhaust sensor, and a rib. The first exhaust passage is connected to the first exhaust collecting section and has a curved shape to change a flow direction of the exhaust gas from a direction in which the exhaust gas is ejected from each of first cylinders. The first exhaust passage includes an outer wall provided on a radially outer side of the curved shape. The rib is provided on the outer wall of the first exhaust passage and extends along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the exhaust gas flows. The rib is positioned downstream from the first exhaust sensor. |
| US09273588B1 |
Velocity accelerating marine muffler with pulse attenuation tuning
A marine muffler adapted with an internally tunable sound suppression structure is adaptable to different configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular engine and exhaust conditions. A muffler housing defines an interior volume and includes an exhaust inlet and outlet. The outlet has a reduced diameter as compared with the inlet such that the exhaust gas accelerates through the muffler. An inclined baffle partitions the interior volume into a lower chamber in communication with the exhaust inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the exhaust outlet. Exhaust ducts attached to each side wall penetrate the baffle thereby placing the upper and lower chambers in fluid communication. A corrugated partition divides each exhaust duct into a plurality of non circular conduits. The muffler may be tuned by selectively capping one or more conduit outlets. |
| US09273587B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for diagnosing an exhaust aftertreatment component
According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for diagnosing a condition of a component of an exhaust aftertreatment system in exhaust receiving communication with an internal combustion engine where the exhaust aftertreatment system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The diagnostic module is configured to determine a normalized tailpipe nitrogen-oxide NOx value based on a tailpipe NOx sensor signal and a ratio of an SCR inlet ammonia (NH3) flow rate to an SCR inlet NOx flow rate. The apparatus also includes a component condition module configured to determine a condition of the component based on the normalized tailpipe NOx value. |
| US09273582B2 |
Honeycomb structure and manufacturing method of the same
A honeycomb structure includes a tubular honeycomb structure body having porous partition walls to define and form a plurality of cells, and an outer peripheral wall; and a pair of electrode sections disposed on a side surface of the honeycomb structure body, an electrical resistivity of the honeycomb structure body is from 1 to 200 Ωcm, each of the pair of electrode sections is formed into a band shape extending in an extending direction of the cells, the electrode section contains silicon and an aggregate, and a ratio (the silicon/the aggregate) of a volume of the silicon to be contained in the electrode section to a volume of the aggregate to be contained in the electrode section is from 60/40 to 80/20. |
| US09273581B2 |
Purge system for reductant delivery unit for a selective catalytic reduction system
A purge procedure which is part of an injector, that may be used as part of a reductant delivery unit (RDU), where the RDU is part of a selective catalytic reduction system for injecting diesel exhaust fluid into an exhaust system, to control exhaust emissions. The RDU delivers a reductant carrier to the engine exhaust system. The purge process includes a control strategy to improve the quality of the purge cycle (i.e., increase the amount of fluid evacuated). The sequence of the purge event is adjusted in order to generate a strong vacuum in the fluid supply line and the injector—this enhances the efficiency of the purge by increasing the initial flow rates through the injector. However, upon opening the injector, the pressure inside the fluid path increases to a level just below the ambient pressure outside the injector, therefore the gas flow rate is substantially reduced. |
| US09273576B2 |
Method for reducing urea deposits in an aftertreatment system
Various systems and methods are described for controlling a diesel aftertreatment system coupled to an exhaust system of an engine which includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst and a diesel particulate filter (PF). In one example, a threshold amount of urea injected to the SCR catalyst is adjusted based on an amount of soot generated by the engine and the total amount of urea injected to the SCR catalyst is limited by the threshold. |
| US09273573B2 |
Exhaust-gas treatment device
An exhaust-gas treatment device (1) for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, includes a housing (2), the jacket (3) of which encloses an accommodating space (5) in the circumferential direction, at least one exhaust-gas treatment element (6), which is arranged in the accommodating space (5), and a bearing layer (7) made of an elastic bearing material, which bearing layer encloses the at least one exhaust-gas treatment element (6) in the circumferential direction and which lies radially against at least one exhaust-gas treatment element (6). An insulating layer (8), made of a thermally insulating, deformation resistant/compression resistant insulating material, encloses the bearing layer (7) in the circumferential direction within the jacket (3). |
| US09273572B2 |
Oil system for diesel engines that operate in cold environments
An aftermarket modification for diesel engines that operate in cold environments particularly those using a liquid-to-air oil cooler. Engine oil can be routed to a bypass module having a thermostatic element that directs the oil to bypass the oil cooler and return to the engine if the engine oil is below the desired temperature. Once the desired oil temperature is reached, the thermostatic element moves toward a closed position to direct oil through the oil cooler. A pressure bypass element can be incorporated into the bypass module. If the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the cooler exceeds a set point, the bypass element moves toward an open position to direct a portion of the oil to bypass the oil cooler. |
| US09273569B2 |
Gas turbine half-casing lifting and shipping fixture
A lifting fixture assembly adapted for shipping and/or lifting includes a lower turbine casing having two horizontal joint flanges adapted to engage mating flanges on an upper-turbine casing. The horizontal joint flanges are provided with plural bolt holes used for securing the upper turbine casing to the lower turbine casing. A plurality of cross-beams extend transversely across the lower turbine casing, removably secured to said horizontal joint flanges, using selected ones of the existing bolt holes. |
| US09273568B2 |
Coupling structure for vacuum exhaust device and vacuum exhaust system
Provided is a coupling structure for vacuum exhaust devices each including a pump chamber and a casing that demarcates the pump chamber. The coupling structure includes a first end surface formed on a first side of the casing, and a second end surface formed on the second side of the casing, the second side being the opposite side of the first side. The casing of a first vacuum exhaust device and the casing of a second vacuum exhaust device among a plurality of vacuum exhaust devices are arranged to be directly superposed on each other such that the first end surface provided to the first vacuum exhaust device and the second end surface provided to the second vacuum exhaust device come into contact with each other. By fastening the first end surface and the second end surface, the first vacuum exhaust device and the second vacuum exhaust device are connected to each other such that gas can flow between the casing of the first vacuum exhaust device and the casing of the second vacuum exhaust device. |
| US09273567B2 |
Coating, coating layer system, coated superalloy component
Coatings as may be used in a gas turbine are provided. A cobalt based coating may include 15 to 40 wt % nickel, 15 to 28 wt % chromium, 5 to 15 wt % aluminum, 0.05 to 1 wt % yttrium and/or at least one of elements from lanthanum series, 0.05 to 5 wt % ruthenium and/or molybdenum, 0 to 2 wt % iridium, 0 to 3 wt % silicon, 0 to 5 wt % tantalum, hafnium, unavoidable impurities, and a balance of cobalt. A nickel based coating may include 15 to 40 wt % cobalt, 10 to 25 wt % chromium, 5 to 15 wt % aluminum, 0.05 to 1 wt % yttrium and/or at least one of elements from lanthanum series, 0.05 to 8 wt % ruthenium or iron, 0 to 1 wt % iridium, 0.05 to 5 wt % molybdenum, 0 to 3 wt % silicon, 0 to 5 wt % tantalum, 0 to 2 wt % hafnium, unavoidable impurities, and a balance of nickel. |
| US09273561B2 |
Cooling structures for turbine rotor blade tips
A rotor blade for a turbine of a combustion turbine engine having an airfoil that includes a pressure and a suction sidewall defining an outer periphery and a tip portion defining an outer radial end. The tip portion includes a rail that defines a tip cavity. The airfoil includes an interior cooling passage configured to circulate coolant. The rotor blade further includes: a slotted portion of the rail; and at least one film cooling outlet disposed within at least one of the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall of the airfoil. The film cooling outlet includes a position that is adjacent to the tip portion and in proximity to the slotted portion of the rail. |
| US09273556B2 |
Rotary engine with rotary power heads
A rotary engine includes a casing having a first circular boring and a second circular boring smaller than the first circular boring. The first circular boring interconnects with the second circular boring. A piston rotor can move in a rotating manner within the first circular boring in the casing. A power head, ported to pass exhaust gases through a hollow center shaft, can move in a rotating manner within the second circular boring in the casing. The piston rotor and the power head can be coupled via a gear system to properly rotate during operation, with the piston rotor rotating counterclockwise and the power head rotating clockwise, or vice versa. |
| US09273555B2 |
Positive displacement pump with improved sealing arrangement and related method of making
A rotary positive displacement pump has a front-loading seal arrangement to better accommodate servicing and cleaning of the pump body. The pump includes a sliding seal subassembly disposed in a volume between a central portion of a rotor that is received on a shaft of a gear case and the hub of the pump body. A related method of modifying a rotary positive displacement pump enables a conventional pump with a rear-side seal arrangement to be transformed into a pump having a front-loading seal arrangement. In addition to the reduction of a dead zone in which turbulent flow does not occur by inclusion of the sliding seal subassembly, other modifications to the pump body improve the ability of the pump to be cleaned in place. |
| US09273549B2 |
Systems and methods for remote actuation of a downhole tool
Systems and methods for remote actuation of a downhole tool include a work string providing a flow path therein, a downhole tool coupled to the work string, at least one actuation device operatively coupled to the downhole tool and configured to act on the downhole tool such that the downhole tool performs a predetermined action, and an optical computing device communicably coupled to the at least one actuation device and configured to detect a characteristic of a substance in the flow path and trigger actuation of the at least actuation device when the characteristic is detected. |
| US09273547B2 |
Dynamic borehole azimuth measurements
A method for making dynamic borehole azimuth measurements while drilling includes processing cross-axial magnetic field measurements in combination with accelerometer measurements to compute the dynamic borehole azimuth. In one or more embodiments, the cross-axial magnetic field measurements and the accelerometer measurements may be used to compute the magnitude of a cross-axial magnetic field component, a toolface offset, and a borehole inclination, which may in turn be used to compute the dynamic borehole azimuth. The disclosed methods may utilize near-bit sensor measurements obtained while drilling, thereby enabling a near-bit dynamic borehole azimuth to be computed while drilling. |
| US09273546B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting devices downhole
An apparatus and method conducting downhole measurement operations in a borehole penetrating an earth formation. The apparatus may include a module configured to be conveyed in a borehole and to receive at least one device. The module may receive the device internally or in one or more recessed areas. A housing with at least one opening may encompass the exterior of the module. The apparatus may have a first position that allows access to the module through the at least one opening, and a second position that isolates the module from the exterior of the housing. The method may include conducting downhole measurement related operations using the apparatus. The method may include moving the housing and module between the first position and the second position. |
| US09273542B2 |
Method for controlling fluid interface level in gravity drainage oil recovery processes with crossflow
In a method for controlling interface level between a liquid inventory and an overlying steam chamber in a subterranean petroleum-bearing formation, an inflow relationship is developed to predict the vertical position in a gravity field of the interface between the two fluids (liquid and steam) with a density contrast relative to a horizontal producer well. The inflow relationship is applied to producer well completions by designing the completion to raise or lower sand face pressures according to mobility variations over the horizontal length of the well. This pressure distribution will affect liquid levels according to the inflow relationship. The completion can include tubing-conveyed or liner-conveyed flow control devices to create flow network that provides a customized sand face pressure distribution. Axial flow relationships between adjacent locations along the producer well may be modeled in order to develop an axial flow network to facilitate estimation of liquid levels at selected locations. |
| US09273541B2 |
Compliant dart-style reverse-flow check valve
An apparatus usable with a well includes a gas lift valve having a check valve arrangement located between an annulus and a passageway of a tubing. The check valve arrangement is adapted to selectively allow fluid flow from the check valve arrangement from an inlet side of the check valve arrangement to an outlet side of the check valve arrangement, and is biased to prevent a leakage flow through the check valve arrangement from the outlet side to the inlet side. The check valve arrangement is defined by a valve element movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat wherein one of the valve element and the valve seat has a first sealing structure engageable with a second sealing structure on the other of the valve element and the valve seat. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces include at least one pair of sealing members. |
| US09273539B2 |
Down-hole sand and solids separator utilized in producing hydrocarbons
A new method separating sand, solids, and produced particulates down-hole in a well producing hydrocarbons. The separation assembly can include ether one, two, or more segments or stages of varying lengths depending upon the individual application. The assembly is installed into the tubing string or delivery conduit of a well producing hydrocarbons. One stage can consist of a velocity chamber whereby separation of particulates occurs by increasing the downward velocity of particulates and reducing the upward velocity of hydrocarbons thereby allowing the particulates to “fall-out” into a lower chamber where the particulates are captured. Another stage can consist of a filter whereby particulates are captured in a chamber that can consist of filtering materials such as gravel, rock, sand, wood, or manmade materials. Each of the stages can be employed individually or in combination. |
| US09273538B2 |
Economical construction of well screens
A well screen for use in a subterranean well can include a loose filter media, a sandstone, a square weave mesh material, a foam, and/or a nonmetal mesh material. A method of installing a well screen in a subterranean well can include dispersing a material in a filter media of the well screen, after the well screen has been installed in the well, thereby permitting a fluid to flow through the filter media. A method of constructing a well screen can include positioning a loose filter media in an annular space between a base pipe and a shroud, so that the filter media filters fluid which flows through a wall of the base pipe. |
| US09273532B2 |
Securement arrangement for securing casing inside a subsea wellhead
A wellhead securement arrangement releasably clamps casing strings such that they cannot move in an upwards or downwards longitudinal direction. Prior to being clamped, the securement arrangement secures the casing strings in a first position whereby cement returns are able to flow around the hangers towards the surface. Once cemented, the casing strings are released and moved upwardly, where the securement arrangement clamps the hangers into position, thus creating an axial load on the casing strings while also preventing movement in the upward and downward longitudinal directions. |
| US09273529B2 |
Downhole pulse generating device
A pulse generator comprises a stator coupled to a housing and a rotor that is rotatably disposed within the housing. An annulus is formed between the rotor and the stator. An inner bore is formed through the rotor. One or more outer flow ports provide fluid communication between the annulus and the inner bore. A retrievable valve assembly is rotationally coupled to the rotor and at least partially disposed within the inner bore. The retrievable valve assembly includes a rotary valve member having one or more primary flow ports. A fluid flow path is periodically formed by the one or more outer flow ports, the annulus, and the one or more primary flow ports as the rotor rotates. |
| US09273525B2 |
Interference-fit stop collar and method of positioning a device on a tubular
A stop collar is assembled using a method including the steps of receiving a bore of a base having a set of fingers extending along an exterior of a tubular, receiving a bore of a sleeve onto the tubular adjacent the set of fingers, and receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers in an interference-fit. In alternate embodiments, the base comprises a plurality of angularly distributed fingers and/or the base comprises a gap to permit conformance of the base to the tubular. A fingerless base may cooperate with one or more separate fingers to form a base. In an embodiment of the method, the sleeve may be thermally expanded prior to the step of receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers. The sleeve may be heated to expand the bore prior to being received onto the set of fingers. |
| US09273524B2 |
Drilling rig carriage movable along racks and including pinions driven by electric motors
According to one aspect, a drilling rig carriage is adapted to move along a drilling mast, and includes a body structure, electric motors coupled to the body structure, and pinions operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively. The pinions are adapted to engage racks, respectively. According to another aspect, a drilling mast includes a longitudinally-extending frame having a first side portion and a second side portion spaced therefrom. Racks are coupled to the frame at the first side portion thereof. According to yet another aspect, an apparatus includes a drilling mast or tower extending longitudinally along an axis, the tower including racks spaced in a parallel relation. A top drive is movable along the axis and relative to the tower. Electric motors are coupled to the top drive and movable therewith. Pinions are operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively, and engage the racks, respectively, to move the top drive. |
| US09273520B2 |
Control line securement method and system
Control lines are secured to a completion string by a wrap wound around the completion string and control lines. The control lines are positioned adjacent to the completion string as it is lowered towards a well, and the wrap is wound helically around the lines and string in an open or closed loop manner. The placement and pitch of the wrap may be regulated, such as based upon the rate of advancement of the string into the well. One or multiple wraps may be used, and successive turns of the one or more wraps may overlap or be spaced from one another. |
| US09273518B2 |
Methods of coupling components of downhole tools, downhole tools and components of downhole tools
Methods of coupling a bearing assembly to a downhole tool include forming at least a portion of a downhole component from a diamond-enhanced material, applying a metal material to a surface of the downhole component using an ultrasonic molten metal process, and coupling at least a portion of the surface of the downhole component to at least another component of the downhole tool. Downhole tools include at least one component of a bearing assembly that is configured to move relative to a portion of the downhole tool. The at least one bearing component comprises a diamond-enhanced material and is coupled to a portion of the downhole tool by an ultrasonic molten metal process. |
| US09273517B2 |
Downhole closed-loop geosteering methodology
A closed-loop method for geosteering includes acquiring logging while drilling data and processing the logging while drilling data downhole while drilling to obtain a geosteering correction (a correction to the drilling direction based upon the LWD measurements). The geosteering correction is further processed downhole to obtain new steering tool settings which are then applied to the steering tool to change the direction of drilling. These steps are typically repeated numerous times without the need for uphole processing or surface intervention. |
| US09273512B2 |
Face panels for loading dock seals and shelters
Example flexible face panels for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example seal assembly comprises a face panel to be coupled to a projection panel, where the face panel has a front side, a back side and an edge spaced apart from the projection panel. A bulb is positioned adjacent the edge of the face panel. A seal flap is attached to the bulb such that the seal flap projects from an outer surface of the bulb and toward a doorway of a loading dock when the seal assembly is coupled to a wall of the loading dock. |
| US09273511B2 |
Shower door assembly with linkage control
A shower door assembly with linkage control comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame and an adjustment assembly disposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame. The adjustment assembly comprises at least two adjustment devices and locking devices for locking each of the adjustment devices. Each of the locking devices comprises a locking element and a guiding device along which the locking element can slide. An actuating arm is provided to release and lock adjustment devices all at once. Therefore, it is unnecessary to adjust each of the adjustment devices separately, facilitating the operation of adjustment. |
| US09273510B2 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing door frames
Exemplary embodiments as described herein can provide a door stop extension system adapted for installation in a pre-existing door frame. The door stop extension systems according to exemplary embodiments described herein can be adapted to increase a height of a pre-existing door stop by a predetermined amount. The door stop extension systems according to exemplary embodiments described herein can be adapted to cause a correction of a non-compliance of a pre-existing door system with National Fire Protection Association's publication 80 specifications. |
| US09273507B2 |
Airport hangar door
A door assembly for providing access to an enclosed space such as an airplane hangar. The door assembly includes a door panel configured to open and close an opening is provided. The door assembly includes an actuator configured to drive a rod upwardly. A first pin is fixedly mounted to the rod and rotatably mounted to the door. A link limits the upward advancement of a top portion of the door. The door is carried upward by the first pin, and rotated about the first pin as the link limits the upward advancement of the top portion of the doors. |
| US09273505B1 |
Automated storm door closure system
An automated door closure system regulate the release and closure of a door in a door assembly that includes a primary door, a secondary door, and a door frame. The system includes a door closer, a control unit, and an automatic input sensor. The door closer, which is connected between the secondary door and the door frame and includes a cylinder and an operating rod, biases the secondary door toward a closed position. The control unit includes a motive device and a rod catch element. The rod catch element, which may be moved by the motor, is positioned in proximity to the operating rod to adjustably prevent the secondary door from being closed. The automatic input sensor detects a door assembly use condition. The control unit controls the motive device based on the detected condition to move the rod catch element, allowing the door closer to close the secondary door. |
| US09273502B2 |
Pinless attachment systems and methods of using the same
A multi-purpose pinless attachment system includes a first structure having oppositely facing recesses separated by a web region. Pairs of recesses form pivot bar bearing surfaces, and a transverse pivot axis passes through the web region at a midpoint between these pairs of bearing surfaces. A second structure defines an interior pivot channel between its distal tip and a proximal shank. The tip is separated from the shank by a gap to allow the web region of the first structure to pass through the gap while the interior pivot channel is brought into bearing registration with the pivot bar. The pivot channel receives the portion of the web region separating the first and second recesses. Surface portions of the pivot channel frictionally engage at least a portion of a pivot bar bearing surface while the second structure is pivoted relative to the first structure about the transverse pivot axis. |
| US09273500B2 |
Rack-stop structure for door
A rack-stop structure of a frame and a door includes a bracket, a bar, and a pull spring. A positioning slideway and an escaping slideway are defined in the bracket. A plurality of positioning portions and a plurality of escaping tabs are located on the positioning slideway. Each of the plurality of positioning portions is spaced by each of the plurality of escaping tabs. An engaging cutout is defined in each of the plurality of positioning portions. One end of the bar is slidable in the bracket. A pin is located at the end of the bar. The pull spring is mounted to the bar for pulling the bar away from the bracket. |
| US09273499B2 |
Locking device comprising rotating links and guide with sliding element
The invention relates to a locking device for restricting or admitting access into an area or space, wherein the locking device comprises a locking mechanism arranged to move at least one locking element between a locked state, and an unlocked state, which locking mechanism is adapted to be connected with and to receive the motion for the movement from an operating mechanism arranged to control and to provide the motion for the movement. |
| US09273498B2 |
Cab for construction machine and construction machine
A fixture is attached to a hollow tube and has a pair of shafts protruding in a width direction. A handle has a base portion and a grip portion located at an end on the outside of the base portion. The base portion has a pair of side portions sandwiching both side surfaces of the fixture. The pair of side portions each have a hole receiving corresponding one of the pair of shafts. A restriction portion of a displacement preventing plate restricts a movement of the side portions in the width direction in a portion of each of the side portions located between an end on the grip portion side of the fixture and an end on the hollow space side of the base portion. |
| US09273497B2 |
Motor vehicle door latch
A motor vehicle door latch includes a rotary latch which encompasses a closing element when in the closed position, and is preloaded toward an open position of the closing element. A safety catch is engaged with the rotary latch so that the rotary latch is prevented from moving toward the open position. A coupling section of the safety catch is dynamically coupled with a drive element and moves the safety catch between the engagement position and a releasing position so that the rotary latch can move toward the open position. The opening sound is reduced to a minimum. The drive element moves the safety catch from the engagement position toward the releasing position so that the rotary latch, which is still engaged with the safety catch during such movement, moves toward the open position. |
| US09273492B2 |
Electronic cam lock for cabinet doors, drawers and other applications
A cam lock for cabinets, drawers, drug cabinets, credenzas, sliding doors, lockers, mail boxes and other door type applications is compact in size, fits an existing cam lock opening and provides electronic access via a keypad or other electronic access. Using batteries, such as AAA size batteries or smaller, the lock has electronics that release a lock turn knob or handle when the correct code is entered. Preferably a set of electronic contacts is included at an accessible position on the lock housing to allow both master access and power jumping with a common manager's implement, for situations of lost codes and/or battery failure. In a particular embodiment the lock is long, narrow and low in profile so as to fit on the margin of a steel or wood file cabinet, compatible with the cam lock opening already provided. |
| US09273490B1 |
Multiple padlock locking device
A locking device has a pair of plates and a locking member between the plates that slides between a locked and unlocked position. One or more padlock bars fit between the plates to secure the locking member in the locked position. Padlocks on each end of each padlock bar lock the padlock bars between the plates. When in the locked position, the locking member secures a latch opposite the padlock bars. The latch can be a chain, bar or tube. |
| US09273489B2 |
Lock assembly having motor inside interior operator handle
A lock assembly includes an exterior operator assembly having an exterior operator handle. An interior operator assembly has an interior operator handle having a mounting opening. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly, drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly, has a longitudinal bore, and is rotatable about a first axis. A coupling mechanism is drivably coupled to the outer spindle. A locking spindle assembly is rotatably received in the longitudinal bore and rotatable about the first axis, and is configured to selectively operate the coupling mechanism to drivably couple the exterior operator assembly to the outer spindle. A motor drive assembly includes a motor having a motor shaft. The motor is positioned inside the mounting opening of the interior operator handle. The motor shaft is drivably coupled to the locking spindle assembly to operate the coupling mechanism when the motor drive assembly is actuated. |
| US09273488B1 |
Positive locking keeper
A positive locking keeper for use with an aircraft panel latch assembly having a hook for engaging the positive locking keeper includes a keeper housing having a central opening, and a coupling having a head and a shaft extending therefrom. The head engages the latch assembly and the shaft extends through the housing with the head disposed on the first side. A detent pin is disposed within an aperture of the keeper housing. The positive locking keeper also includes a nut positioned on the second side of the keeper housing. The shaft engaged the nut. The nut includes indentations on a peripheral edge to receive a portion of the detent pin. In a first position, the detent pin engages one of the indentations and prevents rotation of the nut. In a second position, the detent pin does not engage the indentations and the nut is able to rotate. |
| US09273487B2 |
High-strength lock, method of making high-strength lock, and method for mounting high-strength lock
Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole. |
| US09273481B2 |
Pool circulation systems
A water circulation system for a swimming pool includes a venturi skimmer; a pump with a suction side and a discharge side; a suction drain; a pool return line; and at least one pool inlet fluidically connected to the pool return line. A pump inlet on the pump suction side has an inlet selector to fluidically connect the pump to the venturi skimmer, the suction drain, or a combination of the venturi skimmer and the suction drain. In addition, pump outlet on the pump discharge side has an outlet selector to fluidically connect the pump to the venturi skimmer, the pool return line, or a combination of the venturi skimmer and the pool return line. The pump is a multispeed pump or a variable speed pump. Also provided is a method of circulating water for a swimming pool generally comprising this circulation system. |
| US09273480B2 |
Method and apparatus for repairing and sealing door and window jambs, frames, and exterior trim
A method and apparatus for the repair of door and window jambs or other exterior surface trim of a building and more specifically to the manufacturing of protective covers of a water and environmentally resistant material that are pre-dimensioned to fit all or a portion of standard and non-standard sized door or window jamb, frames or exterior trim using a unique preformed groove. The protective covers may further be included in a kit that provides for a homeowner to easily size the covers to the appropriate dimension and perform a repair. |
| US09273477B2 |
Clip-on connection system for stay-in-place form-work
A key for assembling at least a portion of a stay-in-place form-work for casting a structure from concrete or other curable construction materials. The stay-in-place form-work comprises a first elongate panel comprising a first edge component and a second elongate panel comprising a second edge component. The first and second panels are connectable in an edge-to-edge relationship wherein the first and second edge components engage one another. The key comprises a plurality of connector components for slidable engagement with complementary panel connector components on at least one of the first and second panels and a locking component for forcing the first and second edge components into a locked configuration as the key is moved longitudinally relative to the first and second panels while slidably engaged thereto. |