Document Document Title
US09520371B2 Planar passivation for pads
Devices and methods for forming a device are presented. The method includes providing a substrate having circuit component and a dielectric layer over the substrate. The dielectric layer includes a plurality of inter level dielectric (ILD) layers and the uppermost dielectric layer includes at least one interconnect. A pad dielectric layer is provided over the uppermost ILD layer. A pad interconnect for receiving a wire bond is formed in the pad dielectric layer. The pad interconnect is coupled to the at least one interconnect of the uppermost ILD layer. A top surface of the pad dielectric layer is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the pad interconnect. A passivation layer is formed over the pad dielectric layer.
US09520369B2 Power module and method of packaging the same
Provided are a power module having an integrated power semiconductor and a method of packaging the same. The power module according to an aspect of the present invention includes a power semiconductor chip based on silicon and insulating substrates respectively disposed at both surfaces of the power semiconductor chip and including a metal pattern electrically and directly connected to the power semiconductor chip.
US09520368B1 Integrated circuit system having stripline structure
An integrated circuit system having: (A) a semiconductor chip with a signal strip conductor disposed on an upper surface of the chip; an active semiconductor device disposed of the upper surface of the chip electrically connected to the signal strip conductor; and a first ground plane conductor disposed on a bottom surface of the chip disposed under the signal strip conductor; and (B) a support structure having: a second ground plane disposed over, and separated from, the signal strip conductor by a dielectric region between the second ground plane and the signal strip conductor on the chip; a signal contact disposed on the bottom surface of the support structure displaced, electrically insulated, from the second ground plane conductor, and electrically connected to a portion of the signal strip conductor. The signal strip conductor, the first ground plane conductor, and the second ground plane conductor provide a stripline microwave transmission line.
US09520367B2 Trenched Faraday shielding
A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface with a trench, first and second conduction terminals supported by the semiconductor substrate, a control electrode supported by the semiconductor substrate between the first and second conduction terminals and configured to control flow of charge carriers during operation between the first and second conduction terminals, and a Faraday shield supported by the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the control electrode and the second conduction terminal. At least a portion of the Faraday shield is disposed in the trench.
US09520366B2 Chip comprising a phase change material based protecting device and a method of manufacturing the same
An electronic chip including an integrated circuit arranged a face of a substrate, and a protection device arranged partially facing the integrated circuit is provided. The protection device includes a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode between which a layer of phase change material is disposed changing locally from a first resistive state to a second resistive state different from the first state by penetration of a beam. The first state is an amorphous state wherein the capacitor has a first capacitance and/or a first resistance and the second state is a crystalline state wherein the capacitor has a second capacitance and/or a second resistance different from the first capacitance and first resistance. The protection device is electrically connected to the integrated circuit by at least one of the first or second electrodes so that the integrated circuit measures the resistance and/or capacitance of the capacitor.
US09520365B2 Semiconductor device and method for forming semiconductor package having build-up interconnect structure over semiconductor die with different CTE insulating layers
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and encapsulant deposited over the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over the die and encapsulant. The first insulating layer is cured with multiple dwell cycles to enhance adhesion to the die and encapsulant. A first conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. The second insulating layer is cured with multiple dwell cycles to enhance adhesion to the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. The first, second, and third insulating layers have different CTE. The second insulating layer or third insulating layer is cured to a dense state to block moisture.
US09520360B2 Angled ion beam processing of heterogeneous structure
A method for fabricating a multilayer structure includes providing a mask on a device stack disposed on the substrate, the device stack comprising a first plurality of layers composed of a first layer type and a second layer type; directing first ions along a first direction forming a first non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a normal to a plane of the substrate, wherein a first sidewall is formed having a sidewall angle forming a first non-zero angle of inclination with respect to the normal, the first sidewall comprising a second plurality of layers from at least a portion of the first plurality of layers and composed of the first layer type and second layer type; and etching the second plurality of layers using a first selective etch wherein the first layer type is selectively etched with respect to the second layer type.
US09520355B2 Voltage and temperature independent MIM capacitors
MIM capacitors that are temperature and/or voltage independent, and a methodology for formulating the MIM capacitors for use in semiconductor integrated circuits, is provided. Vertical MIM capacitive structures include at least two vertically separated electrodes and a capacitor dielectric that includes portions of different dielectric materials provided in a desired area ratio. The disclosure provided for selecting dielectrics and dielectric thicknesses, determining an area ratio that produces temperature and/or voltage independent MIM capacitors, and forming capacitive devices with the desired area ratio. In one embodiment, the capacitor dielectric includes at least one SiO dielectric portion and at least one SiN dielectric portion and a total capacitive area includes the SiN and SiO dielectric portions arranged such that the ratio of the area of the SiO portions to the area of the SiN portions is about 1.15:1.
US09520354B1 Silicon designs for high voltage isolation
An isolation system, isolation capacitor, and Integrated Circuit are disclosed. The isolation capacitor is described to include a first capacitive element, a second capacitive element, a primary isolation layer positioned between the first and second capacitive elements, as well as a secondary isolation layer positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. The secondary isolation layer has an area that is larger than an area of one or both of the first and second capacitive elements, thereby reducing the likelihood of breakdown between the first and second capacitive elements.
US09520349B2 Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package is provided. In one configuration, the semiconductor package includes a substrate. A conductive trace is disposed on the substrate. A conductive pillar bump is disposed on the conductive trace, wherein the conductive bump is coupled to a die. In another configuration, a first conductive trace is disposed on the substrate, and a second conductive trace is disposed on the substrate. In the second configuration, a conductive pillar bump disposed on the second conductive trace, connecting to a conductive bump or a metal pad of the semiconductor die. A first conductive structure is disposed between the second conductive trace and the conductive pillar bump or between the second conductive trace and the substrate, and a die is disposed over the first conductive trace.
US09520346B2 Power semiconductor module and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a power semiconductor module in which heat from the semiconductor chip is radiated not only through the buffer, but also through the lead frame to increase heat radiation efficiency, and the semiconductor chip, the buffer, and the lead frame are simultaneously bonded to increase efficiency of bonding work, and a method for manufacturing the same.
US09520343B1 Field-effect transistor structure for preventing from shorting
A field-effect transistor (FET) structure for preventing from shorting is disclosed. The field-effect transistor (FET) structure is applying to a power discrete device, such as the MOSFET or IGBT. The field-effect transistor structure comprises a MOSFET chip and a metal clip. A silver layer (or silver string) is welded on the surface of the metal clip jointed with the source pad so that the silver paste may be not overflowed and permeated into the gate bus to achieve the effect of preventing from shorting.
US09520336B1 Hybrid assembly with improved thermal performance
A method of improving the thermal performance of a hybrid assembly which comprises a first die, a second die, and indium bonds which bond and electrically interconnect the first die to the second die. A heat sink plate on which the hybrid assembly is to be mounted is provided. A plurality of indium bumps are deposited on the plate where the assembly is to be mounted. The bottom side of the hybrid assembly is then pressed onto the indium bumps to affix the assembly to the plate. The heat sink plate constrains the lateral coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the second die such that the CTEs of the first and second dies match more closely than they would if the hybrid assembly was not mounted directly to a heat sink plate using indium bumps. The heat sink plate preferably comprises copper tungsten (CuW) or a diamond-metal composite.
US09520334B2 Integrated structure with improved heat dissipation
An integrated structure includes a support supporting at least one chip and a heat dissipating housing, attached to the chip. The housing is thermally conductive and has a thermal expansion compatible with the chip. The housing may further including closed cavities filled with a phase change material.
US09520331B2 Adaptive patterning for panelized packaging
An adaptive patterning method and system for fabricating panel based package structures is described. Misalignment for individual device units in a panel or reticulated wafer may be adjusted for by measuring the position of each individual device unit and forming a unit-specific pattern over each of the respective device units.
US09520325B2 Methods for producing semiconductor devices
A method for producing a semiconductor device in accordance with various embodiments may include providing a semiconductor workpiece attached to a first carrier; dicing the semiconductor workpiece and the carrier so as to form at least one individual semiconductor chip; mounting the at least one semiconductor chip with a side facing away from the carrier, to an additional carrier.
US09520323B2 Microelectronic packages having trench vias and methods for the manufacture thereof
Embodiments of a microelectronic package including at least one trench via are provided, as are embodiments of a method for fabricating such a microelectronic package. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of depositing a dielectric layer over a first microelectronic device having a plurality of contact pads, which are covered by the dielectric layer. A trench via is formed in the dielectric layer to expose the plurality of contact pads therethrough. The trench via is formed to include opposing crenulated sidewalls having a plurality of recesses therein. The plurality of contact pads exposed through the trench via are then sputter etched. A plurality of interconnect lines is formed over the dielectric layer, each of which is electrically coupled to a different one of the plurality of contact pads.
US09520322B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first surface in which an integrated circuit and an I/O pad electrically connected to the integrated circuit are formed, and a second surface which is an opposite side to the first surface, where a two-stage through-hole is formed in the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate including a first shape portion having a tapered shape which has a wall surface and of which a diameter of an opening becomes smaller toward a bottom of the hole from the second surface side to a predetermined position of the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction, and including a second shape portion having a cylindrical shape which extends from the first shape portion to the I/O pad on the first surface side, and that includes an inorganic insulating film which is formed on the wall surface of the two-stage through-hole and the second surface.
US09520321B2 Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with self-aligned vias
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with self-aligned vias are disclosed. A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first conductive interconnect line overlying a semiconductor substrate. The method forms an insulator cap defining a gap overlying the first conductive interconnect line. An upper interlayer dielectric material is deposited over the insulator cap and in the gap over the first conductive interconnect line. A via is etched through the upper interlayer dielectric material and into the gap to expose the first conductive interconnect line. The method deposits a conductive material into the via to form a conductive via in contact with the first conductive interconnect line.
US09520317B2 Chip supplying apparatus
A chip supplying apparatus supplies a chip to a mounting machine which mounts the chip on a substrate is disclosed. The chip supplying apparatus includes wafer table which holds a wafer sheet at a position where an operation head of the mounting machine can receive the chip. In the chip supplying apparatus, the wafer table is provided with a frame, a stopper which is fixed to the center of a front portion of the frame and abuts against a front end of the wafer sheet, and a pair of clamp mechanisms which is supported by the frame and which clamps both side ends of the wafer sheet. In the chip supplying apparatus, a position of the pair of clamp mechanisms in a right-and-left direction with respect to the frame can be changed in multiple steps.
US09520316B2 Separation device and pickup system
A separation device includes a mount table, projecting portion, and drawing port. The mount table includes a mount surface on which a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet, on which an electronic component is stuck, is mounted. The electronic component is stuck on one surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet, and the mount surface is in contact with the other surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet. The projecting portion is formed on the mount surface and projects toward the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet mounted on the mount surface. The drawing port is open near the projecting portion on the mount surface, and when a negative pressure is applied, draws the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet.
US09520315B2 Electrostatic chuck with internal flow adjustments for improved temperature distribution
An electrostatic chuck is described with external flow adjustments for improved temperature distribution. In one example, an apparatus has a dielectric puck to electrostatically grip a silicon wafer. A cooling plate is fastened to and thermally coupled to the ceramic puck. A supply plenum receives coolant from an external source and a plurality of coolant chambers are thermally coupled to the cooling plate and receive coolant from the supply plenum. A return plenum is coupled to the cooling zones to exhaust coolant from the cooling zones. A plurality of adjustable orifices are positioned between the supply plenum and a respective one of the cooling zones to control the flow rate of coolant from the supply plenum to the cooling zones.
US09520312B2 System and method for moving workpieces between multiple vacuum environments
Provided are approaches for transferring workpieces between multiple pressure environments. In one approach, a system for moving workpieces between a first pressure environment and a second pressure environment includes a first vacuum enclosure, a second vacuum enclosure, and an access port disposed between the first vacuum enclosure and the second vacuum enclosure. The system further includes a transfer carrier having a workpiece holder for retaining a workpiece, the transfer carrier disposed within the first vacuum enclosure and moveable between a first process position and a second process position, wherein in the first process position the workpiece is disposed within the first vacuum enclosure, and wherein in the second process position the workpiece holder abuts the access port to expose the workpiece to the second vacuum enclosure and to create a seal around the access port to seal the first vacuum enclosure from the second vacuum enclosure.
US09520311B2 Processing facility
A processing facility is disclosed in which a container side contact surface and a support side contact surface are in contact with each other and a supply hole or a discharge hole, and a communicating hole are allowed to communicate with each other when a container is supported by a container support, and in which the container side contact surface is formed to be flat at least in a periphery of the communicating hole, and the support side contact surface is formed to have a shape that is gradually lower as a distance increases from the supply hole or the discharge hole.
US09520308B2 Temperature control system for semiconductor manufacturing system
Provided is a temperature control system configured to mix a low temperature heating medium and a high temperature heating medium to supply the heating mediums at a temperature according to a process recipe to an electrostatic chuck (ESC) configured to maintain a temperature and support a wafer in a chamber in which a semiconductor wafer processing process is performed, and a heating medium obtained by mixing a heating medium cooled through a thermoelectric element and a heating medium heated through a heater to a desired target temperature according to a first ratio and a second ratio is provided to a load and recovered from the load, and the heating medium is distributed to the thermoelectric element and the heater according to the first ratio and the second ratio, which are ratios upon the mixing, optimizing power consumption for cooling or heating.
US09520305B2 Power semiconductor arrangement and method of producing a power semiconductor arrangement
A power semiconductor device comprising a power semiconductor module and a heat sink; and a method for its manufacture. The module has a cooling plate, with an opening delimited by a lateral first surface thereof extending circumferentially around the opening. The cooling plate is arranged in the opening and has a lateral first surface which extends circumferentially around the cooling plate. The two first surfaces are at a respective angle of less than 90° with respect to a main surface of the cooling plate facing the power semiconductor components. The two first surfaces are pressed together, extending circumferentially along the first surface of the cooling plate and extending circumferentially along the first surface of the heat sink. The inventive power semiconductor device has good heat conduction from the power semiconductor components to the heat sink through which a liquid can flow, and which is reliably leaktight over the long term.
US09520304B2 Semiconductor package and fabrication method thereof
A fabrication method of a semiconductor package is disclosed, which includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor structure having a carrier, a circuit portion formed on the carrier and a plurality of semiconductor elements disposed on the circuit portion; disposing a lamination member on the semiconductor elements; forming an insulating layer on the circuit portion for encapsulating the semiconductor elements; and removing the carrier. The lamination member increases the strength between adjacent semiconductor elements so as to overcome the conventional cracking problem caused by a CTE mismatch between the semiconductor elements and the insulating layer when the carrier is removed.
US09520302B2 Methods for controlling Fin recess loading
A method of processing a substrate includes depositing an oxide material on a substrate having a first region, a second region and a plurality of features, wherein the first region has a high feature density and the second region has a low feature density; and controlling a ratio of an etch rate of the oxide material in the first region to an etch rate of the oxide material in the second region by forming an ammonium hexafluorosilicate ((NH4)2SiF6) layer having a first thickness atop the oxide material in the first region and having a second thickness atop the oxide material in the second region.
US09520296B2 Semiconductor device having a low divot of alignment between a substrate and an isolation thereof and method of forming the same
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming vertical structures is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a substrate; forming a first oxide layer over the substrate; forming a first dummy layer over the first oxide layer; etching the first oxide layer and the first dummy layer to form a recess; forming a second dummy layer in the recess (and further performing CMP on the second dummy layer and stop on the first dummy layer); removing the first dummy layer; removing the first oxide layer; and etching the substrate to form the vertical structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an STI embedded in the substrate; and a vertical transistor having a source substantially aligned with the STI.
US09520292B2 Aging-based leakage energy reduction method and system
A technique of reducing leakage energy associated with a post-silicon target circuit is generally described herein. One example method includes purposefully aging a plurality of gates in the target circuit based on a targeted metric including a timing constraint associated with the target circuit.
US09520289B2 Methods of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device
In a method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device, a hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. A photoresist film is coated on the hard mask layer. The photoresist film is exposed and developed to form a first photoresist pattern. A smoothing process is performed on the first photoresist pattern to form a second photoresist pattern having a roughness property lower from that of the first photoresist pattern. In the smoothing process, a surface of the first photoresist pattern is treated with an organic solvent. An ALD layer is formed on a surface of the second photoresist pattern. The ALD layer is anisotropically etched to form an ALD layer pattern on a sidewall of the second photoresist pattern. The hard mask layer is etched using the second photoresist pattern and the ALD layer pattern as an etching mask to form a hard mask pattern.
US09520286B2 Semiconductor substrate, semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor substrate having a silicon-based substrate, a buffer layer provided on the silicon-based substrate and made of a nitride semiconductor containing boron, and an operation layer formed on the buffer layer, wherein a concentration of boron in the buffer layer gradually decreasing toward a side of the operation layer from a side of the silicon-based substrate. Thereby, the semiconductor substrate in which the buffer layer contains boron sufficient to obtain a dislocation suppression effect and boron is not diffused to the operation layer is provided.
US09520282B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes treating a surface of an insulating film formed on a substrate by supplying a first gas containing a halogen group to the substrate, and forming a thin film containing a predetermined element on the treated surface of the insulating film by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a second gas containing the predetermined element and a halogen group to the substrate, and supplying a third gas to the substrate.
US09520281B2 Method of fabricating an optoelectronic device with a hollow component in epitaxial layer
A method of fabricating an epitaxial device, comprising: providing a substrate having a first surface and a normal direction; epitaxially forming a first transition layer in a first temperature on the first surface of the substrate and in-situ incorporating a porogen into the first transition layer; and adjusting the first temperature to a second temperature to burn out the porogen from the first transition layer to form a hollow component inside the first transition layer.
US09520280B2 Ion detection
Mass analyzers and methods of ion detection for a mass analyzer are provided. An electrostatic field generator provides an electrostatic field causing ion packets to oscillate along a direction. A pulse transient signal is detected over a time duration that is significantly shorter than a period of the ion oscillation or using pulse detection electrodes having a width that is significantly smaller than a span of ion harmonic motion. A harmonic transient signal is also detected. Ion intensity with respect to mass-to-charge ratio is then identified based on the pulse transient signal and the harmonic transient signal.
US09520271B2 Methods and systems for plasma deposition and treatment
An apparatus for separating ions having different mass or charge includes a waveguide conduit coupled to a microwave source for transmitting microwaves through openings in the waveguide conduit. The outlet ends of pipes are positioned at the openings for transporting material from a material source to the openings. A plasma chamber is in communication with the waveguide tube through the openings. The plasma chamber receives through the openings microwaves from the waveguide tube and material from the pipes. The plasma chamber includes magnets disposed in an outer wall thereof for forming a magnetic field in the plasma chamber. The plasma chamber includes a charged cover at a side of the chamber opposite the side containing the openings. The cover includes extraction holes through which ion beams from the plasma chamber are extracted. Deflectors coupled to one of the extraction holes receive the ion beams extracted from the plasma chamber. Each deflector bends an ion beam and provides separate passages for capturing ions following different trajectories from the bending of the ion beam based on their respective mass or charge.
US09520268B2 Compensation of imaging deviations in a particle-beam writer using a convolution kernel
An exposure pattern is computed for exposing a desired pattern on a target in a charged-particle multi-beam processing apparatus to match a reference writing tool, and/or for compensating a deviation of the imaging from a pattern definition device onto the target from a desired value of critical dimension along at least one direction in the image area on the target: The desired pattern is provided as a graphical representation suitable for the reference tool, on the image area on the target. A convolution kernel is used which describes a mapping from an element of the graphical representation to a group of pixels which is centered around a nominal position of said element. A nominal exposure pattern is calculated by convolution of the graphical representation with the convolution kernel, said nominal exposure pattern being suitable to create a nominal dose distribution on the target when exposed with the processing apparatus.
US09520267B2 Bias voltage frequency controlled angular ion distribution in plasma processing
The angular ion distribution in plasma processing is controlled using a bias voltage frequency. In one example, a plasma containing gas ions is generated in a plasma chamber. The plasma sheath is modified using an aperture disposed between the plasma sheath and the workpiece so that the plasma sheath takes a shape above the aperture. An oscillating radio frequency bias voltage is generated and applied to a workpiece holder. The workpiece holder applies the bias voltage to the workpiece to generate a workpiece bias voltage with respect to the plasma to attract ions across the plasma sheath toward the workpiece. The aperture and the frequency of the bias voltage control an angle at which the ions are attracted toward the workpiece.
US09520264B2 Method and apparatus for clamping and cooling a substrate for ion implantation
A system and method are disclosed for holding and cooling substrates during processing. A substrate clamp has an engagement portion for engaging a substrate about the inside diameter as well as a portion of the substrate surface immediately adjacent to the inside diameter. The clamp has a retracted position which enables the engagement portion to fit through the substrate ID, and an expanded position which enables the engagement portion to engage the substrate ID and the substrate surface immediately adjacent to the inside diameter. The clamp can include a conformal coating to enhance engagement between the substrate and the engagement portion. The clamp can also include an energy absorbing coating on one or more surfaces to maximize the absorption of radiative energy emitted from the substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09520258B2 Selective synthesis of nanotubes without inhibitor
A method of forming nanotubes may include applying a photoresist to a metal substrate, selectively exposing a first portion of the photoresist to electromagnetic radiation while not exposing a second portion to the electromagnetic radiation, removing the second portion of the photoresist from the metal substrate exposing a first portion of the metal substrate, exposing the first portion of the metal substrate to an etchant removing the first portion of the photoresist exposing a second portion of the metal substrate, and growing carbon nanotubes on the second portion of the metal substrate.
US09520255B2 Connection structure of electronic component and terminal metal fittings
A connection structure of an electronic component and terminal metal fittings includes a relay including a relay body and a plurality of terminals, terminal metal fittings mating with the terminals, and a holding member. The terminals have end portions facing side surfaces of the relay body, and their leading ends are positioned closer to a top surface side than a bottom surface of the relay body. At a side surface, a first terminal and a second terminal that is more rigid than the first terminal are disposed. The holding member includes a component body accommodating portion, a first terminal accommodating portion, and a second terminal accommodating portion. A gap dimension between the first terminal and an insertion slot of the first terminal accommodating portion is larger than a gap dimension between the second terminal and an insertion slot of the second terminal accommodating portion.
US09520249B2 Changing the state of a switch through the application of power
A switch includes a spring. The switch further includes a collapsing element. The spring has a first spring state in which it is being held in tension by a restraining element and a second spring state in which it is not being held in tension because the restraining element has failed. The collapsing element is situated such that when sufficient power is applied to the collapsing element heat from the collapsing element will cause the restraining element to fail. The switch further includes a first contact coupled to the spring. The switch further includes a second contact coupled to the spring. The first contact and the second contact have a first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the first spring state. The first contact and the second contact have a second 1-2 electrical connection state different from the first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the second spring state.
US09520244B2 Composite electronic component and board having the same
A composite electronic component may include: a composite element in which a capacitor and an inductor are spaced apart from each other, the capacitor including a ceramic body, and the inductor including a magnetic body; a first external electrode disposed on a second end surface of the ceramic body, second external electrodes disposed on first and second side surfaces of the ceramic body, a first dummy electrode disposed on a first end surface of the ceramic body; and third and fourth external electrodes disposed on first and second end surfaces of the magnetic body. The composite element may include a first metal frame disposed on a first end surface of the composite element, a second metal frame disposed on a second end surface of the composite element, and third metal frames disposed on one or more of first and second side surfaces of the composite element.
US09520241B2 Graphene supported vanadium oxide monolayer capacitor material and method of making the same
An method of producing an electronic device, including identifying a graphene sheet, functionalizing the graphene sheet to yield a functionalized sheet, attaching respective vanadium oxide molecules to respective functional groups to define an impregnated graphene sheet, removing organic solvents from the impregnated graphene sheet to define a composite sheet, and positioning the composite sheet onto a metallic substrate to yield a capacitor.
US09520239B2 Chip electronic component and board having the same
There is provided a chip electronic component may include: a ceramic body; external electrodes formed on both side portions of the ceramic body; and an interposer supporting the ceramic body and electrically connected to the external electrodes, wherein the interposer includes first and second terminal electrodes formed on both side portions thereof and recesses formed inwardly in the first and second terminal electrodes.
US09520236B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic element body including internal electrodes and external electrodes electrically connected to respective internal electrodes. Each of the external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer including glass and metal and a conductive resin layer including resin and metal particles. In a cross section of the multilayer ceramic capacitor, at an interface between the sintered metal layer and the conductive resin layer, recesses having a shape in which a dimension of an inner portion is larger than a dimension of an inlet are present, and L1/L2 is about 0.2 or more and about 1.5 or less, where L1 is a length along the interface at which the glass of the sintered metal layer is exposed at the interface, and L2 is a length along the interface at which the metal of the sintered metal layer is exposed at the interface.
US09520231B2 Laminated ceramic capacitor and method for manufacturing laminated ceramic capacitor
A laminated ceramic capacitor that includes a ceramic laminated body of a plurality of stacked ceramic dielectric layers, a plurality of internal electrodes opposed to each other with the ceramic dielectric layers interposed therebetween within the ceramic laminated body, and external electrodes provided on the outer surface of the ceramic laminated body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes. The internal electrodes contain Ni as a main constituent, and the Ni constituting the internal electrodes has a lattice constant in the range of 0.3250 nm to 0.3450 nm.
US09520229B2 Rotary transformers for electrical machines
A rotary transformer includes a shaft, a stator, and a rotor. The stator has a pole surface extending about the shaft. The rotor has a pole surface and operatively connects to the shaft for common rotation with the shaft such that the pole surface of the rotor axially opposes the pole surface of the rotor at an overlap area. The overlap are between the pole surfaces is greater at a first rotor position that at a second rotor position for superimposing a signal indicative of rotor position on electrical power transferred between the stator and rotor.
US09520215B2 Chip resistor and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a chip resistor includes the following steps. A resistor layer is formed on an obverse surface of a material substrate. A plurality of substrate sections are defined in the material substrate by forming, in the obverse surface of the material substrate, a plurality of first grooves each of which is elongated in a first direction. A conductor layer is formed in each of the first grooves. The substrate sections are cut along lines extending in a second direction different from the first direction.
US09520212B2 Aligned structure of cables and production method of aligned structure of cables
An aligned structure of cables includes: a plurality of cables each including a conductive cable core, an insulator covering an outer periphery of the cable core, and a cable core exposed portion, in which the cable core is exposed, on a side of a distal end of the cable; a first cable core aligning insulator including a plurality of grooves into which the cable core exposed portions of the cables are respectively fitted and which align the cable cores; and a cable core fixing insulator which fixes the cable core exposed portions aligned by the first cable core aligning insulator, wherein cross sections of the cable cores are exposed on a surface on a side of distal ends of the cable cores of the cable core fixing insulator, and a pitch of the cross sections is shorter than a pitch of the cables.
US09520207B2 Single phase lead-free cubic pyrochlore bismuth zinc niobate-based dielectric materials and processes for manufacture
Both single phase lead-free cubic pyrochlore bismuth zinc niobate (BZN)-based dielectric materials with a chemical composition of Bi1.5Zn(0.5+y)Nb(1.5−x)Ta(x)O(6.5+y), with 0≦x<0.23 and 0≦y<0.9 and films with these average compositions with Bi2O3 particles in an amorphous matrix and a process of manufacture thereof. The crystalline BZNT-based dielectric material has a relative permittivity of at least 120, a maximum applied electric field of at least 4.0 MV/cm at 10 kHz, a maximum energy storage at 25° C. and 10 kHz of at least 50 J/cm3 and a maximum energy storage at 200° C. and 10 kHz of at least 22 J/cm3. The process is a wet chemical process that produces thin films of Bi1.5Zn(0.5+y)Nb(1.5−x)Ta(x)O(6.5+y) without the use of 2-methoxyethanol and pyridine.
US09520206B2 Anisotropic conductive film and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are an anisotropic conductive film and a method for manufacturing the same. The anisotropic conductive film according to the present invention includes: an insulating resin; and a plurality of conductive graphenes dispersed into the insulating resin.
US09520204B2 Cold stripper for high energy ion implanter with tandem accelerator
A cold stripper for a high-energy ion implanter system is provided. The cold stripper including a stripper tube having a hollow cavity, a first aperture in the stripper tube to admit an ion beam of positively charged ions into the hollow cavity and a second aperture in the stripper tube to discharge the ion beam from the hollow cavity, a gas pump coupled to the hollow cavity to introduce a gas into the hollow cavity, one or more cooling passages in the stripper tube, and a coolant pump coupled to the one or more cooling passages to circulate a coolant through the one or more cooling passages.
US09520203B2 Semiconductor memory device for performing both of static test and dynamic test during wafer burn-in test and method for operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a first address input block which receives first information applied from an exterior as a corresponding normal address in a normal mode and receives the first information as a test clock in a test mode, a second address input block which receives second information applied from an exterior as the corresponding normal address in the normal mode and receives the second information as a test code in the test mode, and a test signal generation block which synchronizes the test code with the test clock in the test mode and generates a test command, a test address and a test data in response to a synchronized test code.
US09520202B1 Programming verification control circuit and method for control thereof
A programming verification control circuit is disclosed, including: a first decoder circuit for decoding a word line of a memory bit; a first drive circuit for receiving a first voltage and providing the first voltage to the word line of the memory bit based on a decoding result of the first decoder circuit; a second decoder circuit for decoding a control gate of the memory bit; a second drive circuit for receiving a second voltage and providing the second voltage to the control gate of the first memory bit based on a decoding result of the second decoder circuit; and a voltage equalizer for receiving the first voltage, the second voltage and a first enable signal and, in event of the first enable signal being valid, controlling the first voltage and the second voltage to be conducted. A method for controlling the programming verification control circuit is also disclosed.
US09520201B2 Nonvolatile memory device comprising page buffer and program verification operation method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device is provided which includes a page buffer unit. The page buffer unit includes a first page buffer including a first A latch configured to store first upper bit data and a first B latch configured to store first lower bit data, and a second page buffer including a second A latch configured to store second upper bit data and a second B latch configured to store second lower bit data. A set pulse may be applied to both the first A latch and the second B latch, or to both the second A latch and the first B latch. The non-volatile memory device may provide high write performance and may respond within a time out period of a handheld terminal.
US09520198B2 Semiconductor memory device including three-dimensional memory cell array structure and operating method thereof
An operating method includes biasing channel regions of unselected cell strings among the cell strings to an initial voltage while applying a first pass voltage to the plurality of word lines; floating the channel regions of the unselected cell strings; increasing the first pass voltage to a second pass voltage during the floating of the channel regions; and reading data from selected memory cells of selected cell strings among the cell strings.
US09520195B2 Sensing amplifier utilizing bit line clamping devices and sensing method thereof
A sensing amplifier comprising a clamp circuit is provided. The clamp circuit is coupled between a first node and a second node. The clamp circuit comprises a first P-type transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal receiving a first bias signal, the first terminal and the second terminal of the first P-type transistor are coupled to the first node and the second node, respectively, and a sensing current from the memory cell flows into the second node via the first node during a sensing time period.
US09520192B2 Resistive memory write operation with merged reset
In a memory device where writing a memory cell to a first bit state takes longer than writing to the second bit state, selectively executing the write operation can amortize the performance cost of writing the bit state that takes longer to write. Write logic dequeues multiple cachelines from a write buffer and sets all bits of all cachelines to the first bit state in a single write operation. The write logic then executes separate write operations on each cacheline separately to selectively write memory cells of each respective cacheline to the second bit state.
US09520188B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device including a memory cell array including a memory cell layer containing plural memory cells operative to store data in accordance with different resistance states; and an access circuit operative to make access to the memory cells, the memory cell changing the resistance state from a first resistance state to a second resistance state on application of a voltage of a first polarity, and changing the resistance state from the second resistance state to the first resistance state on application of a voltage of a second polarity, the access circuit applying voltages, required for access to the memory cell, to first and second lines connected to a selected memory cell, and bringing at least one of the first and second lines connected to non-selected memory cells into the floating state to make access to the selected memory cell.
US09520180B1 System and method for cryogenic hybrid technology computing and memory
A system and method for high-speed, low-power cryogenic computing are presented, comprising ultrafast energy-efficient RSFQ superconducting computing circuits, and hybrid magnetic/superconducting memory arrays and interface circuits, operating together in the same cryogenic environment. An arithmetic logic unit and register file with an ultrafast asynchronous wave-pipelined datapath is also provided. The superconducting circuits may comprise inductive elements fabricated using both a high-inductance layer and a low-inductance layer. The memory cells may comprise superconducting tunnel junctions that incorporate magnetic layers. Alternatively, the memory cells may comprise superconducting spin transfer magnetic devices (such as orthogonal spin transfer and spin-Hall effect devices). Together, these technologies may enable the production of an advanced superconducting computer that operates at clock speeds up to 100 GHz.
US09520171B2 Resistive change memory
A resistive change memory according to an embodiment includes: a memory cell including a resistive change element comprising a first and second terminals, and a semiconductor element, the semiconductor element including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type, the third semiconductor layer being disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer being connected to the second terminal of the resistive change element; and a read unit configured to perform a read operation by applying a first read voltage between the first terminal and the second semiconductor layer, and then applying a second read voltage that is lower than the first read voltage between the first terminal and the second semiconductor layer.
US09520170B2 Volume select for affecting a state of a non-selected memory volume
Apparatuses and methods of operating memory are described. One such method can include receiving a select command at a plurality of memory volumes of a memory device, the select command indicating a targeted memory volume of the plurality of memory volumes. In response to the select command, the method can include selecting the targeted memory volume of the memory volumes and putting at least a portion of a non-selected memory volume of the memory volumes in a particular state based, at least in part, on a previous state of the non-selected memory volume and/or a portion of an address associated with the select command.
US09520166B2 Semiconductor memory device and operation method thereof
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a control circuit configured to apply a first voltage to a selected first line, apply a second voltage to a selected second line, and apply a third voltage and a fourth voltage to a non-selected first line and a non-selected second line in a setting operation, respectively. The control circuit includes a detection circuit configured to detect a transition of a resistance state of a selected memory cell using a reference voltage. The control circuit is configured to execute a read operation in which the control circuit applies the third voltage to the selected first line and the non-selected first line, applies the second voltage to the selected second line, and applies the fourth voltage to the non-selected second line, and set the reference voltage based on a voltage value of the selected second line.
US09520165B1 High-speed pseudo-dual-port memory with separate precharge controls
A pseudo-dual-port (PDP) memory such as a PDP SRAM is provided that independently controls the bit line precharging and the sense amplifier precharging to increase memory operating speed while eliminating or reducing the discharge of crowbar current.
US09520160B2 Printed circuit board and memory module including the same
A memory module includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices and a circuit board. The circuit board is electrically connected to the plurality of semiconductor memory devices, and a signal line is disposed in the outermost layer of the circuit board. An electrical reference for the signal line is provided in a layer of the circuit board that is not adjacent to the outermost layer. Accordingly, an impedance of the signal line may be increased, and signal integrity of a signal transmitted through the signal line may be improved.
US09520158B1 Fastening device
A fastening device for securing and protecting an electronic device is provided. The electronic device is provided with at least one assembly hole. The fastening device includes a fastening assembly and a plate. The fastening assembly includes a buffer and a fastening element inserted through the buffer. The fastening element includes a rod portion, a fastening portion at one end of the rod portion, and a head portion at the other end of the rod portion. The fastening portion is fastened in the assembly hole. The plate includes a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole communicating with the first positioning hole. A diameter of the first positioning hole is greater than a diameter of the second positioning hole, and a diameter of the head portion is less than the diameter of the first positioning hole and greater than the diameter of the second positioning hole.
US09520155B2 Methods and systems for seeking to non-key frames
Methods and systems for seeking to a non-key frame in a compressed video. The compressed video has a plurality of frames, each with a playback timestamp. At least one of the frames is a key frame. A selection of a non-key frame is received, and a temporally proximate key frame is identified. The set of frames between the identified key frame and the selected frame is played in a reduced time interval, and the selected frame is displayed as if it were a key frame.
US09520154B2 Apparatus and method for displaying images
Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus including a storage unit storing a plurality of images, an input unit receiving a selection command for selecting one or more images from among the plurality of images, and a display unit displaying at least one image of the selected images in a first zone and at least one second image of the selected images in a second zone.
US09520152B2 Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
A hologram apparatus and hologram optical system includes: a light source which emits a light beam; a splitter which splits the light beam emitted from the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam; a first lens for exposing an optical information recording medium to convergent light of the first light beam; an optical path angle varying device which causes the second light beam to become incident at substantially the same position as the first light beam in the optical information recording medium and changes an angle of incidence of the second light beam incident on the optical information recording medium; and an optical path shifting element which shifts a position of a light beam incident on the optical information recording medium, according to an angle to the optical information recording medium of the light beam incident on the optical information recording medium.
US09520149B1 Direct current magnetoresistive jog offset compensation
Systems and methods for compensating for magnetoresistive (MR) jog offset direct current (DC) drift in a disc drive are described. In one embodiment, a method may include determining an occurrence of NOS, for example, by monitoring disc slip, to determine when the method should proceed. An MR jog offset DC drift amount is determined for each head of the disc drive. One of several approaches may be employed for determining the MR jog offset DC drift amount. By determining an MR jog offset DC drift amount for each head, a compensation profile is determined for the drive. The determined compensation profile may then be used during operation of the disc drive to compensate for the DC drift. One of several approaches may be employed for compensating based on the compensation profile.
US09520148B1 Reset of magnetic domains in write head via external field
Methods of removing a magnetic domain from a slider structure, such as a shield in a write head, in a data storage assembly. The method comprises passing the slider structure in close proximity to a decaying magnetic field of at least 100 Oe and no more than 1500 Oe originating from within the storage assembly. In some implementations the decaying magnetic field has an oscillating polarity.
US09520141B2 Keyboard typing detection and suppression
Provided are methods and systems for detecting the presence of a transient noise event in an audio stream using primarily or exclusively the incoming audio data. Such an approach offers improved temporal resolution and is computationally efficient. The methods and systems presented utilize some time-frequency representation of an audio signal as the basis in a predictive model in an attempt to find outlying transient noise events and interpret the true detection state as a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to model temporal and frequency cohesion common amongst transient noise events.
US09520138B2 Adaptive modulation filtering for spectral feature enhancement
Techniques described herein are directed to the enhancement of spectral features of an audio signal via adaptive modulation filtering. The adaptive modulation filtering process is based on observed modulation envelope autocorrelation coefficients obtained from the audio signal. The modulation envelope autocorrelation coefficients are used to determine parameters of an adaptive filter configured to filter the spectral features of the audio signal to provide filtered spectral features. The parameters are updated based on the observed modulation envelope autocorrelation coefficients to adapt to changing acoustic conditions, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or reverberation time. Accordingly, such acoustic conditions are not required to be estimated explicitly. Techniques described herein also allow for the estimation of useful side information, e.g., signal-to-noise ratios, based on the observed spectral features of the audio signal and the filtered spectral features, which can be used to improve speaker identification algorithms and/or other audio processing algorithms.
US09520135B2 Reconstructing audio signals with multiple decorrelation techniques
A method performed in an audio decoder for decoding M encoded audio channels representing N audio channels is disclosed. The method includes receiving a bitstream containing the M encoded audio channels and a set of spatial parameters, decoding the M encoded audio channels, and extracting the set of spatial parameters from the bitstream. The method also includes analyzing the M audio channels to detect a location of a transient, decorrelating the M audio channels, and deriving N audio channels from the M audio channels and the set of spatial parameters. A first decorrelation technique is applied to a first subset of each audio channel and a second decorrelation technique is applied to a second subset of each audio channel. The first decorrelation technique represents a first mode of operation of a decorrelator, and the second decorrelation technique represents a second mode of operation of the decorrelator.
US09520131B2 Apparatus and method for voice processing
An apparatus and a corresponding method for voice processing are provided. The apparatus includes a sound receiver, a camera, and a processor. The sound receiver receives a sound signal. The camera takes a video. The processor is coupled to the sound receiver and the camera. The processor obtains a voice onset time (VOT) of the sound signal, detects a human face in the video, detects a change time of a mouth contour of the human face, and verifies at least one preset condition. When all of the preset conditions are true, the processor performs speech recognition on the sound signal. The at least one preset condition includes that a difference between the VOT and the change time is smaller than a threshold value.
US09520126B2 Voice recognition system for replacing specific domain, mobile device and method thereof
A voice recognition system that divides a search space for voice recognition into a general domain search space and a specific domain search space. A mobile terminal receives a voice recognition target word from a user, and a voice recognition server divides a search space for voice recognition into a general domain search space and a specific domain search space and stores the spaces and performs voice recognition for the voice recognition target word through linkage of the general domain search space and the specific domain search space.
US09520123B2 System and method for pruning redundant units in a speech synthesis process
A system and method for concatenative speech synthesis is provided. Embodiments may include accessing, using one or more computing devices, a plurality of speech synthesis units from a speech database and determining a similarity between the plurality of speech synthesis units. Embodiments may further include retrieving two or more speech synthesis units having the similarity and pruning at least one of the two or more speech synthesis units based upon, at least in part, the similarity.
US09520122B2 Audio apparatus and controlling method thereof
An audio apparatus and method are provided. The method includes receiving, by a controller, first audio data and second audio data and processing the first audio data and the second audio data to generate first audio signals and second audio signals. Further, reverse phase signals of the first audio signals are generated by the controller. A first group of the plurality of audio outputting units output the first audio signals and a second group of the plurality of audio outputting units output the second audio signals and the reverse phase signals of the first audio signals.
US09520121B2 Acoustic and vibrational energy absorption metamaterials
A substantially acoustically transparent planar, rigid frame divided into a plurality of individual, substantially two-dimensional cells is used to construct a sound absorption panel. A sheet of a flexible material is fixed to the rigid frame, and a plurality of platelets fixed to the sheet of flexible material such that each cell is provided with a respective platelet, thereby establishing a resonant frequency, establishing an increase in an absorption coefficient of the panel. The flexible material has a wrinkle or corrugation to permit distortion with reduced material elasticity. The wrinkle or corrugation permits the flexible material to distort beyond that afforded by a planar material of the same type, while retaining mechanical strength in supporting the plurality of platelets.
US09520115B2 Drum slip
An interchangeable drum slip that may be quickly installed to change the appearance of a drum and to provide protection to the drum shell. The drum slip is a rectangular piece of material that is pre-cut to precisely fit specific models of drums. Openings are cut into the material that correspond with hardware that is attached to the drum shell. A user installs the drum slip by placing the drum slip around the drum shell and securing the ends of the drum slip together. The openings in the drum slip fit over and around any hardware that is attached to the drum shell and any apertures formed in the drum shell. The ends of the drum slip are pulled together and secured with an adhesive. For some drums, the drum slip may be installed without disassembling any parts of the drum. For other drums, one or more drum heads and retaining hoops must be removed to install the drum slip. The drum slip may be transparent, and the drum slip may be made in any color and messages, designs, or information may be printed on or molded into the drum slip. Anyone can quickly and easily change drum slips to change the appearance of a drum.
US09520113B2 Resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum
A resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum which in some embodiments may comprise: an elongate batter head contacting surface; an elongate resonance head contacting surface opposingly positioned to the elongate batter head contacting surface; and a plurality of baffles coupled to the elongate batter head contacting surface and to the elongate resonance head contacting surface. The elongate resonance head contacting surface may be configured to contact portions of a resonant head when the pad is positioned within a drum instrument, while the elongate batter head contacting surface may be configured to contact portions of a batter head when the pad is positioned within a drum instrument. The elongate resonance head contacting surface may exert pressure on the resonant head and the elongate batter head contacting surface may likewise exert pressure on the batter head, thereby providing resonance control to the drum instrument.
US09520112B1 Accordion, electronic accordion, and computer program product
An accordion includes a right hand play side, a left hand play side, a bellow provided between the right hand play side and the left hand play side, and four rows of buttons provided on at least one of the right hand play side and the left hand play side. The four rows of buttons include a first column to which first continuous four pitches are assigned, a second column, provided adjacent to the first column, to which second continuous four pitches are assigned, the second continuous four pitches being adjacent to the first continuous four pitches, and a third column, provided adjacent to the second column, to which third continuous four pitches are assigned, the third continuous four pitches being adjacent to the second continuous four pitches.
US09520110B1 String vibration frequency altering shape
The present invention is a novel variable tension string instrument that relies on a kinetic shape to actively alter the tension of a fixed length taut string. A mathematical model was derived that relates the two-dimensional kinetic shape equation to the string's physical and dynamic parameters. With this model, an automated instrument was designed and constructed to play frequencies within predicted and recognizable frequencies along with programmed melodies.
US09520104B2 Image display device and LUT adjustment method
An image display device includes a microcomputer and LUTs which are tables of correction data used to correct color balance of images. The microcomputer sets LUT extensions and calculates the LUTs based on: (1) the normalized values GainLn of the L conforming adjustment values GainL and the normalized values GainHn of the H conforming adjustment values GainH; (2) the normalized values Lin of the input values Liref of the image data of the L adjustment image and the normalized values Hin of the input values Hiref of the image data of the H adjustment image; (3) the correction data of the LUTs; and (4) the correction data of the LUT extension units.
US09520098B2 Gate driving circuit, display device and driving method
A gate driving circuit, a display device, and a driving method are disclosed in the present invention. The gate driving circuit comprises: a plurality of cascaded shift register units and a control unit, wherein every two adjacent shift register units constitute a shift register set and are connected to two gate lines through the control unit, and wherein the control unit controls the shift register units of the shift register set to supply drive signals to the two gate lines, respectively. Embodiments of the present invention improve a configuration of the circuit on the basis of original shift registers, thereby achieving compensation of charge rations between different frames and effectively alleviating phenomena of apparent bright/dark lines such as the vertical lines of the existing products.
US09520097B2 Display device with compensating backlight drive circuit and method for driving same
In a display control circuit (200) of a display device, an image pattern detection portion (230) detects whether an image is an anti-flicker pattern or not, and when it is an anti-flicker pattern, a backlight source is driven (typically, such that its luminance changes in the opposite phase relative to luminance changes that would occur), on the basis of predicted values, which are predetermined so as to compensate for the luminance changes that would occur. Moreover, the backlight is not turned on during the scanning period. As a result, flicker due to current leakage, etc., can be reduced or eliminated in a display device for which a scanning period and a scan stop period are set.
US09520096B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a light source section so configured that independently-controllable emission subsections are formed on a light-exit plane of a light-guide plate; a liquid crystal display panel modulating, based on an input picture signal, light exited from each of the emission subsections in the light source section; and a display controlling section having a partitioning-drive processing section generating, based on the input picture signal, an emission pattern signal representing a light emission pattern of the emission subsections in the light source section, and a partitioning-drive picture signal. The display controlling section performs, based on the partitioning-drive picture signal, display-drive on each pixel in the liquid crystal display panel, and performs, based on the emission pattern signal, light-emission drive through allowing one or more of first light sources and one or more of second light sources to emit concurrently so as to form the emission subsections.
US09520095B2 Display driving circuit, driving method thereof and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a display driving circuit, a driving method thereof, and a display apparatus, to solve the issue regarding power consumption of the display driver due to multiple reversal of the data voltage. The driving method comprises: firstly, determining pre-input data signals that are respectively input by a data line to each pixel unit of a column of pixel units corresponding to the data line when inputting a Nth image frame; next, determining, according to magnitudes or polarities of the pre-input data signals, a scanning order for the gate lines; then, scanning the gate lines according to the scanning order; and then, inputting the pre-input data signals to corresponding pixel units by the data lines.
US09520094B2 Display device, electronic apparatus, and method for driving display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes: an image display panel; and a planar light source including a light guide plate and an edge-lit light source, the light guide plate illuminating the image display panel from a back side, the edge-lit light source including a plurality of light sources arranged facing a plane of incidence; and a controller that controls luminance of each of the light sources independently. The controller stores therein, as lookup tables for the respective light sources, information on light intensity distributions of light that is incident on the light guide plate from the respective light sources and is emitted to a plane of the image display panel from the light guide plate, and controls a light quantity of each of the light sources based on information on an input signal of an image, and on the lookup tables.
US09520078B2 Display device having a normal mode and an eye protection mode and method for driving same
A display device includes a display panel, a panel driving circuit, and a control circuit. The panel driving circuit receives image data and converts the image data into output driving voltages for the display panel. The image data include original red image data, original green image data, and original blue image data. When the display device enters an eye protection mode for protecting eyes of a user, the original blue image data is modified by the panel driving circuit to reduce the gray levels of the original blue image data.
US09520077B2 Four color converter, display apparatus and method for converting three color data to four color data
A four color converter includes: a first white balance module configured to effect white balance processing on raw RGB data to thereby obtain white balance processed RGB data, a four color determining module configured to determine RGBW data according to white balance processed RGB data provided by the first white balance module and a white color data extracted from the white balance processed RGB data; and a second white balance module configured to effect white balance processing on the RGBW data provided by the four color determining module to thereby obtain white balance processed RGBW data for display. The present invention further discloses a display apparatus having the four color converter and a method for converting three color data to four color data. The present invention can achieve remaining chromaticity value of each color unchanged as long as a ratio of four color data is not changed.
US09520073B2 Ex-vivo anatomic tissue specimen wound closure simulation model
A novel system and apparatus for testing surgical fastening devices in an ex-vivo body wall wound closure simulation device is disclosed. The system is particularly useful with simulating abdominal wall wound closure. The system has a body wall curvature approximator device, a tissue fixation system, and a tissue support and tensioner device. The system provides for anatomically correct presentation and tensioning on body wall tissue specimens for ex-vivo wound closure simulation. The system may also be used for other anatomic tissue specimens in addition to body walls.
US09520072B2 Systems and methods for projecting images onto an object
In one embodiment, a method for projecting images on a subject includes determining a pose and position of the subject, adjusting a three-dimensional model of an anatomical structure of the subject to match the determined pose and position, and projecting an image of the anatomical structure onto the subject in registration with the actual anatomical structure of the subject to illustrate the location of the structure on or within the subject.
US09520070B2 Interactive learning system and method
Disclosed is an interactive learning system and method comprising a plurality of student computing devices and database(s) connected through a network with teacher computing device(s), each adapted to help teachers and students engage in real-time qualitative content engagement, and may also provide real-time quantitative content engagement and analytics, to help determine the appropriate next learning steps of individual students and groups of students in real-time. In various example embodiments the system and method may provide actionable feedback and suggestions for students, for instance to help them understand the quality of their work and areas for further investigation. In various example embodiments the system and method may generate layers of data useful for improving subsequent classes directed to the same material, and for measuring and comparing various indicia, such as performance and trends at the student, teacher, school, district, and state levels, as well as identifying correlations and other statistical relationships.
US09520069B2 Method and system for providing content for learning appliances over an electronic communication medium
A method, a user interface, and an educational content server for assisting a user in learning using interactive learning appliances are disclosed. The performance information of the user, which may be in the form of a user log file in an interactive learning appliance, may be received at a server computer from a site where the user is present. The performance information and profile information can then be presented in the user interface and used to generate an electronic content package. The electronic content package can then be received and loaded into the interactive learning appliance.
US09520062B2 Method for locating a vehicle
A portable computing device can be used to locate a vehicle in a parking structure. In particular, the portable computing device can communicate with a parking system that manages the parking structure and/or with a vehicle in order to locate the vehicle. Communications between the portable computing device, parking system and vehicle can be based on one or more wireless connections, such as Bluetooth and/or Bluetooth LE connections.
US09520055B2 Process of communication between a first node and a second node of a home automation installation
Method of communication between a first node and a second node of a home-automation installation, the method comprising the transmission of a first signal from a first transmitting part of the first node to a second receiving part of the second node, upon receipt of the first signal by the second node, transmission of a second signal from a second transmitting part of the second node to a first receiving part of the first node, the second signal comprising a signal confirming to the first node that the first signal has indeed been received and understood, and placing in the inactive state or maintaining in the active state the first receiving part as a function of an information cue contained in the second signal received by the first node.
US09520052B2 Security tag system with improved range consistency
A radio transmitter used to transmit an activation signal for radio tags held by individuals or the like provides multi-dimensional polarization to an activation signal so as to allow more consistent range detection of an individual with a tag having a single axis of sensitivity. Circular or spherical polarization can be obtained using the system which may include an antenna design permitting decoupling of antennas necessary for the polarization, a quadrature locking system simplifying proper phase control of the necessary signals and a system for tuning the same.
US09520051B1 System and method for implementing personal emergency response system based on UWB interferometer
A non-wearable Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) architecture is provided, having a synthetic aperture antenna based RF interferometer followed by two-stage human state classifier and abnormal states pattern recognition. In addition, it contains a communication sub-system to communicate with the remote operator and centralized system for multiple users' data analysis. The system is trained to learn the person's body features as well as the home environment. The decision process is carried out based on the instantaneous human state (Local Decision) followed by abnormal states patterns recognition (Global decision). The system global decision (emergency alert) is communicated to the operator through the communication system and two-ways communication is enabled between the monitored person and the remote operator. In some embodiments, a centralized system (cloud) receives data from distributed PERS systems to perform further analysis and upgrading the systems with updated database (codebooks).
US09520047B2 Terminal and a method of controlling the same based on a state of the terminal
A first terminal configured to operate in conjunction with a second terminal, the first terminal including: a sensor configured to obtain information corresponding to a motion of the first terminal; a communicator configured to receive information corresponding to a motion of the second terminal from the second terminal; and a controller configured to, in response to a distance between the first terminal and the second terminal being greater than or equal to a critical value, control the communicator to transmit a notification message to the second terminal based on the information corresponding to the motion of the first terminal and the information corresponding to the motion of the second terminal.
US09520044B2 Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling detection of stray voltage anomalies
Apparatus and methods for detecting stray voltage anomalies in electric fields are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for detecting an electrical field may comprise: at least one sensor probe for generating data corresponding to an electrical field detected by the at least one sensor probe, wherein the at least one sensor probe comprises at least one electrode; a processor, coupled to the at least one sensor probe, for analyzing the data to identify a voltage anomaly in the electric field; and an indicator, coupled to the processor, for alerting a user to a presence of the voltage anomaly in the electric field.
US09520042B2 Smoke detector with enhanced audio and communications capabilities
A smoke detector has enhanced audio and communications capabilities that allow audio content to be provided at each smoke detector location. This audio content may be music, intercom, doorbell actuation and radio programs. The smoke detector may also include a microphone for monitoring and two way communications between two or more smoke detectors, a intercom panel at a doorbell location, controlling lights in an area of the smoke detector with voice commands, and further providing for speakerphone answering and communications capabilities. Audio content and control may be provided to the smoke detector with a software program application running on a personal computer, tablet computer and a smart cell phone. A smoke detector may further be controlled with a Bluetooth or infrared handheld controller located in a area proximate to the smoke detector.
US09520038B2 Copper theft alarm for grain bin systems
A copper theft alarm system is disclosed. The alarm system can be deployed on existing grain bins or other electrically powered equipment, allowing persons to receive an automated phone call, text message notification, or other desired notification when the system has sensed that a copper cable is being pulled out of a conduit. The notification can aid in potentially disrupting a thief's activity.
US09520032B2 Slots journey game
A method for a slots game is disclosed. Such a slots game includes simulated gambling elements and adventure elements. Further, such a slots game has a viral effect of attracting members of gamer's social network.
US09520031B2 Slot machine game with symbol lock-in
A slot machine game that allows a player to lock in particular symbol(s) after playing a game. If the player prefers one or more particular symbols to remain in position after a spin, the player can indicate to the slot machine the desire to lock in the particular symbols, wherein the player will have to pay a price for the ability to have those symbols locked in for a next spin. Then, the player places another wager and spins the reels while the particular symbols remain unchanged.
US09520030B2 Methods of receiving electronic wagers in a wagering game via a handheld electronic wager input device
A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.
US09520029B2 Wagering game machine having enhanced eligibility for progressive jackpots
A gaming system includes game logic circuitry for a wagering game which awards one or more progressive jackpots upon the occurrence of a progressive jackpot triggering event. The game logic circuitry also operates the wagering game to grant progressive jackpot eligibility for one or more progressive jackpot awards for a player wagering an amount which would otherwise deny the player eligibility for the one or more of the progressive jackpot awards. As a result of maintaining progressive jackpot eligibility with the reduced wagering amount, one or more winning combinations in the pay table of the wagering game are removed or reduced.
US09520028B2 Gaming machine that progresses the games from base games to feature games
Provided is a gaming machine that can entertain a player by developing various game results after entering a feature game mode from a base game mode. The gaming machine progresses the games as follows: in base games, if trigger symbols appearing at rearrangement of symbols complete a specific arrangement pattern, the games are changed from base games into roulette games. In roulette games, the maximum number of lotteries is determined based on the arrangement pattern of the trigger symbols.
US09520026B2 Game system
A game system that is capable of performing a game by employing an information card in place of a conventional paper-based system is provided.This game system includes: a plurality of gaming machines; a bill identifying device that is associated with each of the gaming machines, for identifying bills of different currencies and an amount of the bills, and outputting data representative of an identified result; a player tracking device that is integrated with each of the gaming machine, for converting data output from the bill identifying device to credit data for executing a game, based on a money exchange rate stored therein, and sending out the converted credit data to the gaming machine; a control device for inputting a money exchange rate from an outside, providing the input money exchange rate to the player tracking device, and updating the money exchange rate stored in the player tracking device; and an information card device that is integrated with the player tracking device, for causing an information card to store data equivalent to an amount of money to be awarded to a player according to a game result of the gaming machine, and sending out credit data for executing a game to the gaming machine.
US09520022B2 Wagering game with a secondary reel having oversized single-evaluation symbols
A gaming system includes one or more input devices, one or more display devices, and one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions that cause the gaming system to receive an input indicative of a wager. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display a wagering game having an array of symbol positions positioned on a plurality of primary reels and at least one secondary reel overlaying two or more adjacent primary reels, the secondary reel including at least one oversized standard symbol, the oversized symbol overlaying symbol positions on at least two of the two or more adjacent primary reels. The instructions further cause the gaming system to spin the two or more adjacent primary reels and the secondary reel such that the two or more adjacent primary reels and the secondary reel appear to spin as a single reel.
US09520021B2 Contest at a target game location
To conduct a contest, game parameters are downloaded from a server to a device in response to a player app being launched on the device. The player device displays available games that can be played by a player, the games including target game locations from which the games can be played. A player is allowed to select a game to play only when the player is within a predetermined distance of a target game location and when check-ins are still available for the game. A jackpot prize is awarded to the player if the player is a winner of a game selected by the player. The player is entered in a raffle if the player is not the winner of the game selected by the player.
US09520019B2 Gaming machine
When a trigger condition is established in a normal game, the following processes are executed: a process of shifting to a bonus game in which a re-trigger condition which is less stringent than the trigger condition may be established; and when the re-trigger condition is established in the bonus game, a process of adding another bonus game having a smaller benefit than the bonus game and executing the another bonus game.
US09520018B2 Controlling priority of wagering game lighting content
A wagering game system and its operations which can include analyzing electronic information associated with a first gaming effect and a second gaming effect provided for concurrent presentation via an output device, determining that the first gaming effect has a higher priority than the second gaming effect, and causing the first gaming effect to be presented via the output device before the second gaming effect is presented based on the higher priority. The operations can further include preventing, without user input, presentation of a first portion of the second amine effect via the output device while the first gaming effect is presented. The operations can further include electronically determining that a second portion of the second gaming effect is available for presentation after an ending point for the first gaming effect, and causing the second portion to be presented via the output device after the first gaming effect.
US09520016B2 System and method of allowing a player to play gaming machines having reel overlays
A game machine is provided. The machine comprises a display and a controller. The display is configured to display a plurality of symbol cells displayed in a grid. The controller is configured to: establish a first reel layout and a second reel layout, the second reel layout having a blank symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions and at least one identical symbol in a plurality of consecutive symbol positions; randomly shift the second reel layout by a number of symbol positions in relation to the first reel layout; combine the second reel layout with the first reel layout to create a combined reel layout; and assign the combined reel layout to one of the reel strips.
US09520010B1 Decorative glass panel for garage door
The decorative glass panel for garage door is a sectional garage door with a fingerprint scanner. The sectional garage door is formed from a plurality of door panels. Each of the plurality of door panels have been formed with decorative designs intended to make each panel visually appealing. Associated with the decorative glass panel for garage door is an entry scanner that is allows for access into the garage without the use of a remote control. The decorative design of the scanner housing is coordinated with the design of each of the plurality of door panels which enhances the overall decorative appeal of the decorative glass panel for garage door. The decorative glass panel for garage door comprises a plurality of door panels and an entry scanner.
US09520009B2 Screen unlocking method, apparatus, and device
The present invention discloses a screen unlocking method, apparatus, and device, and relates to the field of touch control technologies, which can shorten the unlocking time and improve user experience. The method includes: displaying a screen unlocking interface which includes a password unlocking area and a shortcut unlocking area on a screen; receiving an unlocking pattern which includes a password unlocking pattern input through the password unlocking area and a shortcut unlocking pattern input through the shortcut unlocking area; determining whether the password unlocking pattern input by the user is consistent with a preset password unlocking pattern; and if the password unlocking pattern input by the user is consistent with the preset password unlocking pattern, unlocking the screen to enter a function interface corresponding to the shortcut unlocking pattern. The present invention is applicable to unlocking technologies of touch devices.
US09520007B2 Remotely operable lockout system
A lockout system that includes a lock portion and a key portion that removably cooperate with one another to allow selective interference with a throw lever associated with operation of an electrical panel. The lock portion and key portion each include a guide arrangement and an electrical interface that cooperate with one another. The guide arrangements cooperate with one another to align the electrical interfaces of the respective key and lock portions. The lock portion includes a movable lock arm that selectively interferes with motion of the throw lever. The position of the lock arm relative to the throw lever can be manipulated when the electrical interfaces of the key portion and the lock portion are engaged with one another. Preferably, the lock and key interface includes an RFID protocol associated with authorizing respective key portions to communicate with respective lock portions.
US09520004B2 Electronic parking disc
Parking disc for mounting on a vehicle in a location so as to be at least externally visible for indicating a time for initiation of the parking with an electronic display which shows the actual time during normal driving and during parking constantly shows the time of initiation of the parking. The parking disc is designed so that switching the display when resuming driving is effected on the basis of an electric signal from at least one detector that determines an actual relative movement of the vehicle in excess of a minimum value with the electronic parking disc continuing to show a fixed time that indicates initiation of parking until the mentioned detector has determined the minimum value of movement of the vehicle has occur. This value may, e.g., be that the vehicle has moved at least a certain distance from the point at which parking had been initiated.
US09520001B2 3D model enhancement
One embodiment involves receiving a fine mesh as input, the fine mesh representing a 3-Dimensional (3D) model and comprising fine mesh polygons. The embodiment further involves identifying, based on the fine mesh, near-planar regions represented by a coarse mesh of coarse mesh polygons, at least one of the near-planar regions corresponding to a plurality of the coarse mesh polygons. The embodiment further involves determining a deformation to deform the coarse mesh based on comparing normals between adjacent coarse mesh polygons. The deformation may involve reducing a first angle between coarse mesh polygons adjacent to one another in a same near-planar region. The deformation may additionally or alternatively involve increasing an angle between coarse mesh polygons adjacent to one another in different near-planar regions. The fine mesh can be deformed using the determined deformation.
US09519996B2 Virtual view generating method and apparatus
A virtual view generating method and apparatus are provided that are used to resolve a technical problem existing in the prior art that there are holes in a virtual view, so as to improve quality of the virtual view. The method includes obtaining an original image and an original depth map of the original image; preprocessing the original depth map based on an adaptive filtering algorithm to obtain a processed depth map; generating a basic virtual view based on the original image and the processed depth map; and performing hierarchical hole filling on the basic virtual view based on a deconvolution algorithm to generate a virtual view.
US09519995B2 Method of mapping image information from one face onto another continuous face of different geometry
An information processing method transfers information from a start face to an end face with a minimum local distortion by maintaining one-to-one correspondence between the original information on the start face and the transferred information on the end face. The method includes an operation of mapping information taken from a three-dimensional surface onto a rectangular plane, or vice versa, by dividing the start face into a plurality of divisional start faces and preparing divisional end faces that just fill the end face, then deforming each divisional start face to just fit a corresponding one of the divisional end faces, so as to maintain lines and points defining each divisional end face as lines and points also on the end face and to ensure that a first area ratio between each divisional start face relative to the entire start face and a second area ratio between each divisional end face relative to the entire end face is substantially equal.
US09519994B2 Systems and methods for rendering 3D image independent of display size and viewing distance
Methods and systems for providing and rendering 3D depth information are described. Specifically, the 3D depth information includes z-axis values provided in a normalized percentage format, that defines the position of an object relative to an infinity plane, a display screen, and a viewer, and can be used to render one or more images independent of display screen size and viewing distance.
US09519993B2 Medical image processing apparatus
A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment for visualization of each of plural captured image volume data having time of day information includes a generator configured to generate interpolation volume data for interpolation in the plural captured image volume data, based on the plural captured image volume data, and a display unit configured to visualize and display the plural captured image volume data and the interpolation volume data. The generator extracts a feature region in the captured image volume data, and is configured such that processing for generating the interpolation volume data for the feature region is different from processing for generating the interpolation volume data for other regions, so as to suppress a change in shape of the feature region.
US09519992B2 Apparatus and method for processing image
An image processing apparatus includes a ray generator configured to generate at least one ray, a plurality of tree searchers configured to perform a tree search of the generated at least one ray, an area divider configured to divide the generated at least one ray into a plurality of subareas based on information regarding a number of tree searches of a previous image frame, and a ray allocator configured to allocate the plurality of subareas divided by the area divider to the plurality of tree searchers respectively.
US09519991B2 Method for displaying optically determined surface geometries
In a method for displaying at least one property of an optically determined surface geometry of at least one three-dimensional object, in particular a tooth, on a display, in particular a computer screen, a defined region of the surface geometry is monitored to ascertain whether a defined criterion has been fulfilled. An amount of optically determined data of the defined region is a criterion. A number of defined regions of the surface geometry are assigned a property when all the regions of the number meet the criterion. The property is displayed graphically in a defined manner, wherein different properties are graphically displayed in a differing manner.
US09519988B2 Subspace clothing simulation using adaptive bases
A method of animation of surface deformation and wrinkling, such as on clothing, uses low-dimensional linear subspaces with temporally adapted bases to reduce computation. Full space simulation training data is used to construct a pool of low-dimensional bases across a pose space. For simulation, sets of basis vectors are selected based on the current pose of the character and the state of its clothing, using an adaptive scheme. Modifying the surface configuration comprises solving reduced system matrices with respect to the subspace of the adapted basis.
US09519987B1 Managing character control in a virtual space
Character control in a virtual space may be managed between user instructions and non-user instructions. User instructions associated with controllable aspects of characters within the virtual space may be received. The characters may include a first character associated with a first user and a second character. Non-user instructions associated with controllable aspects of characters within the virtual space may be provided. A determination may be made as to whether two or more characters are coupled together. The first character may be coupled with the second character responsive to a coupling action performed by one or both of the first character or the second character. A determination may be made as to whether user instructions or non-user instructions should dictate control of controllable aspects of characters. Individual characters may be configured to be agnostic as to whether user instructions or non-user instructions dictate control of controllable aspects.
US09519984B2 Image processing device, image processing method, information storage medium, and program
In a combined image obtained by superposing a character image on an image such that a second text rendered in the character image overlaps a first text rendered in the image, an image processing device according to the present invention determines a part of a character portion constituting a pre-translation character string, not covered by non-transparent pixels constituting a post-translation character string as a deficient pixel D, and corrects color attribute of the deficient pixel D in the combined image by utilizing color attribute of a part of the combined image or of the image.
US09519982B2 Rasterisation in graphics processing systems
A rasterizer and a method of performing rasterization in a graphics processing pipeline are disclosed. A rasterizer of a graphics processing pipeline tests larger patches of a render output to be generated against a primitive to be rasterized, to determine if the primitive covers (at least in part) any smaller patches of the render output that the larger patch encompasses. The larger patch is then sub-divided into any covered smaller patches, and the process repeated. The rasterizer also identifies when a given smaller patch of the render output is found to entirely pass the edge test for an edge of the primitive in question when the larger patch encompassing that smaller patch is tested, notes that event in state information associated with the primitive edge in question, and then uses that state information to skip the testing of the edge in question against the smaller patch of the render output.
US09519978B2 Cursor for application of image adjustments
Systems and techniques are disclosed for applying an effect to a digital image using a cursor. An effect can be applied to an image at a region under a cursor. The cursor has an outer periphery and an effect indicating periphery within the outer periphery. The outer periphery defines a maximum extent to which the effect is applied. The effect indicating periphery indicates how the effect will be applied to the image, such as providing a visual indication of a softness setting.
US09519977B2 Letterbox coloring with color detection
A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating background for an image. A graphical interface module arranges an image in a display element. The arrangement of the image in the display element defines a space between the perimeters of image and the display element. A color detection module determines an estimate of a color of the image about the perimeter of the image. A background generator module determines a variation of color of the image about the perimeter of the image. The background generator module determines a background based at least on the estimate of the color and the variation of color. A display module provides the arrangement of the image in the display element with the background at least filling a portion of the space defined between the perimeters.
US09519975B2 Method of detecting edge under non-uniform lighting background
A method of determining an edge of an object on a digital image sequence comprising the step of determining a first gradient direction profile of a first image in the digital image sequence; determining a second gradient direction profile of a second image in the digital image sequence; computing a differential profile based on the first gradient direction profile and the second gradient direction profile; and determining the edge of the object based on the differential profile wherein the differential profile registers gradient magnitudes of the second gradient direction profile and angular differences between the first gradient direction profile and the second gradient direction profile. A system thereof is also disclosed.
US09519974B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Plural block images are generated by dividing an input image into blocks each of which has a predetermined size. Clustering of pixels contained in the plural block images is performed based on a representative point associated with each of those block images to apply region segmentation to those block images. The representative point is a part of plural representative points disposed in the input image. The clustering in a target block image of the region segmentation is performed by referring to a representative point in the target block image, a representative point of a processed block image, and a representative point of an unprocessed block image. The processed and unprocessed block images are adjacent to the target block image.
US09519972B2 Systems and methods for synthesizing images from image data captured by an array camera using restricted depth of field depth maps in which depth estimation precision varies
Systems and methods are described for generating restricted depth of field depth maps. In one embodiment, an image processing pipeline application configures a processor to: determine a desired focal plane distance and a range of distances corresponding to a restricted depth of field for an image rendered from a reference viewpoint; generate a restricted depth of field depth map from the reference viewpoint using the set of images captured from different viewpoints, where depth estimation precision is higher for pixels with depth estimates within the range of distances corresponding to the restricted depth of field and lower for pixels with depth estimates outside of the range of distances corresponding to the restricted depth of field; and render a restricted depth of field image from the reference viewpoint using the set of images captured from different viewpoints and the restricted depth of field depth map.
US09519971B2 Position and orientation measurement device and position and orientation measurement method
A position and orientation measurement device includes a grayscale image input unit that inputs a grayscale image of an object, a distance image input unit that inputs a distance image of the object, an approximate position and orientation input unit that inputs an approximate position and orientation of the object with respect to the position and orientation measurement device, and a position and orientation calculator that updates the approximate position and orientation. The position and orientation calculator calculates a first position and orientation so that an object image on an image plane and a projection image of the three-dimensional shape model overlap each other, associates the three-dimensional shape model with the image features of the grayscale image and the distance image, and calculates a second position and orientation on the basis of a result of the association.
US09519970B2 Systems and methods for detecting a tilt angle from a depth image
A depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A human target in the depth image may then be scanned for one or more body parts such as shoulders, hips, knees, or the like. A tilt angle may then be calculated based on the body parts. For example, a first portion of pixels associated with an upper body part such as the shoulders and a second portion of pixels associated with a lower body part such as a midpoint between the hips and knees may be selected. The tilt angle may then be calculated using the first and second portions of pixels.
US09519967B2 Apparatus, method and operating method of apparatus for excluding non-target-region of fluorescence
Fluorescence generated at a lesion is distinguished from fluorescence generated at portions other than the lesion, and thus, observation is performed by using only the fluorescence generated at the lesion. Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including a light radiating portion that radiates excitation light onto an examination subject; a fluorescence-distribution acquiring portion that acquires an intensity distribution of fluorescence generated at the examination subject due to irradiation with the excitation light from the light radiating portion; and a non-target-region excluding portion that, in the fluorescence-intensity distribution acquired by the fluorescence-distribution acquiring portion, excludes regions in which a spectrum in a specific wavelength band has changed due to a specific biological component whose concentration in a lesion is lower than in other portions.
US09519963B2 Device and method for analysis of coating additive performance
A product testing apparatus is described as having one or more imager configured to capture one or more images of a sample having a substrate coating applied to a substrate, a processor in communication with the imager, and a non-transitory processor readable medium, in communication with the processor. The non-transitory processor readable medium stores processor executable instructions that when executed cause the processor to receive the one or more images from the one or more imager. The processor then processes the one or more image by filtering lighting variations in the pixels of the one or more images to identify one or more objects of interest in the one or more images of the cured/uncured substrate coating. The processor quantifies one or more property of the one or more objects of interest. The processor executable instructions then cause the processor to generate one or more signal indicative of the quantification of the one or more objects of interest.
US09519959B2 Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, and method for processing image
An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store original image data, a read unit configured to read, from the memory unit, image data of a rectangular area that is part of the original image data, to set pixel values to a flanking area that is added to the rectangular area in a surrounding space thereof, and to output extended image data inclusive of the image data of the rectangular area and image data of the flanking area to which the pixel values are set, and a first filtering process unit configured to apply a filtering process to the extended image data.
US09519958B2 Image processing method and image processing device with pixel correction
A method includes: calculating a pixel statistical value and edge of pixels for each of areas of a multi-layer, the areas each containing a target pixel and having a successively decreased range; correcting the edge based on a pixel statistical value of an area that is wider than a specific area; correcting difference between a pixel statistical value of the specific area and the pixel statistical value of the area that is wider than the specific area using the post-correction edge; correcting the pixel statistical value of the specific area using post-correction difference and the pixel statistical value of the area that is wider than the specific area; and correcting the target pixel by repeating correction of the pixel statistical value of the specific area successively in each area until the area reduces its range from the maximum range to the minimum range.
US09519952B2 Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus includes a gradient calculation unit, a direction determining unit, a directional interpolation unit, and a blender unit. The gradient calculation unit processes an input image to generate gradient magnitudes and gradient angles associated with input pixels of the input image. The direction determining unit generates interpolation angles and directional confidence values according to the gradient magnitudes and gradient angles. The directional interpolation unit performs directional interpolation on the input image according to the interpolation angles, so as to generate a first image with an image resolution different from the input image. The blender receives the first image and a second image generated from interpolating the input image, and blends the first image and the second image according to the directional confidence values to generate an output image.
US09519944B2 Pipeline dependency resolution
Techniques are disclosed relating to dependency resolution among processor pipelines. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first special-purpose pipeline configured to execute, in parallel, a first type of graphics instruction for a group of graphics elements and a second special-purpose pipeline configured to execute, in parallel, a second type of graphics instruction for the group of graphics elements. In this embodiment, the apparatus is configured, in response to dispatch of an instruction of the second type, to mark a particular instruction of the first type with information indicative of the dispatched instruction. In this embodiment, the particular instruction and the dispatched instruction correspond to the same group of graphics elements. In this embodiment, the apparatus is configured to stall performance of the dispatched instruction until the first special-purpose pipeline has completed execution of the marked particular instruction. Exemplary instruction types include interpolate and sample instructions.
US09519943B2 Priority-based command execution
A method of processing commands is provided. The method includes holding commands in queues and executing the commands in an order based on their respective priority. Commands having the same priority are held in the same queue.
US09519937B2 System and method for social network access
A method of forming unique, private, personal, virtual social networks on a social network system that includes a database storing data relating to corresponding user entities. The method includes: a first user entity sending an invitation to a second user entity, recording in the database the second user entity as a direct contact of the first user entity and determining that third user entities, directly connected to the second user entity, are indirect contacts. A unique, personal, social network formed from direct and indirect contacts is thereby created for each user entity. Each user entity is able to control privacy of its data with respect to other user entities depending on the connection factor to that other entity and/or that other entity's attributes. Each user entity is able to take the role of provider or participant in applications where the provider provides an item or service to the participant.
US09519933B2 Delivery payment systems
Various embodiments of the invention are directed to computer systems for facilitating payment for an item that is sent from a consignor to a consignee. In particular embodiments, the computer system facilitates an automatic, electronic transfer of payment for the item at a designated time that, for example, may be defined in relation to the delivery of the item to the consignee. For example, payment for the item may be electronically transferred to the consignor's bank account via a clearinghouse server at a designated time after delivery of the item, by a common carrier, to the consignee.
US09519929B2 Method and apparatus for providing a shopping list service
A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides an Internet wish list for deferred purchasing. A user clicks on an add to wish list button located on locations, such as, a product page, a banner ad, or search results to add an item to the wish list. A reminder system is used to remind a user to purchase an item at a future time. The shopping list service may be integrated at a high level of integration and a low level of integration. On a low level of integration a proxy platform is used to add functionality to a website.
US09519928B2 Product evaluation based on electronic receipt data
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing product evaluation. An exemplary apparatus is configured to identify purchase transaction data associated with identified electronic communications between a merchant and a customer, the purchase transaction data includes product level data from a transaction, receive the identified purchase transaction data, the purchase transaction data is received in an unstructured format, convert the purchase transaction data from the unstructured format to a structured format, associate the structured purchase transaction data with the customer's online banking application, aggregate purchase transaction data related to one or more products purchased by the customer, determine one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis, and provide the customer with one or more options based at least partially on determining the one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis.
US09519927B1 System for cosmetics matching based on skin tone
A system allows people to more easily find products matching their skin tone. A kiosk at a retail store or other location can assist customers in determining what products are right for them and then purchase them from the retailer. The kiosk can include a scanning device is used to scan one or more spots of a person's skin. For example, three different spots can be scanned. The scan determines a skin-tone identifier for the person's skin. This skin-tone identifier is used by a software program (e.g., executing on a tablet computer) to determine and output a listing of products that are appropriate for the person's skin tone.
US09519924B2 Method for collective network of augmented reality users
Embodiments of the invention provide for using video analysis, such as augmented reality or the like to assist a group of users to utilize mobile devices for creating a collective network environment of users that identifies objects in which one or more users in a group of users may be interested, and notifies the one or more users of information associated with the object. A collective network comprises a group of users that each have a mobile device that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled to a data capture device. For example, the mobile device may be a mobile phone that is capable of taking video with a camera device. A user in the collective network may capture video on his mobile device, and an application can identify the object in the video and provide interested users in the collective network with information about the object.
US09519917B2 Context-based advertising
A method and a system for context-based real-time advertising are provided. In example embodiments, a document content that is displayed to a user may be analyzed and keywords may be identified. Selected listings from a publication system may be received; the selected listings may be selected using the keywords. The system may detect user events associated with the keywords and, in response to the detection of the user events, display information related to the listings while maintaining the displaying of the document content.
US09519915B1 System and method for providing shopping aids and incentives to customer through a computer network
A system and method for delivering purchasing incentives and a variety of other retail shopping aids through a computer network, such as by E-mail over the Internet or the World Wide Web. Customers (10) of retail stores can establish a bi-directional communication link with the system, log in (16) to the system, and then elect to browse among available purchasing incentive offers (18, 22), or elect to explore other shopping aids, such as a shopping list generator (26), a recipe center (30), or simply elect to claim a product rebate or to receive product information. If the customer elects to have product information or rebate information delivered, only minimal customer identification is required. For purchase incentives redeemable at retail stores, the customer must provide identification information and must also designate a retailer (12) at which the purchasing incentive can be exercised. For receipt of focused incentives based the customer's past shopping behavior, the customer must also supply a unique customer id., such as a check cashing card number or credit card number, used for in-store purchases. For delivery of a product sample, the customer's name and address must be supplied. The system merges this customer-supplied information (270) with other purchase incentive data (272) and creates a printable graphical image of the purchasing incentive (282) for transmission to the customer. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the purchase incentive is not transmitted directly to the customer. Instead, the terms of the incentive are transmitted electronically to the retail store (310) designated by the customer, who receives either a token (316) to present at the store or an advisory message. In yet another embodiment of the invention, incentives may be targeted to specific consumers based on a consumer purchase history (502), and transmitted to consumers' computers (510) using electronic mail addresses stored in a consumer database (506), or using a “personal page” in the computer network, established for each consenting consumer.
US09519914B2 Methods and apparatus to determine ratings information for online media presentations
Methods and apparatus to determine ratings information for online media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes receiving pingback messages corresponding to presentation of media at a client device, determining a portion of the media that was presented at the client device based on the pingback messages, obtaining demographic information associated with the client device, and determining a demographic characteristic associated with the presentation of the portion of the media based on the pingback messages and the demographic information.
US09519907B2 Method and apparatus for efficient delta pricing
A method includes generating a delta price and generating a final price using the delta price. A process and system provide an ability to determine a product's final price with a selected set of features in which multiple configurations are to be generated. The ability to determine such final prices can be based on the ability to determine the change in price between one configuration of a product and that of another product configuration (e.g. the product configured with the desired feature(s)). A customer is able to select one or more features, and so view the effect on the product's final price, as well as compare the prices (and incremental price differences) between various configurations of a given product. This increases the likelihood of the purchase being made, because it provides the potential purchaser with the final price earlier in the sales cycle.
US09519899B2 Secure mobile-based financial transactions
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to securing payments from a mobile communications device. In exemplary embodiments, a mobile communications device communicates with a payment server via a point-of-sale device to conduct a transaction. The mobile communications device uses a client payment logic to send payment information to the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device uses a vendor payment logic to forward the payment information to the payment server. The payment server verifies the payment information and sends confirmation to the point-of-sale device.
US09519897B2 Reading apparatus and commodity sales data processing apparatus
In accordance with one embodiment, a reading apparatus which reads information from a RFID tag attached to a commodity comprises a housing which includes an opening serving as an entrance/exit of the commodity and space for housing the commodity inside; an antenna arranged in the space; an opening and closing lid for opening and closing the opening; a reading module which reads information relating to the commodity from the RFID tag attached to each commodity housed in the housing through the antenna; and an output module which outputs the information read by the reading module.
US09519892B2 Systems and methods to accelerate transactions
Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a memory to store transaction records indicating actual amounts of funds collected via a first plurality of premium messages transmitted to a first plurality of phone numbers; and a processor coupled with the memory to transmit, to a second plurality of phone numbers, a second plurality of premium messages to collect payments on behalf of a merchant. Before funds collected via the second premium messages become available, the processor identifies a portion of a total amount of funds charged via the second premium messages, based at least in part on the transaction records stored in the memory, and offers to provide the portion to the merchant.
US09519889B2 Automatic discovery of how and when people met
A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for automatic discovery of how and when people met is provided. A plurality of signals are analyzed to determine a level of significance of each of the plurality of signals in providing a suggested entry into a data field of a contact management system designated to provide a description of how a user met a contact. In response to at least one signal of the plurality of signals exceeding a threshold level of significance, a suggested entry for the data field of the contact management system is determined. The suggested entry of how a user met a contact is automatically displayed to a user.
US09519887B2 Self-service data importing
Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, systems, and apparatuses for self-service data importing. In some aspects, a user may interact with a data importing server to import data into a database and/or manipulate existing data and/or data associations in the database. The data importing server may contain files or scripts of different specifications or processes to perform for a plurality of predefined jobs. The user may interact with the data importing server via a user interface. The user interface may outline each step in the process and enable steps only after the user has completed a previous, prerequisite step. The user interface may provide user selectable buttons to input user commands, and the user selectable buttons may initially be disabled and become enabled after the user or the system performs the corresponding prerequisite step.
US09519883B2 Automatic project content suggestion
Automatically suggesting content, for example, documents, contacts information, tasks, calendar items, and the like, for inclusion into an electronic collaborative workspace is provided. Given a short description of a given project or collaborative workspace, an initial project membership list, and identification of local or external content repositories, content associated with the project or workspace may be retrieved and recommended to one or more users for inclusion into the project or collaborative workspace. Thus, the time and effort required for initially populating an electronic workspace with needed content is dramatically reduced.
US09519882B2 Autonomous mobile bin storage and retrieval system
A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.
US09519881B2 Estimating journey destination based on popularity factors
The disclosure includes technology for estimating journey destinations based on crow-sourced popularity factors. The technology includes an example system including a processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed cause the system to: receive location data; determine a current route associated with a user based on the location data; determine one or more crowd-sourced popularity factors; estimate one or more destination estimations along the current route based on the one or more crowd-sourced popularity factors; and suggest the one or more destination estimations to the user.
US09519874B2 HVAC controller with regression model to help reduce energy consumption
A thermal control system for a building is disclosed, which includes a regression model: Given a forecast temperature outside the building, the regression model predicts how much an HVAC system will cost to run during a day, for a given set of time-varying target temperatures for all the thermostats in the thermal control system. The thermal control system may also include an optimizer, which invokes multiple applications of the regression model. Given a forecast temperature outside the building, the optimizer predicts an optimal set of time-varying target temperatures for all the thermostats in the thermal control system. Running the HVAC system with the optimal set of time-varying target temperatures should have a reduced or a minimized cost, or a reduced or minimized total energy usage. The optimizer works by running the regression model repeatedly, while adjusting the time-varying target temperature for each thermostat between runs of the model.
US09519870B2 Weighting dictionary entities for language understanding models
A dictionary used by a spoken language understanding (SLU) system is improved by providing weightings for entities in the dictionary that represent the likelihood each entity belongs to an entity class represented by the dictionary. A classifier model may be trained using a seed list containing sample entities that belong in the entity class and a background entity list containing samples that do not belong in the entity class. Clicked URLs from search logs, search result URLs, and attributes from an entity graph may be used as features of the sample entities to train the classifier model. The classifier model may be used to weight entities from a candidate dictionary. The entity weightings are used to generate an improved dictionary for use in the SLU system.
US09519865B2 Apparatus and methods of analysis of pipe and annulus in a wellbore
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to provide pipe analysis, annulus analysis, or one or more combinations of pipe analysis and annulus analysis with respect to one or more pipes in a wellbore. The analysis can include application of clustering and classification methods with respect to the status and the environment of the one or more pipes in the wellbore. In various embodiments, the clustering and classification can be used in characterizing borehole annular material including cement bond quality evaluation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09519863B2 Method and apparatus for a predictive tracking device
A predictive tracking method and apparatus utilizing objective and subjective data in order to predict user states is provided herein. For example, some such embodiments may allow a user to track their mood or health symptoms in relation to retrieved data regarding their environmental in order to reveal patterns that can help forecast and proactively manage mood or health symptoms.
US09519862B2 Domains for knowledge-based data quality solution
The subject disclosure relates to a knowledge-driven data quality solution that is based on a rich knowledge base. The data quality solution can provide continuous improvement and can be based on continuous (or on-going) knowledge acquisition. The data quality solution can be built once and can be reused for multiple data quality improvements, which can be for the same data or for similar data. The disclosed aspects are easy to use and focus on productivity and user experience. Further, the disclosed aspects are open and extendible and can be applied to cloud-based reference data (e.g., a third party data source) and/or user generated knowledge. According to some aspects, the disclosed aspects can be integrated with data integration services.
US09519860B2 Programmable device, hierarchical parallel machines, and methods for providing state information
Programmable devices, hierarchical parallel machines and methods for providing state information are described. In one such programmable device, programmable elements are provided. The programmable elements are configured to implement one or more finite state machines. The programmable elements are configured to receive an N-digit input and provide a M-digit output as a function of the N-digit input. The M-digit output includes state information from less than all of the programmable elements. Other programmable devices, hierarchical parallel machines and methods are also disclosed.
US09519859B2 Deep structured semantic model produced using click-through data
A deep structured semantic module (DSSM) is described herein which uses a model that is discriminatively trained based on click-through data, e.g., such that a conditional likelihood of clicked documents, given respective queries, is maximized, and a condition likelihood of non-clicked documents, given the queries, is reduced. In operation, after training is complete, the DSSM maps an input item into an output item expressed in a semantic space, using the trained model. To facilitate training and runtime operation, a dimensionality-reduction module (DRM) can reduce the dimensionality of the input item that is fed to the DSSM. A search engine may use the above-summarized functionality to convert a query and a plurality of documents into the common semantic space, and then determine the similarity between the query and documents in the semantic space. The search engine may then rank the documents based, at least in part, on the similarity measures.
US09519857B2 Apparatus and method for sensing characterizing features of a deformable structure
An apparatus includes a deformable structure in which a neural network comprising a plurality of deformation sensors, e.g. nanowire sensors, and distributed in-situ processing circuits. The circuits generate a signal characterizing features of the local deformation of the structure and/or a command signal corresponding to the detected deformation. The structure may be a wearable sleeve that conforms to deformations of a user's skin, part of an electronic device, such as a touch sensitive screen, or an object in itself. The apparatus can provide a user interface, wherein a command corresponding to a current shape of the structure is generated and acted upon by a integrated or remote device, or a device for monitoring a user's position or movement e.g. for replication by a robotic device. The apparatus may have machine learning capability to improve the matching of commands with determined shapes of the deformable structure.
US09519856B2 Encoding information in multiple patterned layers
An article of manufacture includes a substrate, a first patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a first region, and a second patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a second region. The first patterned layer encodes first information in first symbols that are detectable by an optical sensor. The second patterned layer encodes second information in second symbols that are detectable by a non-optical sensor. The second information is distinct from the first information and the second region at least partially overlaps the first region.
US09519854B2 RFID tag, RFID system, and package including RFID tag
An RFID tag is attached to a metal member including a slit, the RFID tag including conductive members attached to a surface of the metal member at corresponding sides of the slit in a width direction of the slit through an isolator; and an IC chip that receives power through the conductive members. When a frequency of radio waves is f, the power induced between the sides the slit is Wa, voltage induced between the sides of the slit is V, an area of each of the conductive members is S, thickness of the isolator is d, a dielectric constant of the isolator is ∈r, a dielectric constant of vacuum is ∈0, and a minimum value of the power required for the IC chip to operate is Wmin, an inequality Wmin≦Wa−4πf·S·∈0·∈r·V2/d is satisfied.
US09519851B2 Transaction card
The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is preferably an infrared ink comprising an infrared phthalocyanine dye, an infrared phosphor, and a quantum dot energy transfer compound. The infrared ink can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.
US09519843B2 Object recognition device
A learning unit generates a function table indicating the relationship between the class number and position information of an object and the probability of appearance of the object for each small area image pattern of a code book, calculates a sharing matrix indicating the commonality of a feature amount between the classes, makes a tree diagram in which the classes with a similar feature amount are clustered, and calculates the weight of each node in the tree diagram for each small area image pattern. The recognition processing unit compares image data captured by a camera with the code book, selects the closest small area image pattern, extracts the class related to the node with the smallest weight among the nodes with a weight equal to or greater than a threshold value, and votes the position information of the small area image pattern for the class, thereby recognizing the object.
US09519842B2 Apparatus and method for managing an object extracted from image data
An apparatus includes a first management unit configured to classify and manage feature information of a plurality of objects extracted from image data in units of similar feature information, a second management unit configured to classify and manage the plurality of objects extracted from the image data object by object, an association unit configured to associate classifications of the objects by the second management unit with classifications of the feature information by the first management unit, and an input unit configured to input a correction instruction about the classifications of the objects by the second management unit, wherein the association unit is configured to, if the correction instruction is input, update an association between the classifications of the objects and the classifications of the feature information and the second management unit is configured to correct and manage the classifications of the objects based on updating of the association.
US09519834B2 Night parking detection
The present invention discloses a night parking-monitoring device. It monitors the state change of a parking space at night by tracking at least a light of a vehicle.
US09519831B2 Method and apparatus for detecting generalized passerby by utilizing features of a wheel and upper body
A method for detecting a generalized passerby includes: acquiring an input image; determining whether a preset common feature of a wheel exists in the input image; selecting an image window at left side or right side or upper side of a center of a region where the preset common feature of the wheel is located in a case that the preset common feature of the wheel exists in the input image; inputting the selected image window into a preset upper-body classifier; detecting whether an upper body of a passerby exists in the selected image window and outputting a first detection result.
US09519830B2 Ophthalmologic image processing method and storage medium storing program for executing the method
An ophthalmic image processing method includes: acquiring information about characteristics of an examinee's eye including corneal information about the corneal anterior surface shape of the examinee's eye, and refractivity information about refraction of the examinees eye as a whole; generating a simulation image of a target image formed at fundus of the examinee's eye using the refractivity information; and simultaneously displaying an eyeball model image showing an eyeball structure, the simulation image, and a corneal information image associated with the cornea on the eyeball model image and corresponding to the corneal information.
US09519825B2 Determining access permission
An access permission level for a first individual may be calculated by utilizing repositories of social network databases. The facial image of a first individual may be captured and compared with a repository of pre-categorized individuals. In response to the facial image of the first individual being absent from the repository of pre-categorized individuals, the repositories of social network databases may be crawled to collect facial images of non-categorized individuals. The first facial image may be compared with the facial images of non-categorized individuals, and a second individual may be identified. In response to identifying, categorization data associated with the second individual may be collected. Utilizing the categorization data, the second individual may be sorted into one of a plurality of categories. Based upon an image match score and the category which the second individual is sorted into, an access permission level may be determined and provided to a user.
US09519823B2 Biomarker method
In a technique for quantifying the spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures, image data representing a spatial map of biomarkers is processed to obtain a set of coordinates. Each of the coordinates in the set denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers. The set of coordinates is processed into a two-dimensional symmetric (2N−1)×(2N−1) or 2N×2N matrix. The resulting matrix may be used for various purposes, such as assigning subjects clinical characteristics, and/or forming and/or testing scientific hypotheses for interventions, for example. Also described herein is an apparatus for performing the described technique.
US09519822B2 Determination method, determination device, determination system, and computer program
A determination method for determining reliability of a selective binding amount of a substance to be examined obtained as detection intensity of a label when a labeled substance to be examined binds to a selective binding substance fixed as a spot on a carrier includes: determining a position of the spot in image data obtained by imaging the detection intensity in the carrier and extracting a pixel group corresponding to the spot; calculating a ratio or a difference between a median value of the detection intensity of the pixel group extracted at the determining and a median value of the detection intensity of the pixel group excluding a certain top proportion of and/or a certain bottom proportion of pixels; and determining quality of the reliability based on the ratio or the difference calculated at the calculating and a certain reference value.
US09519821B2 Methods and systems for capturing biometric data
A method of capturing biometric data is provided that includes activating a security application in a device. The security application is activated by an operator of the device and is configured to cause the device to display an outline image. Moreover, the method includes displaying the outline image in a stationary position on a display of the device, positioning desired biometric data proximate the device such that the desired biometric data appears as a biometric image on the device display, and monitoring the outline and biometric images shown on the device display. Furthermore, the method includes positioning the device and the desired biometric data to better align the outline and biometric images when the outline and biometric images do not align and capturing the desired biometric data from an individual after approximately aligning the outline image with the biometric image.
US09519819B2 Method and electronic device for noise mitigation
The present invention generally relates to a method for removing disturbances in an image captured by a fingerprint sensor, and specifically to reduction of noise in an acquired fingerprint image by incorporating the sensing principle into the applied method for noise reduction, wherein the noise reduced image is used for determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. Advantages with the invention include enhanced determination of fingerprint patterns from fingerprint images captured using a fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product.
US09519817B1 Method for digitizing barcode image by using dynamic threshold
After capturing a barcode image, generate at least one sample line accordingly, acquire sample data of the at least one sample line, generate a first and a second reference lines, generate an upper bound and a lower bound according to the first and the second reference lines, generate a first curve by interpolating all sample points, generate a plurality of effective sample shapes of the first curve according to the upper bound and the lower bound, identify an internal point of each effective sample shape, generate a second curve by interpolating all internal points, and digitize the barcode image to binary data by comparing sample data with the second curve.
US09519815B2 Optical indicia reading terminal with color image sensor
An optical indicia reading terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, and an image sensor integrated circuit for decoding decodable indicia. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to output a plurality of digital signals, each digital signal being representative of light incident on at least one pixel of the two-dimensional image sensor. The optical indicia reading terminal can be configured to selectively acquire a plurality of luminance signals from the plurality of digital signals. Whether the output image data from the sensor is digitally stored as YUV data or YCBCR data, the terminal parses out the luminance signal, Y, in the data matrix to store a monochrome image for decoding. The optical indicia reading terminal can be configured to process the frame of image data for decoding decodable indicia.
US09519814B2 Portable data terminal
A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.
US09519813B2 Proper installation determination based on RFID
A radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver may be associated with an identification proximity to identify an RFID tag associated with a component. A control may determine proper inflation of component based on the RFID tag being identified.
US09519811B1 System and method for reading RFID tags across a portal
Method and system for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a portal system comprises performing a first detection and a second detection of the RFID tags in a portal zone. The method further involves performing a first and second sampling of the RFID tags in the portal zone. Thereafter, based on the first detection, second detection, first sampling and second sampling, an occurrence is determined of at least one of the RFID tags transitioning between a first physical space on one side of the portal system and a second physical space on an opposing side of the portal system.
US09519804B2 Domain-specific hardwired symbolic machine that validates and maps a symbol
A domain-specific hardwired symbolic machine is disclosed that processes information via the flexible formation and hardwired mapping of symbols from one or more domains onto other such domains, computing and communicating with improved security because it has no CPU, no Random Access Memory (RAM), no instruction registers, no Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), no operating system (OS) and no applications programming. The machine may learn, e.g. from its users, via hardwired analysis of domain faults with associated recovery. The machine may modify itself according to interaction with its authorized authenticated users with self-modification via learning within application-specific, user-specific constraints hardwired into the original machine, eliminating configuration management and computer programming.
US09519800B2 Device and method for online storage, transmission device and method, and receiving device and method
A device and a method for online storage, device and method for searching for similar content, a device and a method of transmission and a device and a method. Encrypted data is saved at a provider of online services. With the encrypted data, encrypted hashing data is saved with a public key and the content to save is encrypted with the encrypted hash. This advantageously enables data duplication at the online service provider to be prevented while preserving the private life of the users of the service. In order to search for content similar to reference multimedia data, fingerprints are also saved at the service provider. In order to limit the number of false positives returned, the fingerprint can further contain a search fingerprint, an encrypted selection fingerprint.
US09519797B2 Secure database searching
Methods and systems for securely storing data in a database are described herein. According to an aspect, a technique may include receiving data to be stored, dividing the data into a plurality of elements, encrypting each element of the plurality of elements with an encryption function, combining the encrypted elements to form a data attribute, and storing the data attribute in the database. According to another aspect, a technique for searching a database having encrypted data attributes may include receiving a search term, encrypting the search term with an encryption function, and searching a database for records having data attributes matching the encrypted search term.
US09519790B2 Evaluating customer security preferences
Methods and systems for evaluating customer security preferences are presented. In some embodiments, a computer system may receive, from a security dashboard computing platform, a request for a security score associated with a customer. In response to receiving the request for the security score associated with the customer, the computer system may request, from a customer portal computing platform, one or more security preferences associated with the customer. Subsequently, the computer system may receive, from the customer portal computing platform, the one or more security preferences associated with the customer. The computer system then may determine, based on at least one security score definition file and based on the one or more security preferences associated with the customer, a security score for the customer. Thereafter, the computer system may provide, to the security dashboard computing platform, the determined security score for the customer.
US09519788B2 Identifying security vulnerabilities related to inter-process communications
Identifying security vulnerabilities related to inter-process communications by identifying within the instructions of a computer software application an object creation location configured to create an inter-process communications object, identifying within the instructions of the computer software application a location of an inter-process communications method, determining whether a path exists for an inter-process communications object created at the object creation location to propagate to the inter-process communications method, classifying with a classification selected from a plurality of predefined classifications, any of the inter-process communications object, the object creation location, and the location of the inter-process communications method, and reporting as a security vulnerability the classified inter-process communications object, object creation location, or location of the inter-process communications method if the path exists and if the classification is predefined to indicate that reporting is warranted.
US09519785B2 Basic input/output system (BIOS) security display
Methods and systems for generating and using a BIOS security display include determining whether a change in a BIOS user setting is associated with security of an information handling system. When the BIOS user setting is associated with security, a security level for the BIOS may be calculated based on weighted security values for BIOS user settings. Security levels for boot phases may also be individually calculated. The security levels may be displayed in the BIOS to the user when the BIOS user setting is changed.
US09519782B2 Detecting malicious network content
Systems and methods for detecting malicious content on portable data storage devices or remote network servers are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a quarantine module configured to detect one or more portable data storage devices upon insertion of the devices into a security appliance, wherein the security appliance is configured to receive the portable data storage devices, a controller configured to receive from the security appliance, via a communication network, data associated with the portable data storage devices, an analysis module configured to analyze the data to determine whether the data includes malware, and a security module to selectively identify, based on the determination, the one or more portable data storage devices storing the malware.
US09519779B2 Methods and apparatus for control and detection of malicious content using a sandbox environment
A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform a process includes code to cause the processor to receive a set of indications of allowed behavior associated with an application. The processor is also caused to initiate an instance of the application within a sandbox environment. The processor is further caused to receive, from a monitor module associated with the sandbox environment, a set of indications of actual behavior of the instance of the application in response to initiating the instance of the application within the sandbox environment. The processor is also caused to send an indication associated with an anomalous behavior if at least one indication from the set of indications of actual behavior does not correspond to an indication from the set of indications of allowed behavior.
US09519777B2 Techniques for controlling authentication
Techniques for controlling authentication are provided. An enterprise injects a control and/or audit manager into the enterprise environment to control and in some instances audit third-party authentication services. A user attempts to access a resource that uses a third-party authentication service. The attempt is intercepted and third-party authentication handled by the manager. After authentication, a session between the user and the resource is established during which auditing services may be enacted. The user authenticates to the enterprise environment and the manager provides authentication for the user to the resource via the third-party authentication service.
US09519776B2 Computer security system and method
The present invention is a computer security system and method in which the various algorithms not only do not search for or detect the presence of a steganographic or other hidden image in a data file or across data files, but also includes at least one or more combined approaches for altering and neutralizing any hidden messages without significantly detracting from the underlying integrity of the data file or files thus treated.
US09519774B2 Systems and methods for SQL query constraint solving
The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing SQL queries for constraint violations, which may indicate injection attacks. The systems and methods tokenize a SQL query to generate a token stream. Next, lexical nodes are generated by iterating over the token stream. Then, a parse tree can be constructed by iterating over the lexical nodes. The parse tree may be compared to a SQL schema and access configuration for a database in order to analyze the SQL query for constraint violations, including determining the number of queries in the parse tree, identifying invalid fields and table access, identifying invalid field type comparisons and pattern matches, and identifying early statement termination.
US09519771B2 Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device
This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).
US09519769B2 System and method for disabling secure access to an electronic device using detection of a predetermined device orientation
A system and method for providing secure authorization to an electronic device by combining two or more security features of authentication processed at substantially the same time where at least one of the factors is a “tolerant” factor. By combining two factors such as facial recognition and a screen gesture, these can be analyzed at substantially the same time except when a device is oriented in a predetermined position or a unique or individualized motion is detected.
US09519764B2 Method and system for abstracted and randomized one-time use passwords for transactional authentication
A security system and method for authenticating a user's access to a target system is disclosed. The security system receives an authentication request from the user and generates a security matrix which comprises a mapping between each symbol within a symbol set and a code value randomly selected from a distinct code set. The number of elements in the symbol set and in the code set are selected to provide a predetermined level of security against capture of a user-defined keyword by an unauthorized observer. The security system sends the security matrix to the user and awaits a one-time code in response. The user forms the one-time code based on the user keyword and the security matrix. The security system validates the one-time code against the security matrix and the keyword to determine an authentication result, permitting or denying the user access to the target system.
US09519763B1 Optical cognition and visual authentication and authorization for mobile devices
A system and method is provided for visual authentication and authorization of a user for mobile devices, the system having: a login display on a mobile selection device displaying a visual pattern, a data collection engine whereby selection features are obtained from a plurality of user selection events to the mobile selection device with reference to the visual pattern, the selection attributes comprise measured selection attributes and derived selection attributes calculated from the measured selection attributes; an authentication engine whereby the selection attributes are compared to projected user selection attributes derived from user selection attribute values obtained during prior successful logins.
US09519761B2 Systems and methods for authentication using low quality and high quality authentication information
Systems, methods, and devices for authenticating a user are provided. A device includes one or more processors configured to determine if a requested service requires high quality authentication, generate a request for high quality authentication if the requested service requires high quality authentication, and generate a request for low quality authentication if the requested service requires low quality authentication. The device also include a network interface component coupled to a network, the network interface component configured to: receive the request for the service requiring authentication, and a memory, the memory storing high quality authentication information and low quality authentication information for authenticating the user.
US09519760B2 Barter for rights
Selling intangible property rights may include receiving content from a seller and determining one or more potential purchasers for the content's intangible property rights. The potential purchasers may be determined according to the subject of the content, the audience for the content, and the intangible property rights being sold. An offer to sell the intangible property rights may then be transmitted to one or more potential purchasers, along with a portion of the content. Upon receiving the one or more purchaser's acceptance of the offer, a complete copy of the content may be transmitted to the purchaser.
US09519756B2 Managing policy and permissions profiles
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for managing policy and permissions profiles. Individuals or organizations are permitted to author profiles utilizing a profile template and publish such authored profiles for access and adoption by others. Users are able to import desired profiles and subsequently have those imported profiles applied each time he or she accesses an application or service to which the profile pertains. User interfaces from which users may view profiles associated with them, make alterations to settings of profiles associated with them, and/or select from a plurality of profiles for a particular application or service are also provided. Still further, recommendations may be provided to users for policy and permissions profiles based upon, for instance, crowd-sourcing, profiles adopted by social network connections of a user or other users that are “like” a user, prior profile selections made by the user, and/or prior user behavior.
US09519754B2 Apparatuses and methods for parallel analytics
Methods, apparatus, and software packages for data processing are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a dataset. In some embodiments, the method may include determining a control number of a processing system. In some embodiments, the control number may include a number of evaluation units within the processing system. The method may include processing the dataset using a plurality of evaluation units. In some embodiments, processing the dataset may include allocating a free evaluation unit to form a busy evaluation unit. Processing the dataset may also include creating a data subdivision for the busy evaluation unit, the data subdivision including a part of the dataset. Processing the dataset may also include evaluating the data subdivision. Processing the dataset may also include releasing the busy evaluation unit. The allocating, creating, evaluating, and releasing may performed concurrently by the plurality of evaluation units.
US09519750B2 Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods in a team sports environment
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining when an athlete is in possession of a ball by analyzing image data are provided. A camera is worn by an athlete and is turned on when the athlete is in proximity of a ball. The camera is used to generate an image of a ball. The size of the ball is determined and compared to a threshold. The athlete is considered to be in possession of the ball when the size of the image exceeds the threshold.
US09519749B2 Surgical guide and method
A method for preparing a surgical guide for positioning of a dental implementation. The method includes positioning a positioning device relative to a model jawbone, translating the positioning device in a BL direction, adjusting a BL angle of the positioning device about a BL pivot axis corresponding to a desired position of a top of the dental implementation, and fixing the BL position, BL angle, and z-height of the positioning device. A mounting assembly mounts to the positioning device and includes a removable rotation block with a guide hole. The mounting assembly is movable in the MD direction while the BL position is fixed. A template fixes the mounting assembly for transferring the positioning information to a patient's mouth. Various aspects of the design process can be performed on a computer. The guide and a method of using the guide to perform an implant procedure are also disclosed.
US09519745B2 Method and apparatus for assisted metal routing
A method and apparatus for an assisted metal routing is disclosed. Embodiments may include: determining an initial block mask having a first inner vertex for forming a metal routing layer of an integrated circuit (IC); adding an assistant metal portion within the metal routing layer; and determining a modified block mask based on the assistant metal portion for forming the metal routing layer.
US09519741B2 Method of characterizing and modeling leakage statistics and threshold voltage
An approach includes deriving an uplift factor as a function of a width of the device for each leakage current component based on an amount of uncorrelated random variations in the leakage current component for one specific width and using the uplift factor as a multiplier for the leakage current component. The approach includes using the uplift factor for sub-threshold drain current as a multiplier of the sub-threshold drain current so that a lowering of nominal threshold voltage of the device occurs in a single simulation run. The approach further includes deriving a threshold voltage mismatch expression related to an amount of an uncorrelated random variation in sub-threshold drain current which is not directly inversely proportional to a square root of the width. The uplift factors and the threshold voltage mismatch expression within a model are used to predict statistical characteristics of the leakage current.
US09519740B2 Determining optimal gate sizes by using a numerical solver
Systems and techniques are described for optimizing a circuit design by using a numerical solver. The gates sizes are optimized by modeling a set of gate optimization problems and solving the set of gate optimization problems by using a numerical solver. Modeling each gate optimization problem can include selecting a portion of the circuit design that includes a driver gate that drives one or more inputs of each gate in a set of gates, and modeling a gate optimization problem for the portion of the circuit design based on circuit information for the portion of the circuit design. A differentiable objective function for delay can be created using numerical models for the delays in the circuit. In some embodiments, gradients of the differentiable objective function can be computed to enable the use of a conjugate-gradient-based numerical solver.
US09519736B2 Data generation device for vision sensor and detection simulation system
A data generation device and a detection simulation system, capable of executing offline simulation using a vision sensor, without calibration for associating the vision sensor with the robot. The device has: a placing part which places three-dimensional models of a robot, a vision sensor and an object in a virtual space; a robot placement position designating part and a vision sensor placement position designating part which designate placement positions of the robot and the vision sensor in the virtual space, respectively, based on a reference coordinate system defined in the virtual space; a placement position storing part which stores the placement positions; a positional relationship calculating part which calculates a positional relationship between a robot coordinate system and a sensor coordinate system; and a positional relationship storing part which stores the positional relationship as data used in a detection process of the vision sensor.
US09519735B2 Method of failure analysis
In some methods, a number of input data sets is provided for an integrated circuit (IC) model. A number of scores for the number of input data sets, respectively, are then determined based on probabilities of the respective input data sets resulting in a failure condition, which exists when the IC model fails to meet a predetermined yield criteria. A simulation order for the number of input data sets is then assigned according to the determined number of scores.
US09519732B1 Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing pattern-based design enabled manufacturing of electronic circuit designs
Some embodiments correlate various manufacturing or design information or data with patterns used to represent electronic designs and provide pertinent pattern-based information to metrology, fabrication, or testing tools to enhance their performances of their intended functions. Some embodiments further utilize cross-design or cross-process analytics to perform various pattern-based analyses on electronic designs. Some embodiments perform squish analysis with a squish pattern library on an electronic design to represent the electronic design with squish patterns by performing pattern matching, pattern decomposition, and pattern classification process.
US09519728B2 Apparatus and methods for monitoring and optimizing delivery of content in a network
Methods and apparatus for delivering content to a user so as to optimize and enhance the “experience” of the content. In one embodiment, an optimization and monitoring entity (OME) is used which determines, evaluates, and provides notification and/or recommendation of alternative content delivery platforms which are available to a user. The OME receives requests for content forwarded from a content server containing information identifying requesting devices and/or subscriber accounts. The OME examines the capabilities of the registered devices, and identifies/recommends alternative devices based on e.g., video/audio quality, picture size, bandwidth availability, and/or any other additional capabilities of the client devices. A notification is then sent to the client devices indicating which of the user's devices may receive the content alternatively, or in addition to, the requesting device. The notifications may be interactive, allowing the user to select one or more of the devices for delivery.
US09519721B1 Suppressing duplicate listings on multiple search engine web sites from a single source system given that a publisher selects a different listing as a synchronized listing
A source system receives initial identification data of a listing related to an entity. The source system searches a provider system for one or more listings having identification data matching the initial identification data. The source system receives, from the provider system, a plurality of potential matching listings having identification data matching the initial identification data, wherein each listing of the plurality of potential matching listings has a corresponding confidence score assigned by the source system, and wherein each listing of the plurality of potential matching listings has a corresponding provider-supplied external identifier assigned by the provider system. The source system designates a representative listing of the entity located on a provider system from among the plurality of potential matching listings, the representative listing having the highest confidence score assigned by the source system. The source system transmits, to the provider system, a request to synchronize the representative listing having the highest confidence score assigned by the source system as the representative listing of the entity on the provider system, the request comprising a first provider-supplied external identifier. The source system receives, from the provider system, an indication that a second listing of the plurality of potential matching listings has been selected by the provider system as the representative listing of the entity on the provider system, the response comprising a second provider-supplied external identifier. The source system re-designates the second listing as the representative listing of the entity on the provider system and designating the remaining one or more remaining listing of the plurality of potential matching listings as one or more duplicate listings on the provider system. The source system transmits, to the provider system, a request to suppress the remaining one or more listings as one or more duplicate listings, the request to suppress the remaining one or more listings comprising one or more third provider-supplied external identifiers, the one or more third provider-supplied external identifiers indicating the remaining one or more listings to suppress.
US09519716B2 System and method for conducting a profile based search
The present invention provides a method and system for conducting a profile based search. The method and system includes receiving a search request including one or more search terms from a user, parsing the search request into categorical verticals, determining search refinement data relative to the categorical verticals, the search refinement data including at least one of: profile information, environmental data relative to the search request and historical behavior data relating to the search request or the user and accessing a database of aggregated search data based on the search refinement data. The method and system includes using the aggregated search data, determining a most relevant search query and a most relevant user profile, refining the search request based on the most relevant search query and most relevant user profile and generating an output display of a search result set based on the refined search request.
US09519711B2 Integrating and managing social networking information in an on-demand database system
Some embodiments comprise integrating information from a social network into a multi-tenant database system. A plurality of information from the social network is retrieved, using a processor and a network interface of a server computer in the multi-tenant database system, wherein the plurality of information is associated with a message transmitted using the social network. Metadata related to the transmitted message is generated, using the processor. A conversation object is generated, using the processor, based on the plurality of information associated with the transmitted message and the metadata related to the transmitted message. The conversation object is then stored in an entity in the multi-tenant database system, using the processor of the server computer.
US09519709B2 Determination of an ordered set of separate videos
A method comprising determining an ordered set of separate videos that comprises a first video and a second video, identifying a first video segment comprised by the first video, determining an ordered set representation that indicates the ordered set of separate videos, the ordered set representation comprising a first representative image that represents the first video and a second representative image that represents the second video, causing display of the ordered set representation, receiving information indicative a scrub input, causing movement between the ordered set representation and an index point based on the scrub input, determining that the index point is aligned with the first representative image determining a rendering position based the first representative image, identifying a frame of the first video segment, and causing display of a frame image in a video rendering region is disclosed.
US09519708B2 Multiple concurrent audio modes
Embodiments described herein include devices and processes for concurrently processing different audio streams with different hardware-based audio processing modes. A computing device for such embodiments may have multiple hardware audio signal processing modes capable of parallel execution. An operating system or audio stack thereof may manage audio paths or streams for audio sources producing respective types of audio signals. Which of the audio paths or streams will be connected with which of the hardware audio signal processing modes may be determined according to the types of the audio signals. A first hardware audio signal processing mode may be processing a first type of audio signal of a first audio path or stream while concurrently a second hardware audio signal processing mode processes a second type of audio signal of a second audio path or stream.
US09519704B2 Real time single-sweep detection of key words and content analysis
A system and method are provided for real-time analysis of text. During a single sweep through the text, a detection tree is used to identify a sequence of characters in the text from a large dictionary of keywords. When a keyword is detected a rule tally database is updated. An intermediate score may be available during the sweep and a final score of the text may be available substantially immediately upon finishing the single sweep. A second text may be analyzed immediately using the same score buffer and rule tally database without updating the rule tally database.
US09519703B2 Refining search results for a compound search query
A method for refining search results. The method includes receiving a search query and in response to determining the search query is a compound search query, the method includes parsing the compound search query into at least two sub-queries. The method includes performing a search for each of the sub-queries and receiving a set of results from each search. The method then includes receiving a selection of a received result from one of the results sets and performing a second search using the selected received result and a sub-query not associated with the selected received result.
US09519702B2 System and method for mining category aspect information
Systems and methods for providing category aspect information by mining historical data is provided. A table comprising joined data is accessed. The table includes historical data that comprises user behavior data based on actions performed with past queries by users listing data that includes aspect data for each listing and a determined category for each listing. Demand scores based on the joined data are determined. The determined demand scores are used to determine at least one relevant aspect name for a category. A message is transmitted for display on a device of the user that indicates the at least one most relevant aspect name for the category and suggests the user provide an aspect value that corresponds to the at least one most relevant aspect name to be included in a new listing.
US09519699B1 Consistency of query results in a distributed system
A user of a tag manager utilizes a tag manager to request creation of one or more zonal metadata tags. When the metadata tags are created, the tag manager updates a tag manager database to include information concerning the created metadata tags. Subsequently, the tag manager attempts to update a changes table within a discovery service database to include this information, the changes table usable by a discovery service to support regional and global tag queries. If the update of the changes table is initially unsuccessful, the tag manager may utilize a replicator to synchronize the tag manager database and the changes table when the discovery service database is once again available.
US09519696B1 Data transformation policies
Data transformation policies specify conditions based at least in part on request features. When a request is received, features of the received request are used to determine any data transformation policies applicable to the request. When a data transformation policy applies to the request, a corresponding data transformation is applied to data responsive to the request. A response to the request comprising transformed data is provided.
US09519694B2 Device for presenting recipe and method for presenting recipe
A recipe presentation device includes: a recipe storage unit storing recipes each including preparation elements of ingredients, intermediate ingredients, and a dish to be served; a receiving unit which receives a dish specified by a user; a search unit which searches the recipe storage unit for a first recipe which is a recipe for the dish; a similarity calculation unit which calculates similarities between the individual recipes for the dishes stored in the recipe storage unit and the first recipe; a selection unit which selects, according to the similarities, a second recipe which is a recipe similar to the first recipe among the recipes for the dishes; and a presentation unit which presents a dish corresponding to the selected second recipe.
US09519692B2 Visualizing related events within a timeline
A timeline visualization system displays one or more groups of related events over a specified period of time within a timeline, where each group of related events is represented within the timeline as an event group. When a user interacts with the timeline, the event group expands and displays all the related events within the event group in a layer on top of the timeline. When a user interacts with the timeline a second time, the event group collapses, and the timeline (including the one or more event groups), is once again displayed.
US09519688B2 Collection and storage of a personalized, searchable, unstructured corpora
An approach is provided for utilizing unstructured corpora in a Question and Answer (QA) system. A question is received at the QA system. A private corpora is generated with the private corpora being associated with the user. The private corpora is generated from private data stores associated with the user as well as private data stores associated with other users. Access to the other user's private data sources is provided to the user by the other users. The system retrieves data responsive to the question from the private corpora. The responsive data is ranked based on its relevance to the question. Likely answers are identified based on the ranked responsive data and the likely answers are provided back to the user.
US09519686B2 Confidence ranking of answers based on temporal semantics
A mechanism is provided, in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory configured to implement a question and answer system (QA), for providing confidence rankings based on temporal semantics. Responsive to receiving an input question, a set of candidate answers is identified from a knowledge domain based on a correlation between an identified one or more predicates and an identified one or more arguments to the knowledge domain. A confidence score is associated with each of the candidate answers and each confidence score associated with each candidate answer is refined based on a set of temporal characteristics identified in the input question. A set of temporally refined candidate answers is then provided to the user.
US09519685B1 Tag selection, clustering, and recommendation for content hosting services
Content object tags at a content hosting service are used to classify stored content objects. Tags and clusters of tags (groups of one or more associated tags) can be recommended to a user of the content hosting service based on a user context, such as the browsing, viewing, uploading, or searching of content objects. Tags are scored based on content objects tagged with the tags in a targeted subset of content objects and a baseline subset of content objects, and based on the relevance of the content objects tagged with the tags. These tag scores can be weighted, and one or more tags can be selected for recommendation based on the weighted tag scores. Tag clusters can be selected for recommendation using a cluster hierarchy and determining whether a targeted subset of tags occur within a maximum number of tag clusters at a particular hierarchy level.
US09519683B1 Inferring social affinity based on interactions with search results
Techniques for inferring social affinity may include the following operations: obtaining information derived from online activity of a first party, where the online activity includes searches initiated by the first party, and where the information specifies interaction of the first party with content accessed through the online activity; determining, based on the information, that an amount of the interaction of the first party with the content exceeds a threshold; following the determining, identifying a second party who provided the content; adjusting, in a social graph for the first party, an affinity of the second party to the first party based on the amount of the interaction with the content; and using the affinity to promote search results output to the first party that contain content that is provided by the second party.
US09519681B2 Enhanced knowledge repository
Embodiments of the present invention relate to knowledge representation systems which include a knowledge base in which knowledge is represented in a structured, machine-readable format that encodes meaning.
US09519680B2 Methods for query processing of topological relationships among complex spatial objects
An optimized method of processing queries requesting a description of a spatial relationship between a test geometry and a query geometry, such as points, lines, polygons, and collections thereof, is disclosed. A first part of the method finds a first spatial relationship between a minimum bounding rectangle (MBR) of the test geometry and an In-Memory R-tree (IMR-tree) built to describe the query geometry. If the first relationship does not specify the requested description, then a second part of the method uses the IMR-tree of the query geometry to find a second spatial relationship between the test geometry itself and the query geometry. Optimizations are applied to the first part and to the second part. Optimizations in the second part depend on the test geometry.
US09519678B2 Managing item queries
A network-based service may be provided for facilitating queries for a number of items, such as travel services. A user may submit a query including criteria for determining one or more relevant items. Based on the submitted query, the network-based service may present the user with information regarding the actions of other similar users of the network-based service, such as searches performed by the other users. Based on this information, the user may elect to supplement the current query to conform to the actions for other users. In some embodiments, actions by other users may be based at least in part on a category of the querying user. By presenting actions of similar users, a current user may be enabled to select the most relevant query terms for identifying a desired item.
US09519672B2 User activity tracking system and device
In an embodiment, a computing device determines sensor signals detected by one or more sensors of the computing device. The sensor signals indicate motion of the computing device. The computing device selects one of a plurality of activity categories that corresponds to a portion of the sensor signals, each of the activity categories including one or more activity types. The activity types in each activity category are characterized by a common motion corresponding to the portion of the sensor signals. One of the activity types in the selected activity category is determined by analyzing the sensor signals with respect to each of the activity types in the selected activity category, and calculating a probability of each of the activity types. The determined activity type is displayed on the computing device.
US09519671B1 Folding pair of adjacent indices based on optimum quantity of induces for parallel processing
A method comprising receiving data, where the data includes one or more elements, the data is associated with a first set of indices, and the first set of indices references the one or more elements. The method may further include folding a plurality of indices into a single index, where the single index references the one or more elements of the received data that were referenced by the plurality of indices, the folding generates a second set of indices, and the folding is performed when concurrent process threads are not generated based on the first set of indices. The method may further include determining whether concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices and generating the concurrent process threads for the second set of indices when the determining determines that the concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices.
US09519670B2 Method and apparatus for road risk indices generation
A system includes a processor configured to gather historical risk-affecting data with respect to a current road. The processor is also configured to gather current risk-affecting data with respect to the current road. Further, the processor is configured to generate a baseline risk index for the road based on the historical data. The processor is additionally configured to modify the baseline risk index based on the current data and provide a risk index value for the current road based on the modified baseline risk index
US09519668B2 Lock-free creation of hash tables in parallel
A hash table is created in parallel without requiring a lock or random accesses to memory. The hash table of a database system is logically partitioned and a separate thread is assigned to each partition of the hash table. As many separate threads as can fit their corresponding hash table partitions into the processor's cache are executed in parallel with other threads without a lock. Execution of a number of separate threads includes: scanning an input data table for a thread's partition and applying a hash function to each key, inserting data of keys that hash to the thread's partition into the thread's partition, and ignoring keys that do not hash to the thread's partition.
US09519666B2 Snapshots and thin-provisioning in distributed storage over shared storage devices
A method for data storage includes, in a system that includes one or more storage controllers, one or more servers and one or more storage devices, defining one or more data structures that represent thinly-provisioned user volumes used by the servers in storing data on the storage devices. One or more of the data structures are shared among the storage controllers and the servers. One or more of the user volumes are accessed by the servers, using the shared data structures and without executing code on the storage controllers.
US09519664B1 Index structure navigation using page versions for read-only nodes
Read-only nodes of a distributed database system may implement index structure navigation using page versions. A read request may be received at a read only node of a distributed database for select data. Data pages linked together to form an index structure for data stored for the distributed database may be navigated according to versions maintained for the data pages in order to identify one or more locations to access for the select data. One or more prior versions of data pages may be selected as part navigating the index structure according to a consistent view of the distributed database associated with the read request. Change notifications may also be received at the read-only node modifying the data pages of the index structure. The index structure modifications may be applied without blocking the index structure navigation for servicing the read request.
US09519659B2 Media content enrichment using an adapted object detector
Disclosed herein are a system, method and architecture for media content enrichment. A visual object detector is trained using a training data set and an existing visual object detector. The newly-adapted visual object detector may be used to detect a visual object belonging to a class of visual object. The existing object detector that is used to train the adapted object detector detects a class of visual objects different from the visual object class detected by the adapted object detector. A media content item depicting a visual object detected using the adapted object detector may be associated with metadata, tag or other information about the detected visual object to enrich the media content item.
US09519654B2 Method, device, processing center and system for desktop synchronization
The present invention provides a method, device, processing center and system for desktop synchronization and relates to the technical field of network. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining desktop data from a processing center; determining whether an application program corresponding to the desktop data has been installed; associating the desktop data with the corresponding application program if it is determined that the corresponding application program has been installed. The present invention resolves the problem that the present cloud storage scheme could only simply store and synchronize files or folders, and achieves the effects that the desktop can be synchronized across each platforms, and the files in the desktop data can be used, edited and modified after the synchronization across platforms, by associating the locally application program with the desktop data while synchronizing the desktop data.
US09519649B2 Free space management in a database
A row is inserted in a database table on a page having a first space reserved for inserting rows of the database table. A second space is reserved for adding data to the inserted row, wherein reserving the second space includes reserving the second space on the page responsive to inserting the row.
US09519647B2 Data expiry in a non-volatile device
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for data expiry include examining metadata associated with data in a non-volatile recording medium. Apparatuses, systems, and methods include expiring data from a non-volatile recording medium in response to metadata indicating that an expiration period for the data has been satisfied.
US09519642B2 System, method and computer program product for multilingual content management
A system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by the processor. The instructions when translated by the processor cause the system to determine an exemplar reference which identifies a managed object stored in a repository residing in an enterprise computing environment. The system can determine a translation group utilizing the exemplar reference. The managed object may represent a content item. The translation group may include the content item and the content item may be multilingual enabled. The system can determine an effective locale for a request for content received from a client device communicatively connected to a web server in the enterprise computing environment, determine a language that is appropriate for the effective locale, and respond to the request for content with the content item or a translation of the content item that is in the language appropriate for the effective locale.
US09519640B2 Intelligent translations in personal see through display
A see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display apparatus for providing translations of real world data for a user. A wearer's location and orientation with the apparatus is determined and input data for translation is selected using sensors of the apparatus. Input data can be audio or visual in nature, and selected by reference to the gaze of a wearer. The input data is translated for the user relative to user profile information bearing on accuracy of a translation and determining from the input data whether a linguistic translation, knowledge addition translation or context translation is useful.
US09519639B2 Community translation of user-generated content
Translations for items of user-generated content are received from one or more users associated with a social networking system and/or one or more machine-generated translations. Each translation may translate a content item from a source or original language to a target language. Votes regarding the suitability of the translations are received from one or more users. In one aspect, the option to provide translations and/or vote on translations is provided to those users that are determined to be competent in the source language of the item of user-generated content. Determination of whether a user is competent in the source language can be based on the user profile of the user, the user-generated content of the user, the language competencies of the user's connections, and/or other social signals.
US09519636B2 Deduction of analytic context based on text and semantic layer
A system includes reception of text, extraction of a plurality of linguistic entities and associated linguistic entity categories based on the text; determination of one or more semantic objects of a semantic layer based on the linguistic entity categories, and generation of a query of the semantic layer based on the plurality of linguistic entities, the associated linguistic entity categories, and the one or more semantic objects. The extraction of the plurality of linguistic entities may include identification of the plurality of linguistic entities from a plurality of semantic object-independent linguistic entity categories and a plurality of semantic object-dependent linguistic entity categories, the plurality of semantic object-dependent linguistic entity categories may be associated with the semantic layer, each of the plurality of semantic object-dependent linguistic entity categories may be associated with a respective semantic object of the semantic layer and each entity of each semantic object-dependent linguistic entity category may be associated with a value of its respective semantic object.
US09519629B1 Style consolidation and optimization with strong ownership
Techniques are described for optimizing and consolidating style files for formatted pages of data such as web pages. Styles may be consolidated through the identification of common rules shared by multiple styles, and the common rules may be incorporated into a common style that has the style mappings and/or namespace of the source styles. Consolidation may enable minimal style information to be sent in response to a page request, the style information corresponding to a requesting browser type and/or version. Embodiments may also provide for global constants in style rules, with global constant resolution performed dynamically at runtime. Embodiments may also support file splitting for optimal browser performance, with the style file splitting performed dynamically at runtime.
US09519628B2 Method for generating simple object access protocol messages and process engine
A method for generating a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message in XML during execution of a process in a SOA-based process engine apparatus and a corresponding process engine apparatus. The method includes: generating and storing an XML character string containing a fixed SOAP message skeleton; generating and storing an XML character string containing an instance-constant variable; generating an XML character string containing a dynamic variable; and concatenating the XML character string containing the fixed SOAP message skeleton and the XML character string containing the instance-constant variable as previously stored and the XML character string containing the dynamic variable by a character string concatenating operation to generate a SOAP message. A process engine apparatus including a message analyzer unit, a message pre-composer unit, a character string depository, and a message composer unit is also provided.
US09519627B2 Grammar generation for XML schema definitions
A method of normalizing an extensible markup language schema definition (XSD) schema type may be used in encoding and/or decoding an extensible markup language (XML) document. The method may include receiving an XSD schema type including a state. The method may also include analyzing the state for a conflict. The conflict may include an event resulting from a local production and one or more events resulting from a foreign production. When the conflict is detected, the method may include ignoring the one or more events resulting from the foreign production and generating a modified grammar for the state including the event resulting from the local production.
US09519626B2 Hyperlink destination visibility
Various embodiments utilize page scripting and parsing to identify the target destination of a hyperlink and provide a visual indication of the destination to the user without causing redirection to the target destination. In some embodiments, hyperlink color, highlighting, or icons are used to indicate the destination. Particular colors and/or icons selected to indicate the destination can, in some embodiments, be selected based on the domain hosting the target destination. In at least some embodiments, the destination of a link is determined by the page script run by a web browser on a user's device, while in other embodiments, information is transmitted to a web request handler on the server hosting the web site to determine the destination.
US09519607B2 Methods and systems for virtualization of storage services in an integrated chassis
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a chassis, one or more chassis management controllers housed in the chassis, and a switch management controller. The chassis may be configured to receive a plurality of modular information handling systems. The one or more chassis management controllers may be configured to receive a storage management command, encapsulate the storage management command in a first datagram, and communicate the first datagram to a switch management controller housed in the chassis. The switch management controller may be configured to extract the storage management command from the first datagram, identify a storage controller associated with the storage management command, and communicate an input/output control request to the storage controller based on the storage management command.
US09519606B2 Network switch
A network switch, based on the PCI Express protocol, is disclosed. The switch is in communication with a processor, local memory and includes a plurality of non-transparent bridges and, optionally transparent bridges, leading to PCI Express endpoints. By configuring the non-transparent bridges appropriately, the network switch can facilitate simultaneous communication between any two sets of servers without needing to store any data in the local memory or FIFO resources of the switch. For example, the network switch may configure the non-transparent bridges so as to have access to the physical memory of every server attached to it. It can then move data from the memory of any server to the memory of any other server.
US09519601B2 Data storage system and management method thereof
Data storage system and management method thereof are provided. The method, adopted by a data storage device coupled to a host device via a bus, includes: determining the data storage device requires to use a first temporary memory of the host device to access data in a second temporary memory of the data storage device; based on the determination, issuing a Device Bus Master (DBM) request message via the bus to the host to request for a right to control data transfer on the bus; in response to the DBM request message, detecting the bus to determine whether to receive a first DBM acknowledgement message from the host device; and if the first DBM acknowledgement message is received, then accessing the first temporary memory of the host device.
US09519596B2 Resource access control in a system-on-chip
A method for controlling access of a processor to a resource, wherein the processor has an instruction set including a virtualization extension, may include executing a resource access instruction by the processor using the virtualization extension, whereby the resource access instruction conveys a virtual address (VA) and a virtual machine identifier. The method may also include translating the virtual address to a physical address based on the virtual machine identifier, and looking-up an access control rule table using the physical address as a search key. Each entry of the rule table includes a virtual machine identifier. The method further includes controlling access to the resource based on the output of the rule table and a match between the virtual machine identifier returned by the table and the virtual machine identifier conveyed in the resource access instruction.
US09519594B2 Apparatus, system, and method for solid-state storage as cache for high-capacity, non-volatile storage
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for solid-state storage as cache for high-capacity, non-volatile storage. The apparatus, system, and method are provided with a plurality of modules including a cache front-end module and a cache back-end module. The cache front-end module manages data transfers associated with a storage request. The data transfers between a requesting device and solid-state storage function as cache for one or more HCNV storage devices, and the data transfers may include one or more of data, metadata, and metadata indexes. The solid-state storage may include an array of non-volatile, solid-state data storage elements. The cache back-end module manages data transfers between the solid-state storage and the one or more HCNV storage devices.
US09519593B2 Method for increasing cache size
A method for increasing storage space in a system containing a block data storage device, a memory, and a processor is provided. Generally, the processor is configured by the memory to tag metadata of a data block of the block storage device indicating the block as free, used, or semifree. The free tag indicates the data block is available to the system for storing data when needed, the used tag indicates the data block contains application data, and the semifree tag indicates the data block contains cache data and is available to the system for storing application data type if no blocks marked with the free tag are available to the system.
US09519587B2 Pre-reading file containers storing unread file segments and segments that do not belong to the file
A file reading method, storage device, and reading system, relating to the field of file reading. The method includes receiving, by a storage device, a first read request sent by a client, where to-be-read data requested by the first read request is a part of the file; reading, from a cache, data that is of the to-be-read data and located in the cache, and reading, from a first storage medium, data that is of the to-be-read data and not located in the cache; and pre-reading, from the first storage medium, data in at least one of the containers, and storing the pre-read data into the cache, where the pre-read container includes at least one unread file segment of the file.
US09519586B2 Methods and apparatus to reduce cache pollution caused by data prefetching
Efficient techniques are described for reducing cache pollution by use of a prefetch logic that recognizes exits from software loops or function returns to cancel any pending prefetch request operations. The prefetch logic includes a loop data address monitor to determine a data access stride based on repeated execution of a memory access instruction in a program loop. Data prefetch logic then speculatively issues prefetch requests according to the data access stride. A stop prefetch circuit is used to cancel pending prefetch requests in response to an identified loop exit. The prefetch logic may also recognize a return from a called function and cancel any pending prefetch request operations associated with the called function. When prefetch requests are canceled, demand requests, such as based on load instructions, are not canceled. This approach to reduce cache pollution uses program flow information to throttle data cache prefetching.
US09519584B2 System and method for updating data in a cache
In one embodiment, a computing system includes a cache having one or more memories and a cache manager. The cache manager is able to receive a request to write data to a first portion of the cache, write the data to the first portion of the cache, update a first map corresponding to the first portion of the cache, receive a request to read data from the first portion of the cache, read from a storage communicatively linked to the computing system data according to the first map, and update a second map corresponding to the first portion of the cache. The cache manager may also be able to write data to the storage according to the first map.
US09519582B2 Sense operation flags in a memory device
Memory devices, methods for programming sense flags, methods for sensing flags, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such memory device, the odd bit lines of a flag memory cell array are connected with a short circuit to a dynamic data cache. The even bit lines of the flag memory cell array are disconnected from the dynamic data cache. When an even page of a main memory cell array is read, the odd flag memory cells, comprising flag data, are read at the same time so that it can be determined whether the odd page of the main memory cell array has been programmed. If the flag data indicates that the odd page has not been programmed, threshold voltage windows can be adjusted to determine the states of the sensed even memory cell page.
US09519581B2 Storage integration for host-based write-back caching
Techniques for enabling integration between a storage system and a host system that performs write-back caching are provided. In one embodiment, the host system can transmit to the storage system a command indicating that the host system intends to cache, in a write-back cache, writes directed to a range of logical block addresses (LBAs). The host system can further receive from the storage system a response indicating whether the command is accepted or rejected. If the command is accepted, the host system can initiate the caching of writes in the write-back cache.
US09519580B2 Load balancing logical units in an active/passive storage system
An approach is provided in which a storage system includes a first storage controller, a second storage controller, and multiple logical units. The storage system determines that a controller traffic load ratio between the first storage controller and the second storage controller has reached a threshold. In turn, the storage system selects one of the logical units and changes a preferred controller ownership of the selected logical unit from the first storage controller to the second storage controller to balance the controller traffic load ratio.
US09519577B2 Method and system for migrating data between flash memory devices
The embodiments described herein include systems, methods and/or devices that may enhance the endurance of a storage system including a storage medium. The method includes: dividing a plurality of flash memory devices into logical chunks each logical chunk including one or more flash memory blocks; and detecting a trigger condition with respect to a respective flash memory device of the plurality of flash memory devices. In response to detecting the trigger condition, the method includes: selecting one of the logical chunks of the respective flash memory device for migration in accordance with predefined selection criteria; and storing a replicated logical chunk, comprising a copy of the selected logical chunk, at a second flash memory device. The method includes: remapping an address of the selected logical chunk to a physical location of the replicated logical chunk; and decreasing a number of logical chunks associated with the respective flash memory device.
US09519575B2 Conditional iteration for a non-volatile device
Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for conditional iteration. A method includes receiving a request comprising a condition. A method includes checking an address mapping structure for entries satisfying a condition for a request. A method includes providing a result for a request based on one or more entries satisfying a condition for a request.
US09519568B2 System and method for debugging an executing general-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) application
A system and method for debugging an executing program. The method includes executing a general-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) program. The GPGPU program comprises a first portion operable to execute on a central processing unit (CPU) and a second portion operable to execute on a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method further includes attaching a debugging program to the first portion of the GPGPU program and modifying the first portion of the GPGPU program. The attaching of the debugging program to the first portion of the GPGPU program pauses execution of the first portion of the GPGPU program. The method further includes resuming execution of the first portion of the GPGPU program and accessing a first state information corresponding to the first portion of the GPGPU program. Execution of the first portion of the GPGPU program may then be paused. The first state information may then be used to access a second state information corresponding to the second portion of the GPGPU program.
US09519562B2 Process demand prediction for distributed power and resource management
Methods and systems for allocating resources in a virtual desktop resource environment are provided. A method includes making a prediction on the future demand for processes running on a distributed environment with several hosts. The prediction is based on the process demand history and includes the removal of historic process demand glitches. Further, the prediction is used to perform a cost and benefit analysis for moving a candidate process from one host to another, and the candidate process is moved to a different host when the cost and benefit analysis recommends such move. In another embodiment, the predictions on future process demand are used for distributed power management by putting hosts in stand-by mode when the overall demand decreases or by adding hosts to the distributed environment when the load increases.
US09519552B2 Image forming apparatus which executes rebuild processes
An image forming apparatus comprises a first and a second HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) controller to execute rebuilding processes in which data stored in the first HDD is copied to the second HDD restored, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When there arises the necessity for accessing from the CPU to at least of the first and the second HDDs, and the priority of data which is the object for access by the CPU is higher than the priority of data which is being processed under the rebuilding processes, the image forming apparatus stops the rebuilding processes. The image forming apparatus restarts the rebuilding processes, when the access from the CPU is finished.
US09519547B2 Systems and methods for supporting transactional message handling
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses including, for supporting transactional message handling in an on-demand service environment including, for example: enqueuing a message specifying a transaction to be processed via a host organization; inserting a row into a database of the host organization associating the message with a status of pending, wherein the row is autocommitted to the database upon insertion; updating the status for the row to ready if a commit operation for the transaction is initiated; requesting a lock on the row; and performing final processing for the transaction based on the status for the message and based further on whether the lock is obtained for the row. Final processing may include, for example, a transaction roll back, a transaction commit, a transaction requeue, a termination of transaction processing, or an orphaned transaction clean up.
US09519544B2 Memory module and operation method thereof
A memory module includes an emergency power supply block, a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a control block configured to control data of the volatile memory to be backed up in the nonvolatile memory, by using a power supplied from the emergency power supply block, upon a power failure, and control the data of the volatile memory to be recovered, by using data backed up in the nonvolatile memory, upon a power recovery, wherein the control block controls the data of the volatile memory not to be backed up while controlling the data of the volatile memory to be recovered, even upon the power failure.
US09519538B2 Error recovery following speculative execution with an instruction processing pipeline
An instruction processing pipeline having error detection and error recovery circuitry associated with one or more of the pipeline stages. If an error is detected within a signal value within that pipeline stage, then it can be repaired. Part of the error recovery may be to flush upstream program instructions from the instruction pipeline. When multi-threading, only those instructions from a thread including an instruction which has been lost as a consequence of the error recovery need be flushed from the instruction pipeline. The instruction pipeline may additionally/alternatively be provided with more than one main storage element associated with each signal value with these main storage elements used in an alternating fashion such that if a signal value has been erroneously captured and needs to be repaired, there is still available a main storage element to properly capture the signal value corresponding to the following program instruction.
US09519536B2 Electronic management system for technology support reporting
Systems and methods for generating a visual indicator based on receiving a report of a transaction processing error, the error comprising an informality in a software instruction code executed during a first attempt to process a transaction. The systems may be configured to determine a preconfigured time period for correcting the software instruction code causing the transaction processing error and compare it to the actual time it took to correct the software instruction code to determine whether the processing error was corrected within the preconfigured time period. The system and method may then generate and communicate a visual indicator based on determining whether the error was corrected within preconfigured time period.
US09519532B2 Handling system interrupts with long-running recovery actions
A method, processor, and computer system for handling interrupts within a hierarchical register structure. The method includes receiving at a root-level register an indication of an interrupt occurring at a lower level register in the register structure, using a system interrupt handler to invoke an error handler assigned to a set of registers of the structure that includes the lower level register, and using the invoked error handler to handle the interrupt and return to the system interrupt handler.
US09519529B2 Message communication of sensor and other data
A service may be provided that reads sensors, and that communicates information based on the sensor readings to applications. In one example, an operating system provides a sensor interface that allows programs that run on a machine to read the values of sensors (such as an accelerometer, light meter, etc.). A service may use the interface to read the value of sensors, and may receive subscriptions to sensor values from other programs. The service may then generate messages that contain the sensor value, and may provide these messages to programs that have subscribed to the messages. The messages may contain raw sensor data. Or, the messages may contain information that is derived from the sensor data and/or from other data.
US09519527B1 System and method for performing internal system interface-based communications in management controller
Certain aspects direct to systems and methods for performing internal system interface-based communications between Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) stack and management services in management controllers. The system includes a server management device, which has an IPMI stack and at least one management service module. The management service module, when executed, provides a corresponding management service. In operation, the server management device defines an internal system interface, and configures the internal system interface to establish an inter-process communication (IPC) channel between the IPMI stack and the management service using the internal system interface. Thus, an internal communication between the IPMI stack and the management service may be performed through the IPC channel.
US09519520B2 Federated, policy-driven service meshes for distributed software systems
Platforms, systems, software, and methods for deploying and maintaining distributed computing, networking and storage comprising a configuration of dedicated service meshes. The invention further comprising a module for dynamically managing physical nodes; a module for dynamically managing nodes on physical nodes; a module for dynamically managing services/workers on nodes; a module for governing communication within the system and with the system; a plurality of communication endpoints; a plurality of services, wherein each service is associated with one or more endpoints, wherein services communicate by message exchange via their endpoints; a module for grouping nodes into clusters; a module for grouping endpoints into meshes such that all member services of a mesh can be addressed as a whole or as pertinent subsets thereof; and a module for dynamically effecting topology changes.
US09519519B2 System and method for managing workload performance on billed computer systems
In a system and method for managing mainframe computer usage, preferred values for service class defined performance goals are determined to optimize workload performance in service classes across a logical partition. A method for managing mainframe computer system usage can include receiving a performance optimization goal for workload performance in a service class, the service class having a defined performance goal. Achievement of the performance optimization goal is assessed, and a preferred value for the defined performance goal is determined based on assessing achievement of the performance optimization goal. Workload criticality can be taken into account, and automatic changes to the performance goal authorized.
US09519516B2 Migration system, migration method and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing control program
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a migration system and a migration method by which a completion timing of a live migration of virtual machines can be adjusted. The migration system (1) comprises: a transfer means (61A) for transmitting memory data of the virtual machines from a transfer source physical host (31) to a transfer destination physical host (32) to synchronize data of the virtual machines on the physical host (31) and the virtual machines on the physical host (32); a determination means (51A) for determining, for each of the virtual machines, whether the data of the virtual machine (81A) on the transfer source physical host (31) is synchronized with the data of the virtual machine (81B); and a control means (10) for issuing an instruction of switching from the virtual machines on the physical host (31) to the virtual machines on the physical host (32), if the data of all the virtual machines is synchronized based on the determination result. The transfer means (61A) continues transmitting the memory data until the instruction of switching is issued.
US09519507B2 Executing an instruction of currently active thread before context switch upon receiving inactive context ID to be activated
Systems and methods for managing context switches among threads in a processing system. A processor may perform a context switch between threads using separate context registers. A context switch allows a processor to switch from processing a thread that is waiting for data to one that is ready for additional processing. The processor includes control registers with entries which may indicate that an associated context is waiting for data from an external source.
US09519506B2 Method and apparatus for enabling remote service task based access to functionality provided by one or more remote services
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided herein for enabling task based access to functionality provided by one or more remote services. One example method may include generating a task based query, the task based query suggestive of a task to be performed. A method may further include causing the task based query to be provided to a remote service discovery engine. A method may further include receiving an indication of a remote service of a plurality of remote services that is configured to perform the task from the remote service discovery engine, the indication comprising access instructions for querying the remote service.
US09519505B1 Enhanced configuration and property management system
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for creating and managing a virtual operating environment on a physical machine connected to a distributed network, the virtual operating environment is virtualized by the physical machine. The invention may categorize the virtual operating environment using a tiered data structure, where each tier of the tiered data structure defines an attribute for categorizing the virtual operating environment. The invention generates a graphical representation of the tiered data structure for display via a user computing device that enables a user to communicate requests for causing the virtual operating environment to perform a function and communicates commands to the physical machine based on receiving such requests. The invention may additionally update the graphical representation after the virtual operating environment has executed the function.
US09519504B2 Managing a server template
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may comprise instructions for managing a server template stored thereon. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may be configured to cause at least one computing system to at least convert the server template to a corresponding virtual machine, manage the corresponding virtual machine, and convert the corresponding virtual machine back into a template format.
US09519503B2 Systems and methods for virtual machine attribution with fault resilient memory tag
Systems and methods for Virtual Machine (VM) attribution with hardware information. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a memory coupled to the CPU, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the CPU, cause the IHS to: provide a management console configured to manage a plurality of hypervisors, each hypervisor configured to be executed in a different one of a plurality of physical servers distinct from the IHS, each hypervisor further configured to create and run at least one Virtual Machine (VM); identify, via the management console, a hardware capability of a given one of the plurality of physical servers; and assign the VM, by the management console, to the given physical server in response to the identification of the hardware capability.
US09519498B2 Virtual machine assurances
Briefly, aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to virtual machines. In aspects, when a host is reset or powered on, a measured boot is performed. If the measured boot indicates that the host is in a state that satisfies a policy for gaining access to a cryptographic key, the cryptographic key may be obtained. The cryptographic key may be used, directly or indirectly, to decrypt data of a virtual storage device. This decrypted data may then be used to instantiate a virtual machine.
US09519496B2 Detecting and preventing virtual disk storage linkage faults
In an exemplary embodiment, a virtual disk file can be assigned an identifier and a virtual disk files that is dependent on the virtual disk file can include a copy of the identifier. In the instance that the virtual disk file is opened and data is modified that causes the contents of a virtual disk extent to change the identifier can be changed. If the virtual disk file and the dependent virtual disk file are used to instantiate a virtual disk the difference between identifiers can be detected, which is indicative of the fact that the virtual disk may be corrupted. Other techniques are described in the detailed description, claims, and figures that form a part of this document.
US09519494B2 Optimizing application resources
A method for optimizing application resources utilized for rendering graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of an application is described herein. The method comprises receiving a current GUI of the application, wherein the current GUI is a graphical interface view currently being displayed to a user on a display screen of a computing device. Further, it is ascertained whether the current GUI is present a current view sequence wherein the current view sequence comprises one or more GUIs previously viewed by the user. Further, the current view sequence, for the current GUI not being present in the current view sequence, is updated to include the current GUI. Further, at least one probable GUI is determined based on the updating. Further, application resources pertaining to the at least one probable GUI for instant rendering of the at least one probable GUI to the user are obtained.
US09519488B2 External intrinsic interface
An external intrinsic interface. A processor may include a core including a plurality of functional units, an intrinsic module located outside the core, and an interface module to perform relaying between the intrinsic module and a functional unit, among the plurality of functional units.
US09519486B1 Method of and device for processing data using a pipeline of processing blocks
A method of processing data in an integrated circuit is described. The method comprises establishing a pipeline of processing blocks, wherein each processing block has a different function; coupling a data packet having data and meta-data to an input of the pipeline of processing blocks; and processing the data of the data packet using predetermined processing blocks based upon the meta-data. A device for processing data in an integrated circuit is also described.
US09519485B2 Confidence threshold-based opposing branch path execution for branch prediction
Embodiments relate to confidence threshold-based opposing path execution for branch prediction. An aspect includes determining a branch prediction for a first branch instruction that is encountered during execution of a first thread, wherein the branch prediction indicates a primary path and an opposing path for the first branch instruction. Another aspect includes executing the primary path by the first thread. Another aspect includes determining a confidence of the branch prediction and comparing the confidence of the branch prediction to a confidence threshold. Yet another aspect includes, based on the confidence of the branch prediction being less than the confidence threshold, starting a second thread that executes the opposing path of the first branch instruction, wherein the second thread is executed in parallel with the first thread.
US09519483B2 Generating flags for shifting and rotation operations in a processor
A method and apparatus are described for generating flags in response to processing data during an execution pipeline cycle of a processor. The processor may include a multiplexer configured to generate valid bits for received data according to a designated data size, and a logic unit configured to control the generation of flags based on a shift or rotate operation command, the designated data size and information indicating how many bytes and bits to rotate or shift the data by. A carry flag may be used to extend the amount of bits supported by shift and rotate operations. A sign flag may be used to indicate whether a result is a positive or negative number. An overflow flag may be used to indicate that a data overflow exists, whereby there are not a sufficient number of bits to store the data.
US09519482B2 Efficient conditional instruction having companion load predicate bits instruction
A pipelined run-to-completion processor can decode three instructions in three consecutive clock cycles, and can also execute the instructions in three consecutive clock cycles. The first instruction causes the ALU to generate a value which is then loaded due to execution of the first instruction into a register of a register file. The second instruction accesses the register and loads the value into predicate bits in a register file read stage. The predicate bits are loaded in the very next clock cycle following the clock cycle in which the second instruction was decoded. The third instruction is a conditional instruction that uses the values of the predicate bits as a predicate code to determine a predicate function. If a predicate condition (as determined by the predicate function as applied to flags) is true then an instruction operation of the third instruction is carried out, otherwise it is not carried out.
US09519481B2 Branch synthetic generation across multiple microarchitecture generations
Branch sequences for branch prediction performance test are generated by performing the following steps: (i) generating a branch node graph, by a branch node graph generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon a set of branch traces of a workload or benchmark code; (ii) generating a first assembly pattern file, for use with a first instruction set architecture (ISA)/microarchitecture set, by an assembly pattern generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon the branch node graph so as to mimic the control-flow pattern of the workload or benchmark code; and (iii) running the assembly pattern file on the first ISA/microarchitecture set to obtain first execution results.
US09519478B2 Session management in a mixed mode environment
Systems and methods for managing multiple versions of applications executing on servers in a server pool are provided. A request to generate new session data for a transaction requested by a user is received by a first server executing a first version of an application. A determination is made that the first version of the application is unsuitable to process the request. An identity of a second server executing a second version of the application is requested by the first server in a server pool comprising one or more servers, and an appropriate second server is selected. The first server transmits a hypertext transfer protocol proxy request to the selected second server, which generates the new session data.
US09519473B2 Facilitating access to multiple instances of a legacy application task through summary representations
Methods, systems, and techniques for supporting access to multiple copies of a legacy task are provided. When there are multiple copies of a task present, then instead of showing the output from a single task, the task workspace area displays task representation pictograms that represent the state and inform the user regarding each particular instance of that legacy task running on the host. The user can use the interface to perform various operations, including to start a new copy of the task, to end a copy of the task, and to select one of the copies for viewing. Example embodiments provide a Role-Based Modernization System (“RBMS”), which uses these enhanced modernization techniques to provide role-based modernization of menu-based legacy applications.
US09519468B2 Modular co-versioning in a dynamically linked runtime environment
Modular co-versioning may involve the creation of multi-version libraries that may include multiple versions of a class. A multi-version library may include a base version and one or more other versions each of which may correspond to a particular, respective version of a software development kit, runtime environment or software platform, according to various embodiments. At runtime, a multi-version library may be searched in order to load a version of a class that corresponds to the version of the currently executing runtime environment. If the multi-version library does not include a version of the class corresponding to the currently executing version of the environment/platform, a version of the class corresponding to a previous version of the environment may be loaded if found in the multi-version library. Alternatively, if no other version of the class is found, a base version of the class may be loaded from the multi-version library.
US09519467B2 Efficient and consistent software transactional memory
A method and apparatus for efficient and consistent validation/conflict detection in a Software Transactional Memory (STM) system is herein described. A version check barrier is inserted after a load to compare versions of loaded values before and after the load. In addition, a global timestamp (GTS) is utilized to track a latest committed transaction. Each transaction is associated with a local timestamp (LTS) initialized to the GTS value at the start of a transaction. As a transaction commits it updates the GTS to a new value and sets versions of modified locations to the new value. Pending transactions compare versions determined in read barriers to their LTS. If the version is greater than their LTS indicating another transaction has committed after the pending transaction started and initialized the LTS, then the pending transaction validates its read set to maintain efficient and consistent transactional execution.
US09519466B2 Executable code for constrained computing environments
A system and method for facilitating adjusting computer code running in computing environments where writing of executable memory is restricted. An example method includes using a virtual machine to generate a first executable image from software code, and employing the first executable image to selectively modify the virtual machine and the first executable image, resulting in an updated virtual machine and a second executable image. The second executable image represents an updated version of the first executable image. To transform dynamic code, such as natively produced computer code, into one or more executable images for running on constrained devices, embodiments may leverage existing dynamic code generators (e.g., within Java HotSpot Performance Engine, also simply called HotSpot), selectively modifying them to generate different, i.e., updated code that is usable on subsequent runs of the associated software application, thereby effectively enabling modification of executable code used to run the software.
US09519465B2 Method and system for generating code
A computer implemented method and system to generate final code for execution in a runtime environment, the method including creation, via a compiler, of intermediate code from destination source code, wherein the destination source code has been compiled from original source code which includes at least one jump instruction, by omitting the at least one jump instruction, the destination source code existing in a destination programming language and the original source code in a source programming language, loading the intermediate code into an intermediate code manipulation unit, and creation, via the intermediate code manipulation unit, of the final code from the intermediate code, wherein the creation comprises an insertion of at least one jump statement into the final code, and wherein the inserted at least one jump statement is functionally equivalent to the at least one omitted jump instruction.
US09519463B1 Application for automatically generating graphical flowcharts based on configurable means
Flowchart generation method and tool is provided with an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The graphical user interface of the tool enables a user to select a programming language which the test program was written in, and a test station which the test program was developed for. Upon these selections, a parser will point to the configuration files appropriate for the selected language and test station. The configuration files contain rules and definitions of the chosen programming language and test station, so that the parsing of the test program language can begin. Utilizing the data created from the parsing process, the tool points to other configuration files, referred to as a flowcharting configuration file, that each contain information on how to present the parsed data in a flow chart.
US09519460B1 Universal single instruction multiple data multiplier and wide accumulator unit
A single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiplier-accumulator apparatus and method. A multiplier block with two 16-bit by 32-bit multiplier circuits transform a selectable number of input multipliers and multiplicands into a selected number of products. Each multiplier circuit comprises an array of full adders that generates and sums partial products using carry-save addition. An accumulator block, with additional data width to help prevent overflow, adds the products to a selectable number of input addends and outputs a number of results. Embodiments perform one to four multiplications together, depending on the number of bits (eight, 16, 24, or 32) selected for the input operands. Embodiments output 20-bit, 40-bit, or 80-bit multiply-accumulate results at rates of at least 1.1 GHz. Embodiments support signed inputs, negated multiplication products, and Q-format data. A hybrid sign extension management approach improves performance for 80-bit outputs.
US09519454B2 Acoustic signatures
Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. An example implementation involves receiving, from a microphone of the controller device, an audio signal played by a playback device, the audio signal indicating network information corresponding to the playback device. The example implementation further involves identifying the playback device based on the network information and responsively, modifying a user interface on the controller device based on the identification of the playback device.
US09519448B2 Printing system, printing apparatus, printing control apparatus, sheet management system, printing control apparatus control method, and related storage medium
A printing system includes a printing apparatus and a control apparatus. The printing apparatus obtains first attribute information about a sheet stored in a first sheet holding unit of the printing apparatus, and sends the information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus determines a combination of the first and second attribute information about the sheet and selects at least the first and a second sheet holding units. The control apparatus stores the combination in association with the selected first and second sheet holding units where a user instruction is accepted. The control apparatus obtains the second attribute information based on the received first attribute information, and sends the second attribute information to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus sets the received second attribute information as attribute information about the sheet stored in the first sheet holding unit.
US09519443B2 Print data flattening processing of spot color components with any hidden spot color portion removed
A print data processing apparatus includes the following elements. A spot color memory stores a spot color element. A flattening section performs, when a new image element is input in accordance with a rendering order, flattening processing for separating the new image element into a basic color element having only a basic color component and a spot color element having only a spot color component, for updating a configuration of each spot color element stored in the spot color memory to a configuration from which a portion hidden by a configuration of a newly separated spot color element is removed, and for storing the new spot color element in the spot color memory. An output section outputs, when spot color elements obtained by separating all image elements included in each unit of output are stored in the spot color memory, the spot color elements stored in the spot color memory.
US09519431B1 Collaboration between discrete systems and a shared system to consolidate shared storage-related services
Collaboration between discrete systems and a shared system to consolidate shared storage-related services. In one example, shared, consolidated storage-related services and high-availability are provided by pairing each of a plurality of discrete block storage virtualization modules residing on each discrete computer system to a shared block storage virtualization module residing on a shared computer system, and maintaining logical volume coherency locally by each of the plurality of discrete block storage virtualization modules, and globally by the shared block storage virtualization module. Additionally, allocation of a set of block storage virtualization functions to be performed by at least one of the plurality of discrete block storage virtualization modules or the shared block storage virtualization module can be made according to the pairing.
US09519430B2 Verification of management of real storage via multi-threaded thrashers in multiple address spaces
A method, system, and computer program product to verify management of real storage via multi-threaded thrashers in multiple address spaces are described. The method includes dynamically scaling a number of units of work and a number of address spaces based on a number of available processors and dynamically scaling an amount and page size of storage pages representing virtual storage accessed by each of the number of units of work based on a total available memory. The method also includes obtaining, at each of the units of work, different types of storage frame sizes and attributes, accessing the storage pages corresponding with the respective different types of storage frame sizes and attributes and performing a respective function, and verifying, for each of the units of work performing the respective function, a location of the storage pages and content of the storage pages based on the respective function.
US09519429B2 Techniques to manage multiple sequential write streams to a solid state drive
Examples may include techniques to manage multiple sequential write streams to a solid state drive (SSD). Wrap around times for each sequential write stream may be determined. Respective wrap around times for each sequential write stream may be changed for at least some of the sequential write streams to cause the multiple sequential write streams to have matching wrap around times.
US09519425B1 Techniques for device user interfaces
Described are techniques for data storage management. A proxy agent obtains information regarding a state of one or more data storage systems being managed. The information is communicated by the proxy agent to a first gadget for data storage management on a first device. The first gadget is included in an integrated user interface framework.
US09519424B2 Touch-control method, related apparatus, and terminal device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a touch-control method, which is used for distinguishing a normal operation from a misoperation. The method provided by the embodiments of the present invention includes: receiving a touch instruction of a user; determining a user touch area corresponding to the touch instruction; determining whether a user observation area has an overlapping portion with the user touch area; and if the user observation area has an overlapping portion with the user touch area, responding to the touch instruction of the user. In the touch method provided by the embodiments of the present invention, a normal operation can be distinguished from a misoperation. The embodiments of the present invention further provide a related touch-control apparatus and terminal device.
US09519420B2 Apparatus and method for editing synchronous media
An apparatus and method for editing synchronous media files are provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of synchronous media files, displaying a plurality of synchronous media streams corresponding to the synchronous media files on a screen, detecting a touch input for selecting a portion of one of the plurality of synchronous streams, and adding the selected portion of the one of the plurality of synchronous media streams to an edited media stream.
US09519418B2 Method and apparatus for providing a multi-stage device transition mechanism initiated based on a touch gesture
A method for providing a multi-stage device transition mechanism that is initiated based on a touch gesture may include receiving an indication of a transition gesture being performed at a touch screen display of a device in a first device state, and causing initiation of transition from the first device state to a second device state responsive to performance of the transition gesture, the initiation of transition comprising progressively replacing a display view associated with the first device state with a display view associated with the second device state based on a degree of repetition of the transition gesture. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
US09519416B2 System and method to display a progress bar
A method includes receiving an input at a media display control device and performing a media control function in response to the input, where the media control function causes the media display control device to change a playback parameter of displayed media content. The method further includes determining a control value corresponding to the media control function and, based on the control value satisfying a threshold, displaying a progress bar with the displayed media content.
US09519415B2 Information processing device, storage medium, information processing system, and information processing method
An exemplary information processing device includes: a scrolling unit configured to scroll an image group including plural images, in accordance with an input from a user; a display control unit configured to change how at least one image included in the image group is displayed, upon the image group reaching a predetermined end as a result of scrolling; and a propagating unit configured to propagate the change from one image included in the image group to another image included therein.
US09519413B2 Lock screen media playback control
Embodiments are provided for providing on a display of a computing device, playback controls for a particular playback zone of a media playback system, while the computing device is in a locked state. The playback controls may then be selected to control playback of media content in the playback zone, while the computing device remains in the locked state.
US09519412B2 Display control apparatus, display control method, program, and information storage medium
A display control apparatus includes: a voice message acceptance block configured to accept a voice message; an option identification block configured to identify, from among a plurality of options related with information indicative of voice messages, in accordance with acceptance of a voice message by the voice message acceptance block, an option of attention that is an option related with information indicative of the accepted voice message and an alternative option other than this option of attention identified on the basis of the information indicative of this voice message or this option of attention; and a display control block configured to display information indicative that the option of attention is in a selected state and information indicative of a voice message by which the option identification block identifies the alternative option as the option of attention in accordance with the acceptance by the voice message acceptance block.
US09519409B2 Application program interface display method, device, terminal and readable storage medium
The present invention relates to the field of computers. Disclosed are an application program interface display method, device, terminal and readable storage medium. The method comprising: displaying a first window on the full screen and displaying a first application program interface in the first window; displaying a second window above the first window, and displaying a second application program interface in the second window; and always maintaining the first window in a focused state during switching between the first window and the second window. The above technical solution ensures that the application program interface displayed in the first window remains functional without losing the focused state, and the application program interface displayed in the second window remains to be displayed above the first window even in a non-focused state, thus facilitating operation. Additionally, the application program interface display manner has no limitations being intercepted, thus improving universality and reliability.
US09519408B2 Systems and methods for guided user actions
Systems and methods for guided user actions are described, including detecting a first action performed by a user; gathering information associated with the first action; retrieving a predictive model based on the information; determining an applicability level of the predictive model to the first action, the predictive model suggests a second action; providing the second action in a user interface when the applicability level meets a threshold level; and receiving input from the user selecting the second action or a third action.
US09519407B2 Automatically creating and modifying furniture layouts in design software
A software application can capture product parameters and attributes in order to allow a non-expert user to create an accurate and complete furniture system layout in a design space. To enable accurate layouts, the software application can automatically apply all applicable components, connectors, rules, attributes, codes, and behaviors to each component/design element in the design space. The intelligent, object-oriented software can automatically recognize required changes effected by a user-driven change, and automatically resolve the layout design by constraining vertical placement of components or automatically generating interconnections between components.
US09519402B2 Screen display method in mobile terminal and mobile terminal using the method
A screen display method by which to configure a screen in which media objects are moved according to navigational inputs in order to easily browse for a desired media object from among a plurality of media objects. The screen display method in a mobile terminal includes displaying media objects to be piled up at first and second positions and media objects to be arranged along a course that connects the first and second positions; and displaying the piled-up media objects at one of the first and second positions to be sequentially moved along the course toward the other of the first and second positions when an input event occurs.
US09519401B2 Providing context menu based on predicted commands
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a context menu based on predicted commands. One embodiment involves identifying historical commands previously performed in an application. The embodiment also involves determining that each of a subset of commands from the historical commands has a higher correlation with a trigger command than others of the plurality of historical commands. The embodiment also involves generating a context menu including the subset of commands in response to receiving a request for the context menu after performing the trigger command in the application.
US09519397B2 Data display method and apparatus
A data display method and apparatus display data efficiently on the screen of an electronic device equipped with a touchscreen. The data display method includes setting a scroll rate to a touch movement distance; detecting a touch gesture in a first region of the touchscreen; scrolling icons in the first region at the scroll rate in response to the touch gesture; and displaying detailed information associated with at least one icon newly displayed according to the scroll in a second region of the touchscreen.
US09519395B1 Presenting windows or tabs
Systems and methods for presenting windows or tabs are provided. In some aspects, a request is received, via a user input device, to view a set of windows or tabs that are open at a computing device and associated with a first application. A representation of a first set of windows or tabs is presented via a display device, the first set of windows or tabs including windows or tabs opened with the first application. A representation of a second set of windows or tabs is presented, via the display device, in conjunction with the first set of windows or tabs, the second set of windows or tabs including windows or tabs having address information associated with the first application and being opened with a second application different from the first application.
US09519394B2 Method and apparatus for creating instances for pre-defined areas of a topology
Partition information concerning equipment disposed in a local area is determined. The partition information specifies a division of a local area into a plurality of sub-areas with each of the plurality of sub-areas having equipment. The partition information is uploaded to a user and one or more sub-areas are selected. Operational information concerning a plurality of devices contained in the selected sub-area is uploaded relating to the operation or the interconnection of the devices. The uploaded information is presented to the user in a way that facilitates an understanding of a structure of the network. After the information is analyzed, a network modification is selected, and at least one DTM-compliant software instance that implements the network modification is created.
US09519390B2 Single electrode layer of touch panel
The present invention provides a single electrode layer of a touch panel, which comprises a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes comprise a plurality of holes arranged in a plurality of rows in a first direction and adjacent to one another. The holes are also arranged in a plurality of columns in a second direction and adjacent to one another. The columns of the holes are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the first direction. The rows of the holes are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the second direction. The electrodes are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the first direction corresponding to the holes and forming a first side and a second side opposing to the first side, which are zigzag shape. The first and second sides form a plurality of convex parts and a plurality of concave parts. The geometric shapes of the convex parts and the concave parts extend the zigzag shapes of the holes along the second direction.
US09519388B2 Touch sensor having multiple code matrices and driving method thereof
A touch sensor includes a controller to detect a touch on a screen. The controller includes a voltage analyzer and a calculator. The voltage analyzer measures an output voltage of a sensing electrode of a touch sensor. The calculator calculates a capacitance between the sensing electrode and a driving electrode. The calculator calculates the capacitance based on a voltage matrix and the output voltage for one or more time periods. The voltage matrix is based on a code matrix of a plurality of code matrices.
US09519386B2 Input device and electronic device including the same
An input device according to one of various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a body having an ElectroMagnetic Induction (EMI) circuit, a first contact member reciprocating in the body and associated with the EMI circuit, and a second contact member installed to the body and having at least a part disposed in side by side with the first contact member, the second contact member being made of a conductive material.
US09519377B2 Gate driving circuit, array substrate, display device and driving method
The present disclosure relates to a field of fabrication of liquid crystal display, and more particularly, provides a gate driving circuit, an array substrate, a display device and a driving method. For the problem that TSP signal acquisition of each frame is scanned at a fixed time such that dark lines might appear as viewed by human eyes, the present disclosure provides delay shift modules in at least two different positions, and controls whether they operate or not by a switch control module, an effect of staggering a predetermined time for which a panel suspends operation between adjacent frames is achieved. The present disclosure can stagger the predetermined time for which the touch screen panel suspends operation within adjacent odd and even frames, so as to solve the problem of the dark lines as viewed by human eyes.
US09519373B2 Multi-screen display apparatus provided with touch panel, and display method employed in multi-screen display apparatus provided with touch panel
A coordinate processing unit (23) defines, from a coordinate value of a touched position acquired by a sensor unit (21) and a display mode, a video corresponding to the touched position, and converts the coordinate value into a coordinate value in the defined video, and the coordinate value converted by the coordinate processing unit (23) is transmitted to PC(0) to (2) serving as a supply source of the defined video.
US09519371B2 Display device and control method therefor
In a display device which has a transparent display with touch operations being carried out from opposite sides thereof, i.e., a front face and aback face, operability of the touch operations can be improved. In display control of graphics data which is constructed to include a first component which assumes a touch operation from either one of the front face and the back face, and a second component which assumes a touch operation from a side opposite to the side from which the touch operation is assumed by the first component, only the first component is first displayed, and after a touch operation with respect to the first component is carried out, a content of the second component is decided according to an instruction inputted by the touch operation, so that the second component is then displayed.
US09519369B2 Touch screen selection
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to touch screen selection. A device displays a plurality of touch elements on a touch-enabled display. The device receives a touch input via the touch-enabled display. Further, the device determines an ambiguity based on the touch selection input. The device magnifies an area associated with the touch selection input based on the ambiguity determination. Moreover, the area includes a set of the touch elements associated with the ambiguity termination. The device receives another touch input at the area via the touch-enabled display. Then, the device determines one of the touch elements based on the other touch input.
US09519367B2 Display apparatus and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium with display control program recorded thereon
An information processing apparatus includes a display section, a touch panel, a movement information detecting section configured to detect a direction and an amount of movement from an initial point of an operator's touch of the touch panel to a stopping point thereof, a vector calculating section configured to calculate y- and x-component vectors from a vector indicated by the direction and amount of movement, an amount-of-value-change calculating section configured to calculate an amount of numerical value change at each numerical display switch from an amount of movement of the y-component vector, a switching speed calculating section configured to calculates a switching speed at each numerical display switch from an amount of movement of the x-component vector, and a display control section allowing the numerical display switch of the display section in the calculated amount of numerical value change at the calculated switching speed.
US09519361B2 Active stylus
An active stylus is disclosed. The stylus includes an electrode at a tip of the stylus; and powered circuitry coupled to the electrode and configured for capacitively coupling the electrode with a capacitive touch sensor panel. The powered circuitry can further include drive circuitry configured to output a drive voltage at the electrode and/or sense circuitry configured to sense a voltage received at the electrode.
US09519355B2 Mobile device event control with digital images
In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving a digital image from a mobile device. A first element of the digital image and a second element of the digital image is identified. The first element of the digital image includes a user-selected content. The second element includes a depiction of a user action. An event trigger identified by the first element and the second element is determined. The event trigger includes a mobile device operating system command. A mobile device command is generated according to the event trigger. The mobile device command is communicated to a mobile operating system.
US09519348B2 Haptic force-feedback for computing interfaces
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, provide two degrees of freedom active force feedback for touchscreens or any other general surface. The system includes a rubber ball attached to a pen-like structure with two motors that are capable of rotating freely when external force is applied. The system has also a mechanical structural arrangement including gears and cables to transfer motor power to engage the rubber ball. The system further includes a digital compass to measure the device tilt, along with a processing unit to control the system and a wireless communication module and a power module.
US09519347B2 Tactile sensation providing device
The tactile sensation providing device includes a touch sensor, tactile sensation providing unit that vibrates the touch face of the touch sensor, display unit, and control unit that controls the display unit to display an image and sets a tactile sensation provided by the tactile sensation providing unit for a pixel in the image, so that upon the touch sensor detecting contact at a position corresponding to the pixel, the control unit executes a predetermined process allocated to the pixel and controls the tactile sensation providing unit to provide the tactile sensation set for the pixel to a contacting object in contact with the touch face.
US09519342B2 Electronic apparatus and method for controlling the same
An electronic apparatus and a control method thereof are provided, which displays first voice guide information indicating voice commands available to control the electronic apparatus, and if a command to control an external device connected to the electronic apparatus is received, changes the first voice guide information and displays second voice guide information to indicating voice commands available to control the external device.
US09519338B2 Task processing apparatus and method including scheduling current and next-level task processing apparatus
The present invention discloses a task processing apparatus and a method, and belongs to the field of radio communications technologies. The method includes: obtaining, by a task processing apparatus, one or more configured tasks, and selecting a task to be scheduled from the one or more tasks; and processing the task to be scheduled according to control parameters of the task to be scheduled to obtain a processing result, outputting the processing result of the task to be scheduled, and, according to the control parameters of the task to be scheduled, scheduling a next-level task processing apparatus to process the task to be scheduled. In the present invention, the task processing apparatus selects the task to be scheduled from the one or more configured tasks, and then processes the task to be scheduled in real time according to the control parameters of the task to be scheduled.
US09519337B2 Circuitry for controlling an output from an electronic control unit including two processors mutually monitoring each other
An electronic control unit of one embodiment includes first and second microcomputers for mutually monitoring operations, an output circuit for outputting a signal that is outputted from at least one of the first and second microcomputers, a power supply circuit for supplying electric power to the output circuit, and a stop unit for stopping supply of the electric power from the power supply circuit to the output circuit. The first microcomputer has operation modes including a normal mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the first microcomputer stops monitoring the operation of the second microcomputer and outputs a power supply stop signal that operates the stop unit to stop the supply of the electric power from the power supply circuit to the output circuit.
US09519336B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and method for controlling power supply in semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a control unit that controls power supply to a plurality of power supply domains respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions included in an apparatus. A circuit integrates bus signals between the plurality of power supply domains is included in a specific power supply domain out of the plurality of power supply domains, and the control unit controls the power supply to the specific power supply domain to be performed prior to the other power supply domains connected with the specific power supply domain.
US09519333B2 Methods and articles of manufacture for hosting a safety critical application on an uncontrolled data processing device
Methods and articles of manufacture for hosting a safety critical application on an uncontrolled data processing device are provided. Various combinations of installation, functional, host integrity, coexistence, interoperability, power management, and environment checks are performed at various times to determine if the safety critical application operates properly on the device. The operation of the SCA on the UDPD may be controlled accordingly.
US09519327B2 Communication apparatus and control method therefor
There is provided a communication apparatus in which power consumption by wired connection is reduced in a standby state. An acquisition unit acquires information indicating whether a partner apparatus connected to the communication apparatus by wired connection has a function of waiting in a power saving state in the wired connection. Based on the acquired information, a setting unit sets a communication speed with the partner apparatus. The function of waiting in the power saving state in the wired connection is, for example, LPI (Low Power Idle).
US09519323B2 Systems and methods for power and thermal support of information handling resources
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, one or more information handling resources communicatively coupled to the processor, and a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor. The management controller may have stored thereon at least one of a power table comprising parameters for power management of the one or more information handling resources and a thermal table comprising parameters for thermal management of the one or more information handling resources, and firmware comprising instructions executable on the management controller and configured to enable a user of the information handling system to, during runtime of the management controller, create a virtual power and thermal table capable of storing one or more entries, each entry setting forth power parameters and thermal parameters for an information handling resource.
US09519321B2 Apparatus and method for replacing a battery in a portable terminal
An apparatus and method for replacing a battery in a portable terminal are provided, in which there are a main battery and an auxiliary battery, a cover removal sensor senses the removal of a battery cover, and a controller switches from the main battery to the auxiliary battery for supplying a power in response to the battery cover removal, wherein the auxiliary battery supplies the power to some component of the portable terminal under the control of the controller.
US09519317B2 Locking component, locking device and host securing an interface card
A locking component, a locking device and a host comprising the locking device are disclosed. The host comprises a card slot which extends along a second direction for inserting an interface card in a first direction which is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. The locking component includes a locking element and a pivot element. The locking element includes two opposite sliding slots each of which has a first and a second slide portion connecting each other. The locking element is adapted for sliding in the second direction such that the first and second slide portions of each sliding slot maintain a distance. The pivot element is adapted for passing through the sliding slots to be disposed at a host such that the locking element is pivotable about the pivot element. Upon positioning the pivot element at the first slide portions, the locking element is rotatable from an open position to an intermediate position. Upon sliding the locking element along the second direction to move the pivot element from the first slide portions to the second slide portions, the locking element is movable from the intermediate position to a lock position to lock the interface card.
US09519313B2 Rollable display
A rollable display is disclosed. In one aspect, the display includes a flexible display panel having first and second opposing ends and a jig connected to the first end of the flexible display panel. The flexible display panel is configured to be rolled around the jig. The display also includes a handle connected to the second end of the flexible display panel, a housing configured to accommodate the flexible display panel when rolled around the jig and a support unit connecting the handle to the housing. The support unit includes a frame guide having a track groove defined in a surface of the frame guide and a support frame. The support frame has a first end rotatably connected to one of the handle or the housing and a second end slidably connected to the track groove of the frame guide.
US09519309B2 Hinge configuration for an electronic device
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a base portion and a lid portion coupled to the base portion at a hinge configured such that the base portion and the lid portion can rotate between an open configuration of the electronic device and a closed configuration of the electronic device. The lid portion can include at least one segment that is to raise at least a portion of the base portion in response to a rotation toward the open configuration (e.g., opening the lid portion to access a touchpad or a keyboard of the electronic device, or to see a display of the electronic device).
US09519306B2 Distribution device, distribution system, and distribution method
Provided is distribution device that distributes time information to at least one sensor device, the distribution device including a storage unit that stores a time adjustment amount to be used for adjusting a local time, a calculation unit that calculates a time difference between a reference time and the local time, an adjustment unit that calculates an adjusted local time by adjusting the local time by an amount equal to or less than the time adjustment amount, when the time difference is greater than the time adjustment amount, and a distribution unit that distributes time information of the adjusted local time to the sensor device.
US09519305B2 Processor core clock rate selection
Techniques described herein generally relate to multi-core processors including two or more processor cores. Example embodiments may set forth devices, methods, and computer programs related to calculating a clock rate for one or more of the processor cores in the multi-core processor. One example method may include determining a first estimated workload for a first processor core and a second estimated workload for a second processor core within a scheduling interval in a periodic scheduling environment. In addition, a first clock rate for the first processor core may be calculated based on one or more of the first estimated workload, a maximum clock rate supported by the multi-core processor and/or the scheduling interval. Similarly, a second clock rate for the second processor core may also be calculated based on one or more of the second estimated workload, the maximum clock rate, and/or the scheduling interval.
US09519303B2 Precision current sensing
Example current tracking circuits and systems as well as methods for tracking current are described herein. In one example, a current tracking circuit comprises a current mirror that receives a power supply input and a control signal as inputs, wherein the current mirror has a mirror ratio. The current tracking circuit also comprises a programmability sub-circuit coupled to the current mirror that trims a value of the mirror ratio. In another example, a method comprises performing current mirroring using a current mirror comprising a sense device, wherein a mirror ratio of the current mirror is based on a programmable sub-circuit. The method further comprises maintaining, by a voltage regulation loop, a collector potential of the sense device within a threshold difference level of a collector potential of a power device coupled to the sense device, wherein the sense device mirrors a current flowing in the power device.
US09519299B2 Voltage regulator for a power distribution system and method of controlling same
A method of controlling a voltage regulator having a nominal input and a nominal output structured to operate in a forward power mode wherein power flows from the input to the output and a reverse power mode wherein power flows from the output to the input. The method includes sensing current flowing through the voltage regulator, determining a direction of power flow through the voltage regulator based on the sensed current, determining a verified direction of power flow through the voltage regulator by altering a voltage between the input and the output and analyzing an effect caused thereby on at least one of a voltage at the input and a voltage at the output, and selecting a voltage regulating scheme for controlling the voltage regulator based on the verified direction of power flow.
US09519293B2 Pressure regulating valve for pressure driven beverage dispensing apparatuses
Pressure regulating valve for controlling the pressure at which a pressurized propellant gas is injected into a container containing a liquid for driving said liquid out of the container, said valve comprising: A first and a second polymeric shells, the first shell comprising a gas inlet and outlet openings, and the second shell containing means for resiliency biasing. A polymeric membrane, clamped between the first and second shells, thus defining a first and a second chambers sealingly separated by the membrane. A joint between the first and second polymeric shells, strong enough to withstand the pressures reigning in either chamber and ensuring fluid tightness between the two chambers; wherein, all polymeric components of said pressure regulating valve are made of the same polymer class.
US09519287B1 User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system
A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle.
US09519282B2 Method for moving a tool of a CNC machine over a surface
A method for moving a tool of a CNC machine over a surface, wherein the CNC machine is provided with a sensor unit, comprising the steps of: (a) moving the tool over the surface in a predetermined direction and/or with a predetermined velocity and/or along a predetermined path, (b) treating the surface by the tool in accordance with a predetermined value of a treatment parameter, (c) determining, by the sensor unit, a response value indicating a response of the tool to treating the surface and/or to being pressed to the surface, and (d) determining a new direction and/or a new velocity and/or a new path and/or a new value for the treatment parameter based on the response value.
US09519281B2 System and method for identification of contact between an object and a static implement in a power tool
A method for operating a power tool detects human contact with a non-moving implement of the power tool. The method includes sampling an electrical signal that passes through the non-moving implement, identifying in-phase and quadrature phase components for the sample, identifying a first distance between the components of the sample and a centroid of a cluster of samples corresponding to human contact with the non-moving implement, identifying a second distance between the components of the sample and a second centroid identified for another cluster of samples corresponding to no human contact with the non-moving implement, and identifying human contact with the non-moving implement with reference to the first distance being less than the second distance.
US09519280B2 Numerical control device for machine tool
A numerical control device for a machine tool includes: a timing calculation unit configured to calculate a start timing of a post-reverse movement command by which a position, where the sum of velocities generated in response to a pre-reverse movement command and the post-reverse movement command becomes zero, is equal to a position distanced by an in-position width from the end point of the pre-reverse movement command; and a movement command start unit configured to start the post-reverse movement command in accordance with the start timing calculated by the timing calculation unit.
US09519276B2 Structure and behavior of a building automation system
A system for automating a building has an object describing a building section and at least one object describing an automation function and a functional unit having at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control program, with the object describing a building section having an overview list, in which semantic information units for the building section concerned are able to be stored. A semantic information unit for the building section concerned identifies an automation function which is provided in the building section. The object describing the automation function has an overview list, in which semantic information units for the automation function concerned are able to be stored. The semantic information unit includes a relation to a further object. The relation is implemented such that a bidirectional exchange of data between the corresponding objects is made possible. The system may enable field devices to the replaced or assigned without the need to make modifications in the program code of the open-loop and/or closed-loop control program, since the data exchange is conducted via the describing object.
US09519274B2 Electronic device and method for adjusting fool-proofing functions of operations using the electronic device
In a method for an electronic device to adjust fool-proofing functions of operations, an algorithm corresponding to each of the operations, and ranges for triggering the fool-proofing functions of the operations are preset. When an operation inputted by an operator is obtained, the method calculates a skilled value of the operation according to reference parameters of the operator and an algorithm corresponding to the operation. The method further determines a fool-proofing function of the operation that is triggered by the electronic device according to the skilled value and the ranges for triggering the fool-proofing functions, and adjusts the electronic device to execute the determined fool-proofing function.
US09519267B2 Image forming apparatus including secondary transfer unit and fixing section disposed on printing paper transport path
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
US09519264B2 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a process cartridge. The process cartridge is detachably mountable to the main assembly and includes a photosensitive drum, a rotatable developing roller, a developer supplying roller, a driving force transmitting portion, and a driving force receiving portion. The driving force receiving portion is connected to the driving force transmitting portion, and the driving force receiving portion is movable so that an axis of the first driving force receiving portion moves in a direction crossing an axis of the driving force transmitting portion.
US09519260B2 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
US09519259B2 Housing structure, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus
A housing structure includes: a housing configured to house therein components for use by an image forming apparatus and having an opening; a cover member configured to cover the opening of the housing and including an adherend portion; and a sealing member placed between an opening end of the housing and the cover member and configured to seal between the cover member and the housing by being compressed when the cover member is attached to the housing, the sealing member adhering to the adherend portion of the cover member, and at least one groove being formed in the adherent portion of the cover member.
US09519256B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus includes a measurement unit configured to measure a density of an image that an image forming unit forms, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image processing parameter serving as a correction value used to correct the measured density of the image, a generation unit configured to generate a cleaning patch image using the acquired image processing parameter, and a cleaning patch image forming unit configured to form the cleaning patch image generated by the generation unit on an image bearing member, wherein the cleaning patch image is formed during an interval after a first image is formed by the image forming unit on the image bearing member but before a second image having a printing instruction issued subsequent to a printing instruction issued for the first image is formed by the image forming unit on the image bearing member.
US09519254B2 Systems for configuring settings of an electronic device for customization thereof
A system for customizing settings of an electronic device includes a replaceable component having an optical member for receiving optical energy. The optical member has an optical characteristic for modifying an amount of the optical energy that leaves the optical member relative to an amount of the optical energy received by the optical member. A support is located on an outer casing of the electronic device and the replaceable component is mountable on the support. The system further includes an optical sensor including a detector positioned to receive the amount of the optical energy leaving the optical member when the replaceable component is mounted on the support. A controller determines one or more predetermined settings to be applied to the electronic device based at least upon the amount of the optical energy received by the detector.
US09519252B2 Fixing device
In a fixing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a projection portion projected in a direction opposite to a direction biased by the biasing member, from a body part of the biasing member, is provided in a biasing member configured to push a thermosensitive member which receives heat from a heater, toward the heater, so that a crack in the heater at the time of an abnormal temperature rise is prevented.
US09519249B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a cylindrical heat roller; a plurality of heaters disposed inside the heat roller, extending along a longitudinal axis of the heat roller; and a heat adjuster, disposed among the plurality of heaters, to adjust heat from one to another of the plurality of heaters. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image on a recording medium; and the fixing device as described above, to fix the image onto the recording medium.
US09519247B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same
The fixing device includes an abutting member and an urging member. The abutting member is provided on a sheet conveyance path between a fixing roller pair and a conveying roller pair. The abutting member abuts a surface of a sheet having passed or passing through a separation plate, and the surface faces a heating roller side. The urging member urges the abutting member such that the aforementioned sheet is pressed by the abutting member to a side separated from the separation plate.
US09519246B2 Image forming apparatus having image forming units that vary pressure against developer image carrier
An image forming apparatus includes a developer image carrier, first and second image forming units and first and second transfer parts that are arranged sandwiching the developer image carrier with the first and second image forming units. One of the first image forming unit and the first transfer part moves away from the develop image carrier so that the one of the first image forming unit and the first transfer part has two different positions (an image forming position and a non-image forming position). The image forming apparatus further comprises a pressing force variable mechanism that increases the second pressing force between the second image forming unit and the second transfer part when the one of the first image forming unit and the first transfer part moves from the image forming position to the non-image forming position.
US09519245B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip forming device, a contact-and-separation device, a thickness information retrieving device, and a controller. The contact-and-separation device moves the image bearer and the nip forming device to contact and separate from each other. The controller controls the contact-and-separation device based on information on a thickness of a recording medium obtained by the thickness information retrieving device such that in a case in which a thickness of a preceding recording medium and a thickness of a successive recording medium are different in continuous printing in which a plurality of recording media is printed out continuously, the contact-and-separation device adjusts a space between the image bearer and the nip forming device when the preceding recording medium exits the transfer nip to a preset size corresponding to the thickness of the successive recording medium that enters the transfer nip.
US09519242B2 Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus having a conveying member with multiple screw portions
A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member, a first conveying member disposed in a supplying chamber, a second conveying member disposed in a collecting chamber, and a third conveying member disposed in the collecting chamber to convey the developer in a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction of the second conveying member. The third conveying member has a conveying performance which is lower than that of the second conveying member, and has a first screw portion including a spiral blade portion and a second screw portion including a spiral blade portion at a downstream side in the conveying direction The spiral blade portion of the first screw portion and the spiral blade portion of the second screw portion are formed to have a same spiral direction, and a conveying performance of the second screw portion is lower than a conveying performance of the first screw portion.
US09519238B2 Image forming apparatus with photoconductor drum preservation
An image forming apparatus that adjusts the electric current supplied from a second transfer member to suppress acceleration of abrasion of a photoconductor drum while maintaining the second transfer efficiency at a desired level.
US09519235B2 Toner, developer using the toner, image forming apparatus
A toner including at least a crystalline resin as a binder resin, wherein a tetrahydrofuran soluble content of the toner includes 5.0% or more as a peak area of a component having a molecular weight of 100,000 or greater in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, and the tetrahydrofuran soluble content of the toner has a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 60,000.
US09519232B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus, and hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer on the support, and the photosensitive layer contains a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal having peaks at Bragg angles 2θ±0.2° of 6.9°, 7.7°, 16.4°, 24.4°, and 26.5° in CuKα X-ray diffraction.
US09519231B2 Method for measuring and calibrating centroid of coarse stage of photolithography tool
A method for measuring and calibrating a centroid of a coarse stage of a photolithography tool by means of measuring an offset of the centroid relative to a midpoint of the coarse stage is disclosed. The method includes: individually performing closed-loop controls on parameters of the three degrees of freedom X, Y, and Rz of the coarse stage and converting the parameters into coordinates in a coordinate system of the coarse stage (601); for each of the X and Y directions, estimating a range for the centroid (604), equally dividing the range into N parts (605), and designating each dividing point as an eccentricity (605); obtaining N Rz direction positional deviations by conducting a compensation calibration and a calibration calculation based on each corresponding eccentricity (606-611); comparing a minimum of the N positional deviations with a preset Rz-direction positional deviation threshold (613), completing the measurement if the latter is greater (614), and otherwise designating a range between the eccentricities adjacently in front of and behind the eccentricity corresponding to the minimum positional deviation as a new range for the centroid (616-617) and repeating the measurement until the minimum is smaller than the preset threshold.
US09519230B2 Magnetic device and lithographic apparatus
A magnetic device includes first and second parts, a first magnetic part, with a first magnetic polarization, coupled to the first part, a second magnetic part, with a second magnetic polarization, coupled to the second part and an additional magnetic part coupled to the first part and having an additional magnetic polarization. The first and second magnetic parts magnetically interact with each other. The first magnetic part exerts a first force on the second magnetic part, the second magnetic part exerts a second force on the first magnetic part and the first and second forces have opposite directions that are parallel to a reference direction. The first magnetic polarization is substantially parallel to the reference direction, the second magnetic polarization is substantially perpendicular to the reference direction, the additional magnetic polarization makes an angle with the first magnetic polarization and has a magnitude in a range of about 90°-270°.
US09519229B2 Apparatus and methods for inhibiting immersion liquid from flowing below a sustrate
A substrate stage is provided with an immersion liquid collection member that surrounds at least an alignment feature of the substrate stage used to align the substrate on the stage by engaging alignment structure of the substrate. The collection member is located at least partly below the periphery of the substrate held by the substrate holding member of the substrate stage. The collection member has an uppermost liquid-receiving surface that preferably is spaced below a lowermost surface of the substrate when the substrate is held by the substrate holding member. The collection member collects liquid that flows along the alignment feature so as to prevent that immersion liquid from flowing along the under-surface of the substrate.
US09519222B2 Dynamic optical head layer and lithography method using the same
The present invention relates to a dynamic optical head layer in an optical lithography system forming patterns on a substrate, the dynamic optical head layer being detachably mounted on the substrate, and the dynamic optical head layer includes a first dielectric layer formed on a top portion thereof, a second dielectric layer formed on a bottom portion thereof, and an dynamic nano aperture layer formed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the dynamic nano aperture layer is made of a material having optical anisotropy, and the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are made of oxide-based materials, nitride-based materials, and carbide-based materials.
US09519217B2 Chemically amplified positive resist composition and patterning process
A chemically amplified positive resist composition is provided comprising a substantially alkali-insoluble polymer having an acid labile group-protected acidic functional group, a poly(meth)acrylate polymer having Mw of 1,000-500,000, and an acid generator in a solvent. The composition forms on a substrate a resist film of 5-100 μm thick which can be briefly developed to form a pattern at a high sensitivity and a high degree of removal or dissolution to bottom.
US09519216B2 Positive photosensitive resin compositions
The present disclosure relates to compositions that include at least one polybenzoxazole precursor polymer, at least one photoacid generator, and at least one basic compound. Articles, films, and methods related to these compositions are also disclosed.
US09519209B2 Optically transparent and electrically conductive coatings and method for their deposition on a substrate
The present inventions relates to a substrate for a photolithographic mask comprising a coating deposited on a rear surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises (a) at least one electrically conducting layer, and (b) wherein a thickness of the at least one layer is smaller than 30 nm, preferably smaller than 20 nm, and most preferably smaller than 10 nm.
US09519197B1 Liquid crystal display substrate and liquid crystal display panel having the same
A liquid crystal display substrate includes a gate line, a data line a switching element and a pixel electrode each provided in plural. The pixel electrodes include first to fourth pixel electrodes. The first pixel electrode is connected to a first gate line and a first data line. The second pixel electrode is connected to the first gate line and a second data line adjacent to the first data line. The third pixel electrode is connected to a second gate line adjacent to the first gate line and the first data line. The fourth pixel electrode is connected to the second gate line and the second data line. The first gate line overlaps the first and second pixel electrodes and the second gate line overlaps the third and fourth pixel electrodes. Sizes of the first to fourth pixel electrodes are different from one another.
US09519193B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate, a gate line and a data line on the first substrate, a thin film transistor coupled to the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode coupled to the thin film transistor, and a common electrode overlapping the pixel electrode with an insulating layer therebetween, and including a plurality of branch electrodes and a connector coupling the branch electrodes, the common electrode overlapping the data line and extending in parallel with the data line, wherein a width of the connector of the common electrode is about 8.0 μm to about 13.5 μm.
US09519190B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixel areas, a thin film transistor positioned on the substrate, a first insulating layer positioned on the thin film transistor, a pixel electrode connected with the thin film transistor and positioned on the first insulating layer, a common electrode positioned on the pixel electrode and spaced apart from the pixel electrode by a microcavity, a second insulating layer positioned on the common electrode, a roof layer positioned on the second insulating layer, a thickness of the roof layer being about 4 μm to about 50 μm, an injection hole through the common electrode, the second insulating layer, and the roof layer, the injection hole exposing a part of the microcavity, a liquid crystal layer filling the microcavity, and an overcoat on the roof layer and extending into the injection hole, the overcoat sealing the microcavity.
US09519189B2 Liquid crystal cell, method for fabricating the same and display device
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal cell includes forming photosensitive-type alignment films on an upper substrate and a lower substrate respectively and removing all or part of portions of the alignment films that are located outside of display areas after performing an optical alignment on the alignment films on the upper substrate and the lower substrate. The method further includes applying a frame-sealing adhesive on areas of the upper substrate or the lower substrate that are located outside of the display areas and where there is no alignment film, dripping liquid crystal on one or more of the upper substrate and the lower substrate, cell-aligning the upper substrate and the lower substrate, curing the frame-sealing adhesive, and cutting the cell-aligned upper substrate and lower substrate into a plurality of liquid crystal cells.
US09519186B2 Display device including a color conversion layer
A display device includes a display panel including pixels arranged in a matrix form along first and second directions crossing each other, a backlight unit configured to generate and provide a first light to the display panel, and a color conversion layer. Each pixel includes first and sub-pixels spaced apart from each other. The color conversion layer includes a first sub-color conversion layer overlapping the first sub-pixel and configured to receive the first light and to emit the second light having a wavelength different from that of the first light, and a second sub-color conversion layer overlapping the second sub-pixel, spaced apart from the first sub-color conversion layer and configured to receive the first light and to emit the first light. In a plan view, areas of the first and second sub-color conversion layers are different from each other.
US09519185B2 Lighting system for transparent liquid crystal display
Exemplary embodiments provide a lighting system for a transparent LCD having opposing vertical edges, the system having a mullion lighting assembly positioned adjacent to each vertical edge of the transparent LCD, each mullion lighting assembly having sidewalls defining a center channel. A plurality of LEDs are positioned along the sidewall of each mullion assembly and on a side of the sidewall that opposes the center channel. The LEDs are preferably placed in conductive thermal communication with the sidewall and preferably have a quantum dot film positioned over each LED. A fan is preferably positioned to draw cooling air through the center channel.
US09519183B2 Liquid crystal display device having optical sensor
A liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of substrates, a pixel including a liquid crystal element between the pair of substrates, a lighting portion provided on the outer side of the pair of substrates, a first polarizing member between the pair of substrates and the lighting portion, a reflective member provided outside the lightning portion, a second polarizing member on a side opposite to the first polarizing member with the pair of substrates provided therebetween, and a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. The first optical sensor has a function of detecting illuminance of external light, and the second optical sensor has a function of detecting a color tone of polarized light emitted from the pixel portion. The lightning portion can emits light having a predetermined wavelength depending on the color tone of the pixel portion which is detected by the second optical sensor.
US09519181B2 Display substrate and liquid crystal display device having the same
A display substrate includes a thin film transistor array disposed in a display area, a signal line disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area, a contact electrode disposed on the signal line and contacting the signal line, a light-blocking pattern overlapping a first portion of the contact electrode, and a color pattern overlapping a second portion of the contact electrode.
US09519180B2 Display device and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a partition layer provided on the first substrate and defining plural pixel regions, colored layers of plural colors constituting color filters in the plural pixel regions, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal material arranged between the first and second substrates. The partition layer includes a longitudinal light-shielding part made of a light-shielding resin and extending in a longitudinal direction, a lateral light-shielding part made of the light-shielding resin and extending in a lateral direction, and a light reducing part in which the colored layers including two or more of the colors overlap each other. At least one of the longitudinal light-shielding part and the lateral light-shielding part has a space to avoid contact with the other. The light reducing part fills the space between the longitudinal light-shielding part and the lateral light-shielding part.
US09519179B2 Color filter substrate having resistance-reduced common electrode and liquid crystal display panel made therefrom
The present invention discloses a color filter substrate and a liquid crystal panel. The color filter substrate includes a substrate a transparent conductive film, a black array, and an auxiliary conductive layer. Wherein the black array is arranged on the substrate and the transparent conductive film is disposed on the black array. Wherein the auxiliary conductive layer is disposed over a surface of the substrate facing the black array, and has at least portions arranged between the substrate and the black array. By these arrangements, the present invention can effectively reduce the brightness interference of the liquid crystal panel, while increasing the adhesion of the auxiliary conductive layer in addition, this arrangement can effectively avoid the damage to the transparent conductive film by the auxiliary conductive layer.
US09519177B2 Display unit
Provided is a display unit that includes: a display panel having a pair of substrates that are bonded to each other in a seal region along an outer edge of the display panel; a transparent plate facing the display panel; an optical film provided on a surface of the display panel which faces the transparent plate, and having an outer edge positioned over the seal region; and a resin layer sandwiched between the optical film and the transparent plate.
US09519176B2 Display panel and display device
Cohesion of shape anisotropy members is preventedA display panel (2) in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: substrates (10) and (20) which are provided so as to face each other; and an optical modulation layer (30) including a plurality of shape anisotropy members (32) each of which includes (i) a core that is an electric conductor and (ii) a covering layer that is a dielectric and that covers an entire periphery of the core. The display panel (2) changes an area of each image of the plurality of shape anisotropy members (32) which image is projected on the substrates (10) and (20), by changing a voltage to be applied to the optical modulation layer (30).
US09519174B2 Metal mesh type touch screen panel
A touch screen panel includes a plurality of first touch electrode serials arranged in a first direction, a plurality of second touch electrode serials arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and an insulating layer insulating the first touch electrode serials and the second touch electrode serials. Each first touch electrode serial includes a plurality of first mesh patterns formed by an intersection of first metal lines. Each second touch electrode serial includes a plurality of second mesh patterns formed by an intersection of second metal lines. The first mesh patterns are connected to one another, and the second mesh patterns are separated from one another. The separated first mesh patterns are connected to one another through a bridge.
US09519171B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes: a backlight holding case 8 accommodating a light guide plate 7; a design frame 3 which includes a flange part 3a protruding inward from a peripheral edge of a frame opening, and a design panel part 3b protruding outward therefrom, and which is attached to an opening of a backlight holding case 8 to sandwich the plate 7 between the flange part 3a and backlight holding case 8; a protective-plate-attached liquid crystal display panel 2 in which a protective plate 2a is mounted on a display surface, and which the outer peripheral part of the protective plate 2a is fixed to the panel part 3b, and the back side is illuminated with light from the light source guided by the plate 7; and a rear side case 4 assembled to the design frame 3 fixed by the panel 2 through the panel part 3b.
US09519168B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel which displays an image; a top chassis and a bottom chassis which house the display panel; and a plurality of light-emitting boards which are installed on an inner surface of the bottom chassis, each of the light-emitting boards including a main printed circuit board (PCB) that extends in a longitudinal direction and light source packages installed on the main PCB, and the light source packages are arranged to be farther from a first longitudinal edge of the main PCB than a second longitudinal edge of the main PCB.
US09519167B2 Method of forming patterns and methods of manufacturing display panels using methods of forming patterns
A method of forming a pattern may include: disposing a first material layer; disposing a first photoresist film including first shot regions; exposing the first shot regions to light, wherein an overlapping region between first shot regions may be overlappingly exposed to light exposures onto the first shot regions; forming a first photoresist pattern by developing the first photoresist film; forming a first pattern by etching the first material layer using the first photoresist pattern as an etching mask; disposing a second material layer on the first pattern; disposing a second photoresist film including second shot regions; exposing the second shot regions, wherein a boundary region between second shot regions may be disposed spaced apart from the overlapping region; forming a second photoresist pattern by developing the second photoresist film; and forming a second pattern by etching the second material layer using the second photoresist pattern as an etching mask.
US09519164B2 Systems and methods for mura calibration preparation
Systems and methods for calibrating an electronic display to reduce or eliminate artifacts are provided. One method for reducing or eliminating artifacts may involve baking the operational—but not yet fully calibrated—electronic display to reduce stray charge on the electronic display. After baking the display, the electronic display may be calibrated to reduce or eliminate flicker and/or mura artifacts
US09519160B2 Laser level eyewear apparatus
A laser level eyewear apparatus for providing a level indication visible by a wearer through the lenses comprises a pair of base glasses for wearing in front of a user's eyes having a frame, two modified lenses through which the wearer can look, a level projection assembly that is biased to return to and remain in an orientation to project a laser indication a level orientation through the lenses, and a battery that supplies electrical power to the level projection assembly. The frame defines a frame style similar to that in conventional eyeglasses, except that it not only holds the integrated, modified lenses in place over the eyes of one wearing the frame, its eyewire area is structured to surround the edges of the modified lenses so as to allow the laser from the level projection assembly to freely pass through the lenses.
US09519159B1 Hunting visored eye shield
An eyewear device for the primary purpose of concealing and camouflaging the wearer's eyes and eye movement during hunting activities. The eyewear device comprises an opaque shield and visor that covers, shades, and shadows the wearer's eyes and at the same time it greatly reduces ambient light that might be reflected from the eye so they are not visible to wildlife. The shield is designed with elongated openings that allow the wearer to have significantly unencumbered vision in a variety of daylight hunting conditions. The eyewear device's performance cannot be affected by fogging, scratching or precipitation. Furthermore the eyewear device's one-piece flexible design makes it durable enough to withstand the riggers of hunting.
US09519156B1 Sunglasses and method of forming the same
The present invention generally relates to hand made sunglasses, and more particularly to a method and system for making sunglasses from recycled materials, e.g., skateboards.
US09519154B2 Diffraction grating for use with a multi-layered display system
A display device is described and includes a first display screen including a mask pattern of a pixel. The display device includes a second display screen including the mask pattern, wherein the second display screen is located further from a front of the display device than the first display screen, wherein the front of the display device is closest to a viewer. The display device includes a diffraction element configured to copy the mask pattern of the second display screen into one or more viewable copies in order to minimize moiré interference with the mask pattern of the first display screen.
US09519153B2 Directional flat illuminators
Disclosed is an optical valve or light valve for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources, and system and method thereof for 2D, 3D, and/or autosteroscopic displays. An optical valve may include a stepped structure, in which the steps include separated extraction features which may be optically hidden to light propagating in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the optical valve. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality.
US09519152B2 3D display alignment method
There is provided an apparatus for alignment of a thin-film transistor (TFT) panel and a barrier panel of a three-dimensional (3D) display. The apparatus comprises at least one light source for illuminating pixels in at least one region of the TFT panel and for illuminating at least one region of an exposure pattern of the barrier panel; a pattern recognition system for detecting light emitted from the at least one light source that is reflected by or transmitted through the 3D display, to generate alignment data relating to an alignment between the detected illuminated pixels of the TFT panel and the exposure pattern of the barrier panel; and a positioning mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the barrier panel and the TFT panel in relation to the alignment data. The at least one light source comprises at least one invisible light source which emits invisible light outside the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
US09519148B2 Vehicular display device
A vehicular display device includes a display unit that displays visible information, a light projection unit that includes a reflection member which reflects light containing the visible information displayed on the display unit and projects the reflected light to a predetermined observation region to display the visible information as a virtual image, a light path adjustment mechanism that switches an imaging position of the virtual image between at least two positions, an illuminance detection unit that detects an intensity of external light affecting visibility of the virtual image, and an imaging position control unit that controls the light path adjustment mechanism depending upon the illuminance and changes the imaging position to a first position, at which the virtual image is less influenced by the external light, or to a second position, at which the virtual image is easily influenced by the external light.
US09519144B2 System, method, and computer program product to produce images for a near-eye light field display having a defect
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for producing images for a near-eye light field display. Defect information for a first pixel of a microdisplay of a near-eye light field display device is received and a second pixel of the microdisplay is identified, where the first pixel and the second pixel contribute to a portion of the retinal image. Based on the defect information, a value of the second pixel within an array of elemental images is modified to produce a corrected array of elemental images for display by the microdisplay. An optical apparatus of the near-eye light field display device may, for example, be a microlens of a microlens array positioned between a viewer and an emissive microdisplay or a pinlight of a pinlight array positioned behind a transmissive microdisplay relative to the viewer.
US09519139B2 Zoom lens barrel assembly and electronic apparatus including the same
A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a first barrel, a second barrel, a lens barrier, and a transparent member. The first barrel supports at least one lens. The second barrel surrounds at least a portion of an outer surface of the first barrel, and supports the first barrel to protrude along an optical axis direction. The lens barrier is disposed on a front side of the first barrel, and is moved in a direction that intersects an optical axis to expose the at least one lens when the first barrel is protruded. The transparent member is disposed on a front side of the lens barrier, and prevents impurities from entering the first barrel.
US09519137B2 Optical deflector including inner frame with circumferential rib and branch ribs
An optical deflector includes a mirror, an inner frame surrounding the mirror, first and second torsion bars coupled between the mirror and the inner frame, first and second inner piezoelectric actuators coupled between the first and second torsion bars supported by first and second inner coupling portions to the inner frame, and an outer frame surrounding the inner frame. The inner frame is supported by first and second outer coupling portions to the outer frame. A circumferential rib is provided on a rear surface of the inner frame. A first branch rib is provided on a rear surface of the first outer coupling portion, and a second branch rib is provided on a rear surface of the second outer coupling portion.
US09519131B2 Electronic device and electronic apparatus
An electronic device includes a variable wavelength interference filter, and a package adapted to house the variable wavelength interference filter. The package includes a base substrate provided with a light passage hole through which light passes, and a base substrate side light transmissive substrate adapted to block the light passage hole and having a light transmissive property. The base substrate is formed of a laminated body having a plurality of layers stacked on each other, and the light passage hole is formed so that a second opening located on an opposite side to the variable wavelength interference filter is larger in area than a first opening located on the variable wavelength interference filter side.
US09519123B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consists of, in order from the object, a negative first lens, a positive second lens, a positive third lens, a negative fourth lens, a positive fifth lens, a positive sixth lens, and a negative seventh lens. When νd7 is the Abbe's number of the material for the seventh lens, f is the focal length of the entire system, and f5 is the focal length of the fifth lens, the following conditional formulae are satisfied: νd7<55  (2) 1.25
US09519112B2 Optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector for positioning a number of optical fibers is provided. The optical fiber connector includes a main body and a pressing block. The main body defines an assembling recess and a number of positioning grooves defined in a bottom surface of the assembling recess. The positioning grooves each correspond to an optical fiber. An end of each optical fiber is received in a corresponding positioning groove, and the pressing block is received in the assembling recess.
US09519104B1 Hyperuniform disordered material with perforated resonant structure
An optical structure includes a Hyperuniform Disordered Solid (“HUDS”) structure, a photonic crystal waveguide, and a perforated resonant structure. The HUDS structure is formed by walled cells organized in a lattice. The photonic crystal waveguide is configured to guide an optical signal and includes an unperforated central strip extended lengthwise and three rows of circular perforations disposed on each side of the unperforated central strip. The perforated resonant structure is formed along a boundary of the photonic crystal waveguide. The perforated resonant structure is configured to be resonant at a frequency band that is a subset of a bandwidth of the optical signal. The perforated resonant structure includes an outer segment, a middle segment, and an inner segment of the circular perforations that are offset away from the unperforated central strip at a first, second, and third offset distance.
US09519102B2 Few moded optical fiber and system incorporating such
One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a system comprising: (i) at least light source transmitting at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s or higher at one or more wavelengths between 840 and 860 nm; (ii) at least one few moded optical fiber optically coupled to said light source, said fiber comprises a graded index a graded index glass core having a diameter D1, such that 12.5 microns≦D1<40 microns, a maximum relative refractive index between 0.265 and 0.65 percent, the glass core diameter D1 and refractive index are selected such that the core is capable of supporting the propagation and transmission of an optical signal with X number of mode groups at a wavelength of 850 nm, wherein X is an integer greater than 1 and less than 8, and a cladding comprising a depressed index region and an outer cladding region, wherein said fiber has an overfilled bandwidth at an operating wavelength situated in 840 nm to 860 nm wavelength range greater than 4 GHz-km; an alpha being 2.05≦α≦2.15; and an attenuation less than 2.5 dB/km at said operating wavelength; and relative microbending sensitivity γ such that γ≦1.5; and (iii) a detector optically coupled to said few moded optical fiber and capable of detecting a wavelength in 840 nm to 860 nm range.
US09519095B2 Optical waveguides
An optical waveguide includes a coupling optic and a waveguide body. According to one embodiment, the body includes a first curved surface that extends between an input surface and an end surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The input surface has a first thickness disposed between the first and second surfaces and the end surface has a second thickness disposed between the first and second surfaces less than the first thickness.
US09519091B2 Display device including a conductive pattern
The present invention provides a display device comprising a display panel and a conductive pattern, in which the conductive pattern comprises an irregular pattern.
US09519089B1 High performance volume phase gratings
Provided in one embodiment is an apparatus, comprising: an optical substrate configured to manipulate light received from a light source; and at least one diffractive element in one layer in the optical substrate, each diffractive element comprising: a plurality of sub-substrate structures separated from one another by a plurality of valleys, the sub-substrate structures comprising a material having a first refractive index; and a filler material filling at least partially at least some of the plurality of valleys, the filler material having a second refractive index that is unequal to the first refractive index.
US09519088B2 Micromirror array
A micromirror array according to the present invention is a corner reflector type micromirror array capable of projecting a mirror image of an object to be projected sharply with high luminance. The micromirror array includes a substrate, and a plurality of unit optical elements (quadrangular prisms) formed in an array on the substrate. Each of the unit optical elements is of a protruding or recessed shape perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The unit optical elements has two side surfaces orthogonal to each other on opposite sides of a corner of the side surfaces, and the two side surfaces are light reflecting surfaces. Each of the light reflecting surfaces is of a rectangular shape such that the ratio of the vertical length thereof as measured in a substrate thickness direction to the horizontal width thereof as measured in a substrate surface direction is not less than 1.5.
US09519087B2 Prismatic retroreflective sheeting with reduced retroreflectivity of infra-red light
The present application relates to retroreflective sheeting that is capable of use in a license plate and that can be accurately read and/or detected by an ALPR system. The retroreflective sheeting is a prismatic retroreflective sheeting that provides reduced retroreflectivity of infra-red light. The retroreflective sheeting can also be a prismatic retroreflective sheeting that exhibits reduced retroreflectivity of incident infra-red light and substantially unaffected retroreflectivity of incident visible light.
US09519085B2 Light diffusing sheet and backlight using same
A light diffusing sheet can include a diffusion layer. The diffusion layer has a surface profile that satisfies certain conditions.
US09519082B2 Microscopic roughness structure with protective film and method thereof
In a protective film affixed to a microscopic roughness structure having a microscopically rough structure on the surface, water contact angle of the surface of the microscopic roughness structure is 40° or less, compressive stress obtainable when the adhesive layer of the protective film is compressed to a compression ratio of 20% is 0.6 MPa to 3.0 MPa; in the infrared absorption spectrum of the surface on the microscopically rough structure side of the microscopic roughness structure, ratio (A1/A2) of peak area A1 having absorption maximum of 3700 cm−1 to 3100 cm−1, and peak area A2 having absorption maximum of 1730±10 cm−1, is 0.1 to 0.8; in the surface of adhesive layer of the protective film, ratio (B1/B2) of peak area B1 having absorption maximum of 3700 cm−1 to 3100 cm−1, and peak area B2 having absorption maximum of 1730±10 cm−1, is 0.6 to 1.3.
US09519071B2 Method and apparatus for controlling output of an array of seismic sources
Apparatus, computer instructions and method for controlling an energy output of a source array to be used in a seismic survey for illuminating a subsurface. The method includes generating a model (β) based on up-going (U) and down-going (D) components of seismic waves generated by source elements that form the source array; calculating the amplitudes and phases of each source element based on the model (β); and driving the source array based on the calculated amplitudes and phases for the source elements so that a ghost generated by the source array is reduced at emission.
US09519067B1 Radioactive gas measurement apparatus and failed fuel inspection apparatus
A radioactive gas measurement apparatus comprises: a radiation measurement cell comprising an inlet pipe and a discharge pipe, the radiation measurement cell introducing and discharging a radioactive gas containing a nuclide to be measured and a positron emitter nuclide through the inlet pipe and the discharge pipe; a radiation detector for measuring a radiation generated from the radioactive gas; and a radiation collimator allowing the radiation measurement cell to communicate with the radiation detector and setting a predetermined radiation measurement geometry condition between the radiation measurement cell and the radiation detector. Then, as the predetermined radiation measurement geometry condition, an inner wall area of the radiation measurement cell which the radiation detector views through the radiation collimator is set equal to or less than a half of a total inner wall area of the radiation measurement cell.
US09519063B2 System and method for testing real world A-GNSS performance of a device
The technology disclosed relates to implementing a novel-testing framework that combines playback of captured GNSS signals with real-time emulation of assisted global navigation satellite system telemetry (abbreviated A-GNSS) in a test session with a mobile device. In particular, it can be used for testing A-GNSS performance of communication devices, navigation systems, telematics and tracking applications.
US09519062B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigation of in-band interference of global positioning system (GPS) signals
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigation of interference of GPS signals are disclosed providing selective mitigation of in-band interference implementing deterministic phase control. In one embodiment, a system for mitigating interference of GPS signals includes a pair of antennas, each receiving GPS signals that include both a desired signal component and a jammer signal component. The signal from one antenna is phase-shifted as needed to make it anti-phase with the signal from the other antenna, so that when the two signals are combined, the jammer signal components substantially cancel each other, leaving the desired signal components. Determining the phase shift required involves deterministically calculating the phase shift based on the amplitudes of the two input signals and the amplitude of the combined signal instead of the iterative techniques used in conventional systems.
US09519061B2 Geometric fingerprinting for localization of a device
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for developing a fingerprint database for and determining the geographic location of an end-user device (e.g., vehicle, mobile phone, smart watch, etc.) with the database. A fingerprint database may be developed by receiving a depth map for a location in a path network, and then identifying physical structures within the depth map. The depth map may be divided, at each physical structure, into one or more horizontal planes at one or more elevations from a road level. Two-dimensional feature geometries may be extracted from the horizontal planes. At least a portion of the extracted feature geometries may be encoded into the fingerprint database.
US09519060B2 Methods and systems for vehicle classification from laser scans using global alignment
A system and method for classifying vehicles from laser scan data by receiving laser scan data corresponding to multiple vehicles from a laser scanner; extracting vehicle shapes corresponding to the multiple vehicles based on the laser scan data; aligning the vehicle shapes; and generating vehicle profiles based on the aligned vehicle shapes. The system and method can further include aligning the vehicle shapes using sequence kernels, such as global alignment kernels, and constraining the sequence kernels based on determined weights.
US09519057B1 Dual-polarization weather radar data system and method
The present invention essentially comprises a system, method, computer program and combinations thereof to utilize dual-polarization generated data generally associated with weather and non-weather events for mapping data, producing geo-referenced data, producing mosaics, generation of precipitation masks, non-precipitation mask, and classification masks in general, production of vertical cross sections and predetermined fly throughs, producing short term forecasting, prediction of specific weather phenomenon, correcting or adjusting rain gauge data as well as quantitative precipitation estimation, and combining other meteorological data to correct or adjust estimated rainfall accumulation gathered by dual-polarization radar.
US09519055B2 Subsurface imaging radar
A method and system for obtaining SAR images with reduced or eliminated surface clutter to detect subsurface targets, the method comprising the following steps: —selecting a first frequency and an incidence angle for the radar signal such that the ratio of surface backscattering to subsurface target backscattering is significantly larger for vertical polarization than for horizontal—obtaining vertically and horizontally polarized SAR images based on the same SAR path exploiting the selected first frequency and viewing angle—weighting and differencing the vertically and horizontally polarized SAR images so that the surface backscattering completely cancels between the two images and only the combination of the target backscattering components remains.
US09519053B2 Distance measuring apparatus and distance measuring method
A distance measuring apparatus and a distance measuring method are provided. The distance measuring apparatus includes a GPS module, an ultrasound transceiver module and a control module. The GPS module is configured to generate a pulse signal. The ultrasound transceiver module is configured to generate and transmit a first ultrasound signal and receive a second ultrasound signal transmitted from an object. When the control module receives the pulse signal, the control module controls the ultrasound transceiver module to generate and transmit the first ultrasound signal, and determines whether the ultrasound transceiver module receives the second ultrasound signal within a first interval. When the ultrasound transceiver module receives the second ultrasound signal within the first interval, the control module determines a distance between the distance measuring apparatus and the object according to a time difference.
US09519048B2 High-frequency circuit having crossed lines
A high-frequency circuit is described as having lines crossing each other on a printed circuit board for high-frequency signals, wherein the sections of the lines, lying on both sides of a crossing point as well as a coupler forming the crossing point are situated in a common plane on the printed circuit board and the sections of the lines are connected to four ports of the coupler situated in a quadrangle, which are connected to one another via a plurality of coupling paths in such a way that the components of a signal supplied at a port, which propagate on various coupling paths, interfere destructively at the adjacent ports and constructively at the diagonally opposite port.
US09519047B2 System and method of implementing asynchronously-clocked fixed-location devices for a distance determination by a roaming client device
A system of asynchronously-clocked fixed-location devices and a roaming client device can be used for a distance determination of the roaming client device. The system includes a master device, at least one slave device, and any number of roaming client devices. The master device transmits a series of pulses. Once those pulses reach the client device, the client device will begin to count the number of pulses. Once those pulses reach the slave device, the slave device will transmit an acknowledgement pulse. After the client device receives the acknowledgement pulse, the client device will stop counting the pulses from the master device. The total number of pulses counted by the client device will then be used in the distance determination of the client device.
US09519039B2 Determining the form of RF pulses for selective excitation in magnetic resonance imaging
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method involving the generation of high-frequency pulses and magnetic gradients (gx, gy, gz) for the selective excitation of an object to be examined. According to the invention, the magnetic resonance method is characterized in that a magnetic resonance signal s(t) according to the following signal equation is generated: s ⁡ ( t ) = ∫ V ⁢ m ( r r , T ) ⁢ exp ⁡ [ t ⁢ / ⁢ T 2 ] ⁢ exp ⁡ [ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ t ⁢ ⁢ ω s ] ⁢ exp ⁡ [ - ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ k r ⁡ ( T - t ) · r r ] ⁢ ⁢ ⅆ 3 ⁢ r wherein stands for a desired transversal magnetization after the selective excitation, t stands for a time, {right arrow over (r)} stands for a position vector and T stands for a duration of a pulse, and whereby s(t) stands for a magnetic resonance signal, V stands for a volume that is to be examined, T2 stands for a transversal relaxation time, and ωs stands for a shift of the resonance frequency. The invention also relates to a nuclear spin tomograph for carrying out the magnetic resonance method.
US09519035B2 Magnetic tampering detection and correction in a utility meter
An arrangement for use in an electricity meter includes a sensor and a processing circuit. The sensor is supported directly or indirectly by a meter housing. The sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field in proximity to a current sensor of the electricity meter. The sensor is also configured to generate a measurement signal representative of, at least in part, a magnitude of the magnetic field. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive first information representative of the measurement signal. The processing circuit is configured to obtain a first value representative of the magnetic field based on the first information, and determine a first adjustment value responsive to a determination that the first value exceeds the first threshold value. The processing circuit is further configured to generate energy consumption information based at least in part on the first adjustment value.
US09519028B2 Method and system for characterizing battery cells for use in battery packs
A system and method for use characterizing battery cells. Charging and/or discharging characteristics for each of a plurality of battery cells may be determined, the battery cells may be marked based on the determined charging and/or discharging characteristics, and grouped based on the marking—e.g., such as battery cells having similar or near similar charging and/or discharging characteristics are grouped together. Battery packs may then be assembled such that each battery pack would comprise only battery cells belonging to the same group (or “in-family”). The charging characterization may be based on voltage rise curve, which may be determined for each battery cell—e.g., based on sampling or recording during charging, at sufficient rate. Battery cells may subsequently be monitored, during use of the battery packs, to ensure that the charging or discharging does not change, and battery cells exhibiting change in characteristics may be manually or automatically removed from use.
US09519027B2 Battery monitoring device and battery system monitoring device
A battery monitoring device for monitoring a cell group made by connecting a plurality of single battery cells in series including a first switching circuit configured to select, as a measurement target voltage, a type of voltage a differential amplifier circuit including a first input terminal and a second input terminal, configured to convert the measurement target voltage, which is selected by the first switching circuit and input between the first input terminal and the second input terminal, into a voltage in a predetermined range by performing differential amplification, and an AD converter configured to measure the measurement target voltage selected by the first switching circuit and converted by the differential amplifier circuit, and output a digital signal according to the measurement result, wherein an abnormality detection voltage, is output to the AD converter.
US09519021B2 Systems and methods for detecting abnormalities within a circuit of an electrosurgical generator
An electrosurgical generator includes primary and test sources. The primary source supplies a primary signal and the test source supplies a test signal. The electrosurgical generator includes an output circuit and an abnormality detection circuit. The output circuit is electrically coupled to the primary and test sources. The output circuit receives the primary and test signals from the primary and test sources, respectively. The output circuit is electrically coupled to a load to supply the primary signal thereto. The abnormality detection circuit is electrically coupled to the output circuit to detect an abnormality therein as a function of the test signal. The abnormality detection circuit can also determine a location of the abnormality within the output circuit.
US09519018B2 Systems and methods for detecting unauthorized population of surface-mount devices on a printed circuit board
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit board may include a connector configured to electrically couple a device to the circuit board. The connector may include a conductive element configured to be electrically coupled to a first voltage and a detection pad configured to be electrically coupled to a second voltage via a resistor, such that when a device pin of a device is electrically coupled to the conductive element, the detection pad is electrically coupled to the conductive element via the device pin.
US09519011B2 Adapter for a sensor for measuring a differential signal
An adapter for a sensor measuring a differential signal comprises two electrically conductive test-contact elements which are arranged in each case eccentrically relative to an axis of rotation in order to register respectively one partial signal of the differential signal. Moreover, two adjustment components, each rotatable about one of the two axes of rotation, are provided in the adapter for the adjustment of a variable spacing distance between the two test-contact elements. The two adjustment components are connected to one another in a force-fit manner.
US09519009B2 Prober
A prober includes: a wafer chuck having a conductive support surface; a movement rotation mechanism which moves and rotates the wafer chuck; a head stage which holds a probe holding portion; a stage member which has a conductive stage surface that is formed in parallel to the support surface and electrically connected with the support surface, and can move integrally with the wafer chuck; and a contactor which is fixed to a position facing the stage member and whose tip can electrically come into contact with the stage surface, wherein the stage member is separated from the wafer chuck as a separate body, and the stage surface and the support surface are electrically connected through a wiring member; and a back-surface electrode of a chip is electrically connected with a tester through the wafer chuck, a wiring, the stage member and the contactor.
US09519008B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a support that is coupled to a coupled subject and includes a support portion, a substrate supported by the support portion, a current sensor including a signal terminal, wherein the current sensor is connected to the substrate in a manner allowing for a signal to be sent to the substrate through the signal terminal, and a fastener fastening the current sensor to the support portion and the substrate. The current sensor is suspended from the substrate. The support portion is arranged between the substrate and the current sensor.
US09519006B2 Hybrid microprobe for electrochemical and SERS monitoring, scanning and feedback stimulation and the preparation method thereof
The present disclosure relates to a probe capable of electrochemical and Raman spectroscopic monitoring wherein a Raman-active gold microshell having conductivity is attached to the tip of a glass microcapillary tube in which a conductive material is coated on an inner wall thereof by electroless plating. By coupling the probe with a system capable of moving the probe, the activities of various catalyst materials can be detected quickly and information of intermediate products moving from and adsorbed on the surface can be provided.
US09519004B2 Sensor with moving sensitive element having mixed vibrating and pendular operation, and methods for controlling such a sensor
A sensor comprising: a stand; a first body movable along a sensing axis; two pairs of second bodies arranged symmetrically relative to the first body and along the sensing axis; transducers for detecting a position of the first body relative to the stand, for setting the second bodies into vibration along a vibration axis, and for detecting respective vibration frequencies of the second bodies; and surface electrostatic coupling means connecting each second body to the first body in such a manner that a movement of the first body relative to the stand along the sensing axis gives rise respectively to an increase and to a decrease in the electrostatic coupling for one and the other of the pairs of second bodies. Methods of controlling such a sensor.
US09519002B2 Device, system, and method for selecting a target analyte
This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a specimen. The magnetic gradient may be introduced by a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the pressure gradient may be introduced by a pump which moves within a fluid-primed cannula to create the pressure gradient, thereby drawing the target analyte into the cannula. The picker may also expel the target analyte onto or into a substrate, such as a well plate, after the target analyte has been drawn into the picker by reversing the pressure gradient or removing the magnetic gradient.
US09519001B2 Carrying apparatus
A carrying apparatus includes a holder which houses an object to be carried and which comprises a holder side member; a carrying path which guides the movement of the holder; a helical member which generates, between the holder side member and the helical member, a first force in a direction to depart from the holder side member or a second force to attract the holder side member and which is disposed along the carrying path; and a rotation unit which rotates the helical member.
US09519000B2 Reagent cartridge
Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
US09518996B2 Fluorescent protein-based calcium integrators
The presently-disclosed subject matter includes fluorescent protein-based indicators for detecting ions, small molecule analytes, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the indicators include a polypeptide, which itself includes a fluorescent polypeptide, a compound-binding polypeptide, and a polypeptide target of the compound-binding polypeptide. In some embodiments the polypeptide includes an EosFP polypeptide, a calmodulin polypeptide, and a M13 polypeptide, or fragments and/or variants thereof. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for detecting calcium in a sample with embodiments of the present polypeptides. In some embodiments the present indicators experience a permanent shift from green to red fluorescent when exposed to an detecting substance, such as calcium.
US09518995B2 FKBP52-Tau interaction as a novel therapeutical target for treating the neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction
Candidate compounds for use in neuro-protection and repair in neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction (including Alzheimer's disease) are identified from a direct interaction between proteins FKBP52 and Tau. The method for screening a drug for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction includes determining the ability of a candidate compound, to modulate binding between a Tau polypeptide and a FKBP52 polypeptide, and selecting positively the candidate compound that modulates binding.
US09518993B2 Reagents and methods for detecting a polymorphic protein
The present invention provides antibodies that differentially react with allelic variants of a polymorphic protein, methods of identifying same, an antigen binding fragment comprised therein, proteins, cells, viral particles, compositions, and kits comprising same. The invention also provides methods for determining a haptoglobin type of a subject and methods for testing a subject for susceptibility to diabetic complications.
US09518991B2 Method and apparatus for analyzing acetone in breath
Methods and devices are provided for analyzing acetone in breath. One such method comprises disposing a reactant in a reaction zone within the breath analysis device, wherein the reactant comprises a primary amine disposed on a surface, and wherein the reaction zone has an optical characteristic that is at a reference level. It also comprises pre-storing a liquid nitroprusside solution within the breath analysis device separately from the reactant. The method further comprises using the breath analysis device to cause the breath to contact the reactant in the reaction zone so that the acetone in the breath reacts with the reactant to form a reaction product and, after the reaction product has been formed, using the breath analysis device to cause the nitroprusside solution to contact and react with the reaction product and to facilitate a change in the optical characteristic of the reaction zone relative to the reference level.
US09518990B2 Secernin-1 as a marker for cancer
Disclosed is a method aiding in the assessment of cancer. It involves the use of the secernin-1 protein (SCRN1) as a universal marker of different cancer types. More specifically disclosed is a method for assessing cancer from a liquid sample derived from an individual by measuring SCRN1 in the sample. Measurement of SCRN1 can, e.g., be used in the early detection of cancer or in the surveillance of patients who undergo surgery.
US09518989B2 Composition and method for diagnosis and immunotherapy of lung cancer
The present invention includes compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with a recombinant tumor-associated antigen loaded antigen presenting cell that generates a cytotoxic T lymphocyte specific immune response to at least one of SP17, AKAP-4, or PTTG1 expressed by one or more lung cancer cells.
US09518986B2 Method of detecting and/or quantifying an analyte in a biological sample
An aptamer-based SERS detection technique that directly monitors an aptamer-analyte capture event by generating spectroscopic information regarding the identity of the analyte that has been bound to the aptamer from a complex biological sample. A reproducible SERS spectrum is measured for an aptamer-analyte complex formed on a metal surface and this spectral information is used directly to identify the specific aptamer-analyte complex and optionally also to quantify the analyte in the sample, thus enabling discrimination between true and false positives in quantitative analyte assays on complex biological samples. In one embodiment the aptamer is attached directly to the metal surface and surrounded by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of amphiphilic molecules. In an alternative embodiment the metal surface is coated with a SAM and the aptamer is attached to the amphiphilic molecules of the SAM.
US09518984B2 Separation, washing and determination of analytes tagged with magnetic particles
Method for detecting a material of interest, usually an antibody or an antigen on a red blood cell, in a liquid, by observing the potential antigen/antibody reaction products in a novel way. Reaction products are deposited on a magnetic substrate and will exhibit different properties depending upon whether or not the antigen/antibody reaction has taken place. An antigen/antibody reaction product adheres tenaciously to itself and the substrate while the deposit of any unreacted magnetically tagged material is weakly adhering and easily disrupted and dislodged under a disruptive force which would be insufficient to dislodge the reacted deposit. This difference in cohesive property provides the means by which a positive result is distinguished from a negative result.
US09518982B2 Sequential analysis of biological samples
Methods for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods includes contacting the sample with a first probe; physically binding the first probe to a first target; observing a first signal from the first probe; applying a chemical agent to modify the first signal; contacting the sample with a second probe; physically binding the second probe to a second target; and observing a second signal from the second probe. The methods disclosed herein also provide for multiple iterations of binding, observing, signal modification for deriving information about multiple targets in a single sample. An associated kit and device are also provided.
US09518980B2 Genetically encoded calcium indicators
Genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) polypeptides and the nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides are provided. In addition, methods of using such nucleic acids and polypeptides in methods of screening for agonists or antagonists of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) or ion channels and methods of monitoring neural activity also are provided.
US09518978B2 Gamma 9 delta 2 T cell receptors
The current invention provides methods to identify γ9δ2T-cell receptors (γ9δ2TCR) that mediate anti-tumor responses. Surprisingly, it was now found that the CDR3 regions of the γ9-T-cell receptor chain and the δ2-T-Cell receptor chain (δ2TCR chain) are of importance. Based on these findings, combinatorial-γδTCR-chain-exchange (CTE) is proposed as an efficient method for identifying γ9δ2TCRs that mediate anti-tumor responses. Using the method of the invention, specific sequences of the respective γ9TCR and δ2TCR chains were identified that mediate anti-tumor responses. Hence, the invention further provides for specific γ9δ2TCRs, or fragments thereof, that may be used e.g. in diagnostics or treatment of cancer. The invention further provides for nucleic acid sequences, genetic constructs and retroviral vectors that can be used to express the γ9δ2TCRs according to the invention.
US09518976B2 Methods for identifying or assaying for agents that increase beta-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and decrease fat mass
The present invention is directed to cell-based and non-cell based methods of drug screening to identify agents, or assay agents, that reduce OST-PTP or gamma-carboxylase activity or expression, or increase the level of undercarboxylated osteocalcin or adiponectin activity or expression. Such agents find use in treating or preventing a disorder related to the OST-PTP signaling pathway. Such disorders include, metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, or obesity. Such agents may be used to treat disorders characterized by decreased insulin production, deceased insulin sensitivity, and decreased glucose tolerance or increased fat mass.
US09518975B2 Alpha-keto-isovalerate as a biomarker of prebiotic efficacy for weight gain prevention
The present invention relates generally to the field of nutrition and health, particular, the present invention relates to alpha-keto-isovalerate as a biomarker urine of the efficacy of prebiotics for the prevention of diet induced weight gain.
US09518973B1 Method for determining the amount of oat flour addition in compound flours and noodles
The invention relates to a method for determining the amount of oat flour addition in compound flours and noodles, and it belongs to the field of food detection technology. Based on the similarity of the fatty acid composition between oat and wheat, the quantitative analysis index used for measuring the oat flour addition was determined. Based on the differences of fatty acid contents in oat and wheat, the relationship between the changing trend of fatty acid composition and oat flour content in compound powders or noodles is employed to quantitatively determine the amount of oat added to these compound flours or noodles. The invention provides a highly sensitive and feasible method for safety monitoring and quality control of oat flours and oat noodles.
US09518972B2 Methods for detecting bacterial infections
The invention is directed to methods of detecting lung, gastrointestinal tract, and systemic infections by measuring 13CO2/12CO2 isotopic ratios of gaseous carbon dioxide in exhaled breath samples of a subject after administration of a 13C-isotopically-labeled compound.
US09518971B2 Recovery of Xe and other high value compounds
A system and method for recovering high value gas from a process stream, material or environment containing same, e.g., xenon by contacting gas from the process stream, material or environment with a carbon adsorbent effective to sorptively capture same, free of or with reduced concentration of fluid species present with the high value gas in the high value gas-containing gas in the process stream, material or environment. Other aspects of the disclosure include a radon detection method and product.
US09518968B2 In situ heated oxygen probe with intrinsically safe output
An in situ oxygen analyzer having an intrinsically-safe output and a heated probe is provided. The probe is extendable into a source of process gas and has an oxygen sensor and heater disposed therein. The heater is configured to heat the oxygen sensor to a temperature sufficient to operate the oxygen sensor. A housing is coupled to the probe and has first and second chambers. The first chamber is explosion-rated and includes non-intrinsically safe circuitry coupled to the heater to energize the heater. The second chamber contains only intrinsically-safe circuitry that complies with an intrinsically-safe specification. The first and second chambers are isolated from one another. The non-intrinsically-safe circuitry is coupled to the intrinsically-safe circuitry through an energy-limiting isolator.
US09518967B2 Hydrocarbon gas detection device
A device and associated method can detect hydrocarbon gas with at least a control module having a plurality of different gas detection means housed in a mobile enclosure, the control module configured to activate at least two different gas detection means to provide amounts and types of gases present in a fluid.
US09518965B2 Fuel system
A fuel system (12) comprising a vapor trail detection sensor (20) configured to generate a first signal (28) which indicates the optical depth of a vapor trail (35). A control unit (40) is provided responsive to the first signal (28) and configured to generate a second signal (80) in dependence upon the first signal (28). The second signal (80) defines a percentage of at least one of a first fuel composition and second fuel composition required to produce a resultant fuel composition. At least one regulator (42) is provided configured to receive and be responsive to the second signal (80) and regulate the percentage of first and second fuel composition required to produce the resultant fuel composition.
US09518955B2 Capillary electrophoresis fluorescent detection system
The invention is a high sensitivity and high throughput capillary multiwavelength fluorescence detection system. The fluorescent detection system is configured to illuminate a relatively large volume of a single capillary or a plurality of capillaries, with a pixelated detection system capable of imaging an area of each capillary that differentiates the capillary walls, the space between the capillaries, and the internal liquid volume within the capillary. Only the desired pixels or image area are used for processing and generating an output signal.
US09518943B2 Temperature mimic probe for food products
A method and system for mimicking a thermal profile of a perishable product by fabricating a thermal mimicking probe (TMP). The TMP is obtained by forming a non-perishable, substantially solid material into a predetermined mass or shape, wherein the non-perishable material, in combination with the predetermined mass or size, has a temperature retention property similar to a perishable product; sealing an entirety of the formed material with a protective covering to form a core; accommodating a temperature sensor into a sensor side of the core; forming a first insulating layer on the sensor side of the core; and forming an enclosure of a second insulating layer that covers remaining sides of the core, wherein the first insulating layer is configured as a lid to the enclosure, wherein a change in temperature of a neighboring perishable product is substantially mimicked by readings from a temperature sensor in the core.
US09518938B2 Contact-free photomixing probe for device and integrated circuit measurement or characterization
A device for measuring and characterizing solid-state devices or integrated circuits at RF frequencies up to 1.0 THz and beyond is provided that includes a transmitting photomixing probe structure and a receiving photomixing probe structure. The transmitting photomixing probe structure and the receiving photomixing probe structure are ac-coupled to the solid-state device or integrated circuit in a contact-free manner.
US09518936B2 Method and apparatus for determining lithographic quality of a structure
Method for determining lithographic quality of a structure produced by a lithographic process using a periodic pattern, such as a grating, detects lithographic process window edges and optimum process conditions. Method steps are: 602: printing a structure using a lithographic process using a grating pattern; 604: selecting a first characteristic, such as a polarization direction, for the illumination; 606: illuminating the structure with incident radiation with first characteristic 608: detecting scattered radiation; 610: selecting a second characteristic, such as a different polarization direction, for the illumination; 612: illuminating the structure with incident radiation with the second characteristic; 614: detecting scattered radiation; 616: rotating one or more angularly resolved spectrum to line up the polarizations, thus correcting for different orientations of the polarizations; 618: determining a difference between the measured angularly resolved spectra; and 620: determining a value of lithographic quality of the structure using the determined difference.
US09518935B2 Monitoring changes in photomask defectivity
A reticle that is within specifications is inspected so as to generate a baseline event indicating a location and a size value for each unusual reticle feature. After using the reticle in photolithography, the reticle is inspected so as to generate a current event indicating a location and a size value for each unusual reticle feature. An inspection report of candidate defects and their images is generated so that these candidate defects include a first subset of the current events and their corresponding candidate defect images and exclude a second subset of the current events and their corresponding excluded images. Each of the first included events has a location and size value that fails to match any baseline event's location and size value, and each of the excluded second events has a location and size value that matches a baseline event's location and size value.
US09518932B2 Metrology optimized inspection
Methods and systems for determining one or more parameters of a wafer inspection process are provided. One method includes acquiring metrology data for a wafer generated by a wafer metrology system. The method also includes determining one or more parameters of a wafer inspection process for the wafer or another wafer based on the metrology data.
US09518927B2 Surface-enhanced raman scattering substrate and manufacturing method thereof
In a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrate and the manufacturing method thereof, the SERS substrate includes a low thermal conductivity base and a plurality of metal nanoparticles (NPs). The surface of the low thermal conductivity substrate has a first surface, and the first surface has a plurality of ripple micro/nano structures. The plurality of metal NPs are non-continuously densely arranged on the ripple micro/nano structures of the first surface. The metal NPs have a height difference along the ripple micro/nano structures, and form a 3D electric field enhanced region. The manufacturing methods includes sputtering a metal nano-thin film on a surface of a low thermal conductivity base, and the surface of the low thermal conductivity base has a plurality of ripple micro/nano structures; using laser to ablate the metal nano-thin film; and forming a plurality of metal NPs, which are non-continuously densely arranged.
US09518926B2 Optical sensor with enhanced sensitivity
The invention is a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor to determine the presence and quantity of biological or chemical entities in an analyte. The sensor comprises a metal periodic structure deposited as a thin layer of a noble metal, comprising a one dimensional array of nanoslits or a two dimensional array of nanoholes on a transparent dielectric substrate, a nm-thick layer of transparent dielectric protection layer on top of the metal periodic structure and a functionalization layer, which acts as a binding layer to biological or biochemical entities in an analyte that is in contact with the functionaliztion layer.
US09518922B2 Arrangement for in situ measurement of at least the oxygen content within a solids heap
An arrangement for in situ measurement of at least one oxygen partial pressure within a solids heap, including: at least one measuring transducer arranged within the solids heap for locally registering oxygen partial pressure, wherein each measuring transducer is embodied to output a measurement signal representing oxygen partial pressure to a superordinated unit, which is arranged outside the solids heap and is embodied to receive and to process the measurement signals of each measuring transducer.
US09518919B2 Apparatus and method for measuring hemoglobin concentration within blood using light and heat light scattering
An apparatus for measuring a hemoglobin concentration includes a reference light source unit, a light and heat light source unit configured to emit a light and heat beam for generating a light and heat effect, an accommodation unit configured to accommodate obtained blood samples, an image acquisition unit configured to write a primary pattern formed after the reference beam emitted by the reference light source unit is incident on the accommodation unit and a secondary pattern formed under an influence of a light and heat effect after the light and heat beam emitted by the light and heat light source unit is incident on the accommodation unit, and a concentration calculation unit electrically connected to the image acquisition unit and configured to calculate a hemoglobin concentration based on a difference between the primary pattern and the secondary pattern.
US09518917B2 Mid-infrared hyperspectral spectroscopy systems and methods therefor
MIR spectroscopy systems comprising hierarchical spectral dispersion that enables fine spectral resolution and high sensitivity spectroscopy are disclosed. Hierarchical spectral dispersion is derived by employing at least two diffractive lens arrays, located on either side of a test sample, each receiving input radiation having an input spectral range and distributing the input radiation into a plurality of output signals, each having a fraction of the spectral range of the input radiation. As a result, the signal multiplication factor of the two arrays is multiplied in a manner that mitigates the propagation of wavelength harmonics through the system. In some embodiments, an emitter array comprising a plurality of spectrally selective emitters provides the input MIR radiation to a spectroscopy system. In some embodiments, spectrally selective detectors are used to detect narrow spectral components in the radiation after they have passed through the test sample.
US09518916B1 Compressive sensing for metrology
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for determining a structure or process parameter value of a target of interest on a semiconductor wafer. A plurality of collection patterns are defined for a spatial light beam controller positioned at a pupil image plane of a metrology tool. For each collection pattern, a signal is collected from a sensor of the metrology tool, and each collected signal represents a combination of a plurality of signals that the spatial light beam controller samples, using each collection pattern, from a pupil image of the target of interest. The collection patterns are selected so that the pupil image is reconstructable based on the collection patterns and their corresponding collection signals. The collected signal for each of the collection patterns is analyzed to determine a structure or process parameter value for the target of interest.
US09518912B2 Permeability determination
Apparatus and methods determine a permeation characteristic of a challenge chemical for a chemical protective material. A processor retrieves barrier characteristics of the chemical protective material for which the permeation characteristic is to be determined from a computer memory. Information regarding the challenge chemical is obtained. A temperature is received of the chemical protective material for which the permeation characteristic is to be determined. The permeation characteristic is determined from the temperature, the barrier characteristics, and the information regarding the challenge chemical.
US09518906B2 Coupled torsional resonators viscometer
A method for measuring the properties of a fluid that uses a torsionally resonant structure having a base structure; at least two parallel tines affixed to the base structure and projecting in the same direction from the base structure; and wherein the base structure is sufficiently compliant as to mutually couple the tines so that they behave as a single resonator when the tines are driven in synchronized manner. The torsionally resonant structure is immersed in the fluid to be measured and a tine driving mechanism is used to drive the tines torsionally. A tine movement sensing mechanism form measurements of tine movement response to the driving mechanism and the measurements of tine movement to form measurements of fluid properties.
US09518905B2 Methods, devices, and systems for measuring physical properties of fluid
Disclosed herein are devices for measuring, at one or more time points, one or more properties or changes in properties of a fluid sample. The devices may comprise a chamber defining an internal volume of the device suitable for receiving and retaining the fluid sample; a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising at least a first layer below the chamber, at least a second layer above the chamber, and a substrate layer between the first and second layers, wherein: the substrate layer is linked to at least one suspended element located within the chamber; the suspended element is linked to the substrate layer by at least two compliant structures located within the chamber; and the suspended element is configured to oscillate upon application of an actuating signal to at least one electrically conductive path, which runs across at least two of the compliant structures and the suspended element. Related methods and uses are also disclosed.
US09518903B2 Adapter for sliding magnetic particle separation
An adapter for a sliding head of a sample processing system is provided that includes a plate and a magnet mounting recess wall. The plate includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a back wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is mounted to the top surface. The magnet mounting recess wall is configured to accommodate a magnet of a sliding head of a sample processing system. At least a portion of the bottom surface is curved in a first direction from the front wall to the back wall and is concave relative to the top surface.
US09518900B2 Sample preparation system for an analytical system for determining a measured variable of a liquid sample
A sample preparation system for an analytical system for determining a measured variable of a sample liquid, comprising: a transport unit connected with a sample taking location via a first fluid conducting line; a sample collecting unit, which serves the analytical system as a staging area for automated removal of liquid samples, based on which the measured variable is determined; a filter unit arranged between the sample taking location and the transport unit; and at least one reservoir connected via a second fluid conducting line with the filter unit for providing a cleaning medium for cleaning the filter unit; wherein the transport unit is embodied to transport sample liquid from the sample taking location through the filter unit into the sample collecting unit. The cleaning medium includes an oxidizing agent.
US09518899B2 Automated reagent dispensing system and method of operation
A system and method that enables automated reagent dispensing for tissue stainers. The stainers receive staining protocols from a central controller. The central controller may control a plurality of stainers simultaneously. The stainers obtain information provided on slide identifiers which is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines a particular staining protocol to apply to a particular slide. The staining protocol is downloaded to the stainer which enables the stainer to operate without additional communication with the central controller. A user may manually initiate a staining protocol or the central controller may operate the stainers on a scheduled basis.
US09518895B2 Optical probe with improved affixing structure for supporting a light-redirecting element
An optical probe (10) includes an inner tube (30), and a light-redirecting element (54) disposed at a distal end (56) of the inner tube. The light-redirecting element is supported at the distal end by an affixing structure (57) not attached to an optically-working surface (58) of the light-redirecting element.
US09518894B2 Device for measuring vibration amplitudes of the blade tips in a turbomachine
A device for measuring vibration amplitudes of the blade tips in a turbomachine is provided. The device includes a support mounted in an orifice of a casing of a turbomachine, in which are housed two optical guides for the emission and reception of a light signal exiting inside the casing across from the tips of the blades of a turbine wheel Each optical guide includes an optical fiber connected by a mechanical connector to a needle of which the core is made of a material able to transmit a light signal and which is resistant to temperatures less than or equal to 1100° C. and which exits at its distal end in the casing across from the blade tips.
US09518893B2 Method and control unit for determining a dead time of an exhaust gas sensor of an internal combustion engine
In a method for determining a dead time in the response characteristic of an exhaust gas sensor in order to determine an exhaust gas state quantity in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine, the dead time is determined from a measured output signal of the exhaust gas sensor and a comparison signal. An undelayed comparison signal is determined, and a cross-correlation is formed between the measured output signal and the comparison signal delayed by a model dead time selected in such a way that the cross-correlation function assumes a maximum, and the dead time of the measured output signal is set equal to the selected model dead time.
US09518887B2 Flexible interconnect structure for a sensor assembly
This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a flexible interconnect structure for a sensor assembly. In one configuration, a flexible interconnect structure may couple a first portion of a differential sensor structure to a second portion of the differential sensor structure. Further, the flexible interconnect structure may couple the differential sensor structure to an external component such as a circuit board, used to receive measurement information from the differential sensor.
US09518886B2 Integrated transducer provided with a temperature sensor and method for sensing a temperature of the transducer
A pressure sensor includes a body made of semiconductor material having a first type of conductivity and a pressure-sensitive structure having the first type of conductivity defining a suspended membrane. One or more piezoresistive elements having a second type of conductivity (P) are formed in the suspended membrane. The piezoresistive elements form, with the pressure-sensitive structure, respective junction diodes. A temperature sensing method includes: generating a first current between conduction terminals common to the junction diodes; detecting a first voltage value between the common conduction terminals when the first current is supplied; and correlating the detected first voltage value to a value of temperature of the diodes. The temperature value thus calculated can be used for correcting the voltage signal generated at output by the pressure sensor when the latter is operated for sensing an applied outside pressure which deforms the suspended membrane.
US09518880B2 Method for producing a magnet unit for a sensor device of a motor vehicle, magnet unit, sensor device and motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by way of provision of an annular magnet element (3), provision of a sleeve (2) for connecting the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and connection of the magnet element (3) to the sleeve (2), the sleeve (2) being configured with a main body (6) and a multiplicity of tabs (7) which protrude from the main body (6), and the connection comprising the tabs (7) being embedded into respective cut-outs (5) of the magnet element (3) with heating of the magnet element (3).
US09518877B2 Micromechanical component for a capacitive sensor device, and manufacturing method for a micromechanical component for a capacitive sensor device
A micromechanical component for a capacitive sensor device includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode is at least partially formed from a first semiconductor layer and/or metal layer, and at least one inner side of the second electrode facing the first electrode is formed from a second semiconductor layer and/or metal layer. A cavity is between the first and second electrodes. Continuous recesses are structured into the inner side of the second electrode and sealed off with a closure layer. At least one reinforcing layer of the second electrode and at least one contact element which is electrically connected to the first electrode, to the layer of the second electrode which forms the inner side, to at least one printed conductor, and/or to a conductive substrate area, are formed from at least one epi-polysilicon layer. Also described is a micromechanical component manufacturing method for a capacitive sensor device.
US09518870B2 Wireless temperature sensor for concrete delivery vehicle
A wireless temperature sensor for a concrete delivery vehicle senses temperatures of the drum, and wirelessly transmits this data to a central processor. The sensor implements power management methods to reduce power consumption and increase battery life, permitting the use of battery power in the sensor. Temperature readings from the sensor may be used qualify or evaluate a load.
US09518869B2 Electronic method for extracting the amplitude and phase of a signal in a synchronous detector and application thereof in interferometric circuits
The invention concerns an electronic method for extracting the amplitude ES and the phase φS of an electrical signal in a synchronous detector, the signal containing a modulated part Imod of the form Imod ∝ ES f(t)*cos(φS−φR(t)), where φR(t) and f(t) are two known temporal modulation functions. The method comprises the following steps: multiplying the signal by two reference signals C(t) and S(t) constructed from φR(t) and f(t); integrating the resulting signals over a time tint; determining the amplitude and phase of said signal from the quantities X and Y resulting from the previous integrations. The method is characterised in that: said electrical signal is multiplied by C(t) and S(t) that can be decomposed on the same set of frequencies as those present in Imod. The invention also concerns the application of the above method in interferometric circuits and the use and execution of the above method.
US09518859B2 System and method for content estimate based detection of obstacles within a bin
A method and a system for automatically mapping obstacles within a bin that stores content, the system may include a location estimator that is arranged to calculate, in response to detection signals, multiple estimates of shapes of the upper surface of the content at different time periods; wherein the detection signals are generated by a receiver in response to radiation signals reflected or scattered within the bin; and an obstacle detector that is arranged to detect an obstacle in response to relationships between the multiple estimates of shapes of the upper surface of the content.
US09518858B2 Guided wave radar level gauge system with reduced end of probe reflection
The present invention relates to a guided wave radar level gauge system comprising a transceiver for generating an electromagnetic transmit signal within a predetermined frequency range having a center frequency, a flexible single conductor probe having a first end connected to the transceiver and extending towards and into the product to a second end of the flexible single conductor probe; and a probe aligning member attached to the second end of the flexible single conductor probe for keeping the flexible single conductor probe substantially vertically extending from the first end to the second end. The probe aligning member exhibits a horizontal extension that increases with increasing distance from the first end of the flexible single conductor probe along a vertical distance greater than one half of a wavelength of the transmit signal at the center frequency. Hereby, determination of filling levels close to the bottom of the tank is improved.
US09518857B2 Single conductor probe radar level gauge system and tank arrangement
A radar level gauge system comprising a single conductor probe extending through a tubular mounting structure towards and into the product in the tank, a shielding structure radially spaced apart from the single conductor probe and extending along a top portion of the probe inside the mounting structure and past the lower end of the mounting structure, and processing circuitry connected to the transceiver for determining the filling level of the product in the tank. The shielding structure at least partly encloses the top portion of the single conductor probe, and is open in a radial direction to allow entry of the product. The shielding structure exhibits a total enclosing arc angle around the single conductor probe greater than 180° inside the tubular mounting structure, and a total enclosing arc angle around the single conductor probe that decreases with increasing distance from the lower end of the mounting structure.
US09518854B2 Resonance circuit used for measurement device and measurement device
A resonance circuit is configured to receive a pulse density signal obtained by ΔΣ-modulating an analog displacement signal by a ΔΣ modulator and a multi-bit signal obtained from the pulse density signal and to generate an excitation signal based on the pulse density signal and the multi-bit signal. The resonance circuit includes an amplification factor controller configured to set an amplification factor depending on a vibration signal obtained from the multi-bit signal, a multiplier configured to amplify a level of the pulse density signal by the amplification factor, and a circuit group configured to generate the excitation signal based on a pulse density signal obtained by further ΔΣ-modulating an output of the multiplier. The amplification factor controller is configured to set the amplification factor using a proportional control and an integral control based a difference between an amplitude signal obtained from the vibration signal and a target amplitude value.
US09518853B2 Self-diagnosing differential pressure flow meter including a directed pressure port
An aspect provides a method of metering flow through a fluid conduit having an obstruction therein, including: placing an obstruction body within the conduit; generating at least two differential pressure measurement signals using at least three different pressure ports, said at least three different pressure ports comprising: an upstream pressure port; a downstream pressure port; and an auxiliary pressure port; wherein at least one of the upstream pressure port, the downstream pressure port, and the auxiliary pressure port is positioned at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to a conduit wall; establishing a baseline relationship between the at least two differential pressure measurement signals; and determining if the baseline relationship between the at least two differential pressure measurement signals differs by a predetermined amount. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09518851B2 Probes for inspection system for substantially round hole
Probes for an inspection system for a substantially round hole in a material are provided. One version of the probe may include a flexible sheet shaped and biased to substantially conform with a portion of an interior of the substantially round hole; and a plurality of sensors disposed on the flexible sheet, each sensor configured to transmit a non-destructive signal into the material for inspecting the substantially round hole.
US09518850B2 Embedded cap probe
A method for installing a probe assembly in a case of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method may include installing a first portion of the probe assembly within a first section of the case, and installing a second portion of the probe assembly within a second section of the case. A case assembly within a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The case assembly may include a case in at least one of a compressor and a turbine, and a probe assembly. The probe assembly may include a first portion positioned within a bore of the case, and a second portion positioned within an inset of the case, the bore having a smaller diameter than the inset.
US09518848B2 Sensor housing
A sensor housing (1) includes a basic body (2) and two tube sections (4, 9) projecting from the basic body (2). At least a first one (4; 9) of the tube sections has an outside thread which is interrupted in circumferential direction by at least one recessed facet (15, 17; 19, 20). The facet (15, 17; 19, 20) extends—from a center plane of the first tube section (4; 9) being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second tube section (9; 4)—on at least one side of this center plane essentially perpendicularly to it.
US09518846B2 Reflective optical encoder having resin-made code plate
A reflective optical encoder, which is inexpensive and is compact in the axial direction thereof. An encoder has a generally circular code plate fixed to a rotating body such as a rotation shaft of a motor; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit which are positioned near a first major surface of the code plate. The code plate is made from a light transmissive resin, and on the first major surface, an incidence portion with a concavo-convex shape and an emission portion with a concavo-convex shape are formed. On a second major surface opposed to the first major surface, a transmission portion formed from a concavo-convex shape and configured to transmit light, and a total reflection portion formed from a flat surface and configured to totally reflect light, are formed, wherein the transmission portion and the total reflection portion constitute a code pattern section.
US09518834B2 Apparatus and method for providing user's route information in mobile communication system
An apparatus and a method search a route using a portable terminal. A controller establishes a call connection with another party and exchanges positional information with the other party. An analyzing unit analyzes the route information using a first positional information of the portable terminal and a second positional information of the other party. A displaying unit outputs the route information analyzed by the analyzing unit. The controller provides the route information analyzed by the analyzing unit.