| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09524696B2 |
Image projection device
An image projection device includes: a drive control unit that generates colors sequentially; a setting unit that sets a color of an illumination image; an image capturing control unit that receives, from the drive control unit, a synchronization signal that specifies a timing at which light of a color closest to the set color of the illumination image is not projected and causes an image of a projection surface to be captured in accordance with the timing that is specified by the synchronization signal; an illumination image detection unit that detects, from captured image data, an illumination image that is produced by illuminating the projection surface by an illuminating device; and an illumination image generation unit that generates projection image data obtained by combining given image data at a position at which the illumination image is detected. |
| US09524694B2 |
Display with spatial and temporal refresh rate buffers
A display may have an array of pixels. The display may be controlled using display driver circuitry. The display driver circuitry may analyze image data to be displayed on the array. When static content is detected, the rate at which the pixels are refreshed may be adjusted to conserve power. If a static image is detected, the gate lines may be asserted at a lower refresh rate than if moving content is detected. To avoid visible artifacts, the display driver circuitry may use temporal and spatial refresh rate buffers. Temporal buffers ensure that refresh rates are changed gradually as a function of time, thereby minimizing flicker. Spatial refresh rate buffers are used to provide a smooth transition between low refresh rate and high refresh rate regions in a display as a function of position. |
| US09524691B2 |
Output stage circuit for gate driving circuit in LCD
Output stage circuit is added to the gate driving circuit of the LCD. The output stage circuit moderates the falling slope of the gate driving signal so as to reduce the feed-through phenomenon. The output stage circuit includes a discharge unit, coupled to a gate line of the gate driving circuit for discharging the gate line to a first supply voltage; a first charge unit, coupled to the gate line of the gate driving circuit for charging the gate line with a second supply voltage; a second charge unit, coupled to the gate line of the gate driving circuit for charging the gate line with the second supply voltage; and a control circuit for controlling the first and the second charge units, and the discharge unit according to a timing controller of the LCD; wherein the control circuit sequentially turns on the first and the second charge units. |
| US09524688B2 |
Self-compensating gate driving circuit
The present invention provides a self-compensating gate driving circuit, comprising: a plurality of GOA units which are cascade connected, and a Nth GOA unit controls charge to a Nth horizontal scanning line G(n) in a display area, and the Nth GOA unit controls charge to a Nth horizontal scanning line G(n) in a display area, and the Nth GOA unit comprises a pull-up controlling part, a pull-up part, a transmission part, a first pull-down part, a bootstrap capacitor part and a pull-down holding part; the pull-up part, the first pull-down part, the bootstrap capacitor part and the pull-down holding circuit are respectively coupled to a Nth gate signal point Q(N) and the Nth horizontal scanning line G(n), and the pull-up controlling part and the transmission part are respectively coupled to the Nth gate signal point Q(N), and the pull-down holding part is inputted with a DC low voltage VSS; the pull-down holding part comprises a first pull-down holding part and a second pull-down holding part to alternately work. The present invention is designed to have the pull-down holding part with self-compensating function to promote the reliability of the long term operation for the gate driving circuit. The influence of the threshold voltage drift to the operation of the gate driving circuit is diminished. |
| US09524687B2 |
Method of driving a display panel, display panel driving apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the display panel driving apparatus
A method of driving a display panel includes respectively outputting first to j-th, where j is a natural number, gate signals to first to j-th gate lines disposed on a first area of the display panel during a load period when an image is displayed on the display panel due to an output of a data signal to the display panel, adjusting a blank gate voltage during a blank period between load periods to generate an adjusted blank gate voltage, generating a blank gate signal based on the adjusted blank gate voltage, and outputting the blank gate signal. Thus, display quality of a display apparatus may be improved. |
| US09524682B2 |
Dynamic gamut display systems, methods, and applications thereof
In the dynamic gamut display systems, video input data is processed to extract metrics indicative of the gamut occupancy of the frame pixels. The extracted metrics are used to form a set of scale factors to be used by the display to synthesize an adapted gamut that matches the frame pixel color gamut from the native color primaries of the display. The generated gamut adaptation scale factors are used to convert the frame pixels' values to the adapted gamut which are provided to the display for modulation using the synthesized adapted gamut for each video frame or a sub-region of a video frame. The methods enable increased display brightness, reduced power consumption and reduced interface and processing bandwidth. Also disclosed is an adapted video frame data formatting method that maps the benefits of the adapted gamut into a reduced frame data size enabling bandwidth savings when used for video distribution. |
| US09524679B2 |
Backlight system for a display
A method and system for modifying a pulse width modulation signal for controlling the backlit illumination intensity of a liquid crystal display. The modified pulse width modulated signal may be selected to operate with at least one pulse having a first duty cycle with the remaining pulses in the pulse width modulation signal having a second duty cycle across a selected number of pulses making up a given time period (i.e., frame). By utilizing more than one duty cycle for the pulses of the pulse width modulated signal to drive light sources in a display during a given frame, the overall number of backlit illumination intensities for the liquid crystal display may be increased. By distributing the differing pulse duty cycles within a group of pulses of within a frame, visible artifacts may be reduced. |
| US09524676B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode display with burn-in reduction capabilities
A display may receive image data to be displayed for a user of an electronic device. Display driver circuitry in the display may analyze the data to detect static data. The image data may contain static frames of data or static portions of a frame of data. In response to detection of static data, the display driver circuitry can take actions to avoid display damage due to burn-in effects. The display driver circuitry may reduce a peak luminance value associated with a peak luminance control algorithm, may reduce display brightness, may map image data to reduced brightness levels, or may take other actions to ensure that display pixels in the display are not damaged. Temperature information may be used in determining how to classify information as static data and in determining how significantly to reduce display pixel drive currents in response to the detection of static image data. |
| US09524674B2 |
Scan driver including stage circuit for reducing leakage current
A stage circuit includes a first driver, a second driver, a first output unit, a second output unit and a controller. The first driver controls voltages of first and second nodes, according to a first power source, a third power source, a start signal or a carry signal of a previous stage input to a first input terminal, and a clock signal supplied to a second input terminal. The second driver controls voltages of third and fourth nodes, according to voltages of the first power source, the third power source, the first input terminal and the first and second nodes. The first output unit outputs a carry signal to a first output terminal, according to voltages of the first power source, the second input terminal and the third and fourth nodes. The second output unit outputs a scan signal to a second output terminal, according to voltages of the second power source, the second input terminal and the third and fourth nodes. The controller is electrically coupled to the first output terminal and the second driver. |
| US09524672B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display apparatus with power circuit to accelerate a voltage level
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus includes a power circuit and a pixel. The power circuit serves to provide a first voltage. The pixel includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a capacitor, and an OLED. During a programming period, a first terminal of the capacitor receives a data voltage through the turned-on first transistor, a first terminal of the second transistor receives the first voltage, a control terminal of the second transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the capacitor and coupled to a second terminal of the second transistor through the turned-on third transistor, and the power circuit regulates a voltage level or a current of the first voltage to accelerate a voltage level of the control terminal of the second transistor to reach a target voltage. |
| US09524659B2 |
Systems and methods of generating and disposing labels on containers
Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to a label and a method of application of the label on a container that both protects confidential information and functions to allow for the placement of auxiliary labels even if an overall length of a label exceeds the perimeter of the container to which it is applied. The auxiliary labels are disposed in a fanned fashion, attached to a primary label portion by, for example, a micro perforation line, and where the auxiliary labels are separated from each other by micro perforation lines and where the adhesive back of each pair of auxiliary labels are attached to each other in order to form a plurality of protrusions. |
| US09524652B2 |
System and method for learning to play a musical instrument
A method and system for teaching oneself to learn to play a string instrument and master it by analyzing one's real-time hand/finger movement/technique/form, enabling oneself to progress and correct one's own mistakes simultaneously. In one aspect, a system for learning to play a string instrument is provided that includes a simulation instrument that includes a plurality of strings, wherein at least one of the strings includes at least one-touch sensing sensor thereon in communication with at least one processor to receive a signal from the at least one touch-sensing sensor and determine therefrom when and where on the at least one string a user applies pressure to the at least one string. |
| US09524648B1 |
Countermeasures for threats to an uncrewed autonomous vehicle
Uncrewed autonomous vehicles (“UAVs”) may navigate from one location to another location. Described herein are systems, devices, and methods providing countermeasures for threats that may compromise the UAVs. A plurality of UAVs may establish a mesh network to distribute information to one another. A first UAV may receive external data from a second UAV using the mesh network. The external data may be used to confirm or cross-check data such as location, heading, altitude, and so forth. Disagreement between data generated by the first UAV with external data from the second UAV may result in the determination that the first UAV is compromised. Remedial actions may be taken, such as the first UAV may be directed to a safe location to land or park, may receive commands from another UAV, and so forth. |
| US09524646B2 |
Navigation of a fleet of autonomous vessels in current and wind
This invention provides a vessel system and methodology that can be used to promote growth of phytoplankton in the oceans. Unmanned self-controlled wave-powered vessels are equipped with storage units for dispensing a fertilizer, and with sensors to monitor ocean conditions and effects. Fleets of vessels move autonomously by on-board processing of GPS and directional information, piloting a path that is coordinated by a central processing unit. The vessels travel through a defined target area, creating a detailed survey of chemical and biological characteristics that affect grown. The data are processed in a computer model to identify precise locations and precise amounts of fertilizer that will produce the best results. Projected benefits of fertilizing plankton include sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere, and enhancing the marine food chain to improve the fish stock in and around the treated area. |
| US09524645B2 |
Filtering device and environment recognition system
A filtering device includes an evaluation value deriving module that derives, for a pair of images having mutual relevance, multiple evaluation values indicative of correlations between any one of blocks (reference block) that is extracted from one of the images (reference image) and multiple blocks (comparison blocks) extracted from the other image (comparison image), an evaluation range setting module that sets an evaluation range of the evaluation values, the evaluation range having one of boundaries at the evaluation value with the highest correlation among the multiple evaluation values, and a difference value determining module that determines whether the evaluation value with the highest correlation is valid as a difference value based on the multiple evaluation values and the evaluation range. |
| US09524644B2 |
Notification control method and notification control device
A notification control method executed by a computer, the notification control method includes: acquiring image data of a displayable image captured by an imaging device, and controlling a notification concerning detection of an object based on output of a sensor, depending on a determination of visibility for the displayable image based on the image data. |
| US09524643B2 |
Orientation sensitive traffic collision warning system
The present invention provides an Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS) 10 and an operating method thereof, which work on long time scales, and guide an ego vehicle 20 away from upcoming risks, rather than only reacting to risks to mitigate the consequences of a crash. To this end, information comprising the orientation of other traffic participants 30, 40, 50, 60, a free driving area of the ego vehicle 20, and/or a driving trajectory of the vehicle 20 as intended by the driver is taken into account, in order to determine potential risks. |
| US09524640B2 |
Traffic simulation system and traffic simulation program
In a traffic simulation in which vehicle models, which simulate vehicles, are moved in a road system model including links, which simulate the smallest segment of roads divided by intersections, etc., and nodes, which simulate the intersections, turning points of the roads, etc., the presence/absence of an entering vehicle model that enters a different link from a link in the road system model via the node is judged; the velocity of the entering vehicle model after entering the different link is calculated on the basis of the density of the vehicle models in the different link after the entering vehicle model has entered the different link; and the calculated velocity is set only for the entering vehicle model that has entered the different link. |
| US09524628B1 |
Detecting signal modulation for motion detection
In a general aspect, motion is detected based on wireless signals. In some aspects, a modulation type of a first signal is identified at a motion detector device. The first signal is based on a wireless signal transmitted through a space by a transmitter device and received by the motion detector device. A demodulator at the motion detector device generates a second signal from the first signal by demodulating the first signal according to the identified modulation type. A modulator at the motion detector device generates a third signal from the second signal by modulating the second signal according to the identified modulation type. A channel response is generated based on the first signal and the third signal. The channel response is used to detect motion of an object in the space. |
| US09524627B2 |
Wallet for carrier
A wallet for a carrier includes a receiving body formed to be folded along a direction of a length thereof and having a plurality of receiving parts at a side surface thereof, a fixing part attached to the receiving body to hold the receiving body in a folded position, and a coupling part attached to a side of the receiving body and having a coupling member fixed thereto, the coupling member coupled to a target for coupling. |
| US09524622B2 |
Systems and apparatus for the light-based communication of service orders and personal objects identification
Light-based systems for communicating information associated with service orders and/or the identification of personal objects are disclosed. A personal mobile electronic communication device is used in conjunction with a communication network and a lighting controller to communicate service orders by lighting with one or more individually controllable luminaries in a lighting network. A personal mobile electronic communication device is, alternatively or additionally, used in conjunction with a communication network, a memory, and a lighting controller controlling to indicate by lighting whether there is an association between the personal mobile electronic communication device and a personal item. |
| US09524621B2 |
Information processing method, mobile device, and information processing program
A mobile terminal inputs a sound effect output from a communication device through a microphone in response to completion of access to an IC module, and determines whether a sound pattern of the input sound effect indicates a preset sound pattern. When it is determined that the sound pattern of the input sound effect indicates the preset sound pattern, the mobile terminal transmits specific information to a specific destination. |
| US09524620B2 |
Gaming device and method providing slot game having virtual map driven reel stop position determinations
Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel. |
| US09524616B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a bonus game with a choice by another player(s)
A gaming system having a plurality of game devices, a game controller, a shared experience controller and a method for operation thereof is disclosed. Each game device allows a player to make a wager on a game and awards the respective player an award as a function as a result of a winning condition for the game played by the respective player. The game controller is coupled to the game devices for playing the game, randomly establishing the actual outcome of the game, and determining if any of the players have a winning condition. The shared experience controller is coupled to the game devices for recognizing a bonus condition for one of the players, responsively providing a choice of items to one or more other players, and providing a bonus award to the one player and/or any of the other players in response to selection of on of the items. |
| US09524614B2 |
Gaming system and method for permanently increasing the average expected payback percentage of a game for a player
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method for permanently increasing the average expected payback percentage of a game for a player. The gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with one or more designated point thresholds, each of which is associated with a quantity of points. The gaming system maintains a point balance for the player for the game. Upon an occurrence of a point accumulation event, the gaming system adds a quantity of points to the player's point balance for the game. When the player's point balance for the game reaches one of the designated point thresholds, the gaming system permanently modifies a feature of the game and/or adds a new feature to the game. In various embodiments, the modification to the feature and/or the new feature permanently increases the average expected payback percentage for the game for that player. |
| US09524612B2 |
System for trade-in bonus
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming systems that allow customers to wager, or “trade-in” an object of value or winning situation for a chance to win an even more valuable award. The chance for valuable award may be a bonus game or chance to win a bonus game. Bonus awards are “funded” by the savings achieved from the players trading in their wins in the base game, which would otherwise be paid. Players who do not trade-in see no changes from the base game paytable, while those players who participate in the trade-in bonus have a different gaming experience. |
| US09524611B2 |
Electronic gaming device with bonus element selections
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more selectable objects. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the one or more selectable objects. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the one or more selectable objects. |
| US09524609B2 |
Gaming system, gaming device and method for utilizing mobile devices at a gaming establishment
A gaming system which facilitates the two-way communication between mobile devices, such as mobile phones, and different gaming system components to enhance a player's gaming experience. |
| US09524608B2 |
Game machine, method of controlling computer, and storage medium
A game machine uses a lottery region having cell columns and symbol columns for providing a game opportunity, causes a special symbol column to appear in it, determines by lottery symbols of the special symbol column, causes the special symbol column containing the symbols obtained by a lottery result to appear and moves and stops the special symbol column so that the symbols of the special symbol column are arranged on the cells to be changed, and determines whether the symbols arranged in a cell group of a determination target form a prize winning pattern based on the symbols arranged by the special symbol column. Further, the game machine moves the special symbol column along each cell so that at least a direction crossing a movement direction of each symbol column is included as a movement direction of the special symbol column. |
| US09524606B1 |
Method and system for providing dynamic casino game signage with selectable messaging timed to play of a table game
A methodology and apparatus for providing casino game signage for a casino game which incorporates display information that is dynamically interchangeable between game specific and game non-specific information responsive to automatic detection of game play status at the game table. At least one electronic display is provided at respective casino game tables, and selected display information is wirelessly transmitted, and/or manually delivered, thereto. The display information which is displayed is dynamically selected based upon a sensor automatically detecting the status of play of the game, being game specific during play and selectively game specific and game non-specific during game play inactivity. |
| US09524604B2 |
Hand towel dispenser having means for data capture and transmission
A hand towel dispenser capable of data capture and transmission. The hand towel dispenser includes a reel shell for holding a hand towel roll that includes fresh dispenser material, a rotatably held reel that takes up used dispenser material, a measuring apparatus for capturing measured values that represent the quantity of used dispenser material, and a radio module that is connected to the measuring apparatus to receive the measured values captured by the measuring apparatus. The radio module is designed to transmit radio signals, each of which contains at least one measured value. The measuring apparatus includes at least one first sensor for capturing the quantity of used dispenser material. And, the sensor is connected to the radio module. |
| US09524599B2 |
Vehicle key system and methods for using the same
A vehicle key system includes a transmitting device issuing optical signals and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a light source module. An optical signal with predetermined Identification (ID) information is generated by the light source module and the optical signal is converted into an electrical signal. A signal receiving module of the receiving device verifies the electrical signal and controls a vehicle to unlock. An electronic energy is converted into an electromagnetic signal and the electromagnetic signal is broadcast. A wireless charging receiver of the transmitting device receives the electromagnetic signal and generates the electronic energy. The present disclosure also provides a method for using the vehicle key system. |
| US09524596B2 |
Keyless entry control system and control method for outboard motors
There is provided a keyless entry control system for a plurality of outboard motors attached to a body of a ship. A plurality of engine control modules are provided in the plurality of outboard motors. A detector is connected to all of the plurality of engine control modules. In response to a detection result of the detector, use permission authentication on the plurality of engine control modules is performed. |
| US09524593B2 |
Systems and methods for vehicle data acquisition using telematics-enabled portable devices
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting telematics data from a vehicle. The systems include a smartphone holder that provides a communications link between a smartphone and a vehicle computer, through the smartphone dataport and the vehicle onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. The smartphone holder is configured to keep the smartphone in a stable, known position and orientation with respect to the vehicle, such that data from an accelerometer in the smartphone can be calibrated. The smartphone accelerometer data and telematics data from vehicle telematics sensors is then transmitted via the smartphone or stored locally. |
| US09524592B2 |
Driving analytics
Embodiments of techniques or systems for customization of, diagnostic assistance, and driving analytics related to snapshot data of a vehicle are provided herein. For example, a snapshot can be taken. The snapshot can be based on a snapshot package customized according to symptoms experienced by a driver of a vehicle, and analyzed individually or in conjunction with other snapshots to determine a trend. Additionally, the snapshot can be based on a configuration of a vehicle. In this scenario, the snapshot and the configuration of the vehicle can be used to provide an enhanced troubleshooting guide by removing non-suspect areas from consideration, thereby mitigating troubleshooting time. The snapshot can be setup to record parameters related to wear and tear on components of the vehicle. Suggestions can be made to a driver of the vehicle to reduce or mitigate actions that negatively impact wear and tear. |
| US09524591B2 |
Method and system for the traceability of a tool vibratory charge and tool for use with the system
The system is intended to block the tool operation for an operator holding a badge the authorized working time of which is over. The system comprises: the operator badge, comprising a storage memory for the working time carried out by the operator and a communication unit; the tool, comprising an accelerometric sensor and a housing for control and vibratory traceability comprising a communication module, arranged to exchange data with the operator badge and means for blocking the tool operation. For the vibratory charge traceability of the tool, in the tool, the accelerations experienced by the tool while operating and its corresponding working times, forming traceability data, are measured; the traceability data in the tool are saved; the traceability data are transmitted to an operator personal badge. |
| US09524590B1 |
Systems and methods for building axes, co-axes and paleo-geographic coordinates related to a stratified geological volume
A method, apparatus and system for, in a computing system, modeling a subsurface structure at a time period when the structure was originally formed. A memory may store a first model having a plurality of non-planar horizons representing a current state of the subsurface structure. A processor may compute a vector field based on the non-planar geometry of the horizons of the first model. The vector field may be a non-uniform vector field (e.g., the axe and/or co-axe vector field) or a uniform vector field (e.g., a global axis). Using the vector field, the processor may transform geographic coordinates of the first model to paleo-geographic coordinates of a second model representing a predicted state of the subsurface structure at a time period when the subsurface structure was originally formed, where the non-planar horizons in the first model are transformed to planar horizons in the second model. A display may display the first model. |
| US09524589B1 |
Interactive textile article and augmented reality system
A system and method an interactive textile article including a textile material having a design object that includes one or more design object identifiers. The design object is associated with an augmented reality software program configured to include content related the design object. A processor configured to execute the augmented reality program so as to compile a design object depiction based the design object identifiers contained in the design object. The processor executes a first augmented content level of a plurality of augmented content levels so as to display 1) the design object depiction, 2) augmentation elements that are related to the design object, and 3) an input element configured to control the design object depiction and the augmentation elements. |
| US09524587B2 |
Adapting content to augmented reality virtual objects
Technologies for adapting content to augmented reality virtual objects include a content consumption device to render selected content and a mobile computing device to render a virtual object within the physical environment of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may transfer the virtual object to the content consumption device. The content consumption device may adapt the content based on the transferred virtual object, and render the adapted content. The adapted content may be selected from a number of pre-defined scenes, or may be generated to include the virtual object. The adapted content may include other characters or objects that react to the transferred virtual object. The virtual object may be transferred back to the mobile computing device with updated attributes. The content may be streamed from a content source over a network. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09524579B2 |
Orientating an oblique plane in a 3D representation
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate orientation of a plane with respect to a three-dimensional representation. A device is presented utilizing at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, or combination thereof, enabling determination of a current position and/or orientation of the device. Outputs from the accelerometer, gyroscope, etc., are captured and orientation of a plane displayed with regard to the three-dimensional representation is accordingly adjusted to correspond with the position of the device. Imaging information relating to the three-dimensional representation and the plane can be captured facilitating analysis of the respective slice of the three-dimensional representation associated with the plane. |
| US09524576B1 |
Photography system and method
A photograph display apparatus and associated method of display that includes a substrate having a mounting surface and a rib structure mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate. The rib structure is constructed and arranged to form a series of juxtaposition ribs formed in a parallel array including successive rib peaks. A composite photograph that includes alternating photograph segments of respective first and second photograph is formed in a folded array that includes fold lines that correspond to a demarcation line between respective photograph segments. The folded composite photograph is constructed and arranged for mating support to the rib structure. |
| US09524572B2 |
Parallel processing of pixel data
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for processing vector-based information for an image. From a set of pixels that comprises the image, a first subset of one or more pixels that are used in a raster representation of an element in the image, such as pixel values used to render the image, is identified. A first operation is performed in parallel for the respective one or more pixels in the first subset, such as by evaluating a batched first subset of pixels using stacked instruction for the first operation. The first operation comprises instructions for at least a first portion of a function for generating an image pixel value used to represent the element in the image. |
| US09524569B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying patient data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for displaying at least one graphical representation as a stacked waveform strip, the stacked waveform strip including: a first strip segment, the first strip segment being associated with a first time period, a second strip segment, the second strip segment being associated with a second time period earlier than the first time period and being displayed beneath the first strip segment, and a third strip segment, the third strip segment being associated with a third time period earlier than the second time period and being displayed beneath the second strip segment. |
| US09524563B2 |
Automatic image-based recommendations using a color palette
Systems and methods are described that recommend images, items, and/or metadata based at least in part on a reference color palette or reference color name. A color name can be converted into a representation of the color name in a color space. The reference color can be used to identify images that contain the reference color. The identified images and associated metadata can be analyzed, sorted and provided as an ordered list of items. Systems and methods are also described that identify items that contain colors affiliated with the reference color. Systems and methods are also described that validate color identifier information in metadata associated with an image. Systems and methods are also described that identify non-color specific keywords associated with the reference color. |
| US09524562B2 |
Object tracking method and device
Disclosed is an object tracking method comprising steps of obtaining a grayscale image sequence and a depth image sequence; predicting a candidate target region of a tracking object in a current image; determining a depth weight image of the candidate target region; acquiring a target template which is expressed by a probability density distribution of features; expressing, by a probability density distribution of features, a candidate target whose position moves in the candidate target region; calculating, based on a probability density expression of the target template and a probability density expression of the candidate target, a similarity between the target template and the candidate target, so as to get a confidence level image of the candidate target region; and locating, based on the confidence level image of the candidate target region, a position of the tracking object in the current image. |
| US09524561B2 |
Image stabilization device, image stabilization method, and program
Techniques for image stabilization may include detecting motion of an apparatus configured to display image data, the image data comprising one or more frames, a first frame of the one or more frames comprising a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers may be processed to correct for the detected motion. The processing may comprise applying a different degree of motion correction to a first layer of the plurality of layers than to a second layer of the plurality of layers. Such techniques may be performed via an apparatus comprising a display control unit configured to cause the image data to be displayed, and a motion correction unit configured to perform the processing. |
| US09524559B2 |
Image processing device and method
An image processing device includes: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image containing pixels; a picture searching unit for searching for a picture region in the image; a background acquiring unit for performing a background connected region acquiring operation on a non-picture region of the image in which the picture region is not included and the picture region respectively, to obtain a non-picture background connected region and a picture background connected region respectively; a foreground acquiring unit for removing the non-picture background connected region and the picture background connected region from the non-picture region and the picture region respectively, to obtain a non-picture foreground region of the non-picture region and a picture foreground region of the picture region respectively; and a merging unit for merging the non-picture foreground region of the non-picture region and the picture foreground region of the picture region to obtain an ultimate image foreground region. |
| US09524557B2 |
Vehicle detecting method and system
A vehicle detecting system and method are provided. The method includes creating, by a controller, a disparity map using images photographed by a stereoscopic imaging device and detecting a road area on the disparity map. In addition, the controller is configured to detect a vehicle present in the road area in a shape of a stereoscopic object. |
| US09524551B2 |
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and image processing method
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes an extracting unit and a controlling unit. The extracting unit extracts, from a group of volume data, reference image data corresponding to ultrasound image data displayed on a display unit. The controlling unit causes the display unit to display the ultrasound image data and the reference image data. The extracting unit obtains information about an imaging region indicated by the ultrasound image data displayed on the display unit and sets a search region for searching the reference image data from the group of volume data, on a basis of the obtained information. |
| US09524550B2 |
System and method for coronary digital subtraction angiography
A method and system for extracting coronary vessels fluoroscopic image sequences using coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are disclosed. A set of mask images of a coronary region is received, and a sequence of contrast images for the coronary region is received. For each contrast image, a motion estimate is calculated between each of the mask images and a background region of the contrast image and a covariance is calculated for each motion estimate. Multiple background layer predictions are generated by generating a background layer prediction for each mask image based on the calculated motion estimate and covariance. The multiple background layer estimates are combined using statistical fusion to generate a final estimated background layer. The final estimated background layer is subtracted from the contrast image to extract a coronary vessel layer for the contrast image. |
| US09524547B2 |
Method for artifact-free rendering of metal parts in three-dimensionally reconstructed images
A method for artifact-free rendering of metal parts in 3D three-dimensionally reconstructed images of an examination object in a patient, includes recording a 3D scan without metal parts producing a 3D data record, recording n projection images with metal parts from known locations or directions, 2D/3D registering bone in the n projection images with the 3D data record, 2D/3D registering of the metal parts from the n projection images and 3D models of the metal parts, calculating locations of the metal parts in the 3D data record based on the 2D/3D registration thereof, and superposing all current locations of the metal parts in the 3D data record. There is no need for a new 3D scan to check current screw positions. The 3D representation of screw positions in the bone is performed without artifacts, enabling reliable assessment of screw locations, for example in spinal column surgery. |
| US09524546B2 |
Fluoroscopic image density correction method, non-destructive inspection method, and image processing device
A reference density profile is generated in an outer circumference direction of a pipe having a reference welded portion on the basis of a reference fluoroscopic image generated from a radiation detection medium when a radiation source is disposed on a central axis of the pipe. A weld inspection density profile is generated in an outer circumference direction of a pipe having an inspection target welded portion on the basis of a weld inspection fluoroscopic image. On the basis of the reference density profile and the weld inspection density profile, density correction information is calculated. The density correction information is for correcting density irregularities in the weld inspection fluoroscopic image in the outer circumference direction of the pipe. On the basis of the density correction information, the density irregularities in the weld inspection fluoroscopic image are corrected. |
| US09524544B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a comparing target image acquisition unit that acquires a comparing target image that is to be compared with an original image, a difference detection unit that detects one or more difference information items by comparing the original image and the comparing target image, and an original image updating unit that updates the original image by reflecting a difference information item that is selected by a user among the difference information items, which are detected. |
| US09524541B2 |
Method and apparatus for image filter tuning
Disclosed herein is a method. A set of pre-adjusted images including source images of the pre-adjusted images is provided. The pre-adjusted images include image filter parameters. Histogram information for each of the source images is computed. A learning algorithm is applied to the set. The learning algorithm is configured to map the histogram information to the image filter parameters. A real-time image is processed based on the mapping of the histogram information to the image filter parameters. |
| US09524540B2 |
Techniques for automatically correcting groups of images
Disclosed are various embodiments for a computing device that receives input, from a user, selecting an area of a displayed image, where the area includes the blemish sought to be corrected by the user. The computing device identifies a spot pattern of the blemish to be corrected within the area and a context pattern of the displayed image. The computing device corrects the spot pattern of the blemish within the displayed image. The computing device identifies related images that have context patterns similar to the context pattern of the displayed image. The computing device automatically corrects similar instances of the spot pattern appearing within the related images. |
| US09524533B2 |
Methods and systems on chip for updating frames based on an indication signal for a display system
A method of operating a display system may include receiving an indication signal indicating a data update, receiving data, and updating a whole frame on the display with an image corresponding to the data based on the indication signal corresponding to a whole frame or updating a partial frame on the display with an image corresponding to the data based on the indication signal corresponding to a partial frame. |
| US09524532B2 |
System and method for integrated multiple source player cash access
The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database. Players can subsequently credit or debit cash from the players' financial accounts using any associated customer identification cards or otherwise receive such credits in other forms that permit negotiations, including quasi-cash documents. |
| US09524531B2 |
Extensibility features for electronic communications
An extensibility model is used to provide active and interactive functionality in communication items, but the embodiments are not so limited. A computer system of an embodiment includes components configured to identify one or more activation triggers that operate to activate gadget code using an isolated code execution environment as part of injecting content into an email communication. A method of one embodiment provides an extensibility framework for using defined gadget triggers and associated gadget functionality as part of automatically injecting content inline with a mail message. |
| US09524530B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for transcribing information using wearable technology
A wearable scribing system includes a camera and a microphone which communicate information to a remote system via a receiver/transmitter device. A scribe at the remote system inputs the information into an electronic health record. The wearable scribing system enables direct physician to physician communication. |
| US09524529B2 |
Interval analysis tool for energy consumption
A system and method for analyzing energy savings for a building is provided. The method includes receiving a schedule of occupied days, an occupancy behavior profile and historical energy usage data from which an hourly interval usage is determined. A set of occupancy thresholds is determined by season. Occupied days are determined from the set of occupancy thresholds and the hourly interval usage. The hourly interval usage is analyzed to determine occupied energy consumption in hourly intervals, occupied start and stop time savings, mechanical equipment savings and temperature setpoint savings during an occupied day. The hourly interval usage is also analyzed to determine unoccupied energy consumption in the hourly intervals and refrigeration savings, mechanical equipment savings, computer equipment savings, parking lot lighting savings, hallway lighting savings and temperature setpoint savings during an unoccupied day. Energy consumption, energy savings, operational comparisons and monetary savings are reported. |
| US09524524B2 |
Method for populating budgets and/or wish lists using real-time video image analysis
System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis, such as augmented reality to provide the user of a mobile device with real-time budgeting and wish lists. Through the use of real-time vision object recognition objects, logos, artwork, products, locations, and other features that can be recognized in the real-time video stream can be matched to data associated with such to provide the user with real-time budget impact and wish list updates based on the products and budget data determined as being the object. In this way, the objects, which may be products and/or budget data in the real-time video stream, may be included into a user's budget and/or wish list, such that the user receives real-time budget and/or wish list updates incorporating product and/or budget data located in a real-time video stream. |
| US09524521B2 |
Systems and methods for recommending a retail location
A method and a system are disclosed for generating a recommendation of a retail location on a network-based system. For example, a system may obtain a retail location definition associated with a geographic location. The geographic location may represent the retail location. The system then builds a scan event model from product scan messages received from a plurality of scanning devices located within the geographic location. The scan event model may include one or more scan events each being associated with a product definition and the retail location definition. Next, a recommendation query from the search device is received by the system. The recommendation query may include a product identifier and a query location. The system may generate a recommendation of the retail location based on determining that the product identifier and the query location match the one or more scan events of the scan event model. |
| US09524519B2 |
System and method for providing a buy option through postings on a social network when user input is classified as having a sale intent
Disclosed herein are methods for providing a buy option to social networking communications. The method includes communicating with a social networking site that posts images from posting entities to receiving entities. The image can have data that points to a product database. The data is processed to determine whether there is a sale-related intent such as a product in a product database. The data is used to access a database of products for sale from the merchant. When the sale-related intent applies, the system transmits the image through the social networking site with a buy button associated with the transmission such that a recipient can easily purchase a product. |
| US09524515B2 |
Method and system for logging and processing data relating to an activity
The resent invention relates to a system for gathering and assembling information based on data received from one or several mobile terminals, the system comprising: one or several mobile terminals, and a central processing unit. The data at least relates to a position, environmental information and a tool used by a user of the mobile terminal for carrying out an activity and the central processing unit is configured to: process said data, assemble a unique information based on said data, said unique information comprising optimized data for carrying out said activity. |
| US09524512B2 |
Advertisement delivery management apparatus and advertisement delivery management method
An advertisement delivery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a prediction information storage unit, an acquisition unit and an allocation unit. The prediction information storage unit stores information including user attributes of a plurality of delivery target users predicted as future advertisement delivery destinations. The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of order requests designating user attributes and the numbers of deliveries. The allocation unit allocates the delivery target users to the plurality of order requests, on the basis of the user attributes and the numbers of deliveries designated by the plurality of order requests, such that the number of predetermined user attributes of the delivery target users who have not been allocated to the order requests is the maximum. |
| US09524507B2 |
Communication device input interfaces for use in determining a more accurate cost of an item
There are provided systems and methods for communication device input interfaces for use in determining a true cost of an item with associated purchases. A user may utilize a communication device, such as a mobile phone or wearable computing device, to input information identifying an item. The input may be an image, audio, or text input. The input may be communicated to a server that determines associated purchases required or recommended with the item identified by the user. For example, the user may be recommended to purchase additional items for the installation of the item or for repairs to a home, work, or vehicle when using the item. The user may also be required to purchase shipping, labor, or other additional costs. The additional purchases may be determined from user and merchant information. A total cost for the item and the additional purchases may be determined for the user. |
| US09524504B2 |
Protecting privacy in audience creation
A method for generating microsegments includes retrieving a first set of information including activities attributable to a first plurality of entities and first entity identifiers; retrieving a second set of information including characteristics attributable to the first plurality of entities and second entity identifiers; combining the first and second sets of information using the first and second entity identifiers to obtain a combined set of information, the combined set of information not including personally identifiable information; generating a plurality of microsegments based on selected activities and/or characteristics criteria from the combined set of information; receiving a third set of information including characteristics attributable to a second plurality of entities; and matching characteristics in respective microsegments to characteristics of entities in the second plurality of entities to identify an audience of entities that have a propensity to carry out certain activities based on the selected activities and/or characteristics. |
| US09524501B2 |
Method and system for correlating diverse transaction data
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for matching e-commerce and physical point-of-sale transaction data. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a computer, first transaction data comprising a payment token or second transaction data comprising a primary account identifier, wherein the payment token is derived from the primary account identifier, and providing, by the computer, a universal account identifier after receiving the payment token or the account identifier, wherein the universal account identifier is a substitute for the payment token and the primary account identifier. |
| US09524500B2 |
Transferring assets
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for sending transfer requests, receiving approvals, and carrying out transfers in a digital wallet application. A mobile payment engine receives a request from a client application associated with a first digital card to apply assets from at least one additional digital card to the first digital card, receives receiving approval to transfer assets from the at least one additional digital card to the first digital card, and transfers the assets to the first digital card. Transfers can be made between digital cards in the same client's digital wallet application and transfers can be made between multiple client device accounts. |
| US09524498B2 |
Control system for wireless communication parking meter
An electronic parking meter mechanism is provided. The electronic meter mechanism includes an inner housing, an electronic display screen and a wireless communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system. The electronic meter mechanism includes a first processor configured to control the electronic display screen, and a second processor configured to control communication of data by the wireless communication subsystem. |
| US09524497B2 |
Registration of a mobile computing device for a data service on a wireless network
A system and method for registering a mobile computing device for a data service on a wireless network is described. The method comprises receiving a request from a user to initiate a program on the mobile computing device which requires a network connection for a data service. The method comprises checking if a wireless account for the data service has been activated for the mobile computing device, and, if a wireless account for the data service has not been activated, transmitting to a network node a serial number of the mobile computing device and a key which is based on an encryption of the serial number. The method further comprises receiving a message indicating a wireless network connection is granted. |
| US09524496B2 |
Micro payments
In one example embodiment, a system and method is shown that includes receiving financial data generated by a widget residing on a web page, the financial data including at least one of donation, or purchase data. The system and method may further include transmitting a display update to update the widget, the updating based upon the financial data. Some example embodiments may include, selecting a widget using an input device to generate data including at least one of donation or purchase data. Moreover, the system and method may include transmitting the at least one of donation or purchase data. Further, the system and method may include storing the at least one of donation or purchase data to a cookie. |
| US09524491B2 |
Master navigation controller for a web-based conference collaboration tool
A conference collaboration system has a server connected to a network and configured to generate a page view requested by a client device over the network and provide dynamic content associated with the requested page view for display on the device; and a database configured to store the dynamic content, update the dynamic content in response to commands from the server, and provide the dynamic content to the server in response to requests from the server, wherein the dynamic content is associated with a plurality of services, each shown in a page view, and the dynamic content and the services are associated with a conference. The server can determine an authorization level of a user interacting with the client device and provide a page view and dynamic content in response to the authorization level, and the dynamic content is updated or created in response to or for actions during the conference. |
| US09524490B2 |
Content report management in a social networking system
User reports concerning inappropriate content are received by a social networking system and are put into a content report management process that routes the reports into other handling processes based upon the reporting user's identification of the report type. Reports concerning content that is related to the reporting user are routed into a social resolution process that resolves the complaint through self-help and social resolution. Other reports are handled by a content review process that resolves complaints through automated methods as well as manual review by human agents. |
| US09524487B1 |
System and methods for detecting temporal music trends from online services
A system and methods for automatically detecting temporal music trends by observing music consumption by users of online services, for example, social networks, and user sharing habits. In some embodiments, the system and methods gather music consumption patterns (e.g., downloading, listening, sharing or the like) of users, including music identifiers for a track, album, or playlist in a user's music library and time stamps that indicate consumption times corresponding to the music identifiers. A temporal trends detection engine determines music of interest to users by analyzing music consumption patterns of users, user interests and tastes in music, and social affinity between users. A recommendations engine automatically generates and transmits recommendations of music determined by the temporal trends detection engine to be of interest to users. |
| US09524485B1 |
System and method for pattern assignment for pattern-based item identification in a materials handling facility
Pattern information may be associated with an item in an inventory to facilitate identification of the item from among other items in the inventory. The pattern information may represent a feature extrinsic to the physical appearance of the item and may be assigned to the item deterministically, randomly, or pseudo-randomly. An indicator of the pattern information, such as a tag or sticker, may be applied to the item or to its packaging to provide a visual aid to distinguish the item from other items in the same inventory or the item may be enclosed in additional packaging comprising an indicator of the assigned pattern information. Pattern information assigned to the item may comprise a single color, shape, pattern, or other attribute and may include other secondary pattern information. Different amounts of pattern information may be associated with different items or with the same item when co-located with other different items. |
| US09524482B2 |
Retail space planning system
A three dimensional virtual retail space representing a physical space for designing a retail store space layout is provided. A three dimensional virtual object representing at least one physical object for the retail space is provided. Input can be received from a virtual reality input interface for interacting with the virtual object in the virtual retail space. Based on the input, the virtual object can be placed in the virtual retail space. An updated video signal can be sent to a head mounted display that provides a three dimensional representation of the virtual object in the virtual space. |
| US09524480B2 |
Hygiene behaviour support system with sensors and an automatic door
The present invention relates to a hygiene behaviour support system for enhancing a person's hand hygiene after a toilet visit. Visual LED indicators are provided on a water tap, soap dispenser, paper dispenser and disinfectant dispender to attract the attention of the user to the respective item. Sensors on the items activate the dispensers and register completion of each task, in order to activate the next indicator on the next item, thereby sequentially guiding the user through a complete hygiene procedure. The disinfectant dispenser is connected with the closing mechanism of the door, so that only after the disinfectant is sensed to have been dispensed, the door will open. |
| US09524467B2 |
Method for configuring a sensor detection device, and corresponding computer program and adaptive device
A method for configuring a device for detecting a situation from a set of situations where a physical system comprises the following steps: reception of a learning sequence corresponding to a given situation of the physical system; determination of parameters of a hidden-state Markov statistical model recorded in the detection device and relating to the given situation, on the basis of a prior initialization of these parameters. The prior initialization comprises the following steps: determination of a plurality of probability distributions from the learning sequence; distribution of the probability distributions between the various hidden states of the statistical model in question by global optimization of a function of adaptation of these probability distributions to the various hidden states and to impossible transition constraints; and initialization of the parameters of the statistical model in question using given representative probability distributions for each hidden state of the statistical model in question. |
| US09524464B2 |
System and method for contextual analysis
Computerized contextual analysis systems and methods suitable for monitoring situations, regions, and groups characterized by volatility and uncertainty are provided. Via use of exemplary systems and methods, decision makers, for example politicians, warfighters, and analysts can gain insight into the cultures, attitudes, events, and relationships that may impact their missions. |
| US09524463B2 |
Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting
Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, related to predetermined resources associated with an item from predetermined data sources is obtained. Then, estimated emission factors are calculated for each of the resourced. Next, a contributory uncertainty of the data and of the emission factors is determined. Then, a user is guided based on a comparison of the respective contributory uncertainty of data related to the resources or emission factors Next, both data related to the resources and the estimated emission factors of the resources are utilized to determine a carbon footprint of the item. |
| US09524461B1 |
Conceptual computation system using a hierarchical network of modules
A cognitive architecture uses hierarchically arranged modules to associate the computation of many expected attributes with a single concept. A first value stored in a first module represents a concept state. A second value stored in the first module represents an expectation state. The first module receives a third value that represents an input state. The first module has a lower hierarchy than a second module and a higher hierarchy than a third module. The first module provides the first value to the second module and the second value to the third module. The first value is computed using the third value and concept information stored in the first module. The second value is computed using the first value, the third value and expectation information stored in the first module. An actuated mechanism receives a signal derived from the second value, which influences an operation of the actuated mechanism. |
| US09524458B2 |
Switchable epassport including shielding
Shielding is associated with RFID tags to achieve new systems and methods having various advantages. These systems include containers configured to store RFID enabled identity documents, the use of RFID tags to monitor the state of a container, and the inclusion of shielding in identity devices. Disclosed are shielded passports, driver's licenses, and the like. Some embodiments further including reading systems for reading identity devices comprising shielding and RFID tags. Further, various switchable RFID devices are disclosed. These switchable RFID devices may include one or more RFID tags and one or more switches. Some of these one or more switches are optionally wireless. In various embodiments, the switchable RFID devices include identity devices, financial devices, remote controls, and the like. |
| US09524451B2 |
Recording medium and recorded matter
The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing print data editing program. The program executes steps including a background patter print data generating, a disposition setting, and a disposition adjusting. In the disposition adjusting, at least one spacing adjustment of column spacing adjustment and row spacing adjustment is performed. The column spacing adjusts the column spacing so that a length of the sides parallel with the angle of inclination in the disposition adjustment region becomes an integer multiple of a total length of a length of the background pattern print data along the row direction and the column spacing. The row spacing adjustment adjusts the row spacing so that a length of the sides orthogonal to the angle of inclination becomes an integer multiple of a total length of a length of the background pattern print data along the column direction and the row spacing. |
| US09524447B2 |
Searching 2D image based on transformed 1D data matching
A reference 2D data is provided. The reference 2D data comprises a first plurality of pixels defined in 2D coordinates. The reference 2D data is transformed into a reference 1D data having a first 1D size. The reference 1D data comprises the first plurality of pixels in a transformed 1D order. A plurality of input 2D data are also provided. An input 2D data comprises a second plurality of pixels defined in 2D coordinates. The plurality of input 2D data are transformed into a plurality of input 1D data, which comprises transforming the input 2D data into an input 1D data. Transforming the input 2D data into the input 1D data is the same as transforming the reference 2D data into the reference 1D data. Finally, a transformed input 1D data from the plurality of input 1D data that matches the transformed reference 1D data is searched. |
| US09524445B2 |
Methods and systems for suppressing non-document-boundary contours in an image
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems, methods and apparatus for boundary detection, in an image, by suppression of contours resulting from background textures and text in the image. |
| US09524436B2 |
Augmented reality camera registration
A system and method executable by a computing device of an augmented reality system for registering a camera in a physical space is provided. The method may include identifying an origin marker in a series of images of a physical space captured by a camera of an augmented reality system, and defining a marker graph having an origin marker node. The method may further include analyzing in real-time the series of images to identify a plurality of expansion markers with locations defined relative to previously imaged markers, and defining corresponding expansion marker nodes in the marker graph. The method may further include calculating a current position of the camera of the augmented reality system in the physical space based on a location of a node in the marker graph corresponding to a most recently imaged marker, relative to the origin marker and any intermediate markers. |
| US09524434B2 |
Object tracking based on dynamically built environment map data
A computer-implemented method of tracking a target object in an object recognition system includes acquiring a plurality of images with a camera. The method further includes simultaneously tracking the target object and dynamically building environment map data from the plurality of images. The tracking of the target object includes attempting to estimate a target pose of the target object with respect to the camera based on at least one of the plurality of images and based on target map data. Next, the method determines whether the tracking of the target object with respect to the camera is successful. If not, then the method includes inferring the target pose with respect to the camera based on the dynamically built environment map data. In one aspect the method includes fusing the inferred target pose with the actual target pose even if tracking is successful to improve robustness. |
| US09524432B1 |
Fast interest point extraction for augmented reality
The subject technology provides embodiments for performing fast corner detection in a given image for augmented reality applications. Embodiments disclose a high-speed test that examines intensities of pairs of pixels around a candidate center pixel. In one example, the examined pairs are comprised of pixels that are diametrically opposite ends of a circle formed with the candidate center pixel. Further, a pyramid of images including four rings of surrounding pixels is generated. An orientation of the pixels from the four rings are determined and a vector of discrete values of the pixels are provided. Next, a forest of trees are generated for the vector of discrete values corresponding to a descriptor for a first image. For a second image including a set of descriptors, approximate nearest neighbors are determined from the forest of tree representing closest matching descriptors from the first image. |
| US09524427B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
There is provided an image processing apparatus including: a communication unit receiving first feature amounts, which include coordinates of feature points in an image acquired by another image processing apparatus, and position data showing a position in the image of a pointer that points at a location in a real space; an input image acquisition unit acquiring an input image by image pickup of the real space; a feature amount generating unit generating second feature amounts including coordinates of feature points set in the acquired input image; a specifying unit comparing the first feature amounts and the second feature amounts and specifying, based on a comparison result and the position data, a position in the input image of the location in the real space being pointed at by the pointer; and an output image generating unit generating an output image displaying an indicator indicating the specified position. |
| US09524425B2 |
Gesture recognition device, gesture recognition method, electronic apparatus, control program, and recording medium
A gesture recognition device configured to recognize a gesture of a hand from a captured image of a user, having a fingertip candidate detector that detects a fingertip candidate from the image, a finger detector that detects a skin area as a finger, the skin area extending by a predetermined length in a certain direction from the fingertip candidate detected by the fingertip candidate detector, and a gesture type specifying unit that specifies a type of the gesture based on the number of fingers detected by the finger detector. |
| US09524423B2 |
Image recognition apparatus, control method, and program of the same
An image recognition apparatus is arranged to extract feature information of an object area detected from among images, compare with feature information of previously-registered objects, thereby calculating a degree of similarity, when the calculated degree of similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, determine the object included in the object area as a registered object and set a recognition confirmed state that is successively maintained between images, and when a reliability of the object tracking is low and the degree of similarity is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, set the recognition confirmed state which is successively maintained into a recognition unconfirmed state where the object included in the object area is not determined as a registered object. |
| US09524417B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for detection of malaria
Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing a monitor or treatment device configured to, for example, detect hemozoin, as well as to monitor or treat a malarial infection. |
| US09524416B1 |
Fingerprint sensing device comprising three-dimensional pattern
There is provided a fingerprint sensing device comprising: a sensing chip comprising an array of sensing elements, the sensing elements being configured to be connected to readout circuitry for detecting a capacitive coupling between each of the sensing elements and a finger placed on a sensing surface of the sensing device; a cover layer arranged vertically above the sensing elements to cover at least a portions of the sensing elements, wherein an outer surface of the cover layer form the sensing surface of the sensing device; wherein the cover layer comprises a three-dimensional pattern configured to reduce the amount of reflected light within a predetermined sub-range of the visible range. There is also provided a method for manufacturing a fingerprint sensing device. |
| US09524412B2 |
Lighting apparatus, lighting system and method of registering lighting apparatus
Disclosed are a lighting apparatus, a lighting system and a method of registering a lighting apparatus to easily and conveniently register the lighting apparatus. The lighting system includes a lighting apparatus in which identification information to identify a unique address is recorded on an outer surface of a body of the lighting apparatus; and a lighting registering apparatus which reads out the identification information recorded on the outer surface of the body of the lighting apparatus to obtain the unique address information of the lighting apparatus, and matches the obtained unique address information with location information of the lighting apparatus to perform a register of the lighting apparatus. |
| US09524407B2 |
Systems and methods for end-to-end secure link between a near-field communication (NFC) chip and server
Systems and method of the present solution are directed to authenticating and updating a near-field-communication (NFC) chip over a network. According to one aspect, a method of authenticating and updating a NFC chip over a network includes identifying, by a device, a NFC chip of the device. The NFC chip is configured with an identification code established by a NFC server to uniquely identify the NFC chip. The method includes sending, by the device, a signal that includes the identification code over a network to the NFC server. The method further includes establishing a secure communication link over the network between the NFC server and the device responsive to authenticating the NFC chip by the NFC server via the identification code. The method also includes receiving, by the device via the secure communication link, data from the NFC server to store to the NFC chip and storing, by the device, the data to the NFC chip. |
| US09524402B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus is provided that including a display configured to display content. The display apparatus also includes a main controller configured to control operation of the display, a power supplier configured to supply power to operate the display and the main controller, a power measurer configured to measure the power supplied by the power supplier, a storage configured to store information regarding a third power range which is between a first power range that the display apparatus consumes in a sleep state and a second power range that the display apparatus consumes in a normal state, and a power controller configured to cut off the power supplied by the power supplier in response to the measured power being within the third power range. |
| US09524386B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing document in touch-sensitive device
A method and apparatus are provided for processing a document in a touch-sensitive device by performing a document locking function in order not to expose a specific portion that contains significant content requiring security or confidentiality in a document, and by unlocking a locked portion of a document. In the method, when a document locking input is detected from a displayed document, the displayed document is folded in a direction of a first drag input. Thereafter, when the first drag input is removed, the displayed document is locked by completing the folding of the displayed document. |
| US09524381B2 |
Piracy prevention in digital rights management systems
A method in a multimedia device (130) including obtaining protected content having a limited exercisable right associated therewith, obtaining an extension of the limited exercisable right when a condition is satisfied, for example, when the device enters a DRM system different than the DRM system from which the protected content originated, wherein the extension of the limited exercisable right is obtained from an entity other than the multimedia device, for example, from an anomaly detector. |
| US09524376B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for personalized medication labels
A computer-based apparatus for labeling medications, including: a processor for a computer configured to: calculate a configuration of a first medication package using a first digital image of the first medication package; create, using the configuration, a package template; receive first prescription information including a name of a patient, a name of a medication, a dosage of the medication, an amount of the medication, and a schedule for taking the medication; create a first custom label, using the package template and the first prescription information, the first custom label including a first plurality of data fields including the first prescription information and a configuration for the first custom label; and transmit first data, including the first custom label with the first prescription information entered in the first plurality of data fields, to a printer. |
| US09524368B2 |
System and method for communicating vending information
A system and method for communicating vending information is provided. The system includes a plurality of vending apparatuses, each containing a vending inventory comprised of vendible products, and a control center in communication with the plurality of vending apparatuses configured to receive user information. The user information can include a vending request for a vendible product and a location identifier. The system is further configured to select a vending apparatus from the plurality of vending apparatuses based on the location identifier, determine whether the requested vendible product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending apparatus, and transmit an electronic message to a user-specified electronic mail address upon determining that the requested vendible product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending machine. |
| US09524364B1 |
Method and system for creating improved routing polygon abstracts
Methods and systems for creating and implementing improved routing polygon abstracts that can be used to efficiently find areas to route through in electrical designs, where the routing polygon abstracts include at least a horizontal routing polygon abstract, a maximum horizontal routing polygon abstract, a vertical routing polygon abstract, and a maximum vertical routing polygon abstract, that are created through various steps including bloating, shrinking, merging, and extending the objects towards an outer boundary. |
| US09524362B2 |
Method of decomposing layout for generating patterns on photomasks
A method of decomposing pattern layout for generating patterns on photomasks is disclosed. The method includes decomposing features of an integrated circuit layout into discrete patterns based on the relation between these features. The features include first features and second features. The first features are then classified into a first feature pattern and a second feature pattern, and the second features are classified into third, fourth, fifth and sixth feature patterns. The spacings of the second features in the fifth and sixth feature patterns are greater than a minimum exposure limits. Finally, the first feature pattern is outputted to a first photomask, the second feature pattern is outputted to a second photomask, the third and fifth feature patterns are outputted to a third photomask, and the fourth and sixth feature patterns are outputted to a fourth photomask. |
| US09524361B2 |
Method for decomposing a layout of an integrated circuit
A method for decomposing a layout of an integrated circuit is provided. First, a layout of the integrated circuit is imported, wherein the layout comprises a plurality of sub patterns in a cell region, and a first direction and a second direction are defined thereon. Next, one sub pattern positioned at a corner of the cell region is assigned to an anchor pattern. Then, the sub patterns in the row same as the anchor pattern along the second direction is assigned to the first group. Finally, the rest of the sub patterns are decomposed into the first group and the second group according to a design rule, wherein the sub patterns in the same line are decomposed into the first group and the second group alternatively. |
| US09524360B2 |
Network synthesis design of microwave acoustic wave filters
A method of designing an acoustic microwave filter in accordance with frequency response requirements. The method comprises selecting an initial filter circuit structure including a plurality of circuit elements comprising at least one resonant element and at least one other reactive circuit element, selecting circuit response variables based on the frequency response requirements, selecting a value for each of the circuit elements based on the selected circuit response variables to create an initial filter circuit design, transforming the resonant element(s) and the other reactive circuit element(s) of the initial filter circuit design into at least one acoustic resonator model to create an acoustic filter circuit design, adding parasitic effects to the acoustic filter circuit design to create a pre-optimized filter circuit design, optimizing the pre-optimized filter circuit design to create a final filter circuit design, and constructing the acoustic microwave filter based on the final filter circuit design. |
| US09524355B2 |
Methods for delivering task-related digital content based on task-oriented user activity
A method for automatically presenting digital content to a user of a computer computes task-related metadata from data which may include i) a most recent event record, ii) a most recent specification received from the user of a task being performed by the user, iii) an automatic prediction of the current task being executed by the user, iii) past event records and associated task identifiers stored in a database and/or iv) content in resources associated with a given task. The task-related metadata is communicated to a digital content service provider. Digital content relevant to the user based on the task-related metadata is then selected, sent to the computer, and presented to the user. Rules and filters control the metadata going out and the content coming in, allowing automatic adaptation based on the current task, characteristics of the content, and other factors. |
| US09524353B2 |
Method and system for providing portions of information content to a client device
A method and system for providing portions of information content to a client device is presented. The present application provides a manner of personalizing information content for display on handheld or mobile devices. A user may identify sections of a web page as clips, and then request only the identified section instead of the entire web page from a server. Upon receiving the request, the server will load the web page, retrieve the identified section, transform the identified section for display on the client device, and then send the transformed information to the client device. The clip of information is then a live update from a web page that presents the latest content from a web page instead of a cached web page section. |
| US09524343B2 |
Interactive web crawler
The claimed subject matter provides a system or method for web crawling hidden files. An example method includes loading a web page with a browser agent, and executing any dynamic elements hosted on the web page using the browser agent to insert pre-determined values. A list of form controls may be retrieved from the web page using the browser agent, and the controls may be analyzed using a driver component. Form control values may be sent from the driver component to the browser agent, and an event may be submitted to the web page by the browser agent or scripted content may be run to trigger operations on the web page corresponding to the form control values. A URL may be generated for various form control values using a generalizer. |
| US09524342B2 |
Panoptic visualization document navigation
A panoptic visualization document navigation system includes a navigation engine and request interface, and is configured effect navigation of components of a document collection in a layout, panoptically arranged in a manner that reflects logical relationships between their content, which may in turn reflect relationships between the subjects or their objects depicted by the content. These logical relationships may be established by links between document components, which may be identified by information provided in associated metadata for the document components. Navigation options for navigating the layout may likewise be selected according to the associated metadata. This type of arrangement and its navigation may enable a user to see the content in a single view, and in an arrangement that facilitates a better understanding of the relationships between the content and their subjects or objects, which may be otherwise difficult to comprehend. |
| US09524336B1 |
Search query auto-completions based on social graph
In general, aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a search query initial input from a user, receiving a plurality of query auto-completions based on the search query initial input, receiving social graph data, the social graph data being specific to the user, for each query auto-completion of the plurality of query auto-completions, determining a ranking score, the ranking score being determined at least partially based on the social graph data, and transmitting instructions to display the plurality of query auto-completions to the user in a rank order that is determined based on ranking scores. |
| US09524334B2 |
Using distinguishing properties to classify messages
A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages. |
| US09524331B2 |
Method and system for representing OLAP queries using directed acyclic graph structures in a datagrid to support real-time analytical operations
The various embodiments herein provide a method for representing OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) queries in a data grid in real time. The method comprises of providing a new OLAP query, building a directed acyclic graph structure for the OLAP query, initializing the graph structure by generating signals for one or more business entities, processing the generated signals of one or more entities, linking entities based on matching of query filter parameters specified in the OLAP query and calculating aggregate values at one or more nodes. The nodes in the directed acyclic graph comprises: a plurality of blue nodes adapted to maintain links to one or more business entities stored in a datagrid and to hold the aggregate values and a plurality of grey nodes adapted to hold the calculated aggregate values. The aggregate values comprise at least one of SUM, ACCOUNT and AVG. |
| US09524327B2 |
Method and system for data synchronization, and apparatus thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a data synchronization method, system and apparatuses thereof. The data synchronization method includes the following processes: sending, by a client, a data characteristic verification message carrying one or multiple data characteristics for data in a client database, to a server; comparing, by the server, the one or multiple data characteristics carried in the data characteristic verification message with the data characteristics for the data in a server database; determining, by the server, the data to be synchronized based on a result of the comparing and sending the client a data characteristic verification response carrying information indicating the determined data to be synchronized. The method, system and apparatus thereof provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the amount of data to be transmitted in data synchronization, and improve the efficiency of data synchronization. |
| US09524320B2 |
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. |
| US09524317B2 |
Optimization of aggregate queries in database management systems using an early out join when processing min and max functions
A method, computer program product, and system for optimizing aggregate queries are provided. The method, computer program product, and system provide for receiving an aggregate query comprising a GROUP BY operation and an aggregate function, creating an access plan for executing the aggregate query, the access plan including a join between an outer relation and an inner relation, and designating the join included in the access plan as an early out join. |
| US09524316B2 |
Processing search queries using a data structure
The disclosure relates to of generating a data structure stored in a computer memory for use in performing a search query to determine a separation between nodes in a network of interconnected nodes, wherein the method comprises: selecting a set of landmark nodes from the network; and for at least two of the landmark nodes in the set; generating a path tree for each landmark node that indicates a separation between the landmark node and each of a plurality of nodes; wherein the generating is configured to limit the number of path trees each of said plurality of nodes may appear in to no more than a predetermined number of path trees. A method of processing a data structure is also disclosed. |
| US09524313B2 |
Reducing lock occurrences in server/database systems
Limiting the number of concurrent requests in a database system. Arranging requests to be handled by the database system in at least one queue. Defining a maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests corresponding to the at least one queue. Monitoring at least one queue utilization parameter corresponding to the at least one queue and calculating a performance value based on the at least one queue utilization parameter. Adapting the maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the performance value (PF) in order to improve system performance. Limiting the number of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the dynamically adapted maximum value (SS). |
| US09524304B2 |
Systems and methods for diagnosing inherited retinal diseases
A method for automatically diagnosing inherited retinal disease includes receiving a plurality of dissimilar types of data and pre-processing at least one of the plurality of dissimilar types of data to generate a feature vector descriptive of a patient. Further, the method includes, for each of the plurality of dissimilar types of data: (i) comparing portions of the respective type of data or a corresponding feature vector to data in a mutation proven database; (ii) generating a ranked list of matches between the patient and the plurality of patients with known diagnoses; and (iii) storing the ranked list of matches in an output database. A diagnosis routine then aggregates a plurality of ranked lists of matches in the output database to generate a ranked list of genetic diagnoses corresponding to the patient and sends an indication of the ranked list of genetic diagnoses to the end user device. |
| US09524301B2 |
Transferring files between different operating systems
Disclosed herein is a method for transferring files between different operating systems that includes sending one or more files from a first computing device executing a first operating system to a second computing device executing a second operating system. The first operating system is incompatible with the second operating system. The method also includes processing data of the one or more files using one or more applications executing within the second operating system on the second computing device. Further, the method includes receiving results of the data processing on the first computing device executing the first operating system. |
| US09524299B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for modeling a workload
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for modeling a workload are disclosed. According to one method, the method occurs at a computing platform. The method includes providing for user configuration of a file system associated with a device under test (DUT), providing for user configuration of at least one emulated user, and providing for user configuration of interaction behavior between the at least one emulated user and the file system. |
| US09524296B2 |
Managing events in a computing environment
The claimed invention provides a method for managing response time in a database system. The method includes monitoring a plurality of events that impact on the operation of the database system, identifying at least one event that impacts on at least one of the performance and availability of the database, and initiating an action in response to the identified event. |
| US09524295B2 |
Simultaneous translation of open domain lectures and speeches
Speech translation systems and methods for simultaneously translating speech between first and second speakers, wherein the first speaker speaks in a first language and the second speaker speaks in a second language that is different from the first language. The speech translation system may comprise a resegmentation unit that merge at least two partial hypotheses and resegments the merged partial hypotheses into a first-language translatable segment, wherein a segment boundary for the first-language translatable segment is determined based on sound from the second speaker. |
| US09524294B2 |
Circuitry for a commentator and/or simultaneous translator system, operating unit and commentator and/or simultaneous translator system
A commentator or simultaneous translator system is provided with an audio mixing console, a command intercom and an operating unit. The operating unit is provided with a circuitry. The operating unit is implemented in such a way that a simplified operation of the commentator or simultaneous translator system is provided. |
| US09524293B2 |
Techniques for automatically swapping languages and/or content for machine translation
A computer-implemented technique can include receiving a machine translation input specifying (i) a source text, (ii) a source language of the source text, and (iii) a target language for the source text, and obtaining a machine translation of the source text from the source language to the target language to obtain a translated source text. The technique can include determining whether to swap the source and target languages based on (i) the source text and (ii) at least one language model, and in response to determining to swap the source and target languages: swapping the source and target languages to obtain modified source and target languages, utilizing the translated source text as a modified source text, obtaining a machine translation of the modified source text from the modified source language to the modified target language to obtain a translated modified source text, and outputting the translated modified source text. |
| US09524291B2 |
Visual display of semantic information
Techniques involving visual display of information related to matching user utterances against graph patterns are described. In one or more implementations, an utterance of a user is obtained that has been indicated as corresponding to a graph pattern through linguistic analysis. The utterance is displayed in a user interface as a representation of the graph pattern. |
| US09524287B2 |
Model-driven tooltips in excel
In various embodiments, methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media are disclosed that allow developers to place tooltips on components and columns headers using a desktop integration framework. The tooltips can be tied to translatable resources or model metadata. In one aspect, the tool tip metadata is provided separately from the document to which the tool tip will eventually be tied. |
| US09524282B2 |
Data augmentation with real-time annotations
A system for augmenting a user experience, such as viewing a scene or listening to an audio, is disclosed. The system provides the user with real time annotations for the part of the scene s/he is viewing or the part of the audio s/he is listening to. The scene may include text, objects, human faces or bodies. The audio may include vocal information or musical themes. The annotations include a list of users who are simultaneously viewing similar scenes or simultaneously listening to similar audio. |
| US09524280B2 |
Method and system to automatically insert a relevant hyperlink into a webpage
A method and system to automatically insert a hyperlink into a webpage containing text is described. The system comprises at least one processor and at least one software component. The at least one software component is executable by the at least one processor to receive, via, a network, the text. The at least one software component further compares a portion of the text to at least one character string that is stored in a database to identify the portion of the text as included in both the webpage and the database. The portion of the text is a name of a product and is associated with the hyperlink. The at least one software component is further executable to cause an insertion of the hyperlink into the webpage and to communicate the name of the product to a producer of the text. The name of the product is included in the webpage by the producer of the portion of the text. |
| US09524276B2 |
Bookmarking social networking system content
A social networking system allows users to bookmark content within the social networking system to view at a later time and/or to share with other users. The content that may be bookmarked may include advertisements, user posted content, user comments on posted content, or any other content viewable within the social networking system, as well as links to content outside of the social networking system. A user may save the content by selecting a bookmark link corresponding to the content. The bookmarked content may be viewed later, such as in a bookmarked content dashboard, and it may also be used to provide additional content to the user that is related to the bookmarked content. Additionally, the user's bookmarking activity may be published to the user's connections in the social networking system to enable others to find and view the content that the user deems worthy of bookmarking. |
| US09524273B2 |
Method and system for generating a web page layout using nested drop zone widgets having different software functionalities
Therefore, what has been described is an improved for visually implementing a web page layout, where the web page layout includes a nested drop zone. Allowing the user to interactively implement nested drop zones provides numerous benefits, including the benefit of being able to create specialized layout configurations for a web page without requiring the need for expert programmers to write computer code for the new configuration. This permits the user to implement highly customized layout in a very easy and efficient way. In addition, an improved approach has been described to implement a new type of widget that obtains its context information from another widget. For example, when a contextual widget is dropped into a drop zone, that contextual widget would obtain its context data from its parent drop zone widget. |
| US09524270B2 |
Operand-optimized asynchronous floating-point units and method of use thereof
Asynchronous arithmetic units including an asynchronous IEEE 754 compliant floating-point adder and an asynchronous floating point multiplier component. Arithmetic units optimized for lower power consumption and methods for optimization are disclosed. |
| US09524267B2 |
Check operation dispersed storage network frame
A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a check request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of the payload section to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more encoded data slices and generating a transaction number field of the payload section to include a transaction number corresponding to the check request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section and generating remaining fields of the protocol header. |
| US09524266B2 |
Latency management system and method for multiprocessor system
A latency management apparatus and method are provided. A latency management apparatus for a multiprocessor system having a plurality of processors and shared memory, when the shared memory and each of the processors is configured to generate a delayed signal, includes a delayed signal detector configured to detect the generated delayed signal; and one or more latency managers configured to manage an operation latency of any one of the processors upon detection of the delayed signal. |
| US09524264B2 |
Generating combined bus clock signals using asynchronous master device reference clocks in shared bus systems, and related methods, devices, and computer-readable media
Generating combined bus clock signals using asynchronous master device reference clocks in shared bus systems, and related methods, devices, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for generating combined bus clock signals comprises detecting a start event by each master device of multiple master devices communicatively coupled to a shared clock line of a shared bus. Each master device samples a plurality of shared clock line values of the shared clock line at a corresponding plurality of transitions of a reference clock signal for the master device. Each master device determines whether the plurality of shared clock line values is identical. If the shared clock line values are identical, each master device drives a shared clock line drive value inverse to the plurality of shared clock line values to the shared clock line at a next transition of the reference clock signal for the master device. |
| US09524263B2 |
Method and apparatus for bus lock assistance
A method is described that includes detecting that an instruction of a thread is a locked instruction. The instruction also includes determining that execution of said instruction includes imposing a bus lock. The instruction also include executing a bus lock assistance function in response to said determining, said bus lock assistance function including a function associated with said bus lock other than implementation of a bus lock protocol. |
| US09524261B2 |
Credit lookahead mechanism
Systems and methods for preventing excessive buffering of transactions in a coherence point. The coherence point uses a lookahead mechanism to determine if there are enough credits from the memory controller for forwarding the outstanding transactions stored in the IRQ. If there are not enough credits, then the coherence point prevents the switch fabric from forwarding additional transactions to the coherence point. By preventing excessive buffering in the IRQ, the QoS-based ordering of transactions performed by the switch fabric is preserved. |
| US09524258B2 |
Method for controlling multiple CAN interfaces through single SPI bus
The disclosure is applied to a field of communication technologies and relates to a method for controlling multiple CAN interfaces through a single SPI bus. The method includes: when a reception mailbox of any of a plurality of CAN chips finishes receiving data on a CAN bus, triggering an interrupt by the CAN chip to deliver an interrupt signal; configuring the CAN chip triggering the interrupt through the SPI bus to disable interrupts in the CAN chip, so that the CAN chip exits the interrupt; inquiring the data received by the reception mailboxes of each CAN chip triggering the interrupt, reading the data into a memory buffer of an MCU through the SPI bus, setting a data identifier in the memory buffer of the MCU, and enabling interrupts in the CAN chip triggering the interrupt to allow the CAN chip triggering the interrupt to continue receiving data; and detecting whether the data identifier is present in the memory buffer of the MCU by an application program on the MCU, and copying the data from the memory buffer of the MCU to a memory buffer of the application program if the data identifier is present in the memory buffer of the MCU; otherwise, returning a result as a failure. The invention reads the data into the MCU upon interrupts generated by CAN chips, thereby reducing costs without affecting communication. |
| US09524257B2 |
Transactional execution enabled supervisor call interruption while in TX mode
A computer can manage an interruption while a processor is executing a transaction in a transactional-execution (TX) mode. Execution, in a program context, of the transaction is begun by a processor in TX mode. An interruption request is detected for an interruption, by the processor, in TX mode. The interruption is accepted by the processor to execute a TX compatible routine in a supervisor context for changing supervisor resources. The TX compatible routine is executed within the TX mode. The processor returns to the program context to complete the execution of the transaction. Based on the transaction aborting, the processor does not commit changes to the supervisor resources. |
| US09524251B2 |
Storage system, virtualization control apparatus, information processing apparatus, and method for controlling storage system
An information processing apparatus is configured to make access to a storage device via a first path. A virtualization control apparatus is configured to control access to a virtual storage device via a second path, where the virtual storage device is provided by virtualizing the storage device. The virtualization control apparatus sends an identifier of the storage device in response to a query from the information processing apparatus which requests information about a storage space that is accessible via the second path. The information processing apparatus incorporates the second path as an inactive standby path when the identifier received as a response to the query matches with an identifier of the storage device accessible via the first path. |
| US09524248B2 |
Memory management for a hierarchical memory system
Disclosed are systems and methods for managing memory. A memory management system may include a table having multiple virtual memory addresses. Each virtual memory address may correspond to a physical memory address and data that identifies a type of memory device corresponding to the physical memory address. The physical memory device can be used to access the memory device when a table hit occurs. |
| US09524243B1 |
Scalable monolithic data storage system for cloud environment
A scalable, storage cloud enabled data center includes a cluster of enterprise storage nodes. Each storage node includes a storage grid, a computation grid, and data availability and data protection modules. The data center is scaled by adding additional storage nodes to a cluster of storage nodes which are interconnected, e.g., via a hardware interface, switches, and switch-routers. |
| US09524241B2 |
Multi-core microprocessor power gating cache restoral mechanism
An apparatus includes a fuse array and a stores. The fuse array is disposed on a die, and is programmed with compressed configuration data for a plurality of cores. The stores is coupled to the plurality of cores, and includes a plurality of sub-stores that each correspond to each of the plurality of cores, where one of the plurality of cores accesses the semiconductor fuse array upon power-up/reset to read and decompresses the compressed configuration data, and stores a plurality of decompressed configuration data sets for one or more cache memories within the each of the plurality of cores in the plurality of sub-stores, and where, following a power gating event, one of the each of the plurality of cores subsequently accesses a corresponding one of the each of the plurality of sub-stores to retrieve and employ the decompressed configuration data sets to initialize the caches. |
| US09524235B1 |
Local hash value generation in non-volatile data storage systems
The various implementations described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to enable local hash value generation in a non-volatile data storage system (e.g., using a flash memory device). In one aspect, rather than having Bloom filter logic in a host, Bloom filter functionality is integrated in the non-volatile data storage system. In some implementations, at a non-volatile data storage system, the method includes receiving from a host a plurality of requests that specify respective elements. The method further includes, for each respective element specified by the received requests, (1) generating a respective set of k bit positions in a Bloom filter, using k distinct hash functions, where k is an integer greater than 2, and (2) setting the respective set of k bit positions in the Bloom filter, which is stored in a non-volatile storage medium of the non-volatile data storage system. |
| US09524234B2 |
System and method for optimizing memory usage in a universal controlling device
A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device. |
| US09524229B2 |
Testing coordinator
A system for testing two or more applications associated with a computerized process may include a central repository, a user interface and a testing coordinator. The central repository may be used to store at least one test case each including a test data set and two or more sets of test scripts. The user interface may facilitate a selection of one or more test cases for use by the testing coordinator. The testing coordinator may be configured to test the operation of the computerized process by initiating testing of a first application by a first test tool using the test data set and a first set of scripts and initiating testing of the second application by the second test tool using the test data set and the second set of scripts from the selected test case. In some cases, the first test tool is incompatible with the second test tool. |
| US09524222B2 |
Method and apparatus for fault detection in a controller area network
A controller area network (CAN) has a plurality of CAN elements including a communication bus and a plurality of controllers. A method for monitoring the CAN includes detecting occurrences of a first short-lived fault and a second short-lived fault within a predefined time window. A first fault set including at least one inactive controller associated with the first short-lived fault and a second fault set including at least one inactive controller associated with the second short-lived fault are identified. An intermittent fault is located in the CAN based upon the first and second fault sets. |
| US09524217B1 |
Federated restores of availability groups
Federated restores of availability groups are described. A system backs up an availability group from a node in a cluster of nodes based on an identifier of the cluster of nodes. The system outputs information associated with at least one database replica in any availability group which is backed up based on the identifier of the cluster of nodes in response to a user request for the information. The system restores a user-selected database replica to a user-selected node in the cluster of nodes based on a user selecting at least some of the information. |
| US09524215B1 |
Systems and methods for managing virtual machine backups
A computer-implemented method for managing virtual machine backups may include (1) identifying a maximum recovery point objective for a virtual machine with a virtual machine disk file on a storage device with snapshot capabilities, (2) identifying an available snapshot of the storage device that contains the virtual machine disk file, (3) determining that the snapshot's timestamp is within the maximum recovery point objective, and (4) constructing a backup of the virtual machine using the snapshot, instead of creating the backup from the virtual machine disk file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09524213B2 |
Storage control apparatus, recording medium having stored therein storage control program and storage control method
A storage control apparatus starts, in a group of storage apparatuses that store constituent data that constitute redundant data in a distributed manner in units of a stripe, in regard to respective stripes of a plurality of stripes obtained from a group of target storage apparatuses excluding one of the storage apparatuses, a plurality of rebuilding processes for restoring the constituent data; decides, for each rebuilding process, a stripe for which the rebuilding process is to be performed next, according to access loads on the respective storage apparatuses of the group of target storage apparatuses; and obtains, for each rebuilding process, constituent data corresponding to the decided stripe from the group of target storage apparatuses and executing the rebuilding process, and executes the rebuilding process, to restore constituent data stored in the excluded storage apparatus from the obtained constituent data. |
| US09524211B1 |
Codeword management
A method for managing an encoding process, the method includes receiving or determining, by a processor, (i) code rates for multiple pages, and (ii) sizes of a plurality of data segments to be stored in the multiple pages after being encoded to provide multiple codewords; determining, by the processor, sizes of the multiple codewords while maintaining the code rates for the multiple pages and minimizing a number of split data segments out of the plurality of data segments, wherein each split data segment is split between at least two codewords of the multiple codewords, wherein a retrieval of the split data segment involves a retrieval of the at least two codewords; and sending to an encoder information about the sizes of the multiple codewords. |
| US09524206B2 |
Decoding device and error detection method
A decoding device includes a decoding unit that iteratively obtains a decoded bit stream corresponding to an information bit stream of one block, and an error detection unit that divides the decoded bit stream into a plurality of sub-blocks, acquires a plurality of partial remainders respectively corresponding to the sub-blocks, and determines whether an error occurs in the decoded bit stream based on a total remainder in which the partial remainders are added, wherein the error detection unit, of the sub-blocks, acquires a first partial remainder corresponding to a first sub-block including bits in which values are different between a previous decoded bit stream and a current decoded bit stream, and determines whether the error occurs in the current decoded bit stream based on a current total remainder obtained by adding the acquired first partial remainder to a previous total remainder. |
| US09524205B1 |
Code fingerprint-based processor malfunction detection
Techniques relate to fingerprint-based processor malfunction detection. A determination is made whether a fingerprint is present in software that is currently executing on the processor of the computer system. The fingerprint includes a representation of a sequence of behavior that occurs on the processor while the software is executing. The fingerprint corresponds to a type of malfunction. In response to determining that the fingerprint is not present in the software currently executing on the processor, monitoring of the software executing on the processor to determine whether the fingerprint is present continues. In response to determining that the fingerprint is present in the software executing on the processor, it is determined that the malfunction has occurred according to a type of the fingerprint that is present. |
| US09524204B2 |
Methods and apparatus for customizing and using a reusable database framework for fault processing applications
A method for operation of a reusable fault processing database in conjunction with a complex system is provided. The method stores a set of logical rules into one or more logic entities of the reusable fault processing database, the set comprising one or more executable instructions applicable to fault detection and fault isolation in the complex system; stores at least one defined variable for each of the received set of logical rules, the at least one defined variable being stored into one or more variable entities of the reusable fault processing database; and stores a configuration of at least one external interface of the reusable fault processing database, the configuration being stored in one or more input/output (I/O) entities of the reusable fault processing database, the external interface comprising a defined set of input to the reusable fault processing database and a defined set of output from the reusable fault processing database. |
| US09524203B1 |
Selective memory dump using usertokens
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for selectively dumping memory by using usertokens to specify an address range from 64-bit storage to be included or excluded from a memory dump. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to reduce the requirement for programs to manage lists of address ranges which represent pertinent data for applications. |
| US09524202B2 |
Communication software stack optimization using distributed error checking
A method of processing a request message begins when a first layer of a plurality of layers of a system stack receives the request message. In turn, the plurality of layers negotiate an agreement based on the request message, where the agreement indicates which layers will process particular error reply codes of an error reply code list. Then, a non-controller layer of the plurality of layers performs a first error check in accordance with the agreement and records a first error result in a communication interface based on the first error check; a controller layer of the plurality of layers performs a second error check in accordance with the agreement and records a second error result in the communication interface based on the second error check. Then a reply message responsive to the request message is outputted based on the first error check and the second error check. |
| US09524201B2 |
Safe and efficient dirty data flush for dynamic logical capacity based cache in storage systems
Systems and methods to safely and efficiently handle dirty data flush are disclosed. More specifically, when a cache controller determines that one (or more) storage device of a cache device is running out of space, that storage device is given priority to be flushed prior to the other storage devices that are not in such a critical condition. In addition, a cache bypass process can be conditionally enabled to save free physical spaces already running low on such critical cache storage devices. |
| US09524200B2 |
Consultation among feedback instances
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to consultation among feedback instances. According to one aspect, a system can receive a feedback instance consultation request for a consultation among an original feedback instance and a target feedback instance. The target feedback instance can be consulted with by the original feedback instance to enable the original feedback instance to cure a deficiency. The system can examine the feedback instance consultation request to determine if a match exists with an application programming interface associated with a target feedback instance model upon which the target feedback instance is based. If examination of the feedback instance consultation request determines that a match exists, the system can update the target feedback instance model with an intercommunication plan by which the consultation can occur. The system also can update an original feedback instance model upon which the original feedback instance is based. |
| US09524198B2 |
Messaging between web applications
The disclosed subject matter relates to a system for messaging between applications, the system having one or more processors and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving a message including an identifier associated with a web application having a subscription to receive selected events associated with a publisher operating on a data network. The operations also include receiving, from the publisher, an event notification of at least one of the selected events. The operations also include determining whether the web application is subscribed to receive the event notification. The operations also include transmitting, in a case where the web application is subscribed to receive the event notification, an indication of the event notification to the web application. |
| US09524194B2 |
Performing services on behalf of physical devices
Techniques are generally described that relate to a computer-implemented method of using a virtual device operating in a first computer network to perform a service on behalf of a low-power device operating in a second computer network includes receiving, by the virtual device, device data reports and a device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device may be adapted to store the device data reports and/or the device descriptor in computer-readable memory coupled to the virtual device. The virtual device may also be adapted to receive a low-power device service request from a requesting device operating in a third computer network and may determine that the device descriptor indicates that the low-power device is unavailable to respond to the low-power device service request. A response to the low-power device service request may be generated by the virtual device based on the device data reports. |
| US09524189B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an information processing device is connectable to a peripheral device and includes a buffer, a first operating system, a second operating system, and a monitor. The monitor is configured to enable the first operating system or the second operating system to execute in a switching manner. The monitor includes a switching controller that, when the second operating system issues an access request to the peripheral device, saves a state of the second operating system and suspends its execution as well as restores a state of the first operating system and restarts its execution. The first operating system includes a request input-output controller that reads the access request from the buffer, that divides the read access request into instructions in receivable units for the peripheral device, and that issues each instruction. The first operating system includes an access controller that accesses the peripheral device according to the instructions. |
| US09524187B2 |
Executing instruction with threshold indicating nearing of completion of transaction
In a multi-processor transaction execution environment, a transaction executes a hint instruction indicating proximity to completion of the transaction. Pending aborts of the transaction due to memory conflicts are suppressed based on the proximity of the transaction to completion. |
| US09524185B2 |
Methods and systems for automating deployment of applications in a multi-tenant database environment
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided mechanisms and methods for automating deployment of applications in a multi-tenant database environment. For example, in one embodiment, mechanisms include managing a plurality of machines operating as a machine farm within a datacenter by executing an agent provisioning script at a control hub, instructing the plurality of machines to download and instantiate a lightweight agent; pushing a plurality of URL (Uniform Resource Locator) references from the control hub to the instantiated lightweight agent on each of the plurality of machines specifying one or more applications to be provisioned and one or more dependencies for each of the applications; and loading, via the lightweight agent at each of the plurality of machines, the one or more applications and the one or more dependencies for each of the one or more applications into memory of each respective machine. |
| US09524178B2 |
Defining an instruction path to be compiled by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler
Systems and methods for executing non-native instructions in a computing system having a processor configured to execute native instructions are provided. A dynamic translator uses instruction code translation in parallel with just-in-time (JIT) compilation to execute the non-native instructions. Non-native instructions may be interpreted to generate instruction codes, which may be stored in a shadow memory. During a subsequent scheduling of a non-native instruction for execution, the corresponding instruction code may be retrieved from the shadow memory and executed, thereby avoiding reinterpreting the non-native instruction. In addition, the JIT compiler may compile instruction codes to generate native instructions, which may be made available for execution, further speeding up the execution process. A system implementing the aforementioned translator may improve performance and speed associated with executing non-native instructions by optimizing the use of instruction codes and JIT-compiled native instructions corresponding to the instruction codes when executing the non-native instructions. |
| US09524177B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a control unit, a processing unit capable of dynamically changing a circuit configuration thereof, and a storage unit configured to store circuit information indicating a circuit configuration to be read into the processing unit, wherein the processing unit reads first circuit information from the storage unit to function as a storage medium for storing a program, and wherein the control unit reads the program from the processing unit to execute the program. |
| US09524176B2 |
Method and system for binding graphical interfaces to textual code
In an embodiment, a method of binding a human machine interface to an expression of existing computer code may include analyzing the existing computer code to identify one or more bindable expressions in the existing computer code, and receiving a command to bind a human machine interface with one or more of the identified bindable expressions. The method may further include binding, using a processor, one or more of the bindable expressions with the human machine interface in response to the command. The binding may enable the human machine interface to communicate information within the existing computer code in place of the one or more bound expressions. The bound machine interface may communicate information within the computer code while the computer code is executing. |
| US09524175B2 |
Target typing of overloaded method and constructor arguments
Methods and apparatus for target typing of overloaded method and constructor arguments are described. A method comprises determining whether source code of a program includes, as an argument to an overloaded operation invocation, an expression whose type is context-dependent. The method further comprises, if the source code includes such an argument, providing the expression as an input to an overload resolver, and determining at the overload resolver whether (a) each argument of the invocation is compatible with types of corresponding parameters in one or more declarations and (b) whether a particular declaration among such a set of declarations can be identified as the most specific. If both conditions are met, the method comprises generating executable instructions for the invocation. |
| US09524173B2 |
Fast reboot for a switch
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a packet processor, a persistent storage module, and a boot-up management module. The packet processor identifies a switch identifier associated with the switch in the header of a packet. The persistent storage module stores configuration information of the switch in a first table in a local persistent storage. This configuration information is included in a configuration file, and the first table includes one or more columns for the attribute values of the configuration information. The boot-up management module loads the attribute values to corresponding switch modules from the first table without processing the configuration file. |
| US09524166B2 |
Tracking long GHV in high performance out-of-order superscalar processors
Tracking global history vector in high performance out of order superscalar processors, in one aspect, may comprise providing a shift register storing global history vector that stores branch predictions and outcomes. A counter is maintained to determine a number of bits to shift the shift register to recover branch history. In another aspect, the global history vector may be implemented with a circular buffer structure. Youngest and oldest pointers to the circular buffer are maintained and used in recovery. |
| US09524161B1 |
Configuration management of engineering artifacts with automatic identification of related change sets based on type system
A user input initiating delivery of a first change set to a stream maintained by an artifact management application can be detected. A first set of elements and a first set of elements types associated with the first change set can be identified. A second set of element types that pertain to at least one unit of work identified for the first set of elements can be identified. A second set of elements that are involved in the same unit of work can be identified. A second change set modifying the second set of elements can be identified. A third change set modifying at least one element type can be identified. A change set group can be created and the first change set, the second change set and the third change set can be added to the change set group. The change set group can be delivered to the stream. |
| US09524160B2 |
In-vehicle program update apparatus
A gateway electronic control unit (ECU) includes an update condition table that indicates a vehicle load state that updates an ECU program corresponding to each of several ECUs. The gateway ECU wirelessly communicates with an external center apparatus to receive an update file. The gateway ECU uses the update condition table to determine whether the current vehicle load state equals a lightly loaded state capable of updating an ECU program or a heavily loaded state incapable of updating an ECU program. If the current vehicle load state is determined to equal the lightly loaded state, the gateway ECU updates an ECU program using the update file received from the center apparatus. If the current vehicle load state is determined to equal the heavily loaded state, the gateway ECU performs environment improvement control based on the update condition table to change the current vehicle load state to the lightly loaded state. |
| US09524156B2 |
Flexible feature deployment strategy
A vehicle may gather vehicle build configuration information, and provide a vehicle identifier and the vehicle information to a server. The server may determine a feature set configuration of a configurable module of the vehicle based on the vehicle information and vehicle feature associations retrieved from a vehicle data source, and provide, in a message topic of a topic tree associated with the vehicle identifier to which the vehicle is subscribed, a notification to configure the configurable module. The vehicle may update a feature set configuration of a configurable module supporting a plurality of features based on the notification. |
| US09524155B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and storage medium
An information processing apparatus arranged to add on a function in accordance with a file to be actually edited among files held by a user to allow the user to select a function to be added to an image processing application in accordance with image information of a selected image, determines a feature of an image selected from a recording medium, searches for and decides a function to be added to the application on the basis of the determined feature, and installs a program corresponding to the decided function in the information processing apparatus from outside. |
| US09524150B2 |
System and method for software development using graphical tree structures
A method for building a software application includes: creating data fields based on input from a user, each having a value or a reference to another data field; grouping the data fields into node data structures, each having a node state for specifying allowable operations; assigning respective node data structures to a plurality of container data structures, respectively, where each container data structure stores information about conditions, actions, actions results, and permission settings to operate on one or more data fields. The method further includes creating tree data structures by linking the container data structures in a predetermined hierarchical manner, where each tree data structure includes information about relations of container data. structures and node data structures in each tree data structure; and linking the tree data structures in an ordered sequence to create a computer executable process for performing an application. |
| US09524147B2 |
Entity-based cross-application navigation
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing entity-based, cross-application navigation according to an implementation. One computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for data and callable entities associated with a provided entity context, transmitting the data and callable entities, receiving request for bootstrap code associated with a target application, generating bootstrap code containing an application environment runtime detection library and application environment navigation data, and transmitting the bootstrap code. |
| US09524144B2 |
Data processing method and related device
Data processing method and related devices for determining the result of a first type of operation involving an operand in an electronic entity comprising a non-volatile storage unit, includes the following steps: converting a data, derived from at least one key portion designed to be used with the operand in the first type of operation, into a key data adapted to be used with the operand in a second type of operation; storing the key data in the non-volatile storage unit; reading in the non-volatile storage unit the key data; performing the second type of operation with the read key data and the operand. |
| US09524142B2 |
System and method for providing, gesture control of audio information
A 3D gesture based interface for controlling audio information in flight deck applications is provided. The system and method utilize a set of simple, intuitive 3D gestures, and unburden the pilot of searching for specific audio device controls. The system and method are intuitive and enable the pilot to quickly silence or subdue non-essential audio information, before interfering with essential audio information. |
| US09524135B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method for diving and outputting a print job
Provided is an image forming system where a plurality of image forming apparatuses for printing an image on a sheet based on a job, and outputting the image are connected with one another in a communicable manner, including a communication unit to carry out the communication, and a control unit to manage the job, and control the communication unit, where the control unit divides the job for sequentially processing a plurality of steps into a plurality of divided step jobs, executes a former part of the divided step jobs on an image forming apparatus which can execute the former part of the divided step jobs, and reserves a latter part of the divided step jobs on an image forming apparatus which can execute the latter part of the divided step jobs, and is different from the image forming apparatus, thereby enabling efficient execution of the job. |
| US09524132B2 |
System and method for remotely servicing an industrial printer
A method and system for remote servicing of an industrial printer includes obtaining, on a processor, sensor data that indicates values output by a sensors configured to measure physical phenomena related to a plurality of components of the industrial printer. Also obtained, on the processor, is parameter data that indicates values for parameters that indicate user settings for operation of the industrial printer. It is determined, on the processor, a service issue related to the industrial printer based on the sensor data and the parameter data, It is also determined, at least in part on the processor, an action to be performed on the industrial printer in response to the service issue. Furthermore; the action is caused to be initiated. In some embodiments, the action is initiated at one facility different from a facility where the industrial printer is located. |
| US09524128B2 |
Information security for printing systems
The disclosed embodiments provide a system for managing use of a printing system. During operation, the system obtains a request for print job information associated with the printing system and/or subscription information associated with subscriptions to events in the printing system. Next, the system obtains an access control policy associated with the request. The system then filters the print job and/or subscription information based on the access control policy and responds to the request with the filtered print job and/or subscription information. As a result, the system may facilitate information security in the printing system. |
| US09524126B2 |
Methods and system for printing device service restart
Example systems and methods may relate to performing a service restart on a printing device. A method preferably includes receiving a setting modification for a printing device, and storing the setting modification in an entity database. The method then includes receiving, at a network manager, an indication of the setting modification. The method further includes determining, by the network manager, responsive to receiving the indication of the setting modification, whether a network restart is required. The method yet further includes upon determining that the network restart is not required, determining, by a protocol manager, based on the setting modification stored in the entity database, a service requiring a restart. The method then includes initiating a restart of the determined service. |
| US09524124B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device may include a first memory cell array configured to store data according to a first address on a first basis, a second memory cell array configured to store data according to a second address on a second basis that is relatively smaller than the first basis, a memory selector configured to select one of the first memory cell array and the second memory cell array to store data during a write request, and an address map table configured to store mapping information between the first and second addresses for data stored in the second memory cell array. |
| US09524122B2 |
Metadata storage in unused portions of a virtual disk file
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and method for storing metadata to unused portions of a virtual disk file. In a particular embodiment, a method provides selecting a virtual disk file stored on a data storage volume and identifying unused portions of the virtual disk file. The method further provides writing metadata for the virtual disk file in the unused portions of the virtual disk file. |
| US09524117B2 |
Control of page access in memory
The present techniques provide systems and methods of controlling access to more than one open page in a memory component, such as a memory bank. Several components may request access to the memory banks. A controller can receive the requests and open or close the pages in the memory bank in response to the requests. In some embodiments, the controller assigns priority to some components requesting access, and assigns a specific page in a memory bank to the priority component. Further, additional available pages in the same memory bank may also be opened by other priority components, or by components with lower priorities. The controller may conserve power, or may increase the efficiency of processing transactions between components and the memory bank by closing pages after time outs, after transactions are complete, or in response to a number of requests received by masters. |
| US09524114B2 |
Optimizing synchronous write via speculation
A method implemented in a data processing system comprising receiving an input/output (IO) write request from a processing thread to transfer data from a memory of the data processing system to an IO device, setting the memory as read-only memory to protect the data from overwrite before the data is transferred to the IO device, and sending, in response to the IO write request, a speculative IO write completion response to the processing thread to enable the processing thread to continue execution without waiting for the data to be transferred to the IO device. |
| US09524113B2 |
Variable redundancy in a solid state drive
An apparatus comprising a memory and a controller. The memory may be configured to process a plurality of read/write operations. The memory comprises a plurality of memory modules each having a size less than a total size of the memory. The controller is configured to provide a first redundancy scheme when user data occupies less than a preconfigured limit and a second redundancy scheme that protects less than all of the user data when the user data occupies greater than the preconfigured limit. |
| US09524109B2 |
Tiered data storage in flash memory based on write activity
A method includes receiving data objects for storage in at least one or more first storage devices characterized by a first write endurance, and one or more second storage devices characterized by a second write endurance that is lower than the first write endurance. Respective write-activity levels are estimated for the data objects. For each data object, a choice is made whether to store the data object in the first storage devices or in the second storage devices based on an estimated write-activity level of the data object. The data object is stored in the chosen storage devices. |
| US09524107B2 |
Host-based device drivers for enhancing operations in redundant array of independent disks systems
Methods and structure for host-side device drivers for Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) systems. One system includes a processor and memory of a host, which implement a device driver. The device driver receives an Input/Output (I/O) request from an Operating System (OS) of the host, translates Logical Block Addresses (LBAs) from the received request into physical addresses at multiple storage devices, generates child I/O requests directed to the physical addresses based on the received request, and accesses an address lock system at a RAID controller to determine whether the physical addresses are accessible. If the physical addresses are accessible, the device driver reserves the physical addresses by updating the address lock system, and directs the child I/O requests to a hardware path at the RAID controller for handling single-strip I/O requests. If the physical addresses are not accessible, the device driver delays processing of the child I/O requests. |
| US09524106B1 |
Storage method and apparatus for random access memory using codeword storage
A memory circuit, such as an embedded DRAM array, stores information as groups of bits or data using information coding in storage and retrieval data, instead of each bit being stored separately. Write data words can be mapped to storage format words that are stored and defined by a Hadamard matrix. The storage format word is stored as charge levels in an addressable memory location. For retrieving stored data, charge levels are read from the storage cells and interpreted to a valid storage format word. Hadamard code maximal likelihood decoding can be used to derive a read data word corresponding to a previously written write data word. The write data word is then output as the result of a read of the selected addressable location, or a portion thereof. The mapping can be two or more Hadamard matrix mappings concatenated for each of a plurality of storage format words. |
| US09524105B2 |
Process and apparatus to reduce declared capacity of a storage device by altering an encoding format
Systems, methods and/or devices are used to reduce declared capacity of non-volatile memory of a storage device in a storage system. In one aspect, the method includes, detecting an amelioration trigger for reducing declared capacity of non-volatile memory of a storage device of the storage system, and in accordance with the detected amelioration trigger, performing an amelioration process to reduce declared capacity of the non-volatile memory of the storage device, the performing including: altering an encoding format of at least a portion of the non-volatile memory of the storage device, and reducing declared capacity of the non-volatile memory of the storage device. In some embodiments, the storage device includes one or more flash memory devices. In some embodiments, the detecting, the performing, or both are performed by the storage device, or by one or more subsystems of the storage system distinct from the storage device, or by the host. |
| US09524102B2 |
Optimizing migration/copy of de-duplicated data
A mechanism is provided for optimizing migration/copying of de-duplicated data from an internal storage system to a removable storage system. A preliminary number of clusters to be generated are determined for sets of data objects stored on the internal storage system based on a number of the sets of data objects. The preliminary number of clusters is generated based on shortest distances between the sets of data objects, each cluster comprising one or more sets of data objects and each set of data objects comprising one or more chunks of data. A chosen cluster is identified from a set of clusters by identifying a cluster having a greatest number of common chunks within as few sets of data objects. Responsive to an export-size of the chosen cluster failing to exceed the available storage capacity of the removable storage system, the chosen cluster is exported to the removable storage system. |
| US09524100B2 |
Page table including data fetch width indicator
Embodiments relate to a page table including a data fetch width indicator. An aspect includes allocating a memory page in a main memory to an application. Another aspect includes creating a page table entry corresponding to the memory page in the page table. Another aspect includes determining, by a data fetch width indicator determination logic, the data fetch width indicator for the memory page. Another aspect includes sending a notification of the data fetch width indicator from the data fetch width indicator determination logic to supervisory software. Another aspect includes setting the data fetch width indicator in the page table entry by the supervisory software based on the notification. Another aspect includes, based on a cache miss in the cache memory corresponding to an address that is located in the memory page, fetching an amount of data from the memory page based on the data fetch width indicator. |
| US09524088B2 |
User interface
A method of controlling communication quality between one node and at least one other node in a packet switched communication system, the method comprising the steps of detecting at one of said nodes a condition that indicates that communication quality is below an acceptable threshold, automatically generating instructions based on the detected condition for a user of the at least one node, said instructions intended to provide a remedy to improve the communication quality, and receiving input from a user of the at least one node responsive to the instructions to implement the remedy and thereby improve the communication quality. |
| US09524085B2 |
Hand-held device with ancillary touch activated transformation of active element
A hand-held electronic device, method of operation and computer readable medium are disclosed. The device may include a case having one or more major surfaces. A visual display and a touch interface are disposed on at least one of the major surfaces. A processor is operably coupled to the visual display and touch screen. Instructions executable by the processor may be configured to: a) present an image on the visual display containing one or more active elements; b) correlate one or more active portions of the touch interface to one or more corresponding active elements in the image on the visual display; and c) present a transformed active element corresponding to a particular one of the one or more active elements on the visual display in response to a user interaction with a corresponding one of the one or more active portions. |
| US09524083B2 |
Customizing mobile media end cap user interfaces based on mobile device orientation
A mobile device determines playback of a media item is complete on the mobile device and determines that an orientation of the mobile device is in landscape mode in response to the playback being complete. The mobile device provides a user interface that corresponds to the landscape mode and presents additional content pertaining to the media item in the landscape mode. |
| US09524081B2 |
Synchronizing virtual actor's performances to a speaker's voice
A system for generating and displaying holographic visual aids associated with a story to an end user of a head-mounted display device while the end user is reading the story or perceiving the story being read aloud is described. The story may be embodied within a reading object (e.g., a book) in which words of the story may be displayed to the end user. The holographic visual aids may include a predefined character animation that is synchronized to a portion of the story corresponding with the character being animated. A reading pace of a portion of the story may be used to control the playback speed of the predefined character animation in real-time such that the character is perceived to be lip-syncing the story being read aloud. In some cases, an existing book without predetermined AR tags may be augmented with holographic visual aids. |
| US09524078B2 |
System and method for managing objects in a multimedia container
A system and method for managing objects in a multimedia container. The method includes displaying, on a mobile device, a piece of content; receiving an indication the piece of content is to be added to a subsequently identified multimedia container; displaying a list of a plurality of multimedia containers, wherein each of the multimedia containers is operable to comprise a plurality of media types; receiving an indication identifying a selected multimedia container; and displaying an indication that the piece of content has been added to the selected one of the plurality of multimedia containers. The method can further comprise: determining an image corresponding to the piece of content; and modifying a datastore corresponding to the selected multimedia container. Determining of the image corresponding to the piece of content can comprise accessing a book cover image, determining a rendering of a website, etc. The mobile device can be a tablet computing device. |
| US09524075B2 |
System and method for cursor-based application management
A system and method of managing applications and event notifications using a cursor-based GUI, wherein the cursor-based GUI is located adjacent to the cursor and provides a user with the ability manage and monitor a plurality of dynamically updated applications, commands and event notifications via a persistent and centralized interface. Since the cursor-based GUI is persistent in nature, the plurality of applications, commands and event notifications can be accessed regardless of the user's computer environment. The user can manage user authentication requirements and other configuration information for the cursor-based GUI. |
| US09524073B1 |
Triggering action on a web page
A method and computer system for receiving a selection of a first element of one or more elements on a web page via a user interface. A selection of an action to associate with the first element is received via the user interface. The action is associated with the first element on the web page based upon, at least in part, receiving the selection of the action. |
| US09524068B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To achieve improved detection accuracy and position resolution in an in-cell type capacitive touch sensor embedded in a liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal display device, a drive electrode of a touch sensor is formed of a transparent conductive film laminated on a surface of a TFT substrate on a liquid crystal side below a pixel electrode, and disposed in a region between gate lines. A detection electrode is formed of a transparent conductive film laminated on an outward-directed surface of the TFT substrate. A drive signal is supplied to the drive electrode to cause a voltage change, and based on the voltage change in the detection electrode caused thereby, a capacitance change in an opposing part between the drive electrode and the detection electrode is detected, to thereby detect contact of an object to a display surface near the opposing part in a liquid crystal panel. |
| US09524067B2 |
Capacitive touch screen with adaptive touch sensing threshold based on sharpness of the capacitive data
A capacitive touch system generates data indicative of sensed capacitance measured at capacitive sensing nodes of a capacitive touch panel. A signal processing circuit is coupled to receive the data indicative of sensed capacitance from the capacitive touch system. The signal processing circuit operates to fit a parabolic curve to the data indicative of sensed capacitance. A sharpness of the fit parabolic curve is indicative of whether touch versus hover interaction with the capacitive touch panel. A touch detection threshold is as a function of the determined sharpness. The set touch detection threshold is then applied against the data indicative of sensed capacitance in order to make a touch detection. |
| US09524062B2 |
Projection display
An optical module includes a polarized-light separation device configured to separate first and second polarized components of incident light, a light valve configured to receive at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the received light to the polarized-light separation device. The optical module further includes an imaging device disposed at a position that is at least substantially optically conjugated with the light valve, and as optical member positioned and configured to remove at least a portion of the second polarized component of the incident light before reaching the image pickup device. |
| US09524057B2 |
Portable display device and method of controlling therefor
A display device detecting pressure of a touch input is disclosed. The display device calibrates the pressure of the touch input based on a distance between a position where the display device is gripped and a position on which the touch input is received. By calibrating the pressure of the touch input, the display device can obtain more precise pressure of a touch input. |
| US09524056B2 |
Capacitive voltage information sensing circuit and related anti-noise touch circuit
The present disclosure provides a capacitor voltage information sensing circuit. The capacitor voltage information sensing circuit includes a mixer and an analog filter. The mixer includes a first input terminal for receiving a reference signal, a second input terminal for receiving a voltage signal, the voltage signal includes capacitor voltage information and a noise when a touch occurs, a first output terminal for outputting a first differential signal according to the voltage signal and the reference signal, and a second output terminal for outputting a second differential signal according to the voltage signal and the reference signal. The analog filter is coupled to the mixer for generating a first low-frequency signal and a second low-frequency signal according to the first differential signal and second differential signal. |
| US09524055B2 |
Display device detecting touch on display unit
An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) serving as a display device detects a touch on the touch panel and then sets a wait time in accordance with the position of the touch on the touch panel. If another touch is detected before the wait time has passed since the touch on the touch panel is detected, the MFP determines that the detected two touches are multi-touch. If the wait time has passed without detecting another touch since the touch on the touch panel is detected, the MFP determines that the detected touch is single touch. |
| US09524053B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device (1) of the present invention includes: a contact input section (51) for detecting an operating object being in a contact state; a proximity input section (52) for detecting the operating object being in a proximity state; a contact position obtaining section (20, 21) for obtaining a contact position; a proximity position obtaining section (22, 23) for obtaining a proximity position; an inputted contents specifying section (25, 27) for specifying an input from a user in accordance with the contact position and the proximity position; and a process carrying out section (26) for carrying out a process in accordance with the input. |
| US09524045B2 |
Digitizer, stylus and method of synchronization therewith
A method for operating a digitizer with an autonomous asynchronous stylus includes sampling outputs from a digitizer, detecting from the outputs at least one pulsed signal transmitted from an autonomous asynchronous stylus at a defined rate, determining a location of the stylus interaction with respect to the digitizer, and tracking stylus interaction with the digitizer over subsequent pulsed signals transmitted from the stylus. |
| US09524043B2 |
Touch screen and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a touch screen, comprising the steps of: a) forming a conductive layer on a substrate; b) forming an etching resist pattern on the conductive layer; and c) forming a conductive pattern having a line width smaller than the line width of the etching resist pattern by over-etching the conductive layer by using the etching resist pattern and a touch screen manufactured by the method. According to the present invention, a touch screen comprising a conductive pattern having an ultrafine line width can be economically and efficiently provided. |
| US09524042B1 |
Method and appartus for determining a valid sequence of touch events on a touch sensitive device
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for determining a valid sequence of touch events on a touch sensitive device. A first sequence of touch events is received, a proximity between any two touch events of the first sequence of touch events being greater than a proximity threshold. A second sequence of touch events is received. The touch events from the first and the second sequence are combined if a time difference between the first and the second sequence of touch events is below a time threshold and a proximity between the first and the second sequence of touch events is less than the proximity threshold. A valid sequence of touch events is determined if a combined pressure of the first and the second sequence of touch events is greater than a pressure threshold. |
| US09524040B2 |
Image editing apparatus and method for selecting area of interest
An image editing apparatus and an image editing method for selecting an area of interest, in which a user more accurately selects an area desired to be selected using a finger by setting a position of a touch input as a selection start point for starting image selection if the user performs the touch input on a background image at the time of image editing, sets a trace generated by moving the background image or the selects start point as a selection image area, and selecting the set selection image area from the background image. |
| US09524038B2 |
Device that manages power provided to an object sensor
A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface. |
| US09524034B2 |
Communication control system
A communication control system for a vehicle having a steering member, having a controller and at least one switch carried on the steering member. |
| US09524029B2 |
Indeterminable gesture recognition using accumulated probability factors
The present invention is to appropriately determine a gesture operation detected to perform data processing according thereto. In the present invention, a CPU judges a processing status at the time of the detection of a gesture operation performed on a touch panel, and after determining its gesture operation type according to the processing status, performs data processing according to the operation type. In this case, the CPU determines and evaluates a gesture operation type for each processing status, and updates values (evaluation accumulation values) of a flick priority pointer and a tap priority pointer. Then, based on these values of the flick priority pointer and the tap priority pointer, the CPU determines one of the gesture operation types (flick operation/tap operation). |
| US09524017B2 |
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. |
| US09524013B2 |
System interconnect dynamic scaling by lane width and operating frequency balancing
Interface management techniques provide reduced power consumption along with reducing heat and EMI generation in a computer system having multiple interconnected processing units. Physical link layers of external interfaces that interconnect the processing units have dynamically adjustable bandwidth provided by an adjustable width and adjustable operating frequency. The bandwidths may be dynamically adjusted by predicting interface bandwidth requirements. From a required bandwidth, an active width and an operating frequency for the physical link layers are determined and set. The interface is operated according to the determined width and operating frequency. |
| US09524010B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes transmitting/receiving sections, response processing sections, a determining section, and a controller. The transmitting/receiving sections transmit and receive data. The response processing sections correspond to the transmitting/receiving sections in a one-to-one relationship. A state of each response processing section is switchable between a first state and second state. The determining section determines priorities of state transition processes for the response processing sections. In a case where a second response processing section starts a state transition process while a first response processing section is performing a state transition process and in a case where the second response processing section is given a higher priority than the first response processing section, the controller controls the response processing sections to suspend the state transition process for the first response processing section and to start the state transition process for the second response processing section. |
| US09524009B2 |
Managing the operation of a computing device by determining performance-power states
A method and system for managing the operation of a computing system are described herein. The method includes determining a number of workloads on the computing system. The method also includes determining a number of performance-power states for each workload and a corresponding performance range and power consumption range for each performance-power state. The method further includes managing performance and power consumption of the computing system based on the performance-power states. |
| US09524007B2 |
Diagnostic systems and methods of finite state machines
In one embodiment, a power management integrated circuit comprises a finite state machine having a first terminal to receive a digital command signal, a second terminal to receive a clock signal, and a third terminal to receive a first reset signal to reset the finite state machine into a predetermined operational state. A plurality of diagnostic registers is configured to store a signal state of the digital command signal or a clock state of the clock signal, or both in response to the first reset signal. The diagnostic registers are configured to maintain the signal state or the clock state, or both after powering down of the power management integrated circuit in response to the first reset signal. The diagnostic registers are configured to allow retrieval of the stored signal state or the stored clock state, or both upon power on of the power management integrated circuit. |
| US09524004B2 |
Wearable display device
A wearable display device includes a flexible display, a first engaging member and a second engaging member. The flexible display includes a folded line. The flexible display is for being bent along the folded line to remain in an extended state or a folded state. At the extended state, the flexible display has a first display screen. At the folded state, the flexible display has a second display screen. The first display screen is larger than the second display screen. The first engaging member and the second engaging member are disposed on two sides of the flexible display, respectively. The first engaging member corresponds to the second engaging member. When the flexible display is folded from the extended state to the folded state, the first engaging member is for being fastened to the second engaging member, and the flexible display is bent and surround to form a wearing space. |
| US09523997B2 |
Push-button switch, selector switch, and fixing component therefor
A fixing component for a switch including a flange, a ring attachment, and a screw attachment, the flange including a projection provided on an outer peripheral surface, the screw attachment including, on an inner peripheral surface, an insertion area into which the projection of the flange is inserted, a projection engaging part into which the projection of the flange is fitted, and an interference projection which is formed between the projection engaging part and the insertion area and has a smaller inner diameter than diameters of the projection engaging part and the insertion area, the projection of the flange including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion where the first projecting portion is fitted into a guiding groove, and the second projecting portion is configured to traverse the interference projection to be fitted into a fitting groove when the flange and the screw attachment are rotated relatively. |
| US09523995B2 |
Reference voltage circuit
Provided is a reference voltage circuit with improved temperature characteristics. A current based on a current flowing through a first depletion transistor whose gate and source are connected to each other is caused to flow through a third depletion transistor having the same threshold, to thereby generate a voltage between a gate and a source of the third depletion transistor. A current based on a current flowing through a second depletion transistor whose gate and source are connected to each other is caused to flow through a fourth depletion transistor having the same threshold, to thereby generate a voltage between a gate and a source of the fourth depletion transistor. A reference voltage is generated based on a difference voltage of the two voltages, to thereby obtain a reference voltage having less voltage fluctuations with respect to a temperature change. |
| US09523994B2 |
Temperature insensitive transient current source
A current source includes a first current path including a first current mirror transistor and an input current source coupled in series, a second current path including a second current minor transistor, wherein control terminals of the first and second current minor transistors are connected, a first circuit configured to provide a controlled auxiliary current in the second current path, and a second circuit configured to provide a controlled output current in the second current path when or after the auxiliary current has reached steady state. The current source may include one or more cascode transistors in the first current path and one or more cascode transistors in the second current path. The first circuit may be activated before the second circuit is activated. |
| US09523993B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring and managing device-level energy consumption in a smart-home environment
Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management. |
| US09523987B2 |
Capacity control valve
In a capacity control valve, a discharged-fluid-receiving part having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of a valve hole interconnecting a first valve chamber and a third valve chamber is provided to the outer periphery section of a third valve part. It is thereby possible to obtain a capacity control valve in which, when the first valve part opens, the discharged-fluid-receiving part receives the pressure of the discharged fluid, the actuation response of the valve body during an opening action is moderated, an excessive increase in the sensitivity to a rise in pressure in the crank chamber caused by a rapid increase in the amount of coolant flowing into the crank chamber is prevented, and the action of the valve body is stable. |
| US09523984B1 |
Methods and systems for determining instructions for pulling over an autonomous vehicle
Methods and systems for determining instructions for pulling over an autonomous vehicle are described. An example method may involve identifying a region of a road ahead of the autonomous vehicle based on lane boundaries of the road, one or more road boundaries indicating an edge of the road, and a size of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining a braking profile for reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the region and a speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining, based on the braking profile, a trajectory such that the autonomous vehicle will travel within the region while reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may further involve determining instructions for pulling over and stopping the autonomous vehicle in the region in accordance with the determined trajectory and storing the instructions in a memory accessible by a computing device. |
| US09523980B2 |
Closed loop cyclic timing optimizer control system and method
A system and method for the optimization of the cycles of events occurring in an I.S. machine that automatically optimizes the cycles of events occurring in an I.S. machine by using information relating to the characteristics of the hot glass containers manufactured by the I.S. machine obtained by monitoring the hot glass containers immediately subsequent to their manufacture. Optionally, information relating to process values associated with the operation of the I.S. machine may also be monitored and used in the optimization of the cycles of events occurring in the I.S. machine. Also optionally, the active limits of the event times may be modified by an operator based upon observations of the operation of the I.S. machine. |
| US09523977B2 |
Barcode menu structure advancement
A method for dispensing products from a vending machine includes presenting a start screen of a user interface including menu options associated with a selection of a product. A first interaction associated with the menu options is received and recorded for use in generating an identifier. Additional interactions are received and recorded for use in generating the identifier. Each of the additional interactions corresponds to a selection made a unique sub menu of a plurality of sub menus. The additional interactions are associated with the selection of the product. A last interaction of the additional interactions determines the product to be purchased. An identifier is generated based on the recorded first interaction and the recorded at least one additional interaction. The identifier represents a sequential mapping of the first interaction and the additional interactions. The product and the identifier are provided to a user of the vending machine. |
| US09523976B1 |
Method and system for processing a semiconductor wafer using data associated with previously processed wafers
A method of processing a wafer in a production tool includes receiving a wafer at a process tool, the wafer associated with a wafer process history, acquiring data associated with wafers processed by the process tool and having the wafer process history, when the amount of acquired data is insufficient, acquiring additional data associated with wafers processed by the process tool and having a process history differing from the wafer process history by a single factor, when the amount of acquired data is sufficient, determining a process parameter using the acquired data, and processing the wafer with the production tool using the process parameter. |
| US09523974B2 |
Method of controlling operation of an exhaust fluid treatment apparatus
An exhaust flow treatment apparatus to treat exhaust flow emitted by a combustion engine is configured to receive unburnt fuel for combustion therein after confirming that conditions are such that the unburnt fuel is likely to combust in the apparatus. A method of controlling operation of an exhaust flow treatment apparatus includes confirming that the temperature of fluid in the apparatus exceeds a threshold temperature before allowing unburnt fuel into the apparatus. The method may confirm a particular mode of operation of the exhaust flow treatment apparatus to determine the appropriate quantity of fuel for burning in the apparatus. |
| US09523970B2 |
Field device information display apparatus and method that display information based on proximity
A device information display apparatus displaying device information acquired by communicating with a field device may include a storage unit that associates and stores first position information indicating a position at which the device information displayed on the display device is acquired and reproduction information for reproducing display content of the display device that has been modified based on an operation instruction for the device information displayed on the display device; a position information acquisition unit that acquires second position information indicating a current position of the device information display apparatus; and a display control unit that calculates a distance between positions indicated by the first position information and the second position information, wherein if the distance is no greater than a prescribed reference distance, the reproduced information corresponding to the first position information is used to reproduce the display content of the display device on the display device. |
| US09523969B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking the quality and efficiency of machine instructions for operating an associated controller
Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for tracking the quality and efficiency of the machine instructions to operate an associated controller. The method may include: receiving, by at least one processor, a plurality of rules associated with an optimization procedure for a plurality of machine instructions for operating an associated controller; determining an evaluation, by the at least one processor, for the plurality of machine instructions based at least in part on the plurality of rules; and outputting the evaluation. |
| US09523965B2 |
Modular portable stackable device
A portable modularized stack device includes a flexible wristband and an electronic module. The flexible wristband has a belt which is embedded with wires therein. The belt has a receiving portion formed thereon, a first connector connected at one end of the belt and a second connector connected at the other end of the belt. The first connector and the second connector are matched correspondingly. The flexible wristband further has a third connector. The electronic module has a fourth connector and is disposed on the receiving portion of the flexible wristband. The fourth connector is connected to the third connector. Thus, the present invention can be varied and expanded by stacking another electronic device thereon, and the flexible wristband can be used as a transmission line. |
| US09523962B2 |
Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece that displays time based on city data related to the time of a city includes: a second home time storage area and a third world time storage area that store additional city data related to the time of an additional city transmitted from an external device; a storage area other than the second home time storage area and the third world time storage area; and a processing unit that clears the additional city data stored in the second home time storage area and the third world time storage area when selected data is switched from the additional city data stored in the second home time storage area and the third world time storage area to the city data stored in the storage area. |
| US09523960B2 |
Illumination device, display apparatus, and timepiece
There is provided an illumination device including: a light guide plate in which a light diffusion pattern of diffusing incident light is formed to have density that is coarse on one side and gets denser toward the other side; a first light source which is provided on a side corresponding to the one side of the light diffusion pattern in the light guide plate; and a second light source which is provided on a side corresponding to the other side of the light diffusion pattern in the light guide plate. |
| US09523957B2 |
Image forming apparatus with rollers configured to reset the lateral position of a sheet
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section; a pair of rollers; a displacement detection section; a displacement correction section; a translation amount determination section; and a control section configured to refer to a translation control table, operate the displacement correction section in accordance with a translation command value corresponding to a detection result obtained by the displacement detection section, obtain at a predetermined timing a relationship between the translation command value and a translation amount of the sheet, and update the translation control table on the basis of the relationship. The control section updates the translation control table when a displacement of a sheet is correctable, but does not update the translation control table when a displacement of a sheet is correctable. |
| US09523956B2 |
Translating pre-transfer baffle for optimized performance
An apparatus adapted for presenting a sheet of media to an image transfer structure. The apparatus includes a registration baffle positioned in an offset relationship relative to the image transfer structure and a pre-transfer baffle assembly including a first baffle oppositely disposed to a second baffle, the pre-transfer assembly generally forms an “S” shape and is adapted for guiding the sheet of media from the registration baffle to the image transfer structure. The pre-transfer baffle assembly is arranged in a first position adapted for guiding the sheet of media toward the image transfer structure at an angle of less than ninety degrees, and the pre-transfer baffle automatically begins rotation to a second position as the sheet of media reaches a pre-determined position within a paper path. |
| US09523953B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus may include an image forming unit configured to form an image on a printing medium and a control unit configured to perform at least one of a user authentication operation, an image forming preparation operation, and an image forming operation according to distance information between a portable electronic device and the image forming apparatus. |
| US09523951B2 |
Fixing apparatus for fixing toner image on a recording medium of tubular shape
A fixing apparatus having a tubular shape, a heater, a heat conduction member that contacts a surface of the heater, a support member configured to support the heater via the heat conduction member, a roller that forms a nip portion with the heater via the film, and a connector arranged in any one of end portions of the heater, wherein the heat conduction member includes a restriction portion configured to restrict a movement of the heat conduction member, and wherein the restriction portion is arranged only in a region that is closer to the connector than a position, of the nip portion, to which the maximum pressure is applied. |
| US09523950B1 |
Heating device, fixing device, image forming apparatus, and base material for heating device
A heating device includes a belt member that is rotated, plural heating elements that are arranged in a width direction of the belt member and generate heat so as to heat the belt member, plural resistance elements that have positive temperature coefficients and are connected to the plural heating elements such that each of the plural resistance elements is connected in series with a corresponding one of the plural heating elements, and a base material that includes a heat-conductive metal layer and a pair of heat-resistant metal layers between which the heat-conductive metal layer is interposed and has a surface on which the plural heating elements and the plural resistance elements are disposed. A temperature of the belt member is reduced by an increase in resistances of the plural resistance elements caused by an increase in temperatures of the plural resistance elements. |
| US09523946B2 |
Method and device for digital printing to a recording medium with liquid ink
A method and device for digital printing to a recording medium with liquid print color is described. In a method for digital printing, a print image defined by print data is printed onto the recording medium via application of the liquid print color. After the application of the liquid print color onto the recording medium, the recording medium can be heated to vaporize the carrier fluid. Upon heating, air is supplied that mixes with the vapor to form a combustible gas. The combustible gas can be supplied to a combustion chamber and converted into waste gas. In a method for digital printing, an areal coverage can be determined. The areal coverage describes a quantity of color applied onto the recording medium by the carrier fluid. Further, the air supply can be proportionally controlled to the determined areal coverage. |
| US09523940B2 |
Powder detector, developing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and powder detecting method
A powder detector to detect an amount of powder in the powder container includes a wall without a through hole, a vibration plate attached to an inner face of the wall, a contact member to vibrate the vibration plate, and a vibration detector to detect a vibration state of the vibration plate. The vibration detector is attached to an outer face of the wall to face the vibration plate via the wall. The powder has flowability, and the vibration state of the vibration plate is affected by the powder in the powder container. |
| US09523938B2 |
Polymeric dispersant for liquid developer, liquid developer, and printed matter
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a polymeric dispersant for a liquid developer, which is obtained by copolymerizing at least an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having an amino group, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 9 to 24, and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer represented by general formula (1) shown below: CH2═C(R1)COO(AO)nR2 General formula (1) wherein, R1 represents H or CH3, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 1 to 22, n represents an integer of 1 to 200, and A represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 4. |
| US09523934B2 |
Engineering-grade consumable materials for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having an engineering-grade thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner. |
| US09523932B2 |
Method to achieve tribocharge uniformity of a developer mix across different temperature and humidity conditions by modifying the surface of the magnetic carrier particle
A method for providing a developer mix having tribocharge uniformity across varying temperature and humidity conditions is provided. A developer mix used in a dual component development (DCD) system typically is a mixture of toner particles and magnetic carrier particles. Tribocharge uniformity is achieved in the developer mix by performing the step of treating the surface of the magnetic carrier particles with surface additives before the magnetic carrier particles are mixed with the toner particles. Surface additives include but are not limited to silica, titania and alumina. |
| US09523929B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
In an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a first intermediate layer contains a polymerized product of a composition including an electron transporting substance having a polymerizable functional group, and a crosslinking agent, and a second intermediate layer contains a binder resin and a metal oxide particle. |
| US09523928B2 |
Fluorinated structured organic film photoreceptor layers
A method of forming an overcoat layer. The method comprises providing a substrate having an imaging structure formed thereon, the imaging structure comprising (i) a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer, or (ii) an imaging layer comprising both charge generating material and charge transport material. An overcoat composition is deposited on the imaging structure, the overcoat composition comprising a charge transport molecule, a fluorinated building block, a leveling agent, a liquid carrier and optionally a first catalyst. The fluorinated building block is a fluorinated alkyl monomer substituted at the α and ω positions with a hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl or aldehyde functional group or the anhydrides of any of those functional groups. The overcoat composition is cured to form an overcoat layer that is a fluorinated structured organic film, the curing comprising treating an outer surface of the overcoat composition with at least one cross-linking process. The crosslinking process forms a cross-linking gradient in the overcoat layer. If the overcoat composition comprises the first catalyst, there is an insufficient amount of the first catalyst to fully cross-link the overcoat layer. |
| US09523925B2 |
Single reflective optical element for interference lithography
A single reflective optical element is constructed for use in interference lithography. The single reflective optical element is generally made up of at least two, and preferably four, polished reflective strips arranged to have particular angles relative to a laser beam passing through the optical element. A laser beam passing through the optical element will be partially reflected by the reflective strips to generate additional linearly polarized beams. The additional reflected beams overlap with the central laser beam and form an interference pattern as the beams pass out of the optical element. The generated polarized beams and interference pattern can be directed onto a photosensitive material to produce photonic crystals or photonic crystal templates. |
| US09523922B2 |
Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus having a temperature control device
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a primary light source, a system pupil surface and a mirror array. The mirror array is arranged between the primary light source and the system pupil surface. The mirror array includes a plurality of adaptive mirror elements. Each mirror element includes a mirror support and a reflective coating. Each mirror element is configured to direct light produced by the primary light source towards the system pupil surface. The mirror elements can be tiltably mounted with respect to a support structure. The mirror elements include structures having a different coefficient of thermal expansion and being fixedly attached to one another. A temperature control device is configured to variably modify the temperature distribution within the structures to change the shape of the mirror elements. |
| US09523920B2 |
Exposure device and exposure method
An exposure device and an exposure method are provided. The exposure device includes an exposure lamp, a mask plate and a marking equipment. The marking equipment includes a guide rail frame disposed on the mask plate, and at least one marking vehicle disposed on the guide rail frame, a controller. The controller acts to make the guide rail frame move to a corresponding exposure location on the mask plate earlier than the exposure lamp under its control, and to make the marking vehicle lie in a corresponding marking location by dint of its control, for displaying a corresponding marking identification. |
| US09523913B2 |
Pattern forming method, actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film, method for manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
A pattern forming method comprises (i) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing: (A) a resin containing a repeating unit having a group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to produce a polar group, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and (C) a solvent, (ii) a step of exposing the film, and (iii) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern, wherein the content of a repeating unit represented by the following formula (I) is less than 20 mol % based on all repeating units in the resin (A) and the resin (A) contains a repeating unit having a non-phenolic aromatic group other than the repeating unit represented by the specific formula. |
| US09523911B2 |
Radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist pattern-forming method, acid generator and compound
The present invention provides a radiation-sensitive resin composition that contains a polymer having a structural unit that includes an acid-labile group; and an acid generator, wherein the acid generator includes a compound including a sulfonate anion having SO3−, wherein a hydrogen atom or an electron-donating group bonds to an α carbon atom with respect to SO3−, and an electron-withdrawing group bonds to a β carbon atom with respect to SO3−; and a radiation-degradable onium cation. The compound preferably has a group represented by the following formula (1-1) or (1-2). In the following formulae (1-1) and (1-2), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent electron-donating group. R3 represent a monovalent electron-withdrawing group. R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group. |
| US09523906B2 |
Projection device capable of changing direction of light projection
A projection device of the invention includes a housing, a light engine disposed in the housing, a lens disposed on a lateral side of the housing, and a light direction regulating mechanism disposed on the lateral side and in front of the lens. The light direction regulating mechanism is able to determine propagation of the light in a selected direction after the light passes through the lens. |
| US09523902B2 |
Mitigating thermal shock in tintable windows
Tintable optical components such as windows are provided with a controller designed or configured to control the tinting in a manner that resists exposure to damaging thermal shock. The controller determines that a trigger condition for thermal shock is occurring or is about to occur and takes steps to avoid damaging thermal shock. In some cases, these steps include increasing the transmissivity of the optical component or holding the component in a highly transmissive state. In some cases, the steps involve heating the component. |
| US09523901B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device
The invention provides an array substrate including an array of sub-pixels, multiple data lines and multiple scan lines. The array of sub-pixels is divided into multiple column groups along the arrangement direction of the data lines and divided into multiple row groups along the arrangement direction of the scan lines. By the arrangement design of a connection manner of the sub-pixels with the data lines and scan lines in the array substrate, when is driven by a dot inversion method, each column of sub-pixels have intervally arranged well-charged sub-pixels and poorly-charged sub-pixels, so that in a liquid crystal panel including the array substrate, brightnesses of various areas are balanced on the whole and the drawback of the existence of bright and dark lines in the vertical direction is improved. A liquid crystal panel including the array substrate, and a corresponding liquid crystal display device also are provided. |
| US09523896B2 |
Border masking structures for liquid crystal displays
A display may have a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer and color filter layer. Light blocking structures in an inactive area of the display may prevent stray backlight from leaking out of the display. The thin-film transistor layer may have a first substrate, a first black masking layer, a planarization layer, and a layer of TFT circuitry on the planarization layer. The color filter layer may have a second substrate and a second black masking layer on the second substrate. Light-cured sealant may be formed between the TFT layer and the color filter layer. Gaps may be formed in the second black masking layer to allow light to cure the sealant. At least a portion of the TFT circuitry may serve to block stray backlight penetrating through the gaps in the second black masking layer during normal operation of the display. |
| US09523893B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having increased brightness at a peripheral region of a pixel
In order to increase the transmittance around a pixel and to increase the brightness of the screen in an IPS mode liquid crystal display device, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on a common electrode through an interlayer insulating film. An opening is formed in the common electrode on the outside of the end portion of the pixel electrode as seen in a plane view. Because of the presence of the opening, the electric field lines from the end portion of the pixel electrode reach the layer above the liquid crystal layer and reach further away from the end portion of the pixel electrode, so that it is possible to increase the control ability to the liquid crystal around the pixel. As a result, the pixel transmittance can be increased as a whole and the brightness of the screen can be increased. |
| US09523891B2 |
Display panel and manufacture method thereof
The present invention provides a display substrate and a manufacture method thereof. The display substrate locates the common electrode (10) above the pixel electrode (20) and overlapping with the pixel electrode (20) on the same substrate (100); the common electrode (10) comprises a first opening (OP1), a second opening (OP2), a third opening (OP3) and a fourth opening (OP4) which are symmetrically located to one another; the first opening (OP1) comprises an eleventh extension part (OP11) extending along a tilt direction, a twelfth extension part (OP12) perpendicular with the eleventh extension part (OP11) and a thirteenth extension part (OP13) perpendicular with the eleventh extension part (OP11), of which the liquid crystal molecules can be aligned along different directions to form multi-domains in a plurality of pixel areas, and thus, the color washout can be improved, and meanwhile, the brightness descend caused by the crystal textures formed at edges of respective domains can be diminished or prevented. |
| US09523890B2 |
Liquid crystal display element and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal panel includes substrates opposed to each other and paired. The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates. The liquid crystal panel includes a sealed portion that includes bending corner portions at positions spaced from the outer edges of the substrates, and surrounds the periphery of the liquid crystal layer and bonds the substrates together. The liquid crystal panel includes main spacers that are interposed between the substrates at the position of the liquid crystal layer and hold the gap between the substrates. The liquid crystal panel includes auxiliary spacers that are interposed between the substrates to fill the portions between the outer side portions of the corner portions of the sealed portion and the outer edge sides of the substrates and hold the gap between the substrates. |
| US09523889B2 |
Liquid crystal display unit and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device with which response characteristics are able to be easily improved without using major equipment is provided. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device includes steps of forming a first alignment film including a polymer compound having a crosslinkable functional group as a side chain on one substrate of a pair of substrates; forming a second alignment film on the other substrate of the pair of substrates; arranging the pair of substrates so that the first alignment film and the second alignment film are opposed to each other, and sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal molecule having negative dielectric constant anisotropy between the first alignment film and the second alignment film; and bridging the polymer compound to give pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecule 41 after sealing the liquid crystal layer. |
| US09523886B2 |
Backlight unit having reflective/transmissive lens and display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a light source and a lens unit optically coupled to the light source. A surface of the lens unit facing the light source includes areas coated with a reflective material for reflecting light from the light source away from the lens, and a transmissive area for transmitting light from the light source towards ran output surface of the lens. A display device includes a display panel, a light diffuser, the backlight unit and a reflective element, the backlight unit arranged between the light diffuser and the reflective element, and the display panel positioned opposite the backlight unit with respect to the light diffuser. |
| US09523883B2 |
LED unit and display incoporating the same
An LCD module includes a screen, a light diffusion plate, a first lens, a second lens and an LED. The second lens covers the first lens which in turn covers the LED. The first lens has a first fly-eye lens array formed on a light-incident face thereof and a second fly-eye lens array formed on a light-emergent face thereof. Each of the first fly-eye lens array and the second fly-eye lens array includes multiple convex micro-lenses. The second lens is a light diffusion lens. Light emitted from the LED is diffused by the first lens and the second lens to uniformly illuminate the screen through the light diffusion plate. |
| US09523882B2 |
Film for backlight unit and backlight unit and liquid crystal display including same
A film for a backlight unit including a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite film including a semiconductor nanocrystal and a matrix polymer in which the semiconductor nanocrystal is dispersed, wherein the matrix polymer is a polymer produced by a polymerization of a multifunctional photo-curable oligomer, a mono-functional photo-curable monomer, and a multifunctional photo-curable cross-linking agent, the multifunctional photo-curable oligomer has an acid value of less than or equal to about 0.1 mg of KOH/g, and a content (A1) of a first structural unit derived from the multifunctional photo-curable oligomer, a content (A2) of a second structural unit derived from the mono-functional photo-curable monomer, and a content (A3) of a third structural unit derived from the multifunctional photo-curable cross-linking agent satisfy Equation 1: A1<(A2+A3). Equation 1 |
| US09523878B2 |
Display device capable of displaying a continuous image
A display device includes display units arranged in an array and a light guide unit. Each display unit includes a display panel including a display surface configured for displaying an image, and a frame located adjacent to edges of the display surface. The light guide unit includes a lower light guide and an upper light guide. The lower light guide is located above the display units, and includes first gratings. Each first grating corresponds to a side of one of the display unit and is configured for refracting light emitted from the display surface towards the corresponding side of the display unit. The upper light guide is located above the lower light guide and includes second gratings. Each second grating corresponds to one of the first gratings and is configured for reversely refracting light transmitted through the first grating towards a center of the display unit. |
| US09523873B2 |
System and method for direct imaging
A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot. |
| US09523859B2 |
Volumetric-image forming system and method thereof
A volumetric-image forming system comprises an optical image-forming means 15 and a volumetric display apparatus 17, the optical image-forming means 15 having light-transmitting and plate-like first and second reflecting members 13 and 14 respectively provided with belt-like first and second reflecting surfaces 11 and 12, the first and second reflecting surfaces 11 and 12 being arranged perpendicular to a plate surface and in parallel at a constant pitch, the first and second reflecting surfaces further being arranged crossing one another, the volumetric display apparatus 17 being arranged in the back side of the optical image-forming means 15 and displaying a luminous volumetric image A in a resting or dynamic state inside a display apparatus 16 from electronic data, whereby a volumetric image A inside the display apparatus 16 is formed as a volumetric image B in a free space in the front side of the optical image-forming means 15. |
| US09523857B2 |
Beam shaping optics of flow cytometer systems and methods related thereto
In some aspects, a flow cytometer system is provided that includes beam shaping optics positioned to manipulate a light beam and produce a resulting light beam that irradiates the core stream at the interrogation zone of the flow cell. The beam shaping optics include an acylindrical lens positioned to receive and focus light in a direction of a first axis orthogonal to a direction of light travel, and a cylindrical lens positioned to receive the light output from the acylindrical lens and to focus the light output from the acylindrical lens in a direction of a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and to the direction of light travel. The resulting light beam output has a flat-top shaped intensity profile along the first axis, and a Gaussian-shaped intensity profile along the second axis. Related methods of shaping a light beam at an interrogation zone of a flow cell are also provided. |
| US09523856B2 |
See-through computer display systems
Aspects of the present invention relate to providing see-through computer display optics. |
| US09523855B2 |
Virtual image display apparatus
A virtual image display apparatus includes a video image display element which generates video image light and a light guiding member which includes a plurality of optical surfaces and guides the video image light by reflecting on an inner surface side. The light guiding member is a block-shaped member including, as a plurality of optical surfaces, a pair of facing planes which extend substantially in parallel with each other and fully reflect the video image. The light guiding member includes a pair of side portions interposing the pair of facing planes in a direction vertical to a light guiding direction. At least one side portion of the pair of side portions couples the pair of facing planes by a flat plane including a tapered surface which is adjacent to the one plane of the pair of facing planes and forms an obtuse angle. |
| US09523853B1 |
Providing focus assistance to users of a head mounted display
A head mounted display (“HMD”) includes a display module that displays a primary viewing image at a focus distance. The display module also displays a focusing cue image at the focus distance to aid a user of the HMD in focusing on the primary viewing image at the focus distance. |
| US09523846B2 |
3D localisation microscopy and 4D localisation microscopy and tracking methods and systems
A 3D localization microscopy system, 4D localization microscopy system, or an emitter tracking system arranged to cause a phase difference between light passing to or from one part of the objective relative to light passing to or from another part of the objective, to produce a point emitter image which comprises two lobes, a separation between which is related to the position of the emitter relative to the objective of the imaging system, and in the 4D system a further property of which image or of said light to or from the objective is related to another location independent property of the emitter. |
| US09523837B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a driving device, an image sensing device, a lens group frame, and an infrared filter. The driving device has a lens barrel for an optical signal passing through. The image sensing device is on a path of the optical signal to convert the optical signal into an electric signal. The lens group frame is provided in the lens barrel, and has a main body, which is driven by the driving device to be moved between a first position and a second position, and a lens holder, which is pivotally connected on the main body and is swung between a third position and a fourth position when the main body is respectively at the first and the second positions. The infrared filter is provided on the lens holder, and is precisely aligned with the image sensing device when the lens holder is at the fourth position. |
| US09523836B2 |
Image pickup device and program
An image capture device includes: a first and second optical system including a first and second focus lens, respectively; a first image sensor that outputs an electrical signal representing a subject image that has been produced through the first focus lens; a second image sensor that outputs an electrical signal representing a subject image produced through the second focus lens; and a drive controller that moves the first and second focus lenses along their optical axes. The drive controller has the second focus lens follow a position determined by a position of the first focus lens until the first focus lens reaches a position close to in-focus position, and then moves the first and second focus lenses to in-focus positions independently of each other once the first focus lens has reached the position close to the in-focus position. |
| US09523828B2 |
Optical transceiver having bail working independently of linear motion of slider
A mechanism for an optical transceiver to latch with and release from a cage is disclosed. The mechanism includes a bail rotatable around an axis and a slider linearly movable between the latching position and the releasing position. The rotation of bail is independent of the liner motion of the slider. |
| US09523823B2 |
Lockable coupling for detachable connection of fiber-optical light guides
A coupling for detachable connection of a light guide to a coupling counterpart, includes a coupling body that is connected to a light guide frame, a gripping casing that surrounds the coupling body, and at least one locking hook that is movably held in a radially resilient manner for locking engagement behind at least one locking projection of the coupling counterpart, whereby the gripping casing is rotatably supported on the coupling body and the locking hook can be lifted out of locking engagement by rotary movement of the gripping casing. The locking hook is pre-tensioned and held in a locking position in response to an elastic force of a resilient tongue that carries the locking hook. The coupling body merges into the resilient tongue in an axial direction such that an exterior surface of the coupling body and an exterior surface of the resilient tongue are level with each other. |
| US09523822B2 |
Optical connector
The invention provides an optical connector for coupling with a complementary optical connector and for supporting an optical component. The connector comprises a cover moveable between a first and second position. The cover may also comprise a moveable shield and biasing components. There is also provided an optical connector assembly comprising covers that sequentially open. A PCB comprising waveguides and an optical component sub-mount for integrating with the PCB is also presented. |
| US09523820B1 |
Adiabatic polarization rotation and splitting
A photonic device comprising a first waveguide core and a second waveguide core. The first waveguide core is asymmetric relative to an imaginary plane that bisects a height of the first waveguide core and is parallel to the bottom surface of the first waveguide core throughout a first region of the photonic device. A side surface of the second waveguide core is parallel to the first waveguide core throughout the first region of the photonic device. |
| US09523819B2 |
Optical component and optical device
The present invention provides an optical component and an optical device, and the optical component includes a two-dimensional fiber array and a compensation block, where an end face of the two-dimensional fiber array is obliquely polished as a whole; the compensation block is disposed between the two-dimensional fiber array and another optical component; any two light beams that pass through the two-dimensional fiber array and are emitted from the obliquely polished end face of the two-dimensional fiber array are incident to an end face of the compensation block in parallel, and are incident to an end face of the another optical component in parallel after being refracted by another end face of the compensation block. |
| US09523813B2 |
Optical fiber having a cladding layer doped with metal nano-particles, coreless optical fiber, and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to an optical fiber for an SPR sensor, characterized in that the optical fiber is comprised of a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer, and the cladding layer is doped with metal nanoparticles. |
| US09523810B2 |
Illumination device and display device
In an illumination device of the invention, as an arrangement interval of light deflection elements in a first direction discontinuously varies, an arrangement interval in a first direction becomes small with increased distance from an incidence face, where one of regions adjacent to each other which is close to the incidence face is referred to as a first region, the other of the regions which is away from the incidence face is referred to as a second region, as the arrangement interval of the light deflection elements in a second direction discontinuously varies at a boundary between the first region and the second region, the arrangement interval of part of the first region which is closest to the incidence face is smaller than the arrangement interval of part of the second region which is closest to the boundary. |
| US09523804B2 |
Method and system for managing light at an optical interface
An interface between two different optical materials can comprise a stack of thin film layers that manage light incident on that interface. One of the optical materials can have a first composition and a first refractive index, while the other optical material can have a second composition and a second refractive index. The stack can comprise thin film layers of the first optical material interleaved between thin film layers of the second optical material. The layers of the stack can be configured to provide the stack with an aggregate composition of at least one of the optical materials that progressively varies from one end of the stack to the other end. To provide the progressive variation in composition, the layers of one of the optical materials can have a progressively increased thickness across the stack, or can progressively increase in number, for example. |
| US09523800B2 |
Computation efficiency by iterative spatial harmonics order truncation
A method for improving computation efficiency for diffraction signals in optical metrology is described. The method includes simulating a set of spatial harmonics orders for a grating structure. The set of spatial harmonics orders is truncated to provide a first truncated set of spatial harmonics orders based on a first pattern. The first truncated set of spatial harmonics orders is modified by an iterative process to provide a second truncated set of spatial harmonics orders based on a second pattern, the second pattern different from the first pattern. Finally, a simulated spectrum is provided based on the second truncated set of spatial harmonics orders. |
| US09523798B2 |
Element array and element array laminate
Provided is an element array in which an error in pitch among elements in the element array is absorbed surely in a step of laminating a plurality of element arrays so that each group of the elements arrayed in the laminating direction can be aligned with high accuracy. The element array has a plurality of elements arrayed one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, and a flexible support formed out of a material richer in elasticity than a material forming the elements. The elements are coupled with one another through the support. |
| US09523795B2 |
Antistatic antireflection film, method for manufacturing antistatic antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device
An antistatic antireflection film, including; a support; a hardcoat layer formed from a composition for a hardcoat layer containing at least a compound having a quaternary ammonium salt group; and a low refractive index layer formed from a composition for a low refractive index layer containing at least the following (a), (b), (c) and (d), in this order, wherein, (a) is an ethylenically unsaturated group-containing fluoropolymer, (b) is a fluorine-containing polyfunctional monomer having a surface free energy of 23 mN/m or more when a film is formed alone, four or less —CF3 groups in a molecule, a fluorine content of 30% or more, and at least three reactive functional groups in one molecule, (c) is hollow silica fine particles having an average particle size of 10 nm to 100 nm, and (d) is a compound having a dimethylsiloxane structure. |
| US09523793B2 |
Composition for manufacturing contact lenses and method for manufacturing contact lenses by using the same
A composition is provided for manufacturing contact lenses including a siloxane macromer represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1-C4 alkyl groups, R4 is C1-C6 alkyl group, R5 is a residue obtained by removing NCO group from an aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate, R6 and R7 are independently alkylene groups, and n is an integer of about 4-80, m is an integer of about 3-40; a crosslinking agent or a siloxane macromer represented by the following formula (II), wherein p is an integer of 4-80 and q is an integer of 3-40: and an initiator. |
| US09523792B2 |
Polarizer having protection films in two sides and optical device comprising the same
A double-sided polarizer includes a polarizing film, a first adhesive layer formed on one surface of the polarizing film, a second adhesive layer formed on the other surface of the polarizing film, a first transparent film formed on the first adhesive layer, and a second transparent film formed on the second adhesive layer, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are formed of an active energy line-curable adhesive and the first adhesive layer is 0.1 μm to 3 μm thick, and there is also provided an optical device including the double-sided polarizer. |
| US09523789B2 |
Systems, machines, methods, and associated data processing to explore and analyze subterranean geophysical formations
Systems, methods, and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation. |
| US09523787B2 |
Remote pumped dual core optical fiber system for use in subterranean wells
A downhole optical system can include an optical fiber disposed in a subterranean well, and an optical fiber amplifier which amplifies optical power in a core of the optical fiber in the well, the amplifier being optically pumped with optical power in another core of the optical fiber in the well. Another downhole optical system can include an optical fiber disposed in a subterranean well, the optical fiber comprising multiple cores, and an optical fiber amplifier comprising multiple cores optically coupled respectively to the optical fiber multiple cores in the well. |
| US09523778B2 |
Calibration and normalization systems and methods for radiopharmaceutical synthesizers
The present invention relates to calibration and normalization systems and methods for ensuring the quality of radiopharmaceuticals during the synthesis thereof, such as radiopharmaceuticals used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). |
| US09523775B2 |
System to extend battery power in remote tracking devices
An RF asset-tracking device that has an extended operational life, thus increasing the duration between battery replacement or maintenance. The asset-tracking device is provided with an electro-mechanical energy-harvesting device to supplement the battery. The energy-harvesting device provides additional power to augment the battery on a temporary basis, when the battery level is low, until the battery can be replaced. In one particular embodiment, the tracking device has a power management system, a battery power source and a battery monitor, and an electro-mechanical energy-harvesting device and a high capacity supercapacitor operably connected to the power management system. |
| US09523773B2 |
System and methods for countering satellite-navigated munitions
A defense system that receives information regarding an incoming object(s), then automatically coordinates spoofing or jamming of SATNAV signals potentially used by the incoming object(s) while also informing friendly systems of the spoofing or jamming of SATNAV signals. |
| US09523772B2 |
Object removal using lidar-based classification
In scenarios involving the capturing of an environment, it may be desirable to remove temporary objects (e.g., vehicles depicted in captured images of a street) in furtherance of individual privacy and/or an unobstructed rendering of the environment. However, techniques involving the evaluation of visual images to identify and remove objects may be imprecise, e.g., failing to identify and remove some objects while incorrectly omitting portions of the images that do not depict such objects. However, such capturing scenarios often involve capturing a lidar point cloud, which may identify the presence and shapes of objects with higher precision. The lidar data may also enable a movement classification of respective objects differentiating moving and stationary objects, which may facilitate an accurate removal of the objects from the rendering of the environment (e.g., identifying the object in a first image may guide the identification of the object in sequentially adjacent images). |
| US09523763B2 |
Satellite-based integer cycle ambiguity resolution of local medium wave radio signals
A system and methods for resolving integer cycle ambiguity in medium wave carrier radio signals are presented. A satellite signal is received at a receiving location and a measured code phase of the satellite signal is measured. A satellite location estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the measured code phase. Medium wave radio carrier signals from medium wave radio transmitters are received at the receiving location. A number of wavelengths of the medium wave radio carrier signals from the satellite location estimate to each of the medium wave radio transmitters is determined respectively. A carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals is measured. An improved position estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the number of wavelengths and the carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals, and a location of each of the medium wave radio transmitters. |
| US09523762B2 |
Determining a position of a terminal
It is disclosed an apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a position of a terminal. It is checked if an intersection of all areas of a set of areas that are associated with one or more communication nodes and represent and/or limit possible positions of a terminal is potentially non-empty. Each of the areas is associable with a respective bounding box. The intersection is defined to be potentially non-empty if an intersection of all of the bounding boxes would be non-empty. A position of the terminal is determined in dependence on a result of the checking if the intersection of all areas of the set of areas is potentially non-empty. |
| US09523761B1 |
Geolocation with redundant aircraft antennas system and related method
A system and method is disclosed for using two or more currently installed antenna elements on a vehicle for geolocation of a remote emitter. Redundant antenna elements initially installed for a non-geolocation purpose are employed to receive signals from the remote emitter. A splitter is used to tap from the received signal where the content of the received signal, if desired, is available to a non-geolocation receiver for which the antenna element was originally designed. The splitter transmits the split portion of the signal to a geolocation sensing receiver for signal processing based on a two or more antenna element geolocation solution. |
| US09523758B2 |
Methods and systems for use in tracking targets for use in direction finding systems
A first user device transmits a first signal, and a second user device transmits a second signal. A processing unit receives the first signal and the second signal. The processing unit identifies the first user device as an active target and the second user device as an active tracking device based on a predefined rule set including a plurality of selection criteria. |
| US09523753B2 |
Simultaneous non-contrast MR angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (SNAP) MR imaging
Magnetic resonance (MR) spins are inverted by applying an inversion recovery (IR) radio frequency pulse (50). MR signals are acquired at an inversion time (TI) after the IR radio frequency pulse. TI is selected such that a first tissue of interest (e.g., blood) exhibits negative magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse and a second tissue (e.g., intraplaque hemorrhage tissue) exhibits positive magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse. The acquired magnetic resonance signals are reconstructed to generate spatial pixels or voxels wherein positive pixel or voxel values indicate spatial locations of positive magnetism and negative pixel or voxel values indicates spatial locations of negative magnetism. A first image (28) representative of the first tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having negative signal intensities, and a second image (26) representative of the second tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having positive signal intensities. |
| US09523752B2 |
Interface for medical imaging device
A system and method for modifying an imaging plane of a medical imaging device is presented. An electronic device includes a tilt sensor. The electronic device is configured to monitor a tilt of the electronic device. A computer is configured to receive an indication of the tilt of the electronic device, translate the indication of the tilt of the electronic device into a corresponding movement of the imaging plane of the medical imaging device, and transmit an instruction to the medical imaging device to cause the corresponding movement of the imaging plane. The medical imaging device may include an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. |
| US09523749B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging of chemical species
At least two chemical species are imaged using magnetic resonance imaging with signal separation for the two chemical species. The method includes acquiring first and second echo data at different echo times resulting in a first and second acquired complex dataset, —modelling the first and second acquired dataset, said modelling comprising a spectral signal model of at least one of the chemical species, —identifying in the first and second acquired dataset the voxels for which the modelling yields a single, unambiguous mathematical solution for the signal separation, and —resolving the ambiguity for the voxels for which the modelling yields more than one mathematical solution, if any such voxels remain. |
| US09523747B2 |
Magnetoresistive device and method for manufacturing the same
A magnetoresistive device includes a carrier, an xMR-sensor, a magnetic layer formed above an active xMR-region of the xMR-sensor and an insulating layer arranged between the xMR-sensor and the magnetic layer. |
| US09523746B2 |
Giant magnetoresistance element and current sensor using the same
A GMR element includes a fixed magnetic layer in which magnetization is fixed; a free magnetic layer in which magnetization is changed by an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer which is positioned between the fixed magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, in which the free magnetic layer is formed by laminating a CoFe alloy and a CoFeB alloy. A current sensor uses the GMR element. |
| US09523744B2 |
Sensing apparatus using a plurality of hall sensors
A sensing apparatus and sensing device using the sensing apparatus are capable of identifying a relative position of a body which includes a magnetic module by using sensing data of a sensor unit which may be arranged in a 3 dimensional structure. |
| US09523736B2 |
Detection of fault injection attacks using high-fanout networks
An apparatus for detecting fault injection includes a high-fanout network, which spans an Integrated Circuit (IC), and circuitry. In some embodiments, the high-fanout network is continuously inactive during functional operation of the IC, and the circuitry is configured to sense signal levels at multiple sampling points in the high-fanout network, and to identify a fault injection attempt by detecting, based on the sensed signal levels, a signal abnormality in the high-fanout network. In some embodiments, the circuitry is configured to sense signal levels at multiple sampling points in the high-fanout network, to distinguish, based on the sensed signal levels, between legitimate signal variations and signal abnormalities in the high-fanout network during functional operation of the IC, and to identify a fault injection attempt by detecting a signal abnormality. |
| US09523734B2 |
Test apparatus and movable test chamber thereof
A test apparatus includes a plurality of rails, a plurality of test zones and a movable test chamber. The test zones are located between the rails. The movable test chamber includes a passageway, at least one heat source and at least one pair of rolling balls. The heat source is used to heat the passageway. The pair of rolling balls is movably contained in two rails, so as to facilitate movement of the passageway to different test zones. |
| US09523733B2 |
Automatic test equipment for testing an oscillating crystal and method for operating the same
Embodiments of the invention relate to automatic test equipment for testing a circuit having an oscillating crystal and to a method for operating such automatic test equipment. A generator generates a first signal comprising an oscillating part having at least one predetermined frequency. A first terminal couples the first signal to the oscillating crystal. At least one predetermined frequency is located inside a predetermined window around one of the resonance frequencies of the oscillating crystal. An analyzer has a second terminal coupled to the oscillating crystal for detecting a second signal and a rectifier connected in series with a low-pass filter for rectifying and filtering the second signal. A detector for detects a DC-signal at the output of the low-pass filter and for signals a valid test result for the oscillating crystal if the DC-signal exceeds a certain threshold value. |
| US09523730B2 |
Architecture and method to determine leakage impedance and leakage voltage node
A circuit, system, machine-readable storage medium and method for detecting the leakage impedance in a voltage source is described. The method for identifying a presence of a leakage path in a multi-cell floating voltage source may include supplying a current to a node of the floating voltage source and sampling the voltage of the floating voltage source using a pair of amplifiers connecting in inverting configurations. The method may include sampling a reference ground potential using a reference amplifier connected in an inverting configuration. Each of the amplifiers may output an output signal. The method may include adjusting the current supplied to the node of the floating voltage source and resampling the voltage of the floating voltage source and the reference ground potential. The value of the leakage impedance may be calculated using the sampled and resampled values. The measurements may be performed independent of the battery voltage. |
| US09523729B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing electric conductors
A testing device for testing electric conductors includes a probe configured to measure a magnetic field caused by a current in one or more electric conductors of a device under testing (DUT). An output generator configured to generate output data, wherein the output data depend on the measured magnetic field. |
| US09523727B2 |
Electronic device with impedance measurement circuitry
An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include wireless transceiver circuitry that transmits signals towards an antenna. A signal path may carry the transmitted signals to the antenna. Reflected signals from the antenna may be carried along the signal path towards the transceiver circuitry. Coupler circuitry may include a forward coupler that taps the transmitted signals, a first reverse coupler that taps the reflected signals from the antenna, and a second reverse coupler that taps the reflected signals that have passed through the first reverse coupler. Analog processing circuitry and digital processing circuitry may be used to produce an impedance measurement from the tapped signals from the coupler circuitry. The analog processing circuitry may include analog signal mixers, low pass filters, and analog-to-digital converter circuitry. |
| US09523725B2 |
Configurable analog front-end for mutual capacitance sensing and self capacitance sensing
Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitive to voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode. |
| US09523717B2 |
Method for measuring the waveform capture rate of parallel digital storage oscilloscope
The present invention provides a method for measuring the waveform capture rate of parallel digital storage oscilloscope. On the basis of double pulse measurement, and in consideration of the asymmetry of acquisition and the refreshing time of parallel DSO, the present invention provides a step amplitude-frequency combined pulse measurement to measure the time for waveform acquisition and mapping Tmap, the number of captured waveforms before LCD refreshing Wacq and the dead time caused by LCD refreshing TDDT, and then calculates the measured average WCR of parallel DSO, according to the measured data, so that the WCR of parallel can be measured. |
| US09523713B2 |
Interconnects including liquid metal
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to interconnects that include liquid metal, and associated techniques and configurations. The individual interconnects may electrically couple a contact of a printed circuit board (PCB) to a contact of a device under test (DUT). The interconnect may be disposed in or on the PCB. In various embodiments, the interconnect may include a carrier that defines a well (e.g., an opening in the carrier), and the liquid metal may be disposed in the well. In some embodiments, the contact of the DUT, or a contact of an intermediary device, may extend into the well and directly contact the liquid metal. In other embodiments, a flex circuit may be disposed over the well to seal the well. The flex circuit may include a conductive pad to electrically couple the liquid metal to the contact of the DUT. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09523712B2 |
Eddy current probe rotator
Provided is an inspection apparatus that includes a rotation disk configured to spin about an axis of rotation. The rotation disk includes a probe bushing configured to securely hold a standard eddy current probe a predetermined distance above a surface to be examined by the probe. The rotation disk is further configured to adjustably hold the standard eddy current probe such that the radial offset of the probe from the axis of rotation is set using a radial positioning set screw that is coupled to the rotation disk via a first slotted arm. The predetermined distance is set using a probe height set screw configured to secure the probe within the probe bushing. An outer stationary housing is coupled to the rotation disk such that the rotation disk rotates within the outer stationary housing. |
| US09523710B2 |
Electrical component testing nest
A nest includes a fix part, and a movable part, wherein the fix part and movable part are configured to cooperate so as to define a pocket which can receive at least a part of an electrical component, wherein the movable part is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the pocket is open so that at least part of the electrical component can be moved into the pocket, and in the second position the pocket is closed so that the at least part of the electrical component positioned in the pocket is secured within the pocket, wherein the nest further includes a biasing means which is arranged to bias the movable part towards its second position. There is further provided a nest assembly, a component handling assembly, and a table that includes the nest. |
| US09523709B2 |
Method of manufacturing multilayer wiring board, probe card including multilayer wiring board manufactured by the method, and multilayer wiring board
A method of manufacturing a multilayer wiring board includes a stacking process in which insulating layers, each of which includes a ceramic layer and a shrinkage suppression layer being stacked on top of the ceramic layer, are stacked on top of one another, a press-bonding process in which the insulating layers are press-bonded, so that a multilayer body is formed, and a firing process in which the multilayer body is fired. In the stacking process, in each of the insulating layers, a wiring electrode is formed on a surface of the shrinkage suppression layer on the opposite side to the surface of the layer facing the ceramic layer, and the thickness of a peripheral area of the shrinkage suppression layer located around the area of the shrinkage suppression layer that is in contact with the electrode is larger than those of portions of the layer except for the peripheral area. |
| US09523706B2 |
Posture sensor automatic calibration
A system and method automatically calibrate a posture sensor, such as by detecting a walking state or a posture change. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect a patient's activity or posture. This information can be used to automatically calibrate subsequent posture or acceleration data. |
| US09523705B2 |
Acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor
Disclosed herein is an acceleration sensor, including: a mass body part including a first mass body and a second mass body; a frame supporting the first mass body and the second mass body; first flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame; and second flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame, wherein the first mass body and the second mass body are each connected to the frame so as to be eccentric by the second flexible part. |
| US09523704B2 |
Flight time
Systems and methods for monitoring athletic performances include determining “flight time,” e.g., the amount of time both feet are off the ground, and optionally “flight time” resulting from different types of activities, such as jogging, running, sprinting, jumping, etc. “Flight time” may help a player or coach better understand the effort the athlete is putting out, compare efforts of two or more players, gauge the athlete's performance change over time, and/or identify conditioning needs and/or areas for improvement. Such systems and methods also may generate and display various athletic performance metrics, such as: instantaneous flight time; average flight time; cumulative flight time during an athletic performance or other time period; instantaneous jump height; average jump height; cumulative jump height during an athletic performance or other time period; and comparisons of any flight time and/or jump height metric(s) of one player against another player and/or against himself/herself; etc. |
| US09523703B2 |
Velocity profile mapping system
A velocity mapping system comprising a sensor system and an airflow mapper. The sensor system is configured to generate data about a velocity of airflow for a location in a duct system. The airflow mapper is configured to receive the data from the sensor system and generate a profile of the velocity of the airflow at the location in the duct system. |
| US09523702B2 |
Sensor unit, electronic device, and moving body
A sensor unit includes sensors. Each of the sensors provides a measurement axis. A connector is electrically connected with the sensors. The position of the connector is fixed relative to the sensors. A memory unit stores calibration information which specifies the respective directions of the measurement axes with respect to a reference plane established for the connector. |
| US09523701B2 |
Sample plate systems and methods
A sample plate comprising a sample well is disclosed. The sample well can comprise one or more bead retaining chambers. A method of using the sample plate and a kit comprising the sample plate is also disclosed. |
| US09523692B2 |
Homogenous populations of molecules
The invention provides populations of molecules that are prepared as, or treated to become, homogeneous for one or more molecular characteristics. In an aspect, the invention relates to molecular weight standards that may be used to determine the molecular weight or apparent molecular weight of uncharacterized molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, as well as in other applications. In one aspect, the molecular weight standards are pre-stained. |
| US09523691B2 |
Use of the olfactomedin-4 protein (OLFM4) in colorectal cancer diagnosis
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing KRAS mutations in colorectal cancers by measuring the level of OLFM4. In another aspect, the present invention relates a method of predicting the responds to a chemotherapeutic agent of a subject suffering from a colorectal cancer: according to the present invention, the by determining the OLFM4 levels. According to the present invention, the response can be predicted by determining the OLFM4 levels. This result in turn permits the design or the adaptation of a treatment of the said subject with the said chemotherapeutic agent. |
| US09523690B2 |
Biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
The present invention provides an in vitro method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma in a subject suspected of suffering it, in which method the presence and levels of a phosphorylated form of the protein Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are determined. Said determination is performed in any isolated sample, in particular in a biopsy of a tumor. The invention relates also to the use of means for detecting said phosphorylated form to be applied in the method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. |
| US09523688B2 |
Diagnosis method and treatment for cancer using liv21 proteins and E2F1/E2F4 biomarkers
The invention concerns a novel diagnostic and/or prognostic test for cancer. More particularly, the invention concerns the human LIV21 protein, its use as cancer diagnostic and prognostic markers. The invention also concerns methods for treating cancers and neurodegenerative diseases as well as compositions therefor. |
| US09523685B2 |
Multiplex method for detecting an infection
The invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnostic detection of an infection with a microorganism, comprising placing a biological sample, in a single assay receptacle, in the presence of particles, each carrying at least one specific detectable physical parameter, and belonging to at least two different groups, one of the groups carrying an anti-IgM capture antibody and the other group carrying a capture antigen derived from said microorganism. |
| US09523675B2 |
Insect repellent and attractants
The disclosure provides compounds useful as insect repellents and compositions comprising such repellents. The disclosure further provides insect traps. |
| US09523674B2 |
Method of screening for substances capable of promoting induction of induced pluripotent stem cells
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for screening a substance capable of promoting induction of induced pluripotent stem cells from cells derived from an individual affected by a disease for which it is impossible to produce induced pluripotent stem cells simply by introducing reprogramming genes. The present invention provides a method for screening a substance, which comprises culturing cells derived from an individual affected by a disease for which it is impossible to produce induced pluripotent stem cells simply by introducing reprogramming genes, the cells being transfected with reprogramming genes, in the presence of test substances, and selecting a test substance capable of promoting induction of induced pluripotent stem cells from the cells. |
| US09523671B2 |
Indoxyl sulfate as a biomarker of prebiotic efficacy for weight gain prevention
The present invention relates generally to the field of nutrition and health. In particular, the present invention relates to indoxyl sulfate as a biomarker in urine of the efficacy of prebiotics for the prevention of diet induced weight gain. |
| US09523670B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining hemoglobin based parameters in an unlysed blood sample
A method and apparatus for determining hemoglobin concentration is provided. A method aspect includes the steps of: a) depositing an unlyzed, substantially undiluted blood sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis; b) imaging the sample in a region of the analysis chamber where the height of the chamber is no more than about twenty microns (20μ) or no less than about two microns (2μ), to produce image signals representative of the optical density of the imaged region; c) determining a sample representative optical density value using the image signals representative of the optical density of the imaged region; and d) determining the hemoglobin concentration of the sample using the sample representative optical density value. |
| US09523666B2 |
Techniques for active passivation
In one embodiment, active (continuous or intermittent) passivation may be employed to prevent interaction of sticky molecules with interfaces inside of an instrument (e.g., an infrared absorption spectrometer) and thereby improve response time. A passivation species may be continuously or intermittently applied to an inlet of the instrument while a sample gas stream is being applied. The passivation species may have a highly polar functional group that strongly binds to either water or polar groups of the interfaces, and once bound presents a non-polar group to the gas phase in order to prevent further binding of polar molecules. The instrument may be actively used to detect the sticky molecules while the passivation species is being applied. |
| US09523664B2 |
Powder detector, image forming apparatus including same, and powder detecting method
A powder detector to detect an amount of powder in the powder container includes a vibration plate disposed in the powder container to vibrate, a contact member to vibrate the vibration plate; and a vibration detector to detect a vibration state of the vibration plate. The powder has flowability, and the vibration state of the vibration plate is affected by the powder in the powder container. |
| US09523663B2 |
Mass spectrometer
The objective of the present invention is to improve the robustness, sensitivity, and maintainability of a mass spectrometer to which a liquid chromatograph can be connected. This mass spectrometer includes: an ion source; a mass spectrometry unit; a plurality of flat plates used as electrodes having openings through which ions can be introduced to the mass spectrometer from an orthogonal direction along an ion introduction axis; a porous member provided between the mass spectrometry unit and the plurality of flat plates; and a mechanism for feeding gas to the plurality of flat plates for the side opposite from the ion introduction direction; the plurality of flat plates being disposed under atmospheric pressure, and the plurality of electrodes being set at a temperature higher than room temperature. |
| US09523658B2 |
Optimised ion mobility separation timescales for targeted ions
An analytical device for analyzing ions is provided comprising a separator for separating ions according to a physico-chemical property and an interface comprising one or more ion guides. A quadrupole rod set mass filter is arranged downstream of the interface. A control system is arranged and adapted: (i) to transmit a first group of ions which emerges from the separator through the interface with a first transit time t1; and (ii) to transmit a second group of ions which subsequently emerges from the separator through the interface with a second different transit time t2. |
| US09523656B2 |
Ruggedized apparatus for analysis of nucleic acid and proteins
The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location. |
| US09523654B2 |
Air-fuel ratio detection device
An air-fuel ratio detection device includes a resistor, a first voltage application section, a second voltage application section, an amplification section, an A/D conversion section, and an arithmetic section. The first voltage application section applies a direct current voltage to a first end of a series circuit constituted of an air-fuel ratio sensor and the resistor. The amplification section amplifies a voltage across the resistor and outputs an amplified voltage as an output voltage. The A/D conversion section carries out an A/D conversion of the output voltage every time before the second voltage application section switches a voltage applied to a second end of the series circuit between a first voltage and a second voltage. The arithmetic section calculates a sensor current and an impedance of the air-fuel ratio sensor using two consecutive A/D conversion results by the A/D conversion section. |
| US09523652B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring moisture content
An apparatus for measuring moisture content of biomass is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a probe apparatus and a mechanism that inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass. The probe apparatus measures a capacitance of the biomass. In accordance with an embodiment, the probe apparatus is mounted on the mechanism. In an embodiment, the mechanism positions the probe apparatus over the biomass. According to an embodiment, the mechanism inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass as the biomass is being transported in a trailer. |
| US09523648B2 |
Defect inspection device and defect inspection method
A defect-inspection device includes an irradiation unit having an objective-pupil-optical unit that allows illumination light linearly condensed by a first light-condensing unit to pass through, and an objective lens that allows the illumination light having passed through the objective-pupil-optical unit to pass through; an irradiation-position-control unit that controls a passing position of the illumination light in the objective-pupil-optical unit disposed at a pupil surface of the objective lens; a detection unit having a second light-condensing unit that condenses light irradiated by the irradiation unit and generated from a sample, a specular-reflection light-blocking unit that blocks specular-reflection light from the sample and light components generated near the pupil surface among the light beams condensed by the second light-condensing unit, and an image-forming unit that images the light that is condensed by the second light-condensing unit and is not blocked by the specular-reflection light-blocking unit into a detector; and a defect-determination unit that detects a defect on a surface of the sample on the basis of a signal of the image imaged by the image-forming unit. |
| US09523643B2 |
Protein concentration assay method including pH measurement
Provided is a protein concentration assay method that uses a protein indicating reagent and that enables highly accurate assay. The protein concentration assay method includes: optically analyzing a color exhibited after a sample to be assayed and a protein indicating reagent are brought into contact with each other; measuring pH of the sample to be assayed; and assaying a concentration of protein in the sample based on the result of the optical analysis, the measured value of pH, and data for protein concentration assay, wherein the protein indicating reagent is a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein, and the data for protein concentration assay include information indicating a way to assay the result of the optical analysis corresponding to the measured value of pH. |
| US09523640B2 |
Method of fluorescent measurement of samples, and devices therefrom
The invention provides a method and device for fluorescent measurement of a volume of liquid sample in a sample carrier. The method includes impinging an incident beam having an excitation wavelength and a focus diameter on the sample in a two dimensional scan, such as an R-theta scan or a spiral scan, with a laser spot that identifies a volume of interest where higher levels of fluorescence exist. The laser spot is displaced relative to the sample volume in three dimensional space. The laser spot is translated in the depth direction of the volume of interest to detect one or more emitted fluorescence signals. A depth profile and a thickness of the sample carrier obtained from the one or more emitted fluorescence signals, are used for measuring normalized bulk fluorescence. Further, at least one microvolume of interest is obtained from the depth profile, and the incident beam is focused on the microvolume of interest to obtain at least one concentrated emitted fluorescence signal that is representative of the bulk concentration of fluorescence of a fluorphore. |
| US09523637B2 |
Thermal selectivity multivariate optical computing
A method of using photoacoustic spectroscopy to determine chemical information about an analyte includes the steps of emitting a light ray for interaction with a sample of an analyte; transmitting the light ray through a fill fluid disposed in a detection cell, the fill fluid having molecules substantially similar to molecules of the analyte to absorb the light ray; producing a thermal wave and oscillation in the fill fluid proportional to an intensity of the light ray; including a pressure oscillation in the fill fluid by the thermal wave; and detecting the pressure oscillation by a microphone to determine information about the analyte sample. |
| US09523635B2 |
Apparatus and methods of spectral searching using wavelet transform coefficients
Apparatus and methods of spectral searching that employ wavelet coefficients as the basis for the searching. The disclosed apparatus and methods employ a wavelet lifting scheme to transform spectroscopic data corresponding to an unknown pure material/mixture to a vector of wavelet coefficients, compare the wavelet coefficient vector for the unknown pure material/mixture with a library of wavelet coefficient vectors for known pure materials/mixtures, and identify the closest match to the unknown pure material/mixture based on the comparison of wavelet coefficient vectors. Because the wavelet lifting scheme can generate the wavelet coefficient vectors for the unknown pure material/mixture as well as the known pure materials/mixtures to conform to a desired compression level, the disclosed apparatus and methods can perform spectral searching with increased speed and reduced memory requirements, thereby making the disclosed apparatus and methods amenable for use in hand-held instruments for on-site material identification. |
| US09523632B2 |
Particulate matter sensor and method for manufacturing particulate matter sensor
A particulate matter sensor comprises an insulating body and a pair of electrodes disposed apart form each other on a main surface of the insulating body. The insulating body includes an insulating portion being equal to or higher than the height of the pair of the electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the main surface, formed on the part where the pair of the electrodes are. In one of the methods for manufacturing the particulate matter sensor, first, an electrode pattern composed of a material for the pair of the electrodes is formed on a body material composing the insulating body, and a mask, having identical pattern of the electrode pattern and composed of material which vaporizes at a temperature equal to or lower than a temperature that the electrode pattern is sintered, is formed on the electrode pattern. A thin film of the material composing the insulating portion is formed, and the electrode pattern and the thin film is sintered to form the electrodes and the insulating portion. |
| US09523629B2 |
Method for producing tissue microarray blocks of cell cultures
A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block. An alternate embodiment is provided wherein cell cultures are utilized as starting material as opposed to solid donor tissue samples. |
| US09523626B2 |
Hand-held vibration sensor
A hand-held or portable vibration sensor device having a housing and a sensor body which generally provides a single point of contact with the machinery or apparatus for which vibration measurement is desired. In one aspect, the sensor body comprises a vibration sensor element such as an accelerometer for measuring vibration. In another aspect, a force sensor such as a force sensing resistor or load cell is provided to reduce the impact of forces applied to said hand-held vibration sensor such as a force applied through a handle during measurement. In another aspect, a compensation circuit processes the out put from a vibration sensor element to provide a relatively flat frequency response over a desired operational frequency range. The hand-held vibration sensor may also comprise a rubber isolation member disposed between the sensor body and force sensor. |
| US09523624B2 |
Method and maintenance system for testing and clearing freezeless water hydrants
A freezeless hydrant maintenance system for testing, troubleshooting, and repairing the functionality of a freezeless water hydrant prior to the seasonal freezing temperatures, the system comprising a pressure vessel adapted to receive and hold a fluid under pressure, an actuator adapted to release the pressurized fluid upon the user's command, at least one display and an adapter hose adapted to engage a hydrant and seal to prevent pressure loss, whereby the system is attached to a freezeless hydrant, the user opens hydrant pressurizing the vertical pipe and hydrant with water and air, observes the display determining if the freezeless hydrant drain hole is block, then operates the system applying additional pressure to clear blockage, and identifies a hydrant that needs replacement. |
| US09523623B2 |
Methods for testing a honeycomb filter
Methods of testing a honeycomb filter include the step of maintaining an average temperature of the honeycomb filter and/or fog within a range of from about 10° C. to about 30° C. and flowing a fog with moisture droplets into the honeycomb network of channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter, the fog including a relative humidity of at least 80%. In further examples, the moisture droplets include a mean droplet size of from about 1 micron to about 25 microns. |
| US09523620B2 |
Two-phase stainless steel, method of manufacturing the same, and diaphragm, pressure sensor, and diaphragm valve using two-phase stainless steel
It is an object of the present invention to provide a metal diaphragm capable of achieving a higher strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth surface condition, and a pressure sensor including the diaphragm. The diaphragm according to the present invention includes a two-phase stainless steel having a composition of 24 to 26 mass % Cr, 2.5 to 3.5 mass % Mo, 5.5 to 7.5 mass % Ni, 0.03 mass % or less C, 0.08 to 0.3 mass % N, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, and having a 0.2% proof stress of 1300 MPa or higher. |
| US09523619B2 |
Sensor having thermal gradients
This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a sensor having thermal gradients. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a sensor assembly including a housing; a first header and a second header coupled to the housing; a first transducer coupled to the first header, wherein the first transducer is configured to measure a first pressure to generate a first pressure signal; a second transducer coupled to the second header, wherein the second transducer is configured to measure a second pressure to generate a second pressure signal; and wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are positioned in the housing such that a first temperature of the first transducer is about equivalent to a second temperature of the second transducer during operation of the sensor assembly. |
| US09523617B2 |
Building block transducer assembly
A transducer assembly configured to accommodate a plurality of individually tunable sensing elements of various geometries and configurations by using a cap and an accompanying capillary tube. The configuration of the various embodiments described herein eliminate the header to flat plate welds of the prior art, and therefore better accommodates a plurality of sensing elements and corresponding header assemblies within one transducer assembly. |
| US09523616B2 |
Input detecting apparatus, and associated method, for electronic device
An apparatus, and an associated method, forms a user interface permitting input of input instructions to an electronic device. Input commands are evidence by tactile input forces applied to a force receiving surface. Force sensing elements are positioned to sense indications of the tactile input force. The force sensing element is caused to exhibit a selected input parameter value through application of a selected force thereto by application of a tightening torque to a fastener positioned in proximity to the force sensing element. |
| US09523613B2 |
Temperature detecting circuit and temperature detecting apparatus using the same
A temperature detecting apparatus includes a temperature detecting circuit configured to output a first pulse signal according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor, and an insulating transformer configured to transmit the first pulse signal to an integrated circuit which is operated by an operation voltage different from that of the temperature detecting circuit. The insulating transformer is installed between the temperature detecting circuit and the integrated circuit. The temperature detecting circuit and the insulating transformer are mounted on a common substrate. |
| US09523609B2 |
Spectral imaging
There is disclosed a spectral imaging apparatus for processing electromagnetic (EM) radiation, the EM radiation originating from a target scene and comprising a wide range of frequencies, the system comprising:A dispersive element for receiving EM radiation from the target scene and promoting differing amounts of dispersion depending on the frequency of the EM radiation,A deformable lens arranged to receive EM radiation from the dispersive element,An imaging sensor for detecting EM radiation across the wide range of frequencies, and arranged to receive EM radiation from the deformable lens,Wherein the deformable lens is operable to adopt any one of a plurality of focal conditions, each focal condition tending to focus a different range of the EM radiation at the imaging sensor, each focal condition thereby defining a component band for the EM radiation. |
| US09523608B2 |
Material identification from a spectral filtered patterned image without demosaicing
What is disclosed is a system and method for processing image data acquired using a multi-band infrared camera system with a spectral mosaic filter arranged in a geometric pattern without having to perform a demosaicing that is typical with processing data from an array of sensors. In one embodiment, image data that has been captured using a camera system that has a spectral filter mosaic comprising a plurality of spectral filters arrayed on a grid. A material index is determined, using intensity values collected by sensor elements associated with a cell's respective spectral filters. All of the material indices collectively generate a material index image. Thereafter, material identification is performed on the material index image using, for example, pixel classification. Because the demosaicing step can be effectively avoided, image processing time is reduced. The teachings hereof find their uses in a wide array of applications including automated HOV/HOT violation detection. |
| US09523607B2 |
Method and apparatus for tuning coherent radiation
A tunable coherent radiation source comprises a pump laser which outputs a pump beam and a non-linear optical medium having a tuning pattern to provide tuning across a wavelength range. A translation system is arranged such that the pump beam is translated across the tuning pattern. The scanning pattern is formed such that translation of the pump beam across the tuning pattern provides one or more discontinuities in tuning across the wavelength range. A spectroscopic system and a hyperspectral imaging system comprising such a tunable coherent radiation source are described, as is a non-linear optical medium adapted for use in such a source. A method of providing coherent radiation tuned over a wavelength range is also described. |
| US09523605B2 |
Apparatus for weighing pharmaceutical product capsules
A method and apparatus for weighing pharmaceutical product capsules, whereby a capsule containing a pharmaceutical product is fed into a pocket to allow a measuring device to determine the weight of the pharmaceutical product and of a first portion of the capsule containing the pharmaceutical product; the pocket, and therefore the capsule, then being inverted to move the pharmaceutical product out of the first portion and into a second portion of the capsule, to allow the measuring device to determine the weight of the first portion only of the capsule. |
| US09523601B2 |
Hopper gate opening and closing mechanism
A mechanism for opening and closing a hopper gate of the present invention, which is used in a combination weigher which performs combination calculation based on weights of objects, to find a combination in which a total of the weights of the objects falls within an allowable range with respect to a target weight, comprises an actuator (31) for generating a driving force for opening and closing the hopper gate (14A); a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the hopper gate (14A); a detecting device (60) capable of detecting an original point of a rotary shaft of the transmission mechanism, the original point corresponding to a position in which the hopper gate (14A) is closed; and a controller (18) capable of receiving an output signal of the detecting device (60). |
| US09523600B2 |
Gauging method for a plastic fuel tank of a hybrid vehicle
A gauging method for a plastic fuel tank mounted on a hybrid vehicle, the tank including a reservoir including a gauge for measuring an amount of fuel in the tank, the method including: measuring the amount of fuel in the tank using the gauge; estimating deformation of the tank using at least one sensor onboard the vehicle; and correcting the amount measured by the gauge based on the estimated deformation. |
| US09523598B2 |
Fill level measuring device
Fill level measuring device having a control unit, which contains a high-frequency generator for generating a transmission signal, an amplifier, an amplifier and an evaluation unit, and a spatially remote probe, which contains a measuring impedance, a reference impedance, a first rectifier and a second rectifier, as well as a connecting line between the control unit and the probe, wherein the rectifier detects the voltage of the transmission signal in the probe, and this voltage is transmitted to the control unit as a first DC voltage signal, and the rectifier converts the probe current in the probe into a second DC voltage signal via measuring resistors, and both signals are supplied to the control unit for the purpose of determining the fill level, wherein the rectifiers are thermally coupled to one another. |
| US09523591B2 |
Encoder and encoding method for slip ring
Disclosed is an encoder and encoding method for slip ring. The encoder includes: an encoding belt that is fixed to a slip ring and has a plurality of holes regularly arranged on the encoding belt; at least one pair of first sensors provided on one side of the encoding belt, wherein the first sensors of each pair generate a first sense signal and a first redundant sense signal respectively based on light emitted from the other side of the encoding belt and passing through the plurality of holes, when the encoding belt rotates with the slip ring; and at least one signal combiner connected to the at least one pair of the first sensors, and configured to combine the first sense signal and the first redundant sense signal to obtain a combined sense signal as a first encoded signal. With embodiments of the present invention, a redundant signal is provided by using a redundant sensor, and it is possible to avoid interference of foreign substance, improve stability of encoded signals and ensure normal operation of equipment. |
| US09523586B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sealed communication interfaces
Methods and apparatus for sealed communication interfaces are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a translucent portion of a sealing gasket to allow signals to pass therethrough, a sealing wall of the gasket to define a substantially environmentally-isolated zone proximate the translucent portion, and a transmitter to transmit a signal across the translucent portion. The example apparatus also includes a receiver to detect a reflected signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, where the detection enables data communications across the translucent portion, and where the reflected signal is to be reflected from a surface on an opposite side of the translucent portion from the transmitter and receiver. |
| US09523583B2 |
Generating routes using navigation meshes
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for developing an improved route from a navigation mesh. A route is provided, wherein the route includes a plurality of connected nodes having a starting node, an ending node, and internal nodes. Each internal node of the plurality of connected nodes is scored by an algorithm, wherein the score provided for each internal node based on an importance of the respective internal node to the overall shape of the route. The internal node with a score having a least importance on the shape of the route is removed, so long a valid path between the starting node and the ending node is maintained. The process may be repeated until a threshold simplification of the route has been achieved or until no further internal nodes can be removed without creating an invalid path. |
| US09523582B2 |
Systems, methods, and mobile client devices for supervising industrial vehicles
The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server. |
| US09523579B2 |
Navigation device with adjustable data transmission
A navigation device for determining the location of the device includes a location determining module to generate data relating to a geographic location of the device, and to adjust frequency of transmission of the data over a communication interface based on a selectable threshold value representing an amount of change in the geographic location of the device. |
| US09523578B2 |
Vibrating element and manufacturing method for the same, gyro sensor, electronic apparatus and moving object
A vibrating element includes a vibrating arm for detection. An electrode is provided on the vibrating arm for detection. A wiring line is connected to the electrode. The wiring line is arranged on a piezoelectric body of a base portion. At least a part of the wiring line is an electrode for adjustment. The electrode for adjustment generates an electrical signal with an opposite phase to an output signal of leak vibration of the vibrating arm for detection. |
| US09523575B2 |
Guide light device, survey apparatus having the guide light device, survey system using the survey apparatus, survey pole used in the survey system, and mobile wireless transceiver used in the survey system
A survey apparatus includes a guide light emitting optical system emitting a fan-like visible laser light elongated in upward and downward directions as a guide light, a cylindrical part having a scanning optical system searching a corner reflector provided on a survey pole and a ranging optical system measuring a distance to the corner reflector, a driving part rotating the cylindrical part about a vertical axis in a horizontal direction and rotating the cylindrical part about a horizontal axis, and an angle measurement part measuring a direction of the cylindrical part. The guide light emitting optical system is rotated about the vertical axis in a horizontal direction integrally with the cylindrical part. |
| US09523574B2 |
Surveying instrument
A surveying instrument includes a main body including a base and a pedestal rotating in a horizontal direction relative to the base, and a cover member which covers the main body, wherein the pedestal is provided with a support member which supports a lens barrel of a ranging optical system to be rotatable in a vertical direction, and the cover member covers the support member of the pedestal, the lens barrel, and a guide light irradiation unit which irradiates with guide light indicating a collimation direction of the main body to an operator. |
| US09523569B2 |
Positioning apparatus, lithography apparatus, and article manufacturing method
An apparatus, includes first and second measurement devices configured to measure a position in a first direction of a moving body; a drive unit configured to drive the moving body in the first direction; a controller configured to generate a control input for driving the drive unit, based on a control deviation in accordance with position command information in the first direction of the moving body and position measurement information from the first or second measurement device, and a control parameter set to a certain value. |
| US09523568B2 |
Wavelength-swept light source apparatus and measuring apparatus
A wavelength-swept light source apparatus comprises a light source that emits a wavelength-swept light that varies in a predetermined cycle, a mode hop detector that detects a mode hop of the wavelength-swept light emitted from the light source; and a control unit that controls at least one of a parameter that defines a specified period having a predetermined fixed or variable time length provided in the predetermined cycle and a control parameter of the light source, thereby to set an occurrence timing of the mode hop detected by the mode hop detector outside of the specified period. |
| US09523567B2 |
Guided installation for an opening sensor
Systems and techniques are provided for guided installation of an opening sensor. A strength of a magnetic field created by a magnet of an opening sensor at a location of a magnetometer sensor of the opening sensor may be determined. Feedback may be provided to an installer of the opening sensor based on the determined strength of the magnetic field. A function of the opening sensor may be configured based on the determined strength of the magnetic field. The function may be associated with reporting the status of an entry point to which the magnetometer sensor may be affixed. |
| US09523566B2 |
Electric circuit and method for estimating the angular position of a rotor of an electric motor, and device for controlling an electric motor
Electric circuit for estimating the angular position of a rotor of an electric motor, including: a sensing module configured to receive at least one electric signal representative of a drive current of the electric motor and to generate a measurement signal indicative of a switching of the at least one electric signal and a switching index indicative of the type of switching, rising or falling, of the at least one electric signal; and a computing module configured to supply, from the measurement signal and switching index a position signal representative of an angular position of the electric motor rotor. |
| US09523565B2 |
Measuring device
A measuring device configured to measure height of a workpiece includes a base, an automatic positioning mechanism and a measuring mechanism. The automatic positioning mechanism includes a positioning block, two clamp modules, and a controlling module. An upper surface of the positioning block configured to hold the work piece is a curve. Each clamp module includes a clamp sliding block. One end of each clamp sliding block includes a trough. The controlling module includes two extending portions, and each extending portion includes a bevel. The two clamp sliding blocks are positioned between the two extending portions and resisted against the two bevels. Thus, the two bevels can move the two clamp sliding blocks. The measuring module includes a positioning sliding block and a measuring sliding block. The measuring sliding block is mounted in a pre-determined distance away from the base to measure the height of the work piece. |
| US09523561B2 |
Firearms localization and destruction system
A device located in a firearm which allows the destruction of the firearm or the incapacitation of the user, in order to avoid the use of such firearm by illegal organizations. |
| US09523560B2 |
Decoy method, device and system for protecting an aircraft
The decoy method, of the type in which: an ejectable on-board decoy provided with a decoy charge (13) is enclosed inside a streamlined cylindrical body (9) mounted ejectably on the aircraft (1); the streamlined cylindrical body (9) containing the decoy is ejected parallel to the aerodynamic stream of the aircraft; the decoy charge (13) is removed from the streamlined cylindrical body (9) while keeping the decoy charge attached to said body; and the decoy charge removed from the body is operated to render it active. |
| US09523552B2 |
Anti-rotational quick disconnect mount for a firearm
An anti-rotational quick disconnect socket system for a firearm is disclosed. The system has an anti-rotational quick disconnect socket (QD socket) and a recess in a housing of a firearm. The recess is shaped to slidingly receive and seat the socket, and has a protrusion extending inwardly from the outer confines of the recess. The socket has a proximal end with a socket entry, a distal end, and a brace extending therebetween. The protrusion is engaged with the first brace to prevent rotation of the socket relative to the recess. The system has a gap between a proximal surface of the first protrusion and a distal surface of the socket entry. |
| US09523550B2 |
Projectile launcher able to launch an object using a hammer
A projectile launching device such as a paintball gun capable of firing a paintball using a hammer is disclosed. The paintball gun, in one embodiment, includes a bolt, a valve, and a hammer wherein the bolt has an air channel and is able to move within a bolt chamber. The valve, which is situated in a firing control chamber arranged in parallel to the bolt chamber, controls pressurized gas. The hammer, in one aspect, includes a pivot hole capable of hosting a pivot pin which facilitates a swing motion for the hammer. When the hammer swings around the pivot hole, the hammer contacts the valve whereby a portion of the pressurized gas is release. The bolt further includes a hammer reset element which is able to reset the hammer to a ready for firing position during a launch process. |
| US09523547B1 |
Bore healing mechanism
A device is provided for repairing erosion damage to a bore of a railgun with metal powder. The bore has a surface contour that extends longitudinally of the railgun. The device includes a housing, a profilometer sensor and a nozzle. The housing has a configuration that conforms to the surface contour and an upstream face on a longitudinal end. The profilometer sensor mounts to the upstream face to measure depth of the erosion and indicate a divot in the bore that involves repair to match the surface contour. The nozzle mounts to the upstream face to spray the metal powder from a reservoir within the housing in response to the divot indicated by the profilometer. |
| US09523544B2 |
Remote gun charger with manual charging release functionality
A remote gun charger including a charger member configured to selective couple to, and disengage from, a gun having a charger handle configured to charge the gun. The charger includes a catch configured to be positioned by the charger member to selectively position the charger handle and charge the gun. The catch has a first position configured to selectively engage the charger handle, and a second position configured to disengage from the charger handle and allow the gun to be fired. |
| US09523539B2 |
Latent heat storage member and building material provided with same, microcapsules and thermal storage material using microcapsules
The present invention is to provide a latent heat storage member which is able to more reliably contribute to a daily peak shift of energy consumption, and a building material provided with the latent heat storage member. A latent heat storage member 20 which is formed by using a material including a latent heat storage material such as paraffin and a gelation agent and is used as a building material, includes an outer side surface 20b arranged on a solar light irradiation side facing the outside, and has a phase change temperature T1 within a temperature range between a lowest temperature Tsmin and a highest temperature Tsmax of the outer side surface 20b in the daytime. |
| US09523538B2 |
High-efficiency enhanced boiler
The invention provides high-efficiency heat transfer devices and apparatuses. In one embodiment, the invention includes a vessel capable of containing the heat transfer medium, a conduit extending through a wall of the vessel, the conduit having a first surface for contacting the heat transfer medium and a second surface for contacting a fluid within the conduit, a helical member residing around and along a length of the first surface of the conduit capable of angularly directing a flow of the heat transfer medium along the first surface of the conduit; and a plurality of fins helically arranged adjacent the helical member, each fin extending through a wall of the conduit and being capable of directing at least a portion of the heat transfer medium to an area within a radius of the conduit. |
| US09523537B2 |
Desiccant based chilling system
A system includes an intercooler configured to receive an airflow from a first compressor, to transfer heat from the airflow to a working fluid, and to provide the airflow to a second compressor. The system also includes an evaporative chiller configured to receive the working fluid from the intercooler, to chill the working fluid via evaporative cooling within an ambient air environment, and to provide the working fluid to the intercooler. In addition, the system includes a desiccant system configured to reduce a humidity of ambient air within the evaporative chiller. |
| US09523534B2 |
Computer controlled and monitored medical storage system
A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range. The control station may receive user authentication information from a user, and upon verification of the user authentication information, send unlock instructions to the refrigerated medical storage unit. |
| US09523533B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber; a first storage unit formed in the storage chamber, left and right side walls of the first storage unit having first roller supporting surfaces; and a second storage unit having first roller members mounted to a front region of the second storage unit on left and right sides thereof, the first roller members being seated on the first roller supporting surfaces of the first storage unit, a protrusion extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the second storage unit, and second roller members provided on both sides of the second storage unit to move along guide surfaces provided on an interior of the storage chamber. A lateral surface of the protrusion is configured to extend into and contact an interior surface of the first storage unit to prevent the first roller members from laterally leaving the first roller supporting surfaces. |
| US09523532B2 |
Glycol pan chiller systems with integrated stove top
A glycol pan chiller is combined with a gas range system to allow for convenient cooking and chilled food storage. A disclosed glycol pan chiller system comprises a first food cooling area 110 cooled by glycol contained within a glycol void area 130, the void area defined within an inner liner 160. Under normal conditions, the glycol will remain stationary within the inner liner and will be chilled by a Freon line 140 contained within the glycol void area. A second food cooling area is cooled by use of glycol or other fluid contained within the glycol void area. The second food cooling area does not require the use of a separate Freon cooling system. |
| US09523529B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus
In a refrigeration apparatus, a main surface of a printed wiring board has a heavy electric region, which is a region in the lower part of the printed wiring board where a heavy electric component group is disposed, and a light electric region, which is a region positioned above the heavy electric region, where a light electric component group is disposed. A refrigerant jacket contacts a power device which is disposed in the heavy electric region. A liquid pipe of the refrigerant pipe includes a portion that extends upwards towards the refrigerant jacket, and a cooling portion contacts the refrigerant jacket. |
| US09523523B2 |
System and method for managing fluid level in a HVAC system
A system for managing fluid level in an HVAC system includes a spill over tank for an evaporator of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be configured to receive a refrigerant directed out of the evaporator. The spill over tank may be configured to include an outlet directing refrigerant into the spill over tank, out of the spill over tank and flowing back to a compressor of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be equipped with a refrigerant level sensor measuring a refrigerant level in the spill over tank. The measured refrigerant level in the spill over tank may be used to control and/or maintain a refrigerant level in the evaporator, and/or to control a return refrigerant flow into the compressor of the HVAC system so as to manage an oil return to the compressor. |
| US09523521B2 |
Refrigeration cycle apparatus
In a dehumidification-air heating mode, a refrigerant circuit is configured such that a refrigerant outlet side of an exterior heat exchanger communicates with a heating side refrigerant suction port of a heating side ejector as a refrigerant decompression means, and that a refrigerant inlet side of an interior evaporator communicates with an outlet side of a heating side diffuser of the heating side ejector. A refrigerant evaporation temperature in the exterior heat exchanger is set lower than that of the interior evaporator by a pressurizing effect of the heating side ejector. Thus, the amount of heat absorption by the refrigerant at the exterior heat exchanger is increased to improve the heating capacity of the air in an interior condenser. |
| US09523520B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus uses R32, a refrigerant mixture containing R32 and HFO1234yf in which R32 has a mass percentage of 40% or higher, or a refrigerant mixture containing R32 and HFO1234ze in which R32 has a mass percentage of 15% or higher, as a heat-source refrigerant. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a low-pressure shell-structure compressor, a first flow switching valve, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, first flow control devices, and plural use-side heat exchangers connected by refrigerant pipes, forming a refrigeration cycle. The compressor includes a compression chamber within a sealed container including an opening extending between inside and outside of the sealed container. The air-conditioning apparatus can perform only a heating at the use-side heat exchangers, only a cooling at the use-side heat exchangers, and a mixed cooling and heating in a mixed fashion at the use-side heat exchangers. |
| US09523515B2 |
Gas-air mixing device for combustion apparatus
Provided is a gas-air mixing device for a combustion apparatus which effectively controls the amount of gas and air supplied to a burner so as to improve the turn-down ratio, thereby improving burner reliability. The gas-air mixing device includes: a housing having one side coupled to a turbo fan; an air supplying unit provided on the other side of the housing, and configured of a first air supply part and a second air supply part; a gas supplying unit configured of a first gas supply part and a second gas supply part; and an opening/closing means which closes the second air supply part and the second gas supply part when a small amount of heat is needed to block the flow of air and gas, and opens the second air supply part and the second gas supply part when a large amount of heat is needed. |
| US09523510B2 |
Roof vent
Aspects of the invention provide a roof vent comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The second portion is connected to the first portion. The third portion is connected to the second portion and defines one or more openings therein. The fourth portion is connected to the third portion. In a first region of the roof vent when the first portion and the third portion are resting on a horizontal surface, the second portion angles upward away from the first portion and the third portion angles downward towards, but does not contact, the first portion so as to create a gap in a bottom of the roof vent in gaseous communication with the one or more openings. In a second region of the roof vent, the second portion is substantially coplanar with the first portion, and a part of the second portion is pressed directly against a part of the third portion, which is pressed directly against a part of the fourth portion. |
| US09523509B2 |
Adjustable roof vent
A passive vent for venting a building enclosure having an opening in a roof portion, the vent being adjustable for mounting on roof portions of different slopes. The vent has a base pivotally attached to a vent structure with a pair of pivot joints. The vent structure has a collar attached to a vent body having a cover. At least one gas permeable screen is positioned on the vent body between the cover and the collar. The base comprises a lower attachment structure for attaching the base to the roof portion over the opening. An aperture through the lower attachment structure permits gas to pass in to and out of the opening in the roof portion through the base. A wall including a pair of opposed curvilinear wall sections surrounds the aperture. The pivot joints define a pivot axis about which the vent structure pivots along a range of angles relative to the base. The collar is sized and shaped to overlap portions of the aperture surrounding wall to maintain a continuous wall between the collar and the aperture surrounding wall along the range of angles. At least one securement means secures the vent structure in one of the range of angles relative to the base. |
| US09523508B2 |
Control device for an heating device and system for controlling an heating installation
A control device for a heating device includes: a thermostat having a control unit, the control unit being connected to an energy source which is used to operate the control unit. The energy source is configured to generate energy in response to the presence of temperature differences between two reference points. |
| US09523504B2 |
Fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement
A fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement comprises an annular fuel manifold and a plurality of fuel injectors. Each fuel injector comprises a fuel injector head and a hollow fuel feed arm. Each fuel injector has a pipe to supply fuel to the fuel injector head. The pipe extends from the fuel feed arm and through a corresponding aperture in the casing. The annular fuel manifold is arranged around the casing and the annular fuel manifold comprises a plurality of connectors. Each connector has a socket aligned with a corresponding aperture in the casing. Each pipe has a plug arranged to be radially slidably mounted in the socket of the corresponding connector of the annular fuel manifold to allow relative radial movement between the casing and the annular fuel manifold. |
| US09523503B2 |
Method for operating a combustion device
A combustion device (10) includes at least one combustion chamber (11) with a plurality of burners (B1, . . . , Bn) operating in parallel which produce in each case a flame (F1, . . . , Fn) which reaches into the combustion chamber (11), wherein each of the burners (B1, . . . , Bn), via a fuel distribution system (18), is supplied with a fuel from a fuel supply (16), which fuel distribution system (18) includes control elements (V1, . . . , Vm) for manual or controlled regulating of the fuel supply and/or fuel composition of individual burners (B1, . . . , Bn) and/or groups of burners (B1, . . . , B3; Bn−2, . . . , Bn). In a method of using the combustion device, a quick optimization or homogenization is achieved by a function (F) of the flame temperatures of the burners (B1, . . . , Bn) being provided in dependence upon the positions of the control elements (V1, . . . , Vm) of the fuel distribution system (18), which function has been calibrated by measurements of the flame temperatures at a plurality of predetermined positions of the control elements (V1, . . . , Vm) of the fuel distribution system (18), and in that by the calibrated function (F) the positions of the control elements (V1, . . . , Vm) of the fuel distribution system (18), which are optimum for a predetermined distribution of the flame temperatures of the burners (B1, . . . , Bn), are determined and adjusted. |
| US09523502B2 |
Low profile push-lock device
A push-lock device for connecting a tile to a gas turbine engine wall includes, among other things, a housing extending longitudinally along an axis; a shaft assembly within the housing, the shaft assembly including portions of both a push-down pop-up mechanism and a locking-bracket mechanism, the locking-bracket mechanism moveable to a locked position such that the locking-bracket mechanism limits movement of a tile away from a gas turbine engine wall; and a biasing member to be positioned closer to the tile than the locking-bracket mechanism. |
| US09523500B2 |
Thermal afterburning system and method for operating such a system
A thermal afterburning system and a method for operating such a system are described, in which method or system a burner gas is fed in a conventional manner to a burner heating the combustion space of a combustion chamber, and exhaust air with a pollutant load is fed to the combustion space of the combustion chamber. The clean air produced inside the combustion space during the combustion processes is discharged. At the same time the carbon monoxide content of said air is measured. The supply of burner gas to the burner is regulated in such a manner that a predetermined target value for the carbon monoxide content is maintained. In this manner, the temperature in the combustion space is kept only sufficiently high as is required to achieve the desired purity of the clean gas given the respective pollutant load of the exhaust air. |
| US09523498B2 |
Heater for liquefied petroleum gas storage tank
A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst. |
| US09523496B2 |
Integral pressurized water reactor with external steam drum
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes: a pressure vessel divided into an upper plenum containing primary coolant, a lower plenum containing primary coolant, and a steam generator plenum interposed between the upper plenum and the lower plenum and containing secondary coolant; a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed in the lower plenum; one or more risers arranged to convey primary coolant upward from the nuclear reactor core to the upper plenum; and a plurality of tubes passing through the steam generator plenum and arranged to convey primary coolant downward from the upper plenum to the lower plenum. A steam separator is operatively connected with the steam generator plenum to separate secondary coolant in the steam phase from secondary coolant in the water phase. |
| US09523494B2 |
LED lighting unit
An LED lighting unit may include a flexible circuit substrate having a an obverse side and a reverse side. The obverse side may include a plurality of mounting points for LEDs and the reverse side may include a thermal conduction material. A plurality of LEDs may be mounted to the plurality of mounting points and may be in thermal communication with the thermal conduction material. A heat sink may be attached to the reverse side of the substrate and may have a hollow conical-frustum geometry. The heat sink may include a top circumference, a bottom circumference, a top opening, a bottom opening, at least one cooling fin extending into an interior of the heat sink. |
| US09523492B2 |
Lighting apparatus
Disclosed is a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a light emitting unit including a light emitting diode (LED), a heat sink including a first face, the light emitting unit being disposed on the first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and a space having a prescribed volume between the first face and the second face, and a power source unit configured to supply power to the light emitting unit. The second face is provided with a flow hole to open a region of the space, and the second face includes a plurality of curved portions arranged in a height direction of the heat sink, the curved portions having different radii of curvature. |
| US09523491B2 |
LED luminaire having lateral cooling fins and adaptive LED assembly
A luminaire including a housing made of thermally conductive material having a top, a bottom and two opposite sides connecting the top to the bottom, each side having plurality of external, vertically spaced, substantially parallel cooling fins that extend longitudinally and project laterally outwardly of the housing, preferably at a shallow downward and outward angle. The housing configuration provides a large surface area per unit of housing length to optimize heat dissipation. A configurable, cartridge-like LED bezel assembly—readily replaceable in the field—is supported on the bottom of the housing. A driver for the LED assembly—also readily replaceable in the field—is located within the housing. |
| US09523490B2 |
Reflectors and reflector orientation feature to prevent non-qualified trim
The luminaire includes a light emitting diode (LED) module that includes a heat sink with an outer wall defining a top cavity and a bottom cavity and a mounting flange generally positioned along the bottom of the outer wall. A LED light source is positioned within the bottom cavity and in thermal communication with the heat sink. The bottom surface of the mounting flange includes one or more alignment features or keys extending out from the bottom surface. A trim having a corresponding alignment aperture is matingly engaged by positioning all or a portion of the alignment feature into the alignment aperture to ensure proper orientation of the trim with the LED module and to provide sufficient surface area for good thermal transfer between the heat sink and the trim. |
| US09523487B1 |
Flat panel lighting device and driving circuitry
The light fixture includes a frame configured to define a channel, and a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame. Power circuitry is disposed within the first channel, the power circuitry being configured to electrically couple the substantially flat LED panel to an external AC power supply. The power circuitry is sized to be positioned within the first channel and has a length and a width, the length-to-width ratio being at least 5 to 1, and optionally at least 10 to 1. The power circuitry is configured to convert an AC input into a DC output suitable for powering the substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel. The substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel includes an optically transmissive panel, and an array of LEDs disposed adjacent to an edge of the optically transmissive panel and disposed adjacent at least one edge of the frame. |
| US09523484B2 |
Flagpole illumination device
An illumination device having a pole mount, a light support that extends from the pole mount, a lighting unit is connected to the pole mount, and a solar panel assembly is mounted to the lighting unit. The pole mount is adapted to be fitted to poles having different diameters. In another embodiment an illumination apparatus is provided having a pole mount and a lighting assembly, and the pole mount has a first clamp half and a second clamp half. A hinge joins the first half and the second clamp half together and the first clamp half and the second clamp half are movable from an open clamp position to a closed clamp position. When in the closed clamp position the pole mount clamp defines a pole opening. A first light support extends from the first clamp half and a light emitting assembly is supported by the first light support. |
| US09523476B2 |
Backlit display screen including light emitting diode
The invention relates to a display screen comprising: a housing forming an enclosure; a display surface on the front face of the housing; a printed circuit board arranged inside the housing; and at least one light-emitting diode that forms a back-lighting source for the display surface and is arranged on a face of the printed circuit board. The display screen is characterized in that the printed circuit board is a single-face printed circuit board, the display screen comprises a thermoconductive plate arranged against the face of the printed circuit board opposite the one carrying the at least one light-emitting diode, and the display screen also comprises a second double-face printed circuit board that has a smaller surface than the single-face printed circuit board, is connected to said single-face printed circuit board by at least one electrical connection, and carries at least one element for controlling the back-lighting of the display surface. |
| US09523473B2 |
Device for controlling a low beam of a vehicle
A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a “high beam” or “partial high beam” light pattern and thereafter the “high beam” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a “motorway” and thereafter a “country road” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction. |
| US09523472B2 |
Vehicle lighting apparatus having a lens seated on movable member slidingly coupled to support member that is coupled to light source section
A vehicle lighting apparatus includes a light source section and a lens disposed at a front side of the light source section to refract light from the light source section. A movable member has an end portion on which the lens is seated. A support member has an end portion which is coupled to the light source section and slidably coupled to the movable member such that the movable member is movable in a forward and rearward direction of the light source section. |
| US09523463B2 |
Carrier system for an operating room
A carrier system for a medical treatment facility includes a track device that is to be suspended from a ceiling of the medical treatment facility and that determines a curved path, and a lifting device to move a medical device between an upper resting position and a lower operating position, such that the lifting device can move along the path determined by the track device. |
| US09523457B2 |
Apparatus and method for heat curing of pipe liners
An apparatus that accelerates curing of resin in a liner for a buried pipe includes a lining assembly connected to a pressurized fluid source. One embodiment includes an inversion cap having an inversion port, a curing port and a drainage port. The apparatus also includes a manifold having an outlet, a first inlet in valved fluid communication with a heated fluid source, a second inlet in valved fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a third inlet in valved fluid communication with the drainage port. While heated fluid enters the first end of the assembly via the manifold, a release fitting which allows fluids to escape through the second end thereof. |
| US09523454B2 |
Anti-rotation gripper ring
An apparatus for minimizing rotation of a conduit has a housing that has a keyway and envelops the conduit. A gripper holds the conduit and opposes rotation of it. The gripper has a key for cooperating with the keyway such that the housing does not rotate about the gripper. |
| US09523453B2 |
Locking quick connect assembly
A locking quick connect assembly is provided for removably coupling a first tube and a second tube. A quick connect housing presents a central bore for receiving the second tube. A redundant latch component positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position may be provided to slidingly engage the quick connect housing. A twist lock retainer surrounds the quick connect housing and the redundant latch component. The redundant latch component includes an axially extending redundant latch retaining arm and the twist lock retainer includes a locking channel for receiving the redundant latch retaining arm. The twist lock retainer also includes a twist lock retaining arm that locks against a bead of the second tube to resists separation. The twist lock retaining arm extends perpendicularly to and radially inwardly of the locking channel to interleavingly engage the redundant latch retaining arm thus preventing unwanted decoupling of the assembly. |
| US09523450B2 |
Flange joint connection structure
In order to connect pressure piping while ensuring fluid-tightness without requiring welding at the installation site, the outer circumferential surface (4) of a flange joint (1) connects the face (2), on the side on which a pressure pipe (40) aligned on the center line (C) is inserted into a center hole (10), and the face (3), on the side another component is between the insertion-side face (2) and the other-component-connection face (3). The inner walls of vertical holes (6) are provided with a screw thread (6b), and between the face (2) and the face (3) these vertical holes run from the outer circumferential surface (4) to the inner circumferential surface (5) of the center hole (10) so as to intersect the horizontal holes (7). |
| US09523447B2 |
Method and apparatus for connecting pipes
Methods and apparatuses of joining a first pipe and a second pipe by injecting a pipe joining material into an interstitial space between abutting surfaces are provided. The methods and apparatuses may use a hollow fitting into which pipe ends may be inserted. |
| US09523442B2 |
Double solenoid valve with detent mechanism
A detent mechanism that increases a holding force for a valve member having two switch positions includes a ring shaped housing groove and an annular elevated portion. A ring shaped detent member made of a material having rubber elasticity is housed in the housing groove. The housing groove includes right and left groove side walls which extend in parallel to each other, and a groove bottom wall. The detent member includes right and left side walls which face the groove side walls of the housing groove and a protruding portion which extends from the housing groove. A locking section which elastically locks the protruding portion of the detent member in the two switch positions is formed at both axial ends of the elevated portion. |
| US09523440B2 |
Fuel cell system
An outlet shutoff valve where pressing surfaces, which press against each other, of a valve member and a valve seat are tilted relative to the vertical direction and where a drive shaft can be driven in a direction tilted relative to the vertical direction. In the outlet shutoff valve, the pressing surfaces are set high on the upstream side of gas flowing in a flow-path-forming pressure chamber, where the gas flows, and low on the downstream side. |
| US09523439B2 |
Brake hydraulic device for vehicle
Provided is a brake hydraulic device for a vehicle, including: a base body having a hydraulic pressure path for brake fluid formed therein; an electromagnetic valve which opens and closes the hydraulic pressure path; an electromagnetic coil which drives the electromagnetic valve; and a housing attached to the outer surface of the base body and having a housing chamber for accommodating the electromagnetic valve and the electromagnetic coil. The housing includes a peripheral wall part having openings formed on a front side and a rear side thereof, and an intermediate wall part partitioning a space inside the peripheral wall part into a front side and a rear side. The housing chamber is provided on the rear side of the intermediate wall part, and recessed portions and a projecting portion is formed on a front surface of the intermediate wall part. |
| US09523438B2 |
Solenoid valve assembly with pilot pressure control
A valve assembly includes a valve body with an interior cavity and a primary supply port, a secondary supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port each extending to the interior cavity. An armature assembly is configured to move within the interior cavity from a first position to a second position when the coil is energized. A regulator body is operatively connected to the valve body and has an exhaust passage positioned at the exhaust port. A regulator valve in the regulator body is configured to prevent flow out of the exhaust passage when fluid pressure on the regulator valve is at or below a pilot pressure and permit flow out of the exhaust passage when fluid pressure on the regulator valve is greater than the pilot pressure. The valve body is configured to provide fluid from the secondary supply port to the control port. |
| US09523432B2 |
Air valve for electronics enclosures
A method includes rotating a first elongated, inlet-side member of an air valve toward an open configuration when a fan blade is rotating and rotating the first inlet-side member to toward a closed configuration when the fan blade is not rotating. The air valve includes a frame and a sheet of thin material. The frame may have an outlet-side member configured to be mounted on a fan housing and the inlet-side member rotatably coupled to the outlet-side member. The material may have top and bottom edges, and a plurality of folds perpendicular to the top and bottom side edges that divide the sheet into a plurality of sections. The material may be attached to the outlet-side member and the inlet-side member, and configurable between folded and expanded positions. |
| US09523423B2 |
Transfer gear having regulated oil flow
The present invention relates to a transfer gear having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and a torque transmission device which has a clutch in order to distribute a drive torque introduced via the input shaft selectively to the first output shaft and the second output shaft, wherein a drive acts between the torque transmission device and the second output shaft, and wherein an oil reservoir is provided for collecting the lubricating oil. |
| US09523417B2 |
Vehicle power transmission device
There is a vehicle power transmission device in which a continuously variable transmission and a gear train are provided between an input shaft and an output shaft so as to be able to transmit torque between the input shaft and the output shaft, the gear train has at least one speed ratio that cannot be set by the continuously variable transmission. In the vehicle power transmission device, a forward-reverse switching mechanism is arranged along the same axis as an axis of the input shaft, a first clutch mechanism and a brake mechanism are provided, a second clutch mechanism is provided in a first torque transmission path that is routed from the input shaft to the output shaft via the continuously variable transmission, a third clutch mechanism is provided in a second torque transmission path that is routed from the output element to the output shaft via the gear train. |
| US09523403B2 |
Assembly connection flange and brake disc
An assembly comprises a flange and a disc, wherein the disc has a brake band and a drum, said drum having an outer drum surface, said drum being suitable for receiving a bearing inside said drum, said disc being arranged between the bearing and said flange, and wherein the flange comprises an inner ring coupled with the disc and an outer ring able to be coupled with a wheel rim, said flange also comprising an intermediate portion having flange through openings defined by an opening edge, said opening edge comprises a radially most inner edge portion, wherein at least one portion of the outer surface of the drum of the disc is arranged radially outside of the edge portion of the flange opening arranged most radially inside. |
| US09523399B2 |
Automatic transmission for vehicle
A vehicle automatic transmission of a multistage type having a plurality of shift stages selectively established depending on a combination of engagement and release of multiple engagement elements, comprises: a torque converter coupled to an input rotating member of the automatic transmission; an oil pump coupled to a pump side of the torque converter, at least one of the multiple engagement elements being a meshing engagement element, and the meshing engagement element being at least partially disposed on an inner circumferential side of at least one of the torque converter and the oil pump. |
| US09523394B2 |
Clutch plate with simulated friction material segments
A clutch plate for a torque converter is provided. The clutch plate includes a core plate and a friction material layer fixed to the core plate. The friction material layer includes an inner radial portion of a first thickness and an outer radial portion of a second thickness less than the first thickness. The friction material layer includes radially extending channels defined therein extending from an inner circumference of the inner radial portion to the outer radial portion. A method for forming a clutch plate is also provided. |
| US09523393B2 |
Multi-mode cooling pump
Pulley assemblies for vehicle accessories, such as a water pump. The pulley assembly which can be connected to a related housing member, such as a clutch housing member, includes a pulley member directly driven by the accessory belt of a vehicle engine and a separate pair of bearing members. A preferred use of the pulley assembly is with a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. A friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside the housing member and can include a softening spring which minimizes parasitic clutch power consumption. |
| US09523391B2 |
Rolling bearing and its packaging method
To provide a rolling bearing in which a favorable antirust performance can be obtained while reducing an amount of antirust oil than before, after removing chloride ions and sulfate ions from the entire surface of the bearing, antirust oil is provided to adhere thereto at an average film thickness of 4.5 μm to 10 μm, and the entire bearing is covered with a volatile corrosion inhibitor film such that a space between the volatile corrosion inhibitor film and the bearing is kept in a pressure-reduced condition. |
| US09523389B2 |
Rolling bearing for a turbocharger
A rolling bearing (6), in particular for a turbocharger, having an outer ring (10), an inner ring (11) which is rotatable relative to the outer ring (10) about an axis of rotation (14), and having a number of rolling bodies (19) which are guided in a cage (24) between the outer ring (10) and the inner ring (11). Here, the cage (24) has, on its inner circumference, a guide surface (25) which is guided on a guide track (26) on the outer circumference of the inner ring (11). A groove (32) with a free region (34) extends on the outer circumference of the inner ring (11). The groove (32) includes a groove base (33) which rises in a radial direction toward the guide surface (25). Oil is applied to the free region (34) of the groove (32) via a spray oil hole (22) in the outer ring (10). |
| US09523386B1 |
Bearing assemblies including integrated lubrication, bearing apparatuses, and methods of use
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to bearing assemblies that include integrated lubrication, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and related methods. For example, a lubricated bearing assembly may include a lubricant that may lubricate the bearing surface thereof during operation of the lubricated bearing assembly and/or bearing apparatus including the lubricated bearing assembly. |
| US09523376B2 |
Discrete pilot stage valve arrangement with fail freeze mode
An on-off pilot stage valve arrangement for controlling at least one main stage valve. The on-off pilot stage valve arrangement includes a first pilot valve discretely operable between two states, an on and an off state, the first pilot valve having an input at which there is a first pressure and an output connected to the main stage valve, a second pilot valve discretely operable between two states, an on and an off state, the second pilot stage valve having an input at which there is a second pressure and an output connected to the main stage valve. Both the valves are configured to be set in one of the two states in case the arrangement loses power. |
| US09523375B2 |
Fan blade structure and centrifugal fan using the same
A fan blade structure applied to a centrifugal fan is provided. The fan blade structure includes a wheel hub and an annular vane. The wheel hub includes a plurality of connecting brackets, and the annular vane includes multiple crests and troughs which interlace to form a continuous curved surface. The continuous curved surface has an outer ring surface and an inner ring surface. The connecting brackets are connected to the inner ring surface and drive the annular vane to rotate. |
| US09523374B2 |
Auto pump bracket
The bracket comprising a rail (1) with the base and the holes (2) for fastening to the vertical support. Two pairs of guides (4) in pairs making up the slots narrowing towards the bottom to allocate the top ends of the posts (5), connected with the arched console (9) by means of the stiffeners (6,7) and the strut (8) with at least one tangential flange (10) with a hole (11) to fasten the installed equipment. It is achieved simplifying of operations and reducing time for installation on a wall and a column, simplifying mounting of pump equipment on the arched console surfaces, increasing repairability, durability, providing a possibility of dismantle, compact storing and transporting and re-installation. |
| US09523372B2 |
Fan with overmolded blades
A fan member particularly for use in a vehicle cooling system. A formed metal hub member with a plurality of plastic polymer blade members. The blade members are overmolded on the hub member, preferably individually. The plastic polymer material is molded through openings in the hub member to help securely hold the blade members in place. |
| US09523371B2 |
Fan with resilient hub
A resilient hub assembly comprises a top plate, bottom plate, central hub, and outer spars. The central hub is coupled between the top plate and the bottom plate. The outer spars are coupled between the top plate and the bottom plate, and the outer spars are positioned in a circular arrangement about a common longitudinal axis of the top plate and the bottom plate. The resilient hub assembly is configured to be flexible. The top plate and/or the bottom plate may comprise cutouts, and/or the outer spars may be positioned as to allow a gap between the central hub and the outer spars to promote flexibility. |
| US09523370B2 |
Blower with curved blades
A centrifugal blower assembly comprises a scroll housing including a fluid inlet and a spaced apart fluid outlet. An impeller is disposed in the scroll housing and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades arranged annularly around an axis of rotation of the impeller. A portion of each blade adjacent the fluid inlet is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the impeller a greater distance than a portion of each blade coupled to a hub opposite the fluid inlet. Each of the blades includes a leading edge that is slanted or curved in a radial direction away from the axis of the rotation of the impeller, causing each of the blades to have a more equal distribution of pressure along a length of each of the blades when the impeller is rotated at a constant speed. |
| US09523366B2 |
Test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation having a self-protecting valve assembly for admitting water to the sump container
A self-protecting valve assembly for use in conjunction with a sump pump test and monitoring system having a test control module which generates a valve control signal for opening the valve to initiate a test cycle. The valve assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve which is responsive only to a valve-actuating signal and not to the valve control signal. A conversion circuit in the valve assembly converts the valve control signal to a valve actuating signal to actuate the valve. This protects the valve from receiving a false actuating signal in the event of a failure in the test control module. |
| US09523364B2 |
Ejector cycle with dual heat absorption heat exchangers
A system (20) has a first compressor (22) and a second compressor (52). A heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the first and second compressors to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressors. The system includes an economizer for receiving refrigerant from the heat rejection heat exchanger and reducing an enthalpy of a first portion of the received refrigerant while increasing an enthalpy of a second portion. The second portion is returned to the compressor. The ejector (66) has a primary inlet (70) coupled to the means to receive a first flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant. The ejector has a secondary inlet (72) and an outlet (74). The outlet is coupled to the first compressor to return refrigerant to the first compressor. A first heat absorption heat exchanger (80) is coupled to the economizer to receive a second flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant and is upstream of the secondary inlet of the ejector. A second heat absorption heat exchanger (90) is between the outlet of the ejector and the first compressor. |
| US09523361B2 |
Scroll compressor having back pressure chamber that operatively contains a discharge pressure and an intermediate pressure during different periods of time within a single compression cycle
A scroll compressor is provided. The scroll compressor may include a case; a fixed scroll installed in the case; a wrap portion configured to form a compression chamber by being engaged with the fixed scroll; a base portion coupled to the wrap portion so as to be movable with the fixed scroll but not rotate in a circumferential direction; a drive motor coupled to a rear surface of the base portion, and configured to eccentrically rotate the base portion and the wrap portion; and a main frame installed in the case, and configured to support the base portion. A back pressure chamber that communicates with the compression chamber may be formed between the wrap portion and the base portion where a pressure of the back pressure chamber corresponds to a discharge pressure or an intermediate pressure between the suction pressure and the discharge pressure. |
| US09523360B2 |
Gear pump and gear pump operating method
In order to highly precisely adjust a gap between a bearing and a gear rotor by a simple configuration, a gear pump of the present invention includes: a casing that includes an inlet and an outlet; a pair of gear rotors each of which is formed by integrating a gear portion with a shaft portion and which is disposed so as to engage with each other inside the casing; a bearing portion that supports the shaft portion so that the gear rotor is rotatable, the bearing portion being movable in the thrust direction of the gear rotor; and a gap adjustment unit that moves the bearing portion in the thrust direction so as to adjust a gap between the gear rotor and the bearing portion. |
| US09523349B2 |
Wind turbine control method
A wind turbine control method is described comprising the detection of the presence of an anomaly in the aerodynamic profile of the blades and operation of the wind turbine in accordance not only with the determination of said anomaly, but also taking into account the characteristics thereof. |
| US09523348B2 |
Rotor blade assembly with shim plate for mitigation pitch bearing loads
The invention is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine designed to mitigate pitch bearing loads. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade, a pitch bearing, and at least one shim plate. The rotor blade includes a body extending between a blade root and a blade tip. The pitch bearing includes an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of roller elements between the outer race and the inner race. As such, the inner race is rotatable relative to the outer race. The at least one shim plate may be configured between the inner race and the blade root or between the outer race and a hub of the wind turbine so as to mitigate loads experienced by the pitch bearing. |
| US09523347B2 |
Manual lifting tool for wind turbines
An apparatus for performing a supporting and/or a lifting operation to a wind turbine component inside the wind turbine nacelle is provided. The apparatus comprises at least a tool which comprises a manually operated linear actuator and a mounting device of said linear actuator in an element of the nacelle frame so that said linear actuator can be duly located with respect to the wind turbine component for performing said supporting and/or lifting operation. |
| US09523343B2 |
Power-conversion installation including a hydraulic machine provided with a runner
The invention relates to a Francis runner (200) for a hydraulic machine, comprising: a wheel (1), which is rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation (Z) of the runner (200); a crown (12); and a plurality of inwardly curved vanes (21), each of which has a peripheral edge (212). The peripheral edge (212) of at least one of the vanes is curved, the concavity thereof facing toward the outside of the runner (200). The maximum value of the distance measured between any point on the peripheral edge (202) and a straight line passing through a first connection point between the peripheral edge (212) and the wheel (1), and through a second connection point between the peripheral edge (212) and the crown (12), is at an intermediate point on the peripheral edge (212). The radius (Rn) from the intermediate point (N) is strictly smaller than the radius (Ra) from the first connection point (A). The radius (Rn) from the intermediate point (N) is strictly smaller than the radius (Rc) from the second connection point (C). |
| US09523342B2 |
Ignition device for spark-ignition internal combustion engine
It is configured such that plasma generated at a time of ignition should diffuse over an entire combustion chamber in a spark ignition type internal combustion engine in order to improve fuel efficiency. An ignition device for a spark ignition type internal combustion engine is provided including an ignition plug and a transmission antenna provided in the vicinity of the ignition plug and adapted to transmit an electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber. The ignition device allows a spark discharge generated between a central electrode and a ground electrode of the ignition plug to react with an electric field created via the transmission antenna in the combustion chamber so as to generate plasma and ignite fuel air mixture. A receiving antenna is arranged on a combustion chamber-facing surface of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and is adapted to receive the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission antenna. |
| US09523340B2 |
Apparatus for controlling engine of vehicle and method thereof
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle and a method thereof, and more particularly, provides an apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle and a method thereof capable of preventing damage on catalyst occurring upon controlling engine torque by controlling the engine torque based on an accumulated time of a torque decrease request from an ESC system or a TCS while monitoring temperature of the catalyst. |
| US09523334B2 |
System and method of controlling fuel supply of diesel engine
A system for controlling fuel supply of a diesel engine, may include a fuel pump controller configured to set a fuel supply target pressure supplied from a low-pressure fuel pump to a high-pressure pump in proportion to a quantity of fuel consumed by an injector, and a fuel pressure measurement sensor configured to measure a current fuel supply pressure supplied from the low-pressure fuel pump to the high-pressure pump, wherein revolutions per minute (RPM) of a motor for feeding fuel of the low-pressure fuel pump may be variably adjusted in accordance with the fuel supply target pressure. |
| US09523333B2 |
Actuator unit, in particular for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine
An actuator unit for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes an electrically conductive excitation winding, a ferromagnetic circuit having a ferromagnetic return, and a moveable armature. The armature is held in an idle position by a holding force of a spring element. A current flowing through the excitation winding produces (a) a magnetic holding force acting on the armature in the same direction as the spring holding force provided by the spring element, and (b) a magnetic motive force acting on the armature in the opposite direction as the magnetic holding force and spring holding force. The armature can be moved to a working position in which the armature adjoins the ferromagnetic return by increasing the current through the excitation winding above a predetermined value that results in the magnetic motive force exceeding the magnetic holding force combined with the spring holding force. |
| US09523331B2 |
Control device for turbocharged diesel engine
A control device for calculating a steady target value that is a target value of a supercharging pressure during steady operation on the basis of an engine rotation speed and a fuel injection amount in a turbocharged diesel engine. The control device operates the actuator through feedback control such that an actual supercharging pressure calculated from a signal of a supercharging pressure sensor follows the steady target value. |
| US09523330B2 |
System and method for combusting volatile vapors
A system for combusting volatile vapors includes: a carburetor having intake valves for receiving fuel from a fuel source, an from an external an intake, and volatile vapors from a vapor source, the carburetor configured to discharge a combustion mixture into a combustion engine; a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data based on a respective plurality of physical properties associated with the carburetor and the combustion engine; a programmable controller configured to receive the sensor data as input from each of the plurality of sensors and to control the intake valves to regulate respective ratios of the fuel, air, and the volatile vapors drawn through the carburetor in response to the received sensor data; and a display operatively coupled to the programmable controller to display at least a real-time portion of the sensor data. |
| US09523324B2 |
Method of controlling the fuel injection in an internal combustion engine
A method and apparatus for controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine is disclosed which controls a fuel injection pressure and a fuel injection energizing time, by using as input parameter an estimated corrected injector fuel quantity (Qcrtd). In particular, an injector fuel quantity deviation (ΔQCB) corresponding to a current engine operating point is estimated and stored in a corresponding point of a map, representing engine operating points defined in terms of injection pressure and injector fuel quantity values. The stored injector fuel quantity deviation (ΔQstored) are spread or propagated to each map point. For each engine operating point, the corrected injector fuel quantity (Qcrtd) is calculated by blending estimated values of the injector fuel quantity deviation (ΔQCB) with corresponding spread values of the stored injector fuel quantity deviation (ΔQstored) and summing this result to corresponding target values of the injector fuel quantity (Qtarget). |
| US09523316B2 |
Vaporized fuel processing apparatus
A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a canister capable of adsorbing vaporized fuel generated in a fuel tank, a closing valve provided in the vapor path connecting the canister and the fuel tank and having a valve seat and a valve movable portion, a pressure sensor configured to detect inner pressure of the fuel tank, and an electric control unit. The electric control unit is configured to set a learning value that is an axial distance between the valve seat and the valve movable portion at a valve opening start position at a fail-safe value such that the closing valve is in the valve closing state when the inner pressure of the fuel tank decreases by less than a predetermined value after repeating a stroke control process more than predetermined times. |
| US09523312B2 |
Integrated LNG gasification and power production cycle
The present disclosure provides an integrated power generating system and method and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporization system and method. More particularly, heat from a CO2 containing stream from the power generating system and method can be used to heat the LNG for re-gasification as gaseous CO2 from CO2 containing stream is liquefied. The liquefied CO2 can be captured and/or recycled back to a combustor in the power generating system and method. |
| US09523308B2 |
Oil drain plug and socket
An oil drain plug is disclosed for cooperating with a socket in an oil sump. The plug includes a main body, an eccentric pin protruding from the main body, and an enlarged tip on an end of the eccentric pin. The socket includes a cup-shaped cavity having a lateral wall open at one end, closed at the opposite end by a bottom wall and including an internal surface for mating with the main body of the plug. The bottom wall includes an external surface facing outside the cavity, a through hole such that the enlarged tip of the plug extends beyond the external surface, and a slot departing from the through hole towards a distal end along an arched path centered in the axis and having a smaller width than the through hole for preventing the enlarged tip of the plug from passing through it. |
| US09523304B2 |
Exhaust pipe
An exhaust pipe that forms an exhaust flow channel includes a first flow channel member that forms part of the exhaust flow channel, and a second flow channel member connected in series with the first flow channel member, and forms part of the exhaust flow channel. A downstream-side end of the first flow channel member is inserted into an upstream-side end of the second flow channel member. A communication channel that communicates between an inside and an outside of the exhaust pipe is formed between an outer surface of an insertion part of the first flow channel member and an inner surface of an insertion-receiving part of the second flow channel member. The insertion-receiving part is arranged to face higher than a horizontal direction. |
| US09523302B2 |
Off gas purification device
An exhaust gas purification catalyst apparatus. The apparatus has a noble metal component for oxidizing NOx in an exhaust gas discharged from a diesel engine, a reducing agent spraying means for supplying the reducing agent selected from a urea component or an ammonia component, and a selective reduction catalyst (SCR) not comprising a noble metal for removing by reduction NOx by contacting with the reducing agent, in this order from the upstream side of an exhaust gas passage. Activity of the selective reduction catalyst (SCR) is maintained by setting that the noble metal component of the oxidation catalyst (DOC) comprises platinum and palladium, and ratio of platinum particles existing alone is 20% or less, or average particle diameter of the noble metal is 4 nm or larger, and by suppressing volatilization of platinum from the oxidation catalyst (DOC), even when catalyst bed temperature increases up to 900° C. |
| US09523301B2 |
Reducing agent metering system with leak monitoring
The invention relates to a reducing agent metering system for injecting a reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream of a combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, with a feed pump, by means of which reducing agent is conveyed from a reducing agent tank via a delivery line and is introduced via at least one nozzle into the exhaust gas stream of the combustion engine, whereby the delivery line is formed by a hose (1) that has on the outside an electrical conductor (2) that encloses the hose (1) like a jacket, whereby the reducing agent metering system has a monitoring unit by means of which the electrical conductivity between the reducing agent in the hose (1) and the electrical conductor (2) is monitored. |
| US09523300B2 |
Exhaust emission purifier of internal combustion engine
An electronic control unit estimates the amount of sulfur accumulated in a filter for purifying PM and NOx based on the operating state of an engine. When an estimated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination value, a first regeneration procedure is executed, in which sulfur is released from the filter by raising the temperature of the filter up to a first predetermined temperature and lowering the exhaust air-fuel ratio. When predetermined conditions are met the second regeneration procedure is executed separately from the first regeneration procedure. In the second regeneration procedure, sulfur is completely released from the filter by raising the temperature of the filter up to a temperature higher than the first temperature and lowering the exhaust air-fuel ratio. The estimated value is reset upon completion of the second regeneration procedure. |
| US09523298B2 |
Crankcase breech detection for boosted engines
Methods for indicating whether a crankcase of an engine is breeched are provided. One example method comprises restricting a communication of the crankcase with atmosphere, acting to increase or decrease a crankcase pressure, and indicating whether the crankcase is breeched based on the crankcase pressure. Another example method comprises sensing a crankcase pressure component, and indicating whether the crankcase is breeched based on the crankcase pressure component, the crankcase communicating with atmosphere via a conduit, a restrictedness of the conduit responsive to one or more of a crankcase pressure and a signal from an electronic control unit of the motor vehicle. Still other examples provide more particular methods for indicating whether the crankcase is breeched, and example configurations that enable the various methods. |
| US09523297B2 |
Engine apparatus with blow-by gas handling device
An engine apparatus that utilizes a gas pressure regulation valve not only for pressure adjustment but also for removal of lubricant. An engine apparatus includes a blow-by gas returning device to return a leakage of blow-by gas from a combustion chamber to an intake system. The engine apparatus includes an expansion chamber, into which the blow-by gas is introduced from the gas pressure regulation valve. In the expansion chamber, lubricant contained in the blow-by gas is isolated. The blow-by gas is returned to an intake side of an engine from the expansion chamber. |
| US09523291B2 |
Valve actuation system having rocker-located hydraulic reservoir
A valve actuation system is disclosed for an engine. The system may have at least one gas exchange valve, a rocker shaft, a camshaft, a rocker arm connected to the rocker shaft and operatively engaged with the camshaft, a valve bridge engaged with the at least one gas exchanger valve, a lash adjuster disposed in the valve bridge, and a button configured to slide on the valve bridge. The system may further include a pin fluidly connecting the rocker arm to the button and having an elongated cylindrical shaft with a first open end inside the rocker arm and a second end inside the button. The pin may also have a head connected to and a reservoir formed in the elongated cylindrical shaft. The pin may further have passages extending from the bore of the rocker arm to the reservoir, and s passage extending from the reservoir through the head. |
| US09523290B2 |
Rankine cycle
A Rankine cycle includes a refrigerant pump, a heat exchanger, an expander and a condenser. The Rankine cycle further includes a clutch provided in a power transmission path extending from an engine to the refrigerant pump. Prior to the operation of the Rankine cycle and during the deceleration of the vehicle, the clutch is fastened and the refrigerant pump is driven with use of the vehicle inertia force. |
| US09523287B2 |
Cooling hole cleaning method and apparatus
Blockages of turbomachine cooling circuit cooling holes resulting from coating processes can be removed by introducing a cleaning agent into the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit can be connected to a cleaning agent supply under pressure, adding force on the blockage to chemical action by the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent is chemically reactive with the coating material and substantially chemically non-reactive with the underlying material of the cooling circuit and other parts of the turbomachine. A neutralization agent can also be introduced to reduce toxicity and/or action of the cleaning agent. |
| US09523285B2 |
Energy storage systems with medium voltage electrical heat exchangers
Energy storage systems and methods use medium voltage (MV) electrical heat exchangers to increase the efficiency of the energy storage system and/or reduce emission of pollutants. MV electrical heat exchangers use medium range voltages to heat a fluid, such as a gas or liquid. The heated fluid is used in the energy storage system to either drive a turbine generator directly or indirectly, such as by generating steam to drive the turbine generator. The electricity used to power the MV electrical heat exchangers can be from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind-powered sources, further increasing efficiency of the energy storage system. |
| US09523283B2 |
Turbine vane
In a turbine vane and a gas turbine, an outer shroud is fixed to one end of a vane body formed in a hollow shape, an inner shroud is fixed to the other end thereof, and a partition plate is fixed to the inner portions of the vane body, the outer shroud, and the inner shroud, so that a cavity is formed so as to be continuous between the partition plate and the group of the vane body, the outer shroud, and the inner shroud. Then, the vane body, the outer shroud, and the inner shroud are provided with a plurality of cooling holes, and the partition plate is provided with a plurality of penetration holes. Accordingly, since the vane structure or the end wall structure is evenly cooled, a deformation or damage may be suppressed. |
| US09523277B2 |
Turbine engine
A multiple-fluid, multiple-substance, multiple-phase, multiple-pressure, multiple-temperature, multiple-stage turbine engine. In preferred embodiments, one or more fluids are supplied by passageways in the turbine shaft or supplied by non-shaft passageways, or both, through rotor passageways to multiple-phase, multiple-fluid, multiple-substance nozzles affixed to one or more perimeters, radial surfaces, axial surfaces, and/or curved or slanted surfaces of the turbine rotor assemblies. The multiple perimeters, radial surfaces, axial surfaces, and/or curved or slanted surfaces of the turbine rotor assemblies are preferably configured and located for multiple inlet and exit velocities of the nozzles, multiple inlet and exit pressures of the nozzles, or combinations thereof. The one or more fluids entering the turbine may each be a substance of single phase, or a substance of multiple phases, or a mix of the single-phase and/or multiple-phase conditions for two or more entrance fluids. |
| US09523275B2 |
Identifying an axis of a stimulated reservoir volume for a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region
In some aspects, a boundary is computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. A major axis of a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified based on the boundary. In some examples, the boundary is an ellipsoid, and the major axis of the ellipsoid is identified. |
| US09523274B2 |
Telemetry system and method of communicating through a tubular
A telemetry system including a tubular. A pump in operable communication with the tubular configured to pump a fluid through the tubular; a flow altering arrangement in operable communication with at least one of the pump and the tubular. A flow interacting detail disposed in the tubular; and a load sensor configured to detect forces imposed on the flow interacting detail due to flow through the flow interacting detail and output signals related to the forces detected. Also included is a method of communicating through a tubular. |
| US09523272B2 |
Amplification of data-encoded sound waves within a resonant area
A method of amplifying a data-encoded acoustic signal in an oil or gas well system comprising: performing at least a first transmission of the data-encoded acoustic signal from a transmitter towards a receiver, wherein at least some of the data-encoded acoustic signal is reflected from a well system object; providing an impedance mismatch point; and causing or allowing amplification of the data-encoded acoustic signal, wherein the amplification is due to the well system object, the impedance mismatch point, and the transmitter. |
| US09523269B2 |
Automatic control system and method for a drilling tool changer apparatus
A control system for an automatic drilling tool changer apparatus for use with a drilling rig includes a drilling control device programmed with a control scheme for controlling the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus, and a user interface coupled to the drilling control device for initiating actions of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus and for interactively monitoring a status of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus. The control scheme includes steps for an automatic drilling tool change-out operation, and the drilling control device and the user interface are configured to communicate with the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus over a network. |
| US09523265B2 |
Detonating cord clip
An apparatus for use with a perforating device includes a section having a window and a detonating cord disposed in a bore of the section. The apparatus may include a detonator configured to generate a high order detonation; and a clip connecting the detonator to the detonating cord. The clip may be formed as a ribbon having a base and a prong extending from opposing sides of the base. The base has an opening for receiving the detonator. The prongs have biased ends to secure the detonating cord against a face of the detonator. |
| US09523259B2 |
Vertical subsea tree annulus and controls access
A wellhead assembly includes a tubular housing assembly having a housing sidewall, an axial bore, and a housing annulus passage extending from the axial bore through the housing sidewall. A tubing hanger is secured to a string of tubing and is selectively landed in the housing assembly. The tubing hanger has a vertical bore in fluid communication with the axial bore. A vertical tree assembly is selectively landed on the housing assembly, the vertical tree assembly having a tree member located axially above the tubing hanger. The tree member has a lateral bore for directing a flow of production fluid from a well. A tree annulus passage extends through a sidewall of the tree member. An external annulus passage extends external of the tree member and the housing assembly and is in fluid communication with the housing annulus passage and the tree annulus passage. |
| US09523256B2 |
Fold back swell packer
A fold back ring for a swell packer is disclosed. A swell packer has a support member, a swellable element coupled to the support member, and a fold back ring coupled to the support member and engaging the swellable element. The fold back ring is sized and positioned such that when the swellable element swells, the fold back ring flexes outwardly and is caught between the swellable element and the interior surface of the well. The fold back ring therefore forms a barrier against extrusion of the swellable element. |
| US09523247B1 |
Spaced VIV suppression system
An apparatus, system and method capable of spacing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) suppression device from a tubular. The apparatus, system and method including a collar capable of facilitating suppression of VIV of a high temperature tubular; suppressing VIV of multiple tubulars covered by a single suppression device; or allowing for functioning of the tubular cathodic protection system. |
| US09523245B2 |
Shank adaptor with fracture resistant flushing hole
A rock drilling shank adaptor includes an elongate body having an internal flushing bore and an entry hole through the sidewall of the adaptor in fluid communication with the internal bore. The flushing hole is optimized to reduce the likelihood of fracture at the wall of the adaptor and in particular includes straight sections at axially forward and rearwardmost regions of the hole. |
| US09523242B2 |
System and method of constant depth of cut control of drilling tools
A method of configuring a blade of a drill bit includes determining a first desired depth of cut for a first radial swath associated with a bit face of a drill bit. The first radial swath is associated with a first area of the bit face. The method further includes identifying a first plurality of cutting elements located on the bit face. Each of the cutting elements includes at least a portion located within the first radial swath. The method additionally includes configuring a first blade surface of a blade. The first blade surface is located within the first radial swath and configured based on the first desired depth of cut for the first radial swath. The blade surface is also configured based on each portion of the first plurality of cutting elements located within the first radial swath. |
| US09523233B2 |
Swing door
A swing type garage door has one or more of several features, including a door body rotationally connected to a door frame, the door body having one or more of: a trussing system having vertical and horizontal truss members, the horizontal members having openings through which the vertical members extend to distribute a load on the door body to the door frame in both a vertical and a horizontal direction; first and second sections hingedly connected with a hinge to allow ease in transport; a main door body section and a door load truss section hingedly connected at a bottom of the main door body to provide load trussing when the door is open; and at least one brace rotatably connected to the door body on an interior thereof and rotatable between a first bracing position and a second storage position to brace in high wind loading conditions. |
| US09523231B2 |
Attachment assembly and drive unit having same
A drive unit comprising a guide channel that has a first pulley at one end that rotates about a fixed pulley axis. The drive unit also includes a flexible drive member having a plurality of spaced windows, an attachment assembly moveably attached to the guide channel, and an adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the guide channel that has a second pulley that rotates around a moveable pulley axis that can be adjusted to change the distance between the fixed pulley axis and the moveable pulley axis to take up slack in the flexible drive member. |
| US09523227B1 |
Anti-drop safety device assembly
An anti-drop safety device assembly includes a hinge including a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate hinged together, a bumper assembly including a first positioning member pivoted to the first hinge plate, a second positioning member movably in and out of the first positioning member and a bumper connected between the first and second positioning members, and an anti-drop device including a connection member inserted through the second hinge plate and pivoted to the second positioning member and a friction pad mounted at the top side of the connection member for creating a friction force between the anti-drop device and the flip door panel to prevent the flip door panel from dropping suddenly when the flip door panel is pulled by the anti-drop device out of the top side of the cabinet. |
| US09523225B2 |
Concealed hinge
A concealed hinge is described. The concealed hinge may be used in the utility body vehicle market. The concealed hinge includes a first housing. The first housing holds a first pin and a second pin. The concealed hinge includes a second housing. The second housing holds a third pin and a fourth pin. The concealed hinge includes a linkage, which includes a central link, an upper link, and a lower link. The first pin and the second pin engage the first housing to the linkage. The third pin and the fourth pin engage the second housing to the linkage. |
| US09523222B2 |
Push/push latch
The instant disclosure provides a push latch having a pivotally mounted blocking hammer including a head with a lever arm extending away from the head to a counter-weight. Under normal operating conditions, the hammer is held in an inert/balanced condition. Under such normal conditions, a portion of the hammer head may be in periodic contact with a resin of tacky character defining a bumper to aid in dampening vibration. Upon the occurrence of a high impact force, the rotational force provided by the counterweight is sufficient to cause the hammer to rotate into blocking relation relative to the latching mechanism so as to prevent unlatching. In the rotated condition, the counterweight may be in contact with an optional resin of tacky character defining a bumper to reduce rebound action. |
| US09523221B2 |
Pin latch with detection device and movable catch-pin and intermediate position with automatic return mechanism
A pin latch includes a guide block, a handle having a trigger, and a shear pin housed slidably within the guide block and connected to the handle. The shear pin includes a catch-pin engageable by the trigger, and is slidable between an engageable position and a disengageable position when the handle is moved from a closed position to an open position. Alternately, the pin latch includes a bracket connected to the shear pin and includes a catch-pin, and the handle is moveable to an intermediate position, such that a trigger is disengaged from the catch-pin and the shear pin engages a stop pin. A guide block spring acts on the stop pin to retain releasably the handle in its intermediate position. The guide block includes a finger and the shear pin includes a groove sized and shaped to receive the finger when the pin latch is in an unlatchable position. |
| US09523220B2 |
Door outside handle for vehicle
A door outside handle for vehicle may include a door handle which has a handle hinge formed at one end and a handle lever formed at the other end and has a lever groove formed on a lower end bottom surface of the handle lever, a handle base which has a hinge hole formed at one end and a lever hole formed at the other end into which the handle hinge and the handle lever are inserted, and has two shaft coupling portions separately formed at a position corresponding to where the lever hole is formed, and a balance weight which includes a balance shaft rotatably inserted into the shaft coupling portions and has an assembly protrusion formed to be fitted to the lever groove. |
| US09523219B2 |
Safety, self-latching, magnetic gate latch device
Disclosed is a self-latching gate latch device. The device comprises a latch and a magnet bar housing assembly wherein, the latch assembly comprises a horizontal latch bar that is horizontally movable between a forward latch bar engagement position and a backward default latch bar disengagement position and wherein, the magnet assembly comprises a magnet bar that is vertically movable between a default downward magnet bar engagement position and an upward magnet bar disengagement position. The bottom end of the magnet bar is secured with a magnet. When the magnet bar is in the default position thereof, the attraction force between the magnet and the latch bar causes the latch bar to move to the latch bar engagement position at which point, the latch bar engages the magnet assembly. A twist knob that operates a guide and track mechanism is provided wherein, twisting and lifting the twist knob causes the magnet bar to move to the magnet bar disengagement position, which, in turn, causes the latch bar to move to its default position. |
| US09523213B2 |
Hemispherical, breathable, double-wall, all-season, portable building
A portable building for all seasons combines elegant design with durability and functionality. An air pocket between two walls creates efficient thermal insulation in winter. Endures high winds with a flexible wall and frame system. Self supportive, ground-anchored with steel stakes and sewn as a single hemisphere provide strength and stability. 100% renewable and breathable fabric promotes health, allows intimate nature contact and is affordable. Lightweight, foldable to 0.6% of assembled volume, transportable by car, it can be assembled by one person repeatedly. Detachable, replaceable mosquito screens, clear vinyl and privacy blinds maximize use of each passageway. Skylights, natural toned UV filtered light, arched passageways and vaulted high ceilings free of angular shapes combine to create an atmosphere of serenity and simple elegance enhancing creativity and physical wellbeing. Synergistic features provide comfort for all everyday human activities making it suitable, and environmentally-friendly for long-term use off-grid. |
| US09523211B2 |
Towers
Methods and arrangements for controlling the tension of tensioning cables in precompressed towers are disclosed. The towers may comprise a tower section (5), a pair of flanges (15, 15′), a plurality of tensioning cables (10A-10D) and at least one tensioner (30AB, 30CD). The pair of flanges may be arranged around an upper and a lower part of the tower section. The at least one tensioner may be arranged between two of the plurality of tensioning cables (10A-10D). The tensioner may pull the tensioning cables in response to a load signal to increase the tension. |
| US09523209B2 |
Immersive theater
An immersive theater is provided having a screen oriented with respect to a pitched seating area to provide an immersive theater experience for all of the viewers. The theater can include a three-dimensional, concave shaped screen, defining a central axis that extends perpendicularly from the center point of the concave screen directed toward the seating area. The screen is oriented at a prescribed pitch angle (α) relative to the horizontal. The theater has a seating area having a plurality of seats for viewers and is set up in a stacked arrangement along a planar region and pitched at a prescribed angle (β). The seating area is further confined within a viewing area that is centered on the central axis of the screen. |
| US09523207B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjustable post-tensioning of concrete
A tensioning device and method for post-tensioning a concrete member having at least one crack is provided. The tensioning device may include an elongated body, a stitch catch arm and an anchor. The catch arm may be perpendicularly joined to one end of the elongated body, wherein the catch arm is inserted into a hole in the concrete member. The elongated body may form an anchor recess therein, wherein an anchor interface surface is defined by the anchor recess. The anchor interface may form an anchor aperture for receiving the anchor. The thickness of the anchor interface may uniformly decrease as the anchor interface extends toward the catch arm end of the anchor recess so that when ratcheting the anchor into the concrete member and onto the anchor interface a portion of the applied compressive force and/or torque may be transformed into an axial force along the elongated body so as to provide post-tensioning through the tensioning device and across the at least one crack. |
| US09523201B2 |
Construction components having embedded internal support structures to provide enhanced structural reinforcement for, and improved ease in construction of, walls comprising same
A construction component provides structural reinforcement of structures built therewith, by embedding an internal support structure within a substrate component such as a cast concrete block during fabrication of the construction component. The embedded internal support structure can include interface plates that are structurally coupled to the internal support structure and are made accessible outside of the substrate to permit the internal support structures of the individual construction components to be mechanically tied together in constructing a structure therewith. The internal support structure can be triangular, and can be coupled together using threaded bolts, rivets or welds. The substrate block is formed with vertical channels to provide access to the interface plates of components being coupled during construction. Wall structures may be constructed through standard, non-standard and specialty components of the invention to create an integrated internal reinforcement lattice that permeates the wall structure, and that can be coupled to a foundation to create structures having superior lateral reinforcement. |
| US09523197B2 |
Sound dampening wall
An acoustic dampening dual-stud construction member is disclosed herein. The dual-stud construction member is composed of two single studs adhered to each other with an acoustic dampening material and spaced a fixed distance apart from each other as a single unitary member which may be used in building construction. Walls having a high sound transmission coefficient may be quickly and easily assembled using the unitary member composed of two studs. |
| US09523195B2 |
Wall insulation boards with non-halogenated fire retardant and insulated wall systems
According to one embodiment, a halogen free wall system is described. The wall system includes wall studs that are coupled together to form a frame and polyisocyanurate insulation boards that are positioned on an exterior side of the frame to form an exterior wall. The polyisocyanurate foam boards include a polyisocyanurate core having a halogen free fire retardant. Wall boards are attached to an interior side of the frame to form an interior wall. The wall boards are free of a halogenated fire retardant. The wall studs, polyisocyanurate foam boards, and wall board define a plurality of wall cavities within which an insulation material is positioned. The insulation material is free of a halogenated fire retardant. |
| US09523194B2 |
Reinforced blockwork construction method
A method of forming a structure comprising reinforced concrete filled masonry units is provided. A hollow masonry unit is laid in a first course. The hollow interior of the masonry unit is filled with reinforced concrete so that the concrete overflows and is spread out across the upper surface of the masonry unit to form a bed joint. A further masonry unit may be laid upon the bed joint to form a second course. A header end of the masonry unit may be vertically slotted to allow the unit to be threaded transversely over pre-installed elongate reinforcements such as rebars. |
| US09523193B2 |
Fire-rated joint system
A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece. |
| US09523189B2 |
Water vapour control, which is arranged facing the inside of a building
Water vapor control, which is arranged facing the inside of a building, comprising a first layer having a water vapor diffusion resistance (sd-value) of 1-5 meters diffusion-equivalent air space width, measured at a relative humidity of an atmosphere surrounding the layer of 30-50%, and having a Sd-value of <1 meters diffusion-equivalent air space width, measured at a relative humidity of 60-80%, and a second layer having a Sd-value of >0.6 meters diffusion-equivalent air space width, measured at a relative humidity of 80-100%. |
| US09523183B2 |
System and method for optimizing a reversing operation
A system for determining optimized shift locations of a transmission of a machine as the machine moves along a work surface includes a position sensor, a transmission having a low gear and a high gear, and a controller including a machine controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of the work surface, store a shift threshold, and control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon the position of the work surface and the shift threshold. The machine controller is configured to control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon operating parameters of the machine. |
| US09523179B2 |
Window well drainage system for draining surface water runoff and method for performing the same
A window well drainage system and method are provided. According to an aspect, the system comprises a window well base defining a window well cavity having a lowest end, a main drainage conduit opening in the window well cavity, a window well screening component engageable to cover the window well cavity and a drainage conduit screening component engageable to cover the upper port of the main drainage conduit, the window well screening component and the drainage conduit screening component being spaced apart from one another when engaged. According to another aspect, the system further comprises at least one secondary drainage conduit connectable to the main drainage conduit, said at least one secondary drainage conduit extending from the main drainage conduit to the foundation drain when connected to the main drainage conduit. |
| US09523176B2 |
Road milling machine and method for measuring the milling depth
A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track. |
| US09523174B2 |
System for fastening a rail on a subsurface
A system for fastening a rail on a subsurface, includes a support plate having a contact surface, and at least one guide plate that is seated on said support plate and has a passage opening for a clamping element, which leads from the free top side thereof to the bottom side thereof. The clamping element is guided through the passage opening and is fixedly connected to the subsurface. A latching connection between the support plate and the guide plate is formed in the region of the passage opening by at least one latch arm. The latch arm engages through said passage opening and has a latch projection which interacts in an interlocking manner with a stop formed on said guide plate. A recess is molded into the circumferential surface delimiting said passage opening of said guide plate, in which recess the respectively associated latch arm is seated. |
| US09523173B1 |
Press apparatus
A press apparatus is disclosed for removing water from a web that has been supported on an upstream forming wire. The press apparatus includes a first roll which cooperates with the forming wire for transferring the web from the forming wire to the first roll, the first roll being a suction roll. A second roll is disposed downstream relative to the first roll, the second roll cooperating with the first roll for defining therebetween a first nip for the removal of a first portion of the water from the web during passage of the web through the first nip. The second roll is a suction roll. A third roll is disposed downstream relative to the second roll, the third roll cooperating with the second roll for defining therebetween a second nip for the removal of a second portion of the water from the web during passage of the web through the second nip. The third roll is a plain roll. A looped first press felt extends around the first roll and through the first nip such that the first press felt supports the web from the forming wire to the first nip, the first press felt being disposed between the web and the first roll from the forming wire to the first nip. Also, a looped second press felt extends around the second roll and through the first nip such that the second press felt supports the web from the first nip to the second nip, the second press felt being disposed between the web and the second roll from the first nip to the second nip. |
| US09523171B2 |
Balancer and washing machine having the same
A washing machine having a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated during rotation of a drum. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet, and a balancer mounted to the drum to offset unbalanced load generated in the drum during rotation of the drum. The balancer includes a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein, at least one mass movably disposed in the channel, a magnet provided at one side of the balancer housing to restrain the mass, and a magnet case to receive the magnet. |
| US09523167B2 |
Garment dyeing machine
A garment dyeing machine (10) includes a container (12), a roller (22) to which brassieres are releasably attachable, the roller (22) being within the container (12) and rotatable relative to the container (12) about an axis of rotation (R-R), the garment dyeing machine having two nozzles (24) for spraying a dye solution onto the roller (22). |
| US09523166B2 |
Kits and methods of treating a substrate prior to formation of an image thereon
Methods and kits for treating a fibrous substrate prior to forming an image thereon are provided. The method can include positioning a treatment sheet adjacent to the fibrous substrate, transferring a salt (e.g., calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or a mixture thereof) from the treatment sheet to the fibrous substrate using a wetting solution (e.g., an aqueous solution, such as water) to carry the salt from the treatment sheet into the fibrous substrate, and drying the fibrous substrate such that the salt remains in the substrate. For example, the transfer of the salt from the treatment sheet into the fibrous substrate can be accomplished via pressing the backside of the treatment sheet such that the wetting solution flows from the treatment sheet into the fibrous substrate while carrying the salt. |
| US09523165B2 |
Bed covering product and method of manufacture
A bed covering product, system and a process of manufacturing such product is disclosed to form a one-piece, multi-panel upper and lower sheet assembly. The lower sheet fits on a mattress in a removable manner and the upper sheet is connected to the lower sheet through expandable flaps of material made from elastic, stretchable material. An expansion flap zipper runs between the sides of the upper and lower sheets so as to close the assembly when it is zipped, whereby the upper sheet is pulled tightly against the lower sheet but when it is opened by unzipping the upper sheet is allowed to move away from the lower sheet to the extent of the expandable flaps of material. Another release zipper is disposed adjacent the expansion flap zipper and interior for allowing laundering the upper and lower sheets separately. |
| US09523164B2 |
Nonwoven fabric with bonding pattern
A nonwoven fabric has multiplicity of fibers, bonded portions, and unbonded portions. The bonded portions are spaced apart from one another, each bonded portion comprises portions of the fibers that are bonded together, and each bonded portion has a thickness extending perpendicularly between opposite faces of the nonwoven fabric. Each unbonded portion comprises portions of the fibers that are not bonded together, and each unbonded portion has a thickness extending perpendicularly between the opposite faces of the nonwoven fabric. The thicknesses of the unbonded portions is greater than the thicknesses of the bonded portions. The bonded portions are sized and arranged for providing a desirable balance of properties. |
| US09523157B2 |
Method for growing an AIN monocrystal and device for implementing same
The invention relates to the technology for producing three-dimensional monocrystals and can preferably be used in optoelectronics for manufacturing substrates for various optoelectronic devices, including light-emitting diodes that emit light in the ultraviolet region. The method for growing an AlN monocrystal by gas-phase epitaxy from a mixture containing a source of Al and NH3 comprises arranging the Al source and a substrate, with the growth surface of said substrate turned towards said Al source, opposite one another in a growth chamber, said source and substrate forming a growth zone, producing a flow of NH3 in the growth zone; and heating the Al source and the substrate to temperatures that ensure the growth of the AlN monocrystal on the substrate. The Al source used is only free Al, the substrate is pretreated with Ga and/or In, whereupon the Al source is cooled to a temperature of 800-900° C. and the substrate is annealed by being heated to a temperature of 1300-1400° C. with subsequent cooling of said substrate to the nitriding temperature of the growth surface of said substrate. The invention ensures a reduction in the extent of flaws in the AlN monocrystal being grown. |
| US09523153B2 |
Pre-treatment method for plating and storage medium
A pre-treatment method for plating can form a plating layer having sufficient adhesivity on an inner surface of a recess and on a surface of a substrate at an outside of the recess even when the recess has a high aspect ratio. The pre-treatment method for plating includes a preparation process of preparing the substrate having the recess; a first coupling layer forming process of forming a first coupling layer 21a at least on the inner surface of the recess of the substrate by using a first coupling agent; and a second coupling layer forming process of forming a second coupling layer 21b at least on the surface of the substrate at the outside of the recess by using a second coupling agent after the first coupling layer forming process. |